I’ve written before about some fantastic plant allies for dealing with panic attacks that are also helpful for day-to-day anxiety and tension—though some of these botanicals may be a bit too sedating when you’re trying to shave off some tension and relax
Healthy teeth don’t just make us look good. Our teeth and gums are critical for health. We obviously need our teeth for chewing so that we can break down food in one of the most important steps in the digestive process. Inadequately chewed food leads to many problems down the line. But, did you know that the
Most people use herbs to add a little flavor to their dishes and then forget all about them in their fridge. We often get a bunch but never use the entire thing. This is such a waste! Get the most bang out of your buck by using up your herbs in unconventional ways. Here are three creative ways to put your herbs to work.
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.
In the northern hemisphere, we’re coming into the darker time of year when the subconscious likes to make more of an appearance. Sometimes, this manifests as nightmares. And, while nightmares can be informative in terms of issues we may need to examine, especially if they’re recurring, sometimes they’re just plain problematic…causing distress and sleep disturbances.
If you have ever been in the backseat of a car on a winding road and started to feel nauseated, dizzy, and just plain awful, you have experienced motion sickness. We often feel symptoms of motion sickness when we are on a boat, a train, and even when flying on a plane. Children can sometimes get motion sick when playing on swings at the playground or when on rides at the fair, such as a spinning ride, or one that has you hanging upside down.
Ah, winter—the season of retreating indoors, finding every way to keep warm, and snuggling up with your favorite book or Netflix show for a slow descent into hibernation, solitude, and a fair amount of seasonal down time.
While the frigid cold winter weather outside can affect your energy levels and leave you with the sluggish winter blues, there are seasonal winter herbs that can also lift you out of your winter funk to revitalize your well-being and mood with some natural herbal supplements.
Botanicals have a lot to offer when it comes to keeping our nervous systems healthy and helping with nerve-related issues. Here are four of my most used allies!
When I first started studying botanical medicine, I was at work and got a call from my then-boyfriend asking which plant in the yard was yarrow. He had cut his hand and wanted to do some first aid to stop the bleeding and prevent infection. This wasn’t the first time. Having a garden of first aid plants really comes in handy. Beyond adding beauty to your surroundings, you have at hand easy and effective remedies for everything from cuts and abrasions to insect bites, burns and digestive distress. H
Mallows are great plant allies for our health. You may be familiar with marshmallow root, but did you know that the flowers and leaves are also good medicine? And that other mallows are equally useful? These include Hollyhock (Alcea rosea), that beautiful and easy-to-grow ornamental plant; Globe Mallow (Sphaeralcea species), a denizen of more desert-type areas; and Wild or Common Mallow (Malva neglecta & M.