Reishi’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…
In 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…
Welcome 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…
As 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…
“Let food be thy medicine” is often quoted to make the point that a healthy diet is the best way to get all of the nutrients that our bodies need. In an ideal world, we’d all have perfect diets that supplied us with a complete profile of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients to keep our bodies…
Truly 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,…
Coenzyme Q10 Benefits Coenzyme Q10 is a large molecule that performs somewhat like a vitamin in the body, though, unlike most vitamins, the body can synthesize its own supply. Coenzyme Q10 is found in the tiny power plants in the cells called mitochondria, and is especially abundant in the mitochondria of the liver and the heart.…
Ginkgo Biloba and Health Today’s consumers have a heightened awareness of diet and lifestyle and are more health conscious than ever. Supplements fly off the shelves, as men and women struggle to improve their health and longevity. Across the planet, vitamin A, selenium, zinc, and lycopene sell like lemonade in the Sahara. There are a…
Holy Basil Called “The Incomparable One” in its native India, this beautiful plant is a powerful and easy to grow medicinal herb. Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum or Ocimum tenuiflorum, also known as Tulsi) isn’t your ordinary Basil. While it makes a great pesto, it does lots more than add flavor to a dish; its antioxidant and…
Shilajit Benefits Shilajit is a rock-like substance that is found in the mountainous regions of Asia. When the weather gets hot, this tar-like substance oozes out from the mountains. Shilajit takes hundreds of years to form, and comes from plants that decompose combined with the activity of microorganisms. It is incredibly mineral-rich and known for…
