Of the hundreds of species of hibiscus in the world, almost all of them originate in hot, tropical climates. In hot-weather cultures the world over, hibiscus is used to cool the body, relieve stress, and mitigate the effects of excessive heat. Today we will share three summer recipes to bring the cooling beauty of hibiscus…
Simmer elderberries in water and you get a rich, dark, syrupy infusion that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for summer drinks. Because elderberries are antiviral, many folks reach for them in the Fall or during cold season, but I say, why wait? It’s always a good time to bolster your immune system.
Common Culinary Herbs and their Medicinal Uses Last week in Part I, we looked at some common culinary herbs that have medicinal properties. Today we’re continuing our tour of the kitchen with some medicinal spices. Unsurprisingly, all of these spices aid in digestion, but here are some of the other health benefits you can receive…
Common Culinary Herbs and their Medicinal Uses Many of the herbs and spices already in your kitchen are keeping secrets. 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…
Ugh. There’s a certain kind of misery to a headcold, and how much worse to have one when the weather is warming, and the sunshine is tempting us to come outside and play. Spring colds, however, are all too common, as are spring allergies, and the sinus infections that can follow. So what can we…
Mushrooms might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to herbal allergy control, but over the years they have become a staple of my regimen that I’ve come to depend on and enjoy. Some mushrooms, like Reishi, are natural anti-inflammatories that help control allergy symptoms during flare-ups. But mushrooms’ real gift…
Mint is everywhere – our toothpaste, gum, even cookies and ice cream! That popular flavor actually originates from a family of plants (Lamiaceae) that contains some 7,000 species ranging from lavender to patchouli. What most of us think of as true mint has many subtypes itself (think of all the different mint candies out there!),…
Mistletoe has been part of human culture and medicine for millennia, appearing in mythologies and medicine books across the world. There are hundreds varieties of mistletoe with different medicinal qualities, and today the focus is on the European variety, Viscum album– Viscum for the viscous stickiness of mistletoe berries, and album for their whiteness. Before…
The temperature is dropping and the chilly air is making us more vulnerable to overeating, illness, and moodiness . While you may want to turn up the heat with a cozy fire or space heaters, you may also consider raising your internal temperature with warming spices. Hot spices often appear in winter drinks and desserts,…
Fall is a glorious time of year, but the sudden chill in the air, the leaf mold piling up, the wind and cold rain that herald this season of transition can be very hard on the respiratory system. Colds, flus, allergies, and lung irritation can come upon us quickly and intensely, and who wants to…
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…
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, is an unassuming and vigorous member of the mint family. It is easy to grow. So easy, in fact, that like many mints, once you have it in your garden you’ll have it everywhere! I love this about it, and appreciate it wandering around our property. This year we even had…
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…
With Fall and the new school year upon us, it’s smart to be prepared for the upcoming challenges to our immune systems. Here are just a few things that can weaken our immunity: Some of these stressors can’t be avoided, but fortunately there’s a lot that can be done to avoid a cold or flu…
The change to Fall is one of my favorites, but it does bring challenges to the immune system and adrenals. I like to mix up some of this tonic to give myself a leg up for the seasonal change. This is a fantastic recipe because it combines therapies for immunity, stress, and energy into one…
Of the hundreds of species of hibiscus in the world, almost all of them originate in hot, tropical climates. In hot-weather cultures the world over, hibiscus is used to cool the body, relieve stress, and mitigate the effects of excessive heat. Today we will share three summer recipes to bring the cooling beauty of hibiscus…
Despite our best efforts, sometimes we end up getting sick. When this becomes our fate, we can shorten the duration and severity of the illness with certain herbs and therapies, but what about after that? How can we support our liver’s “clean up” efforts in the aftermath of a virus? The liver never stops fighting…
Fish oil supplements have never been so popular as they are now. Many people have started taking supplements on a daily basis without understanding of the full effects of fish oil or how it benefits the body. The truth is that fish oil has been shown to prevent and treat a host of medical conditions…
By: Yah-elle (Yaya) Many people become interested in herbalism because they want to have more power in regards to caring for their health. But when we have little ones to care for, we may find ourselves more nervous than if we were just caring for ourselves. With a few safety precautions, children may also enjoy…
By Yaya Patterson, Root Woman & Smile Herbalist The smoking of plants has a strong history in the healing arts traditions across the globe. Smoking has been used ceremonially in nearly all earth-based religions. Popular smoke options such as tobacco and marijuana were once deemed sacred, and were thus employed with specific intentions. There…
