Nancy Dell: Ashwagandha for stress; gluten-free flours; apple peels benefits

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -  

1. I have had a lot of stress lately but not enough to take prescriptions. Is there a natural remedy to help me calm down?
Kelly, Internet

Naturalpathic physicians use Ashwagandha to ease stress. Compounds in the roots of the plant bind to the same receptors as prescription tranquillizers but not as tightly.

Therefore, Ashwagandha can improve your mood and help you sleep better without being habit forming. But do not use it along with a prescription sedative.

You can buy Ashwagandha in a capsule or buy a powdered form. If you get the powder you can simmer it in some milk and add a little cinnamon and sweetener. Then drink it at night to help you unwind.

2. I like to bake but just found out that I have celiac disease. What can substitute for the flour I usually use?
Carrie, Easthampton

Experts estimate that 1 in 100 people or 1.4 million people in the US have celiac disease. Celiac disease means you can't digest a protein called gluten found in wheat, rye, barley and some oats.

The result may be diarrhea, bone loss, anemia, irritated skin or damage to your teeth. Yet, some people may have no symptoms. If you have celiac disease and want to do some baking, right now your best bet is to use chickpea flour made from ground up raw or roasted chick peas. Use just seven-eighths of a cup for each full cup of wheat flour in the recipe.

Rice flour has been a good option but right now rice has been shown to be high in arsenic. So you may want to hold off on using it until that problem is cleaned up.

You may see other flours on the market made from quinoa, amaranth, coconut, and almonds. The problem with these is that you can only substitute up to half the wheat flour with these options.

3. How beneficial are the peel on an apple?
Liam, Internet

The peel of an apple contains at least a dozen antioxidants that reduce your risk of cancer.

Plus research shows that peels on many fruits and vegetables have ursolic acid, a compound that can cut your risk of obesity.

Do wash them well and try to buy organically grown apples since they are on the list of higher pesticide foods.