herb

Exploring our ancestors’ use of natural remedies is a fine way to rediscover the forgotten traditional uses for several herbal combinations and tonics.

Do you have an herb or flower garden? Do you enjoy foraging for flowers and herbs? Learning how to properly harvest and dry plants can really help them last a while and preserve their flavor and beneficial properties.

Hot flashes may be a sign of entry into perimenopause, though not every woman will experience them. In fact, here in the West a majority of women will experience them, while in Japan, significantly fewer will.   

Mints are easy-to-grow perennials that are a beautiful and (usually) lovely-smelling addition to your garden—even if your garden is limited to a balcony, like mine is.  They do well at sea level. They do well at mountainous elevations. They can hack cool, damp summers or hot, intense summers. They are fine being buried in snow and will be there waiting for you in the spring.   While mints generally prefer rich and well-drained soil, I’ve grown them in heavy clay soils.

Growing herbs is often the gateway to becoming a gardener and eventually starting a vegetable garden.

Folks looking to be active may think of working on some muscle strength, but let’s not forget about those important bits that actually hold us up and let us move…our various connective tissues. Tendons, ligaments, cartilage as well as our bones are all, technically, connective tissue.  Tendons connect muscles to bone, which is why we can move.  Ligaments connect bone to bone, which is why we don’t just collapse into a pile on the floor.  Joints are a collection of connective tissues (cartilage and ligaments) that also let us move.

You may have heard of using lemon balm for preventing and treating cold sores. And it’s great. We know it’s helpful from a long history of traditional use as well as from research studies.  But lemon balm’s not the only game in town.

Incorporating herbs into your lifestyle can take many forms, from cooking with essential oils to making your own body scrubs and lips balms.

Pedicu-what???   This plant is a bit off the beaten path for many folks.  The name “Pedicularis” is from Latin, meaning “lice.”  Yum.  Commonly known as Lousewort, the plant was thought to cause a lice infestation if ingested. But, not to worry!  I’ve been using it for years and so far no lice.

Our four-legged friends feel tension and nervousness just like we do. And some of the same botanical allies that work for us may help them, too.  Three of the most popular calming remedies for us bipeds are also safe for your pooch when she’s having an off day: chamomile, valerian, and passionflower.