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
Puppies. Adorable, entertaining, but a real responsibility to take on. If one of these exuberant little bundles of fur comes into our life, then it’s our job to give them the best start we can to, hopefully, a long and healthy life. (Though really, dogs don’t live nearly long enough!)
Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Exploring our ancestors’ use of natural remedies is a fine way to rediscover the forgotten traditional uses for several herbal combinations and tonics.
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.
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.
Suffering from anxiety? Mental health is just as important as physical health. While teas can be healthy for your physical body, they can also help your mental state of mind. Plus, they taste delicious! Here are three teas that can help soothe an anxious mind.
Sleep pillows are a sweet way to help when a restless mind or body, recurrent anxiety dreams, or even outright nightmares are keeping you awake. The use of sleep pillows is not new. “Dilly pillows” stuffed with dill, lavender, and other relaxing aromatic herbs were traditionally used to help babies relax and fall asleep. Sleep pillows also make great gifts, something to keep in mind as the holidays approach.
A cordial is a health-promoting, good tasting herbal drink that contains alcohol both as a preservative and solvent for extracting herb and spices. Cordials are generally taken in doses ranging from around 1/2 teaspoon to an ounce. The term derives from the Latin cor, meaning heart. Cordials are said to have originated during the Renaissance, but I would guess that their origins are actually older, given that distillation is an ancient process.
Fall is approaching. Here in Durango, Colorado, and the surrounding mountains, the leaves are already changing and the nights are chilly. On one hand, fall is my favorite season.
Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, and its popularity in America seems to continue to rise. The thousands of tea varieties available, from traditional caffeinated teas to herbal infusions, can make choosing one overwhelming.