Camellia sinensis is an amazing plant with so many benefits and varieties, depending on how it is picked and processed. In our previous post we explored the general health benefits of C. sinensis and two of the forms available: white and green teas. This week we are diving right in to examine the other two:…
Whether you are celebrating a mature romance or pursuing a new romantic adventure, Valentine’s day can be very exciting. But it can also put a lot of pressure on our perceived need to perform. Some may feel drawn to herbs with heroic reputations of “boosting” libido or “revving up” stamina. While some people may experience…
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…
Last year, I wrote a blog post on the benefits of green tea. I found that drinking a cup of green tea 3 times a day was supportive in managing my cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Green tea is a bitter which supports healthy digestion and the body’s breakdown of sugar and fats. The high…
The temperature is dropping and the chilly air is making us more vulnerable to overeating, illness, and moodiness . While you may want to turn up the heat with a cozy fire or space heaters, you may also consider raising your internal temperature with warming spices. Hot spices often appear in winter drinks and desserts,…
Social media has been bursting with this new trend: “cortisol face” and “cortisol tummy”. The videos include links and products for “cortisol detox” that alter the body’s chemistry and elevate the consumer’s attractiveness. Where is the truth? Cortisol is the body’s stress hormone. It naturally elevates with the body’s fight or flight response. This is…
We live in a highly technological world where much of human connection has begun to occur online. I am pretty guilty. Instead of calling a friend or going out to a family gathering, I may choose to “reserve my energy” and stay in. And what do I do while I stay in? …scroll away on…
The term “holistic” is often used interchangeably with terms such as “natural”, “plant-based”, or “spiritual”. However, the term “holistic” refers to considering the whole person and how various systems- including physical, metaphysical, and social- interplay in regards to their health. Some may refer to this as “treating the person, not the disease”. When examining the…
By: Yah-elle (Yaya) Many people become interested in herbalism because they want to have more power in regards to caring for their health. But when we have little ones to care for, we may find ourselves more nervous than if we were just caring for ourselves. With a few safety precautions, children may also enjoy…
By: Yah-elle (Yaya) According to Ayurveda, Autumn and early-winter are associated with the Vata dosha. Vata is characterized as creative, quick-witted, dry, light, mobile, subtle, and changeable. A Vata imbalance may result in an increase in anxiety, dry skin, brittle hair, and arthritic symptoms. We may find ourselves naturally gravitating to heavier food and sedentary…
By: Yah-elle (Yaya) Every once in a while, a beautiful woman comes into the store, approaches me and leans in to whisper, “I need something for libido.” Sex is a wonderful way to bond with our partners, explore self expression, and de-stress. But with the heavy pressure to “perform” or look a certain way, sex…
Yaya Patterson, Root Woman & Smile Herbalist Green Tea refers to teas made from the leaves of Camellia sinesis, a beautiful shrub native to East Asia. The leaves may be harvested at different times of the plant’s life cycle or undergo varying processes to impact the tea’s flavor profile. In Japan, green tea…
By Yaya Patterson, Root Woman & Smile Herbalist The smoking of plants has a strong history in the healing arts traditions across the globe. Smoking has been used ceremonially in nearly all earth-based religions. Popular smoke options such as tobacco and marijuana were once deemed sacred, and were thus employed with specific intentions. There…
