Did you know that plants have been making aspirin for millions of years? And humans have been using it as far back as Neanderthal times for self-medication? The pain medication can be found in trees and sunflowers alike in an unprocessed form called salicylic acid, created in … [Read more...] about How aspirin and crop resilience go hand in hand
plants
These microbes could help honey bees thrive
As we like to remind our readers a lot at The Optimist Daily, honeybees are essential for our planet's ecosystem. Humans rely on these little pollinators for food security as they basically pollinate everything! Not to mention the countless other species that rely on plants to … [Read more...] about These microbes could help honey bees thrive
Plants can get sunburnt too. Here’s what to do about it
Summer is just around the corner, and in this changing climate, that could mean even hotter weather and more intense droughts. While we’ve written various articles about how to keep cool in the summer heat and how to shield your skin from dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays, there’s … [Read more...] about Plants can get sunburnt too. Here’s what to do about it
This ancient enzyme can boost photosynthesis and crop yield
Photosynthesis - turning carbon dioxide, water, and light into oxygen and sugars - is the natural process by which plants sustain themselves. It's what has allowed life to flourish on this earth by transforming the atmosphere into an oxygen-rich environment. Besides pumping out … [Read more...] about This ancient enzyme can boost photosynthesis and crop yield
These 6 nervine herbs support the nervous system
It’s nothing new that herbs are full of substances that support our bodies. Studies have shown some can fend off inflammation, heal wounds, and calm stress. Then there are some called nervine herbs that actually support our nervous system. What are nervine herbs? Nervine herbs … [Read more...] about These 6 nervine herbs support the nervous system