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…
DetailsIt’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.…
DetailsThe 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…
DetailsNaturally fermented vinegars are medicines in and of themselves, and they are also an excellent medium for extracting the medicinal properties of herbs. In fact, vinegar facilitates and strengthens the effects of the herbs extracted within it, especially stimulant and expectorant herbs, and we’ve been using vinegar in this way since the days of ancient…
DetailsCatnip, Nepeta cataria, is a perennial herb, a member of the mint family, and one of the friendliest plants around. Its soft, aromatic leaves give you an idea of its gentle, calming effect on the mind and body. The square stems are a dusky purple color and grow quickly and abundantly with lots of water and…
DetailsGotu Kola, Centella asiatica, is a delicate, mildly flavored plant that is commonly found growing in damp marshy areas and next to gently moving streams and creeks around the world. It is used in the traditional medical systems of India, Africa, Europe, and Asia. In India, this plant is sometimes called Brahmi, and can be…
Details3 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,…
Details3 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,…
Details3 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,…
DetailsWhen 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…
DetailsHello 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…
DetailsIn 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…
DetailsHerbal Aphrodisiacs Herbal aphrodisiacs are as varied and numerous as the plants themselves. Some herbs, like Yohimbe, 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…
DetailsZinc is an essential nutrient involved in proper immune function and healing. It is a highly recommended supplement as many are deficient in this mineral. The well-known zinc lozenge is helpful, especially when fighting off a cold or sore throat, but a food-based zinc supplement is a good choice for everyday, or during periods of…
DetailsDried and Fresh Mushrooms in the Heart of Winter by Jared Urchek, L.Ac, CZB It can be easy to assume that Winter is just a time where everything is in hibernation. The sap has sunk into the deep roots of the trees – nothing looks as if it is growing, and nothing seems to be…
DetailsChaste Tree berries come from the beautiful, purple-flowering tree known as Vitex agnus-castus. Vitex’s use as an herbal medicine dates back to the ancient Greeks and beyond; it was one of Hippocrates’ favorite herbs. Its common name is Chaste Tree, so named because it was believed to have the ability to preserve chastity and decrease…
DetailsMaking Good Habits Making new habits is lots easier than breaking old ones. When we focus on getting rid of a “bad” habit, we spend even more time thinking about that same bad habit! If we focus our energy instead on making new, “good” habits that support our health and happiness, the old habits will…
DetailsFor those of us who grew up with Christmas traditions, there are sights and scents that bring back memories of the holidays with incredible strength. Many of the plants that we associate with the Christmas season have medicinal uses as well! Here are a few commonly known holiday herbs that have medicinal action.
