Newsletter

Corning Healthcare District

WINTER 2017

Contact Information:

Elaine Benwell Elder Services Program Manager

Corning Healthcare District 530-824-4559

175 Solano Street Corning, CA 96021

https://www.corninghealthcaredistrict.org /

ELDER SERVICES

No. 2

Wintergreen is native to North America.

Wintergreen is closely related to

blueberries, huckleberries and cranberries.

Wintergreen is used in gum, candies, and

toothpaste for its refreshing minty flavor.

Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)

sometimes called Teaberry, Checkerberry,

Deerberry, or Boxberry is not the same as

Winterberry (Ilex verticillate), which is a

type of holly.

Wintergreen berries are edible and leaves

have been used to make tea, but the pure

essential (or volatile) oil is toxic. The main

chemical component of Wintergreen

essential oil is methyl salicylate. Methyl

salicylate is similar to aspirin and is

naturally found in only two plants across

the world— the birch and wintergreen

plants. Because the oil is concentrated, a

mere 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of wintergreen oil

is equivalent to approximately 7000 mg of

salicylate or 21.5 adult aspirin tablets.

WINTERGREENFacts about 

Merry Berries for a jolly holiday. Corning Healthcare District and the Elder Services program wish you all the best this holiday season and in

the coming year.

The first day of is December 21

The Corning Healthcare District (CHD) Elder Services Program provides health and wellness education,

workshops on cooking and nutrition, Medicare counseling through HICAP, Diabetes support, and information on

a wide variety of issues relevant to seniors, including Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's, caregiving, falls

prevention, personal and home safety, emergency preparedness, depression and mental health, suicide

prevention, and end of life planning.* We have assisted seniors with incontinence supplies, walkers,

emergency food, and much more.

CHD Elder Services also distributes the File of Life refrigerator magnet free of charge to community members

age 50 and over.

*Disclaimer: Elaine Benwell is not a medical professional. She provides information and support only. She

does not diagnose, treat, prescribe, or give medical advice.

In the News

New "electronic nose" sniffs out

disease. This inexpensive, non-

invasive, easy to use breathalyzer

technology can identify Parkinson's

disease, various cancers, kidney

failure, multiple sclerosis and

Crohn's disease with 86%

accuracy. Fine out more: .

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/07/

health/na-nose-disease-smell-

technology/index.htmlAdd cranberries to smoothies for flavor and a

nutrition boost. Find great recipes here:

https://greenblender.com/smoothies/7308/heal

th-benefits-of-cranberries

Cut back on added sugar in your cranberry

sauce by combining fresh cranberries with other

fruits to make a flavorful and festive compote.

Use orange juice or apple juice instead of

water, add a pinch of cinnamon, and simmer

cranberries with any of the

following: Pears, Raisins, Apples, Cherries,

Figs, Persimmons, Grapes, or Quince.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/269142.php

Helpful Hints

Meet the cranberry

The cranberry is native to North America. Wisconsin and Massachusetts

are currently the main producers of cranberries.

Cranberries are considered a superfood because they contain high amounts

of antioxidant polyphenols and proanthocyanidins, which give them anti-

inflammatory and anti-bacterial qualities.

The nutrients in cranberries have been linked to a lower risk of urinary tract

infections, prevention of certain types of cancer, improved immune function,

and decreased blood pressure.

A half-cup of cranberries contains only 25 calories.

Consumption of cranberries is contraindicated under certain conditions. If

you have questions, check with your doctor.