immune system

Superfood 101: Grape Tomato!

Grape tomatoes are a member of the family Solanaceae, also known as the Potato family, one of the many species of the genus Solanum L. or Nightshade P.  The plant was developed in Taiwan and was cultivated in North America in 1996 in Manatee County, Florida. By the turn of the 21st century the grape tomato was outselling the cherry tomato ten-to-one where they were available.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Oyster Mushrooms

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotis) and others are both a delicious edible mushroom and a great medicinal as well.  The wild ones are the tastiest, if you’re lucky enough to find them, though you can often find them at the grocery store or even grow your own with one of the many commercial growing kits available.  I found a small cluster this summer during what was an otherwise dismal mushroom season here in the Southern Rockies.  They smelled like aniseed…something

6 Essential Oils For The Lymph System

Your lymphatic system is a network of vessels, glands and lymph fluid and is a critical part of immunity, the transport of hormones and other bioactive molecules, and detox (think “vacuum cleaner”).  Herbalists have traditionally turned to “lymphatic herbs” to assist the body during

Cooking With Essential Oils: Orange Sesame Milk Smoothie (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

If the changing seasons have you wondering what to eat, try this sesame milk smoothie with orange essential oil. For those of us who eat seasonally, September and October are transitional months. Depending on where we are in the northern hemisphere, the heat could still be holding on, or there might be a noticeable crispness in the air. Straddling seasons can leave us a little stumped in terms of what to eat.

4 Herbs To Get Your Lymph System Going

Many folks aren’t in the habit of paying attention to the lymph system. Hopefully, that changes, because the lymph system is critical for dealing with infections and for recycling multiple substances (hormones, antibodies, plasma, and more) back into the bloodstream. Our cells expel wastes into the surrounding fluids, and the lymph system is important for soaking these and other toxins up for elimination from the body.

5 Great Reasons To Eat Button Mushrooms

Button mushrooms don’t get the respect they deserve. They’re often thought to be good for nothing but slapping on top of a pizza. But read on for a different story…

Spinach For Every Meal!

Popeye had it all figured out: spinach makes you strong and healthy, equipped to tackle the day. Readily available all year round, this accessible and affordable green leafy vegetable, a member of the amaranthaceae family, is a durable and nutritious addition to almost any meal: breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even as an afternoon snack. While spinach may not always top the charts as a superfood, it warrants a place at the table.

Your Guide To Summer Flowers: Hydrangea

Hydrangea are a member of the family Hydrangeaceae, commonly known as the Hydrangea family of the genus Hydrangea L. or hydrangea P., containing six species according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Mushroom Medicine: Making Double Extracts

Edible mushrooms are fantastic for our health. Eating mushrooms is my favorite way to reap their benefits, but at times a stronger dose may come in handy.  This is where mushroom extracts can be handy.  For those who’ve purchased commercial mushroom extracts, you may have noticed that they’re a bit expensive.  Why not learn to make your own?

Superfood 101: The Many Health Benefits Of Nettles

Nettles are a member of the family Urticaceae, commonly known as the Nettle family of the genus Urtica L. or Nettle P. with five species. The most commonly found is the stinging nettle, with three subspecies.