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…
DetailsHere 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…
DetailsWell, here it comes – the grey, cold, rainy days of late fall and early winter. For many, this can be a challenging time: the days are shorter and darker, there’s less to do outside, and the cold can really get to you. Seasonal depression, whether it’s a mild case of the blues or a…
DetailsShatavari is one of my favorite adaptogens. Shatavari’s name translates to “she who possesses one hundred husbands,” which gives you an idea of its rejuvenating effect on the female reproductive system. Although it has a special affinity for women, shatavari has significant health benefits for everyone– men, women, and children alike. These days, we all…
DetailsThe word “Ginseng” tends to be synonymous with vitality and energy, and for good reason! Its botanical name, Panax, has the same root as the word “panacea”, healer of all ills. It has been considered “king of herbs” in Native American and Chinese medicine traditions for thousands of years. Like many adaptogens, ginseng helps with more…
DetailsReishi’s Chinese name translates as “Spirit Plant”, or “Herb of Spiritual Potency”. It is a remarkable, adaptogenic mushroom that has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Like all adaptogens, Reishi has a normalizing effect on our overall physiology, and it can help restore us to health from a truly incredible range of…
DetailsThe Ginger plant, Zingiber officinale, is native to southeast Asia, and its pungent roots have a long history of culinary and medicinal use. The gnarled, beige rhizomes also grow wild in Africa and Australia, and it is cultivated in many other warm climates of the world. You can easily grow ginger in a pot at…
DetailsLemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, is an unassuming and vigorous member of the mint family. It is easy to grow. So easy, in fact, that like many mints, once you have it in your garden you’ll have it everywhere! I love this about it, and appreciate it wandering around our property. This year we even had…
DetailsIn Ayurveda, Vata dosha is characterized as “dry, light, mobile, subtle, rough, hard, changeable, and clear.” Sounds a lot like Fall, doesn’t it? The leaves dry out and a cool, dry wind blows them away, the days become colder and shorter, the air is more subtle and changeable. In Ayurveda, Fall is the Vata time…
DetailsWelcome to part two of my “cheat sheet” on the many carrier oils that Smile Herb offers! In part one, we covered Almond through Black Seed Oils; today we’ll dive into the other half of our list. Carrier oils may be used alone as facial moisturisers, hair and scalp treatments, and body oil. They are…
DetailsAs we learn more about herbalism and natural health, many of us are increasingly inspired to “DIY.” Many health and beauty products are easily made in custom formulation once you know some important characteristics of the ingredients and techniques! To that end, Smile provides classes and workshops to grow your herbal knowledge and also offers…
DetailsItchy, 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…
DetailsWith Fall and the new school year upon us, it’s smart to be prepared for the upcoming challenges to our immune systems. Here are just a few things that can weaken our immunity: Some of these stressors can’t be avoided, but fortunately there’s a lot that can be done to avoid a cold or flu…
DetailsThe change to Fall is one of my favorites, but it does bring challenges to the immune system and adrenals. I like to mix up some of this tonic to give myself a leg up for the seasonal change. This is a fantastic recipe because it combines therapies for immunity, stress, and energy into one…
DetailsSocial 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…
DetailsHoly basil, or Tulsi, is one of the most revered herbs in Indian medicine. It has been used medicinally in India for many thousands of years. Nowadays, Western scientists are beginning to uncover the brilliance of this powerful herb. Holy basil can effectively aid in a wide range of illnesses and discomforts. A member of…
DetailsHerbal Aphrodisiacs Herbal aphrodisiacs are as varied and numerous as the plants themselves. Some herbs give the body an immediate “boost” of libido and work directly on the reproductive system. Other herbs are more nutritive; they work on a long-term basis to rejuvenate the reproductive system and the adrenals to build lasting energy and stamina.…
DetailsWe 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…
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