The Importance for Calcium and Magnesium for Bone Strength Bone strength is something to protect and nourish, especially as we age. Osteoporosis, a disease defined as the loss of bone strength, can lead to bone fractures. Older folks are particularly vulnerable because they are more likely to suffer from falls. And if a fall results…
DetailsBaraka Neti Pots – Dr. OZ and Oprah Approved You may have heard about Neti Pots on TV. They’ve become more and more popular in recent years as more people realize how easy it can be to feel better and Breathe deeper! Rinsing with a neti pot is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy recommended by many…
DetailsThe Amazing Benefits of Nettle Leaf Just Don’t Quit Here at Smile Herb Shop we’re big fans of Nettles. Ask any of our herbalists what their favorite thing is about this herb and you’re likely to get lots and lots of answers! Best known these days for dealing with seasonal allergies, Nettles can do so…
DetailsHerbal Tea Blend for Focused Attention and Relaxation Whether you are a busy parent or swamped at work, we all have stress. Luckily, you can decrease your stress levels and increase your focus and energy without chemicals. Try making a tea blend with the herbs below to boost your mental functions the natural way! Spearmint’s…
DetailsWhat is Nasya Oil and Why Should I Put It Up My Nose? Nasya oil is an invigorating Ayurvedic therapy used for more than 5,000 years to treat ailments occurring above the collar bone. This balancing herbal oil improves a number of discomforts including but not limited to clogged nasal passages, hoarse voice, stiff neck,…
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…
DetailsTruly healthy snacks can be hard to come by, but these cookies really fit the bill. I started making them for my household a few months ago; they have been disappearing as quickly as I can turn them out, and no one feels guilty about it! These gluten-free cookies have a host of health benefits,…
DetailsThere 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…
Detailsby Claudia Joy Wingo, MPH, BApSc, RN, DMH, Clinical Herbalist As a Washington DC native recently returned from 4 ½ years in Australia, I had forgotten the abundance of both plant and animal species on display in the Washington area. My delight at sighting a number of rabbits, a handsome red fox and a small…
Details5 Herbs to Manage Stress Stress is often seen as unpleasant and annoying, but it can also cause real health problems by raising your blood pressure, upsetting the digestive system, and increasing muscle pain and inflammation. Fortunately, stress can be managed well. Lifestyle changes and taking these soothing herbs is a great way to reduce…
DetailsEasily Grown Medicine Plants and Food Crops in the DC area I am often asked the questions, “What are the easiest herb plants to grow in this area?” and, “As an herbalist, what are the first herbs you would recommend to start with in order to learn how effectively herbs can heal?” In this article,…
DetailsEvery day, more and more studies are popping up proving the immune benefits of forest walks, or the anti-depressant effects of activities like kneading bread and working in the soil. Working in the ground is literally grounding, and meditative gardening is one of the best antidotes for anxiety that I have found. Even if you…
DetailsAre Tension Headaches Getting You Down? A little irritation can weigh you down a lot Tension or Stress Headaches are characterized by dull, tight pain around the forehead, neck, or base of the skull. They do not affect vision or balance, and are not likely to cause nausea, as migraines do. While uncomfortable, they do…
DetailsBenefits of Wheatgrass Wheatgrass is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world, but most of us have not made this plant a part of our daily diet. If you are ready to improve your health, then it might be time to take a fresh look at the many benefits of wheatgrass. It Stimulates…
Detailsby Betsy Miller, M.S., CNS, LDN Spicebush, Lindera benzoin, is a small deciduous tree that typically grows in the understory of forests. The tree is native to eastern North America, and ranges along the Appalachian mountains from Florida to as far North as Ontario and as far west as Kentucky and Texas. The leaves and…
DetailsSleep. It’s such a basic and important part of life, we could fill volumes with all there is to say about it. The whys and wherefores behind sleep disorders are often highly individual and tied in to one’s own personal history. But for today, let’s keep it basic. This list of do’s and don’t’s applies…
DetailsThis ancient spice is the answer for just about anything Famously referred to as the “Queen of Spices,” turmeric (also known as curcuma longa) is an herb that originated in India and Asia dating back to 2,000 BC., and has since been used for culinary and medicinal purposes.Known for its pepper-like aroma and bright golden…
DetailsNorth America is rich in native medicinal herbs. Unfortunately, due to unwise and unsustainable harvesting, a number of these plants are at risk in their own native habitats. Some are easily cultivated for medicinal use. Others, like Lady’s Slipper and Beth Root, are not cultivated at all and should be replaced with other herbs for…
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