Think Black Cohosh is just for female bodies? Think again! Black Cohosh is a native North American herb. It is well known as a normalizing herb for female 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…
The Ginger plant, Zingiber officinale, is native to southeast Asia, and its pungent roots have a long history of culinary and medicinal use. The gnarled, beige rhizomes also grow wild in Africa and Australia, and it is cultivated in many other warm climates of the world. You can easily grow ginger in a pot at…
Herbs can be subtle medicine, gently but inexorably changing the body on a cellular level. Some herbs and herbal formulas are fast-acting for acute conditions, and their effects can be felt right away. But the long-term, systemic changes brought about by herbal medicine are also powerful, and depending on the herb they can happen so…
St. John’s Wort, Hypericum perforatum You’ve probably heard of this herb as a treatment for depression. And it’s true, St. John’s Wort extract can be helpful for mild or temporary depressions, particularly Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is not as useful for more serious depression, or other mood disorders, and can mix badly with prescription anti-depressants.…
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…
One of the first medicinal herbs many people encounter is German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla syn. or Matricaria recutita). It is a ubiquitous tea herb with a history of use going back thousands of years, found on shelves of supermarkets and referenced in both Peter Rabbit and pop music. For such a well-known herb, however, in…
A frequent issue we are asked about in the shop is joint pain. Whether caused by arthritis, injury, or autoimmune disease, joint pain is challenging and can seriously limit our activity and enjoyment of life. It is one of the most common forms of chronic pain that Americans suffer with – approximately 53 million adults…
By Nicole Smile Think Black Cohosh is just for female bodies? Think again! Black Cohosh is a native North American herb. It is well known as a normalizing herb for female hormones, but did you know that it is also one of the best herbs for nerves and nerve pain? Black Cohosh is a key…
To gain confidence as an herbalist, Jim McDonald suggests picking just one or two herbs and focus on them completely– Grow them, eat them, read about them, make medicine with them, etc. If you really got to know, say, Peppermint and Chamomile, you could work with an enormous variety of health problems with those two…
Turmeric, Curcuma longa This beautiful golden root is a powerful medicinal herb. Best known, perhaps, as the spice that gives Curry powder its distinctive color, Turmeric is used alone and in blends to season food, support digestive and joint health, and treat many internal and external health complaints. I could go on an on about…
With spring cleansing on my mind, I found myself thinking of how much I value myrrh as an incense for purifying the air. It has a unique ability to cleanse a space and inspire new beginnings. Its powerful antiseptic qualities are comforting and extend to the emotional realm. The effects are the same when this…
I’ve been hearing an awful lot about knees lately, knee pain, injuries, the need for surgery or a cortisone shot. Knees are one of the first joints to give us trouble as we age, and are vulnerable to injury and wear. My own knees have started crunching lately, a condition officially called crepitus. Apparently that…
Herbs can be subtle medicine, gently but inexorably changing the body on a cellular level. Some herbs and herbal formulas are fast-acting for acute conditions, and their effects can be felt right away. But the long-term, systemic changes brought about by herbal medicine are also powerful, and depending on the herb they can happen so…
St. John’s Wort has been recognized for its beneficial properties for centuries, dating back long before medieval times. It is a plant steeped in legend. Nevertheless, St. John’s Wort has treated the ailments of many grateful people over time, and has been studied a great deal in modern times. St. John’s Wort gets its name…
Ginger, Zingiber officinale, is a root with a characteristically spicy flavor used in cooking all over the world. Gingerol, one of the identified essential oils in the fresh root has many soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a very useful substance. According to Ayurvedic medicine, which has used ginger root for centuries, the fresh…
The Amazing Benefits of Nettle Leaf Just Don’t Quit Here at Smile Herb Shop we’re big fans of Nettles. Ask any of our herbalists what their favorite thing is about this herb and you’re likely to get lots and lots of answers! Best known these days for dealing with seasonal allergies, Nettles can do so…
by Betsy Miller, M.S., CNS, LDN Spicebush, Lindera benzoin, is a small deciduous tree that typically grows in the understory of forests. The tree is native to eastern North America, and ranges along the Appalachian mountains from Florida to as far North as Ontario and as far west as Kentucky and Texas. The leaves and…
This ancient spice is the answer for just about anything Famously referred to as the “Queen of Spices,” turmeric (also known as curcuma longa) is an herb that originated in India and Asia dating back to 2,000 BC., and has since been used for culinary and medicinal purposes.Known for its pepper-like aroma and bright golden…
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…
Benefits of Magnesium Magnesium Is Considered a Necessary Daily Mineral Magnesium is considered a necessary daily mineral, which means the body depends on proper levels of it for functioning. It also has several health benefits. The general benefits of magnesium include a steady heartbeat, it helps to strengthen bones and it assists in keeping the…
