Mint is everywhere – our toothpaste, gum, even cookies and ice cream! That popular flavor actually originates from a family of plants (Lamiaceae) that contains some 7,000 species ranging from lavender to patchouli. What most of us think of as true mint has many subtypes itself (think of all the different mint candies out there!),…
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The first herbs to come up in the springtime are bursting with cleansing chlorophyll and lymph-moving moisture. They flush out metabolic wastes that have accumulated over the long winter and bring life, moisture, and movement to the winter-worn system. Taking advantage of these seasonal green allies can result in a glowing complexion, luxurious hair, elevated…
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Camellia sinensis is an amazing plant with so many benefits and varieties, depending on how it is picked and processed. In our previous post we explored the general health benefits of C. sinensis and two of the forms available: white and green teas. This week we are diving right in to examine the other two:…
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Whether you are celebrating a mature romance or pursuing a new romantic adventure, Valentine’s day can be very exciting. But it can also put a lot of pressure on our perceived need to perform. Some may feel drawn to herbs with heroic reputations of “boosting” libido or “revving up” stamina. While some people may experience…
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Did you know… The very same plant that produces green tea, also produces black, white, and oolong tea? Camellia sinensis originated in Southern China but is now grown globally in tropical and temperate climates. Camellia is a versatile herb that produces differing flavors depending on the age of the leaves when picked, the season, and…
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Catnip, Nepeta cataria, is a perennial herb, a member of the mint family, and one of the friendliest plants around. Its soft, aromatic leaves give you an idea of its gentle, calming effect on the mind and body. The square stems are a dusky purple color and grow quickly and abundantly with lots of water and…
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There are so many reasons to love dandelion, especially its insistence on showing up absolutely everywhere. From its liver-cleansing properties to the deliciousness of blood-cleansing dandelion wine, this scourge of landscaped lawns is one of our most beloved and valuable cleansing spring tonics.
There are many ways to take your herbal supplements, but in the fall and winter, one of my favorite ways is in hot drinks. Not just herbal teas, which are wonderful, but also herbal powders cooked into milk for a rich, frothy, rejuvenative treat. Here are a few of my favorites!
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There can be a lot of pressure to jump-start a new diet or cleansing regimen in the month of January. But if you ask your body, you might end up hearing it say that it wants to hibernate just a little longer, that it’s still winter. Just like spring and fall cleaning, physical cleansing is…
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Last year, I wrote a blog post on the benefits of green tea. I found that drinking a cup of green tea 3 times a day was supportive in managing my cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Green tea is a bitter which supports healthy digestion and the body’s breakdown of sugar and fats. The high…
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Mistletoe has been part of human culture and medicine for millennia, appearing in mythologies and medicine books across the world. There are hundreds varieties of mistletoe with different medicinal qualities, and today the focus is on the European variety, Viscum album– Viscum for the viscous stickiness of mistletoe berries, and album for their whiteness. Before…
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The temperature is dropping and the chilly air is making us more vulnerable to overeating, illness, and moodiness . While you may want to turn up the heat with a cozy fire or space heaters, you may also consider raising your internal temperature with warming spices. Hot spices often appear in winter drinks and desserts,…
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Good sleep is essential to good health. And yet so many of us struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Improving your quality of sleep can not only make you feel more alert and energetic, it can also improve immune function, mood, digestion, healing time from injuries and illness, and stress response.
When cooler, drier air comes rolling in, sometimes drinking more water isn’t enough to stay hydrated. If you’re like me and lack a humidifier, these simple self-care techniques help make the cold months of the year much more enjoyable! Here are a few easy ideas to soothe the senses and stay supple this season, inside…
DetailsFall is a glorious time of year, but the sudden chill in the air, the leaf mold piling up, the wind and cold rain that herald this season of transition can be very hard on the respiratory system. Colds, flus, allergies, and lung irritation can come upon us quickly and intensely, and who wants to…
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Here comes the season that brings strong feelings about food to just about everyone: The Winter Holidays! The holidays come with feasting and all manner of special treats and temptations, which both bring us great happiness and sometimes stress and digestive upset. Ideally we can enjoy the former with a minimum of the latter, but…
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Well, here it comes – the grey, cold, rainy days of late fall and early winter. For many, this can be a challenging time: the days are shorter and darker, there’s less to do outside, and the cold can really get to you. Seasonal depression, whether it’s a mild case of the blues or a…
DetailsShatavari is one of my favorite adaptogens. Shatavari’s name translates to “she who possesses one hundred husbands,” which gives you an idea of its rejuvenating effect on the female reproductive system. Although it has a special affinity for women, shatavari has significant health benefits for everyone– men, women, and children alike. These days, we all…
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The word “Ginseng” tends to be synonymous with vitality and energy, and for good reason! Its botanical name, Panax, has the same root as the word “panacea”, healer of all ills. It has been considered “king of herbs” in Native American and Chinese medicine traditions for thousands of years. Like many adaptogens, ginseng helps with more…
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Reishi’s Chinese name translates as “Spirit Plant”, or “Herb of Spiritual Potency”. It is a remarkable, adaptogenic mushroom that has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Like all adaptogens, Reishi has a normalizing effect on our overall physiology, and it can help restore us to health from a truly incredible range of…
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