Every 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…
Sleep. 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…
Part Three Tom’s newest Pathways article came out on June 1st, and in it he describes the connection between the digestive system and the immune system, and introduces the three aspects of digestion known in Eastern traditional medicine. Not to put too fine a point on it, if your gut is weakened, so is your…
Licorice Benefits You may know of Licorice as the black jellybeans or rope candy, or perhaps as an ingredient in traditional root beer, but there is much more to Licorice root than its sweet earthy taste! (and those jellybeans are flavored with anise these days anyway!) Licorice is a powerful medicinal herb, and an excellent…
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…
Here in the Mid-Atlantic, it’s been raining for weeks. With so little sun, many of us are starting to feel a little blue. Fortunately, there is a wonderful plant called St. John’s Wort that’s like sunshine in a cup! St. John’s Wort herb, so named because it usually flowers around St. John’s Day in June,…
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…
Rhodiola Herb Benefits You may not have heard of the plant Rhodiola rosea, and that’s a shame, because this is a powerful and beneficial herb for the body. Commonly known as golden root, or rose root for its lovely color, it is native to areas like Russia and Scandinavia. The herb is so tough, it…
Feeling stressed? With the temperatures heating up, Skullcap is a good herb to know. American Skullcap, Scutellaria laterifolia, is a soothing, cooling nervine. It eases tension, relaxes the muscles, and acts as a general anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Skullcap has a rejuvenating effect on the entire nervous system. It is often used in cases of…
Holy 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…