Anxiety is a word that we hear quite a lot these days, and with good reason: there is plenty of it to go around! We use “anxious” to describe a whole range of feelings, from nervousness to paralyzing panic attacks, from back-to-school to global events. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety this way: Anxiety…
by Susan Wolfe and Tom Wolfe R.H. (AHG) are both Smile Herb Shop Herbalists What a 2024 world we live in … I cannot speak for you, but I certainly appreciate any herbal help in safely reducing anxiety and helping sleep. Let us begin with an Ashwagandha story from the history of Smile Herb Shop. Back…
You’ve probably seen enough articles on anti-viral herbs, immune herbs, and remedies for the lungs for the moment. So let’s turn to an equally important aspect of health and preventative care in challenging times: herbs to support us when we are experiencing anxiety, stress, uncertainty, and fear. There is a group of herbs known as…
You may know of Passionflower as a premier herb for stress, anxiety, and insomnia. This gorgeous flowering vine relieves pain, calms the mind, and relaxes the muscles. You can often find bees drowsing in the beautiful blossoms, proof of the passionflower’s soporific effect! Passionflower was used by tribes in the Americas for millennia before making…
You may know of hawthorn as the “heart herb”, and for good reason. It strengthens the heart muscle, regulates the heartbeat, and raises or lowers blood pressure depending on the need. Clinically it is used with heart problems such as angina, mild congestive heart failure, and recovery from/prevention of cardiac arrest. But hawthorn has another…
Rosemary has been used throughout the ages as an herb to promote memory and mental clarity. It was used by ancient Greek scholars during examination times and worn by newlyweds to ground them in fidelity, loyalty, and the happy memories of their wedding day. Rosemary’s health benefits for the mind and body are far-reaching, but…
It’s good to know a few herbal allies for creating calm, especially for children, and especially these days. We all do our best to manage the stress and over-stimulation of our modern times, but young people can use a little extra help. Anxiety can manifest itself in a variety of ways, and hyperactivity is one…
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…
According to author Susanne Fischer-Rizzi, lavender oil has 167 medicinal uses that have been tested! Today we’ll talk about just a few of these uses and why lavender oil is so good to have around. If I had to sum it up, I would say lavender oil is the most valuable, versatile oil because there’s…
Digestive distress is all too common among Americans. There are probably plenty of reasons for it: stress, eating on the run, eating over-processed food, eating too much or too little or the wrong foods for our body type. There are some digestive issues that are more serious, but for most of us it’s the everyday…
Passion Flower’s fantastic beauty is a medicine in itself, but this lovely vine has much more to offer than its stunning, dramatic blooms. This time of year in the garden, Passion Flower vines are 4-5 inches tall with a few tiny leaves. But given time, sunlight, and water, they will climb as high as any…
Catnip, 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…
Herbal 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…
5 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…
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…
What is Stress? Stress is such a wide category isn’t it? So many people use the word stress every day and attribute their problems and conditions to stress that sometimes the meaning of the word has become lost, yet stress truly does cause a myriad of conditions across the world, especially in fast paced urban…
Warning Signs You Are Deficient In Magnesium Magnesium is a mineral that is necessary for nearly every bodily function, yet some people are deficient in it. Pre-existing conditions such as alcoholism and the use of some prescription medicines can reduce the body’s stores of magnesium. Magnesium deficiency in healthy people is relatively rare, but becoming more common…
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…
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…