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…
DetailsIn the words of herbalist David Hoffman, “Skullcap is perhaps the most widely relevant nervine available to us in the materia medica.” This beautiful member of the mint family is native to North America and has a long history of use in this area. Herbalists today favor it as a powerful nervine, sedative, painkiller, and…
DetailsBy Nicole Smile Think Black Cohosh is just for female bodies? Think again! Black Cohosh is a native North American herb. It is well known as a normalizing herb for female hormones, but did you know that it is also one of the best herbs for nerves and nerve pain? Black Cohosh is a key…
Detailsby 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…
DetailsSimmer elderberries in water and you get a rich, dark, syrupy infusion that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for summer drinks. Because elderberries are antiviral, many folks reach for them in the Fall or during cold season, but I say, why wait? It’s always a good time to bolster your immune system 😊.
DetailsTo 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…
DetailsFall is here! Each season has its own unique energetic signature that influences our bodies, minds, and spirits. Fall is a significant transitional period for both our inner and outer worlds; we transition from the warm, social, vibrant energy of the summertime and into the introspective, and nostalgic energy of the colder months ahead. In…
DetailsArjuna 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.
DetailsWhen 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…
DetailsIn light of current world events, I wanted to take some time to talk about one of my favorite formulas for depression, anxiety, and grief. Grief Relief is a simple but powerful combination of Mimosa, Rose, and Hawthorn. Taken separately, all three herbs support mental health, heart health, and peace of mind. But when they’re…
DetailsYou’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…
DetailsIf 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…
DetailsFeeling 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…
DetailsDespite our best efforts, sometimes we end up getting sick. When this becomes our fate, we can shorten the duration and severity of the illness with certain herbs and therapies, but what about after that? How can we support our liver’s “clean up” efforts in the aftermath of a virus? The liver never stops fighting…
DetailsTom Wolfe, RH(AHG) and owner of Smile Herb Shop talks in this video about herbs and Tom Tips on allergy relief. Visit our blog here to find all our blogs and articles on allergies!
By Tom Wolfe An Example of Current Herbal Understanding in One Major Chronic Illness Globally, nearly one billion people have high blood pressure (hypertension); of these, two-thirds are in developing countries. Hypertension is one of the most important causes of premature death worldwide and the problem is growing; in 2025, an estimated 1.56 billion adults…
DetailsWhen thinking about herbs for memory and concentration, Turmeric might not immediately spring to mind. I tend to think of Holy Basil, Bacopa, Milky Oat, and other adaptogens that slowly nurture the brain and nervous system over time. However, research has indicated that Turmeric prevents plaque build-up in the brain and can help prevent the…
DetailsIt 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…
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