natural medicine

Natural Alternatives To Antibiotic Ointment

Last week I found myself applying Neosporin after scraping my ankle on a sharp rock during a trail run. As someone who prefers to turn first to holistic healing methods, I was surprised that I didn’t have any alternatives on hand—or so I thought.

6 Herbs For Healthy Teeth & Gums

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

Meet The Weeds: Shepherd’s Purse As Food & Medicine

Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), is a common weed in the Mustard family. It is not native to North America, but was introduced by Europeans and has since naturalized to all states in the U.S. and provinces in Canada. Shepherd’s Purse is common along trails, sidewalks and roads; in disturbed areas; in lawns; and as a volunteer in gardens.

Start Your Puppy Out Right With These Tips

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. 

 

Carmelite Water: The Original Health Elixir

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

Helpful Herbs For Hot Flashes

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.   

4 Delicious Foods & Spices For Balanced Blood Sugar

Glucose, the main form of sugar circulating in our blood stream, is also the main form of fuel burned by our cells so that we can live and function. For getting into many types of cells, glucose (and certain other nutrients) needs a key to open the “door.” That key is insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas.  Though glucose is necessary for life, sometimes the level in circulation can get too high and cause all sorts of problems. 

Relax & Stress Less With This Silky Reishi Latte Recipe

While it may seem like an odd marriage to combine reishi mushroom extract and alternative milk lattes, these ingredients complement each other to make one surprisingly delicious beverage that’s guaranteed to boost your immunity and

The Botanical Dog: 4 Heart Herbs For A Healthy Hound

Did you know that at least 10% of the dogs in the U.S. suffer from heart disease?  The rate is even higher in elderly dogs (my old chihuahua has the beginnings of congestive heart failure), and in certain breeds.  Breeds with a susceptibility to heart issues include chihuahuas, along with basset hounds, lab retrievers, German shepherds, golden retrievers, boxers, rottweilers and others.  If you have one of those breeds, it’s not a bad idea to start support early and, of course, to make sure your dog is checked out by the vet regularly. 

Natural Remedies For Cold Sores

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.