I am often asked the question, “What are the best plants and botanical products for herbal skin care?” Summertime puts us out in the sun, which is a big change for the skin. In this article I will share the plants and botanical products I would choose in order to learn from listening to your…
Raw honey is unprocessed honey straight from the beehive, and it is a nutritional wonder. Real raw honey is never heated, never strained, never pasteurized, and never processed in any way. Make sure you read your honey labels carefully to make sure you’re getting the good stuff! Here are just a few of the many…
Common Culinary Herbs and their Medicinal Uses Not only do these herbs add spice and flavor to our favorite dishes, they have powerful medicinal properties too! Unsurprisingly, all of these classic culinary herbs aid in digestion, but here are some of the other health benefits you can receive from using these herbs medicinally.
In addition to warding off vampires, garlic has many non-supernatural health benefits. Grab the breath mints and read on to learn more about why this pungent veggie is a nutritious addition to any diet. 1. Garlic improves your immune systemThe antioxidants in garlic can not only help protect you from developing the common cold, they…
Part Two 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…
Common Culinary Herbs and their Medicinal Uses Not only do these herbs add spice and flavor to our favorite dishes, they have powerful medicinal properties too! Unsurprisingly, all of these classic culinary herbs aid in digestion, but here are some of the other health benefits you can receive from using these herbs medicinally.
These “common” herbs have successfully made their way into mainstream culture and endeared themselves to scientists and clinicians alike. This is great news, but it sometimes results in a loss of complexity for the herbs in question. Today we’ll flesh out a few these household names and discuss some of their lesser-known uses. Lemon BalmMelissa…
Do you experience sluggish digestion? Wet coughing after meals? Gas and bloating? Difficulties with elimination? Something else equally unpleasant? Or maybe you’re just looking for some digestive TLC? All of our digestive processes are driven by an inner form of fire known as “agni”. Agni can get tamped down and suppressed by stress, poor diet,…
Do you experience sluggish digestion? Wet coughing after meals? Gas and bloating? Difficulties with elimination? Something else equally unpleasant? Or maybe you’re just looking for some digestive TLC? All of our digestive processes are driven by an inner form of fire known as “agni”. Agni can get tamped down and suppressed by stress, poor diet,…
Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis, is one of our most valuable native herbs. Goldenseal is one of the most powerful antibiotics in the herbal world. It can be used both internally and externally to treat infections of various kinds. Goldenseal acts as a tonic to the body’s mucous membranes. Because it combines the antibiotic effect with tissue…
Psoriasis. It ain’t fun. Thankfully, there’s a lot we can do with herbs to alleviate the symptoms and tackle the root causes of psoriasis and similar skin conditions. Even if you don’t suffer from psoriasis, this skin-clearing protocol can be helpful for eczema, acne, or if you’re simply looking to give your skin some TLC.…
Think Black Cohosh is just for women? Think again! Black Cohosh is a native North American herb. It is best known as a normalizing herb for women’s hormones, but did you know that it is also one of the best herbs for nerves and nerve pain? Black Cohosh is a key ingredient in herbal protocols…
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…
Many of us love the changing of the seasons, and we can’t wait to get outside when the temperatures start to warm up. But it’s during seasonal changes that we are especially vulnerable to respiratory infections. Here are just a few herbs that can help. These herbs can lessen our respiratory suffering when we’re sick…
Herbs for the Lungs, Part II Many of us love the changing of the seasons, and we can’t wait to get outside when the temperatures start to warm up. But it’s during seasonal changes that we are especially vulnerable to respiratory infections. Here are just a few more herbs that can help. These herbs can…
History The documented medical use of Milk Thistle dates from the first century A.D., when Pliny the Elder advocated mixing its juice with honey to treat liver issues. Its presence in traditional medicine is near-ubiquitous across multiple continents. From China, where the seeds are called “Shui Fei Ji,” to sixteenth-century England, where it was recommended…
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…
Hawthorn, or Crataegus laevigata, is a shrub that can be found growing all over the United States and in temperate portions of Europe and Asia. Hawthorn is easy to grow and cultivate if you have a free spot in your lawn or community garden. Hawthorn berries, leaves and flowers are all used medicinally. Hawthorn is…
When we think about what makes a “healthy diet”, we often think of vegetables. And we’re right to do so- vegetables are one of the most important aspects of a healthy diet. They provide much of the vitamin and mineral content we need, plus fiber, antioxidants, nutrients, and water. What many of us don’t realize…
Stinging Nettles Can one herb really… The answer is yes! And the herb in question is none other than Stinging Nettle, or Urtica dioica. This herb is often seen as a pesky weed, but we know better. Many people turn to Nettles to help them survive allergy season intact. In addition to helping the body regulate its…