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.
Join Basmati.com every week for a Q&A session with one of Basmati’s practitioners, Melissa Hill (FDN-P)! We know that there is a lot of confusing information out there, which can make applying health advice overwhelming. Sometimes, it’s best to ask a practitioner directly, so each week we’ll cover a common health question!
Join Basmati.com every week for a Q&A session with one of Basmati’s practitioners, Melissa Hill (FDN-P)! We know that there is a lot of confusing information out there, which can make applying health advice overwhelming. Sometimes, it’s best to ask a practitioner directly, so each week we’ll cover a common health question!
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.
Tea has been used by many cultures as a medicine, and is considered a pastime in countries all over the world. Yerba mate has a different story. It comes from the Guaraní peoples in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil, where it is known as chimarrao.
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.
What all can the humble marigold do? It can repel bugs in your garden, make a crunchy addition to your salads and cookies, and offer a whole bunch of medicinal and health benefits as well. Intrigued? The concept of marigold as a medicinal plant is not new, considering it has been used in apothecaries for over 1000 years already.
Looking to add a little excitement to your glass of water? Many of the products used for flavoring your water are unnatural and often contain chemicals you wouldn’t want to put in your body. If you are interested in finding alternatives, check out these 10 neat ways to naturally flavor your water.
Rosemary and Watermelon
In many parts of the country, this year’s transition to fall isn’t being marked with the changing colors of leaves. With hurricane season taking a devastatingly fierce toll in the south and southeast and a heat wave and wildfires spreading across the west and northwest, I’m not feeling the signature crispness and anticipation of autumn just yet.