antibacterial

The lively acidic and fermented beverage that we’ve come to know and love as kombucha has become popularized in the U.S.

I love love love citrus oils! They make me salivate whether it’s lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, or whichever. They’re also some of the best mood-supporting oils and are awesome for many other reasons.

First, some safety considerations with citrus oils:

When you think of berries, you probably imagine plump blueberries or succulent strawberries picked at the peak of perfection. It is not often that juniper berries, which are not truly berries at all, come to mind. These antioxidant-rich, heart-healthy “berries” are actually a bitter spice originating from the female seed cones that come from juniper plants, a type of conifer, which is a cone-bearing shrub or tree.

Have you ever watched a commercial where a dark-haired man or woman is afraid of wearing a black top for fear of revealing his or her dandruff? This commercial usually advertised for a specific type of anti-dandruff shampoo and while the product may have worked, it more than likely had a slew of toxic ingredients. That said, no one wants dandruff. Dandruff can be caused by a dry scalp or be related to eczema, psoriasis, or several other skin conditions. No matter the cause, here are a few natural suggestions on dealing with dandruff, once and for all.

Recently, a client was hauling it very quickly down a hill on his road bicycle and took a trip over the handlebars.  Unfortunately, spandex doesn’t do much to protect the skin and he wound up with some pretty nasty road rashes, something most cyclists are familiar with (or may be at some point if not yet).   

While castor oil is no “wonder drug” to take all your hair problems away, it is an oil that’s high in nutrients and can add life to locks devoid of moisture, nutrition, and shine.

For anyone who gets a herpes cold sore from time to time (medically known as Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)), you know how unpleasant this ailment can be. These sores show up on the lips/mouth and can be quite painful and unsightly -- and are highly contagious. Along those lines, this means no smooching (the biggest reason I dislike having this virus), no sharing food or drink with friends and loved ones, and also generally means feeling low-energy and rundown.

Wildflowers are at their peak during mid-to-late summer in the northern United States and throughout Canada, but they’re more than just pretty. The bright purple of coneflowers and the blue of chicory are delicious for the eyes, but even better for the body.

Some really effective herbal medicines are in the kitchen, and here in Part 1 are my favorite uses for myself and my clients. In Part 2 next week, we’ll flip things around and look at culinary uses for medicinals typically neglected in the kitchen. You can geek out more on how to use kitchen herbs and spices for health here and here. Remember that quality counts .

Athlete’s Foot can be very uncomfortable, embarrassing, and sometimes painful. Today’s walk through Mother Earth’s Medicine Cabinet will lead you down a section of all-natural antifungal and antibacterial healers.

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection located on the skin and underneath the toenails of the feet. In some rare cases, athlete’s foot (so-called due to its prevalence in athletes) can actually spread to the hands. Tinea pedis is fairly contagious and spreads easily to the next victim.