Parasites have been getting a lot of air time on social media. Parasite cleanses have become one of the most common requests Smile gets from its customers. The popular narrative presented by online health gurus is that everyone has parasites evidenced by a wide variety of subtle symptoms. With all the social media hype, it…
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One of the first medicinal herbs many people encounter is German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla syn. or Matricaria recutita). It is a ubiquitous tea herb with a history of use going back thousands of years, found on shelves of supermarkets and referenced in both Peter Rabbit and pop music. For such a well-known herb, it is…
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In Part I of “Weight Management: A Holistic Approach”, I discussed ways in which we support a healthy weight through our diet. Adding fiber to your diet, whether through food or a supplement, may help you to feel full without overeating as well as help manage blood sugar. Consuming bitters and natural caffeine before meals…
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Of the hundreds of species of hibiscus in the world, almost all of them originate in hot, tropical climates. In hot-weather cultures the world over, hibiscus is used to cool the body, relieve stress, and mitigate the effects of excessive heat. Today we will share three summer recipes to bring the cooling beauty of hibiscus…
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Simmer elderberries in water and you get a rich, dark, syrupy infusion that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for summer drinks. Because elderberries are antiviral, many folks reach for them in the Fall or during cold season, but I say, why wait? It’s always a good time to bolster your immune system.
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Summer is here and we can become extra sensitive about our weight and how we look in our summer clothes. It does not help that social media is claiming that “skinny is back” and all our favorite body positive celebrities are now taking ozempic. At Smile, we are accustomed to receiving customers who would like…
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A frequent issue we are asked about in the shop is joint pain. Whether caused by arthritis, injury, or autoimmune disease, joint pain is challenging and can seriously limit our activity and enjoyment of life. It is one of the most common forms of chronic pain that Americans suffer with – approximately 53 million adults…
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Think Black Cohosh is just for female bodies? Think again! Black Cohosh is a native North American herb. It is well known as a normalizing herb for female hormones, but did you know that it is also one of the best herbs for nerves and nerve pain? Black Cohosh is a key ingredient in herbal…
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Aloe is a great plant to have around. I was reminded of this the other night when I spilled some boiling water on my foot and found myself yowling in pain. Fortunately the burn wasn’t serious, and fortunately I had some aloe leaves in the fridge that I had cut that day. After applying Lavender…
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Summer has made its arrival here and with it the joys of being outdoors more, along with the miseries of insect pests. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other irritating or dangerous insects can definitely inhibit our enjoyment of the great outdoors but the many negatives to heavy chemical solutions like DEET leave most of us feeling discouraged.…
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Summertime puts us out in the sun and exposed to insects more, which is a big change for the skin. Many herbs and plant oils can help! Let’s explore the three main categories of herbs and herbal products that support a healthy, happy complexion all throughout the summer: Base oils and Infused oils, Essential oils,…
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Common Culinary Herbs and their Medicinal Uses Last week in Part I, we looked at some common culinary herbs that have medicinal properties. Today we’re continuing our tour of the kitchen with some medicinal spices. Unsurprisingly, all of these spices aid in digestion, but here are some of the other health benefits you can receive…
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Common Culinary Herbs and their Medicinal Uses Many of the herbs and spices already in your kitchen are keeping secrets. Not only do these herbs add spice and flavor to our favorite dishes, they have powerful medicinal properties too! Unsurprisingly, all of these classic culinary herbs aid in digestion, but here are some of the…
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Rosemary has been used throughout the ages as an herb to promote memory and mental clarity. It was used by ancient Greek scholars during examination times and worn by newlyweds to ground them in fidelity, loyalty, and the happy memories of their wedding day. Rosemary’s health benefits for the mind and body are far-reaching, but…
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It seems like there’s an awful lot in the world these days that wants our attention. All these distractions can leave us feeling frazzled, tired, and out of focus. Stress leads to poor sleep leads to dragging through our days and struggling to concentrate. Of course the first thing to do is to try to…
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Arjuna is an herb used in Ayurvedic medicine that specifically cares for and strengthens the heart. Its botanical name is Terminalia arjuna, and it is a beautiful, green-leafed tree that grows in parts of India and Bangladesh. The bark of the tree is harvested and used for its rejuvenating, strengthening effects on the cardiovascular system.…
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I am always on the lookout for friendly, accessible, Vata-pacifying herbs. For times when I’m feeling exhausted, run-down, or a little blue, fresh Milky Oat Seed is a true comfort and helps me feel grounded and well again. The oat plant, Avena sativa, gives us oatmeal, rolled oats, and oatstraw, all of which are excellent…
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Ugh. There’s a certain kind of misery to a headcold, and how much worse to have one when the weather is warming, and the sunshine is tempting us to come outside and play. Spring colds, however, are all too common, as are spring allergies, and the sinus infections that can follow. So what can we…
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Mushrooms might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to herbal allergy control, but over the years they have become a staple of my regimen that I’ve come to depend on and enjoy. Some mushrooms, like Reishi, are natural anti-inflammatories that help control allergy symptoms during flare-ups. But mushrooms’ real gift…
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Mugwort is such a widespread and hardy plant that it is often taken for granted or condemned as a weed. But this fresh, lively herb has a time-honored place in healing traditions from all over the world, and its medicinal applications are powerful and diverse.
