Whether it’s back-to-school season for you, or you’ve been experiencing “senior moments”, feeling mentally alert and focused is important. Many of us struggle with concentration, and there are many reasons for that. Our world is pretty over-stimulating, and while everyone’s tolerance for mental stimulus is different, it can be difficult for even the most extroverted…
Itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sore throat, headache, coughing, sneezing: seasonal allergies can be a misery. For those who are particularly sensitive, allergy symptoms can include digestive upset and fatigue as well as the cold-like symptoms we easily recognize. It’s been another wet summer in Maryland, which means that all the plants are growing like…
When you think of roses, you probably think of love, romance, summer gardens, weddings, special days and celebrations. The rose has a rich cultural history in both East and West, appearing in folklore, poetry, art, and healing. There are over 10,000 varieties of Rosa cultivated in the world, and all are beautiful. The most common…
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,…
St. John’s Wort, Hypericum perforatum You’ve probably heard of this herb as a treatment for depression. And it’s true, St. John’s Wort extract can be helpful for mild or temporary depressions, particularly Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is not as useful for more serious depression, or other mood disorders, and can mix badly with prescription anti-depressants.…
It’s great to know that there are so many plants that help remove toxins from the air inside our homes. But for pet lovers, there’s always the question: what happens if my cat or dog nibbles on this? We want our homes to be as safe and welcoming to our pets as they are for…
Hot weather, longer days, fresh local produce, Summertime is a great time to cook. This time of year we can balance the heat of the sun with cooling and refreshing meals. I love to cook, and I love to eat, but I don’t like to fuss with fancy recipes. Especially in the summer when I…
This is a post about a specific product. I don’t usually do that, but I have to say Zyflamend is pretty special. It’s been New Chapter’s best-selling product for many years, and I’ve been taking it nearly that long. Zyflamend Whole Body, as they’re calling it now, is an anti-inflammatory blend whose “10 herbs showed…
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…
Lemon Eucalyptus Mosquito Repellent Summer is coming to the East coast, and with it comes…Mosquitoes. Herbalists and aromatherapists have been saying for years that there are plenty of less toxic and more pleasant natural alternatives to the average bug spray, but until recently the CDC has only recommend DEET as a mosquito repellent. Of course…
Each spring, I find that my diet starts to naturally change. I start to crave lighter foods and more greens as the sun strengthens. I also am mad about spring cleaning, and that desire to get rid of excess includes toxins and heavy foods as well as cleaning out the closets and the junk drawers.…
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…
It’s tree pollen season. Maple, Oak, and Elm are the big offenders here in Maryland, and I am allergic to them all. I didn’t have allergies growing up in coastal Maine, but when I came down here to live I learned all about the wide variety of symptoms that can be caused by seasonal allergies.…
The Digestive and Immune Systems, an Ayurvedic Perspective Part 1 Ancient systems of medicine have long known the close relationship between the digestive and immune systems. Today, clinical research is providing new evidence to support that ancient knowledge. It’s exciting for herbalists and practitioners to see the research supporting what we have known. I’d like…
3 N’s for the Nose: Neti, Nasya, and Nettles by Tom Wolfe Part 3: Nettles “Boiled with barley and eaten as a porridge several times a day, the fresh or dried leaves of sister spinster stinging Nettle loosen and bring up deep congestion without irritating sensitive respiratory tissues…Considered a specific for adults with asthmatic allergies,…
3 N’s for the Nose: Neti, Nasya, and Nettles by Tom Wolfe Part 2: Nasya “Boiled with barley and eaten as a porridge several times a day, the fresh or dried leaves of sister spinster stinging Nettle loosen and bring up deep congestion without irritating sensitive respiratory tissues…Considered a specific for adults with asthmatic allergies,…
3 N’s for the Nose: Neti, Nasya, and Nettles by Tom Wolfe Part 1: Neti “Boiled with barley and eaten as a porridge several times a day, the fresh or dried leaves of sister spinster stinging Nettle loosen and bring up deep congestion without irritating sensitive respiratory tissues…Considered a specific for adults with asthmatic allergies,…
When Nettles Aren’t Enough: Welcome to Spring in the Mid-Atlantic We got a little taste of Spring with a record-breakingly warm February in much of the Eastern and Mid-Western U.S. For us here in the DC/Baltimore area, that meant an unexpected round of very early spring allergies! With actual spring just around the corner, we…
Hello Friends, Gardening season is fast approaching, faster than ever with this warm February we’ve had in the Mid-Atlantic. As I stare longingly out the window at the garden beds just waiting for me to go out and do some planting, I’m hoping that some time in my garden will help me get grounded, and…
In Praise of Kapha Dosha Ayurveda, the ancient healing system of India, teaches that there are three constitutions: Vata (air), Pitta (Fire), and Kapha (Earth). These three energies are present in our physical bodies, our minds, and our emotions. A balance of these three is essential to good health and mental and emotional resiliance. In…