There are good reasons that we’re all so interested in cleansing. Our bodies do their best, but they need help to process the environmental and emotional toxins we’ve taken in over the years. Many turn to quick, dramatic cleansing procedures that often end up doing more harm than good. These cleanses flush too many toxins…
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…
Intelligent Spring Cleansing To Heal The Five Major Organs Of The BodyA Sensible and Gentle Six-Week CleanseBasically from my 30 years of herbalism I have found that there are six stages to the cleansing process. Each of these stages takes one week to perform and spring is the perfect time according to Ayurveda to do…
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…
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.…
You hear a lot about Nettle this time of year, don’t you? As an herbalist, my relationship with Urtica dioica, the Stinging Nettle, always deepens at this time of year. I depend on Nettle for allergy relief, its energizing mineral content, and its gentle spring cleansing properties. This year, I began to feel allergy symptoms…
It’s not quite time yet for full-on spring cleansing, but if you’re anything like me, you may be getting eager to make some changes from the winter diet and start getting ready for spring! It may not be a good time to cleanse or fast intensely, but we can start to prepare our digestive systems…
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…
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…
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.
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…
The humble marigold Calendula officinalis is a wonderful and powerful herb to get to know. In the words of herbalist David Hoffman, “The value of this exceptional herb cannot be exaggerated when it comes to treating skin problems like wounds, bruises, or burns.” In addition to its remarkable effects on the skin, Calendula is also…
We’ve all seen Burdock’s large, green, slightly fuzzy leaves, in the woods or in the park. If you have pets you may have spent long hours, as I have, picking pesky burrs out of fur (or clothes, or hair *sigh*). It is a hardy, stubborn plant that will grow just about anywhere. And I have…
The Wood Element in Spring: Herbs for the Liver and Gallbladder In the Traditional Chinese system of medicine (TCM) there are 5 elements, each of which is associated with a season. The element associated with spring is wood element: the upward rising energy of new growth, new beginnings, and renewal. The wood element governs growing…
Stinging Nettles Can one herb really… The answer is yes! And the herb in question is none other than Stinging Nettle, or Urtica dioica. This herb is often seen as a pesky weed, but we know better. Many people turn to Nettles to help them survive allergy season intact. In addition to helping the body regulate its…
To gain confidence as an herbalist, Jim McDonald suggests picking just one or two herbs and focus on them completely– Grow them, eat them, read about them, make medicine with them, etc. If you really got to know, say, Peppermint and Chamomile, you could work with an enormous variety of health problems with those two…
If you’re looking for a fun, simple, at-home project right about now, why not try your hand at making ghee? Ghee is the result of cooking unsalted butter to separate the pure butterfat from the milk solids. It’s an ancient superfood that can be used for cooking, cleansing, and body care alike! Making ghee at…
The live plants have arrived at Smile! With dozens of herbs to choose from, the variety can be overwhelming. If you’re looking to grow herbs at home but aren’t sure where to begin, here are our top 3 picks for the easiest herbs to grow with the most crossover health benefits. These 3 favorites taste…
I love to see the crocuses blooming, a sure sign that winter is finally on its way out. The lovely spring crocus is cousin to the fall-blooming saffron crocus, which gives us the wonderful, subtle spice known as saffron. Saffron threads are the dark-orange stigmas of the crocus. The saffron crocus produces three stigmas per…
As the spring herbs start to make their appearances, burdock root will soon be among them and ready for digging. Like astragalus, burdock’s rich, earthy flavor lends itself well to cleansing soups and nutritive broths.
