For women*, staying healthy and vibrant can feel overwhelming, especially in a stressful world. The cycles of menstruation and menopause can put body and mind through many changes. For some people, the process is relatively smooth, but for many, there are struggles along the way. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to support…
Our eyes take in a great deal of information from the world around us, and sometimes they may become overwhelmed with what they see. There is a great deal to digest in the form of light and images, since most of us get our news and entertainment from digital screens. Fortunately, there is…
Susan Trial Wolfe Getting good sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Most of us, though, struggle with sleep, both getting enough and feeling refreshed by the sleep we do get. Fortunately there are things you can do to improve your sleep, improve your health, and feel more…
by Susan Wolfe and Tom Wolfe R.H. (AHG) are both Smile Herb Shop Herbalists What a 2024 world we live in … I cannot speak for you, but I certainly appreciate any herbal help in safely reducing anxiety and helping sleep. Let us begin with an Ashwagandha story from the history of Smile Herb Shop. Back…
by Susan Wolfe Recently some interesting findings were released linking gingivitis to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Pretty scary, since about a third of us have gingivitis to some degree or another. The long-term effects of inflammation of the gums is also known to stress the cardiovascular system, so those are two strong reasons to…
You’ve probably seen enough articles on anti-viral herbs, immune herbs, and remedies for the lungs for the moment. So let’s turn to an equally important aspect of health and preventative care in challenging times: herbs to support us when we are experiencing anxiety, stress, uncertainty, and fear. There is a group of herbs known as…
Feeling Stir-Crazy? Some Tips From The Housebound Hi, my name is Susan and I’m just as stressed out and confused as you are right now. But, I’ve been living with chronic pain and fatigue, as well as generalized anxiety disorder, for many years and I believe that experience has given me a bit of an…
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…
In the Autumn, with Winter approaching, it is a perfect time to give our immune systems a little extra nourishment and support. Taking good care of ourselves now can help protect us from colds and flus as the weather changes.
When I was growing up in Maine, it was a short walk down to the cove where the granite boulders that we called a “beach” were covered in Bladderwrack. As a kid, I would grab huge handfuls of the seaweed, looking for the mussels tangled in it. If you wrap the mussels in the seaweed…
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…
We’ve had a few mild sunny days here in the Mid-Atlantic, and it’s easy to get over-excited about Spring gardening. But the final frost date in our area is May 15th, so it’s not quite time yet to go full tilt into digging and planting. Still, if you’re eager to get out there and get…
The Super Nutrient You May Not Be Thinking About, But Should Fiber. It’s one of those things you know you should be getting enough of, but it’s easy not to think about. Most of us only get 15 or so grams per day, when we should be getting around 30 grams (25g for women, 38g…
CCF Tea, Ayurveda’s Little Secret Miracle Okay, yes, it’s a bit strong to call tea a miracle, but this simple and tasty tea is pretty darn close! CCF stands for Coriander, Cumin, and Fennel, three spices that are digestive superheroes. Combined, they make a daily drink that improves digestion, aids healthy elimination and detox, and…
I love to cook, but there are days when I want something easy, fast, and delicious, and this salad certainly fits the bill! This recipe is so easy, and so quick, you’ll be eating it all summer long! Nutritious, high protein, fun to adjust and play around with, and delicious too! It’s great for packed…
Aloe, Aloe barbandensis, chinensis is an easy-to-grow evergreen succulent. Originating in the Middle East, it is now grown commercially all over the world. It makes an excellent house plant, and has become well-known in the West as a first-aid remedy, especially for burns. Many households have an Aloe in the kitchen, snipping off a leaf…
There are so many methods, so many theories of the best way, the easiest way, to prepare your garden beds for cultivation. Double-digging, trench composting, mulch gardening are all viable ways to enrich your soil and keep your plants happy, but I tend toward a “middle way” approach, and actually use a combination of these…
Allergy season has begun. We wondered if spring would ever come, and now that it has, I’m trying to be grateful while sneezing and blowing my nose. Also known as hay fever, or rhinitis, spring allergies can range from annoying to debilitating, and for me it varies from year to year. Fortunately, herbal remedies can…
Turmeric, Curcuma longa This beautiful golden root is a powerful medicinal herb. Best known, perhaps, as the spice that gives Curry powder its distinctive color, Turmeric is used alone and in blends to season food, support digestive and joint health, and treat many internal and external health complaints. I could go on an on about…
It can be a challenge to find an at-home Yoga practice that works for you. Poses that feel wonderful when your instructor is right there to support you may be too much to do on your own. In our Introduction to Ayurveda classes here at Smile, we teach a simple routine of five poses that…