natural remedies

Mallow Mania: 5 Mallow Uses

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.

4 Tips For Chronic Sinus Congestion

Chronic stuffy sinuses may be due to allergies, diet, infection, or structural issues in the airways. More than one of these may be at play for some folks.  When the mucus is clear, the issue may be related to allergies, diet, or chronic low-level infection. Acute infections are most often viral, which means that antibiotics won’t work.

3 Ways To Combat The Winter Blues

December has a reputation for cheer, and many of us spend the preceding months anxiously awaiting all the winter festivities. But not everyone feels the joy this time of year. Six percent of the U.S.

4 Great Essential Oils For Fungal Skin Infections

Ringworm, a fungal infection, is being passed around in the jiu jitsu class I do. Though my first response is “eeeeeew,” the fact is that spread of skin infections is not so unusual in a full contact sport. Fungal infections on the skin and under the nails can be really annoying: Ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch, and such.

Punarnava: The Powerful Renewer

Before harvesting or using punarnava, please make sure to carefully read the disclaimers below.

Punarnava, the Sanskrit word for the medicinal plant commonly known in English as spreading hogweed, literally translated means “renewer” or “rejuvenator.” Punar- means “again,” and -nava translates to “new.” Punarnava is steadily gaining attention in the expansive world of natural health medicine as a powerful medicinal herb with a wonderful laundry list of health-promoting benefits supporting longevity and youthfulness.

Witchin' In The Kitchen: 3 Methods For Making Medicinal Teas

A soothing cup of lemon balm tea at the end of a long day can be a lovely respite. Many commercial herb teas have instructions to steep for something like 3-6 minutes.  This is fine for a simple “beverage” tea, but is inadequate for a truly medicinal brew. By medicinal I mean strong enough to have a desired effect on mind, body and/or emotions beyond simply enjoying a good cup of tea.

All-Natural Skin Care For Pets

Does your dog lick his paws, scratch his ears, or sport visible dandruff? Skin conditions and itchiness can be caused by a wide variety of reasons, including allergies, hormonal imbalances, environmental toxins, and insect bites. If your pet is always itchy, take him or her to the vet to determine the root cause.

Dealing With Dandruff: 6 Natural Remedies

Have you ever watched a commercial where a dark-haired man or woman is afraid of wearing a black top for fear of revealing his or her dandruff? This commercial usually advertised for a specific type of anti-dandruff shampoo and while the product may have worked, it more than likely had a slew of toxic ingredients. That said, no one wants dandruff. Dandruff can be caused by a dry scalp or be related to eczema, psoriasis, or several other skin conditions. No matter the cause, here are a few natural suggestions on dealing with dandruff, once and for all.

Making Sleep Pillows For Good ZZZZZs & Dreams

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.

An Immune-Boosting Green Ginger Smoothie For Cold Season

Cold season is upon us, so what better time to get your immune system up and running with a nutrient-dense green smoothie!

I’ve been really into the greens lately and every time I incorporate more dark leafy greens into my routine, I end up feeling 100 times better. It really is true what they say about greens being the most important part of a healthy diet, especially when they’re raw.