Fall 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…
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…
By Tom Wolfe R.H. (AHG) R.H. means Tom is a Registered Herbalist (since 1980) in the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) “I have worked at Smile for 49 years and believe you me have heard Smile’s customers (very best customer folks in the world) speak of every way of herbal healing many, many, many times over…
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…
There are many ways to take your herbal supplements, but in the Fall, 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!
Mild to moderate heartburn, also called GERD, is pretty common. It’s not a serious condition, in terms of threat to your health, but it can be frustrating and uncomfortable. If left untreated, GERD can develop into more serious conditions, like stomach ulcers, but if dealt with while mild it can be managed. There can be…
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…
Using the Tastes to Stay Cool in Summer In Ayurveda, one of the ways we can choose foods and herbs to stay in balance is by understanding the six tastes. The tastes are both literal, what you taste on your tongue, and energetic, meaning they have an effect on body and mind. The Doshas—Vata, Pitta,…
The Digestive and Immune Systems, an Ayurvedic Perspective Part 2 In Part 1 we discussed Dosha, or Ayurvedic constitution, and the energetic element of Fire that is an essential component in both digestive and immune function. Today we’re going to look at some specific ways that digestion and immunity can become out of balance in…
Fall is traditionally a season of grief. It’s why we spend this time gathering with one another, enjoying good food and celebrating light as the days grow short. Lately, we’ve had many folks reaching out to us feeling more troubled than usual. And we’ve been discussing among ourselves some of our most comforting herbal remedies.…
North America is rich in native medicinal herbs. Unfortunately, due to unwise and unsustainable harvesting, a number of these plants are at risk in their own native habitats. Some are easily cultivated for medicinal use. Others, like Lady’s Slipper and Beth Root, are not cultivated at all and should be replaced with other herbs for…
Part Three Tom’s newest Pathways article came out on June 1st, and in it he describes the connection between the digestive system and the immune system, and introduces the three aspects of digestion known in Eastern traditional medicine. Not to put too fine a point on it, if your gut is weakened, so is your…
Part One Tom’s newest Pathways article came out on June 1st, and in it he describes the connection between the digestive system and the immune system, and introduces the three aspects of digestion known in Eastern traditional medicine. Not to put too fine a point on it, but if your gut is weakened, so is…
Herbs for the Lungs, Part II Many of us love the changing of the seasons, and we can’t wait to get outside when the temperatures start to warm up. But it’s during seasonal changes that we are especially vulnerable to respiratory infections. Here are just a few more herbs that can help. These herbs can…
Let’s face it, Americans are stressed, and one of the uncomfortable side-effects of stress is mild to moderate heartburn.If you experience heartburn more often than you like, and you’ve ruled out more serious conditions, there are some simple and natural solutions that can bring you relief! Heartburn, or gastric reflux, occurs when there is too…
Tea has become more popular in recent years and now it a popular drink for almost anyone. Part of tea’s resurgence as a popular drink is because of its health benefits – both physical and emotional. With winter coming, tea season is once again at hand. If you enjoy tea or would like to use…
