Welcome to part two of my “cheat sheet” on the many carrier oils that Smile Herb offers! In part one, we covered Almond through Black Seed Oils; today we’ll dive into the other half of our list. Carrier oils may be used alone as facial moisturisers, hair and scalp treatments, and body oil. They are…
As we learn more about herbalism and natural health, many of us are increasingly inspired to “DIY.” Many health and beauty products are easily made in custom formulation once you know some important characteristics of the ingredients and techniques! To that end, Smile provides classes and workshops to grow your herbal knowledge and also offers…
Plantain is an herb that has made itself so widely available to us, it practically calls out to be of use. City sidewalks, roadsides, fields, practically any place with lots of sunshine, Plantain will be there, and its uses are precious and practical. One of Plantain’s finest uses is as a first aid herb. One…
Summer has made its arrival here and with it the joys of being outdoors more, along with the miseries of insect pests. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other irritating or dangerous insects can definitely inhibit our enjoyment of the great outdoors but the many negatives to heavy chemical solutions like DEET leave most of us feeling discouraged.…
The humble marigold Calendula officinalis is a wonderful and powerful herb to get to know. In the words of herbalist David Hoffman, “The value of this exceptional herb cannot be exaggerated when it comes to treating skin problems like wounds, bruises, or burns.” In addition to its remarkable effects on the skin, Calendula is also…
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…
We’ve all seen Burdock’s large, green, slightly fuzzy leaves, in the woods or in the park. If you have pets you may have spent long hours, as I have, picking pesky burrs out of fur (or clothes, or hair *sigh*). It is a hardy, stubborn plant that will grow just about anywhere. And I have…
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…
By: Yah-elle (Yaya) According to Ayurveda, Autumn and early-winter are associated with the Vata dosha. Vata is characterized as creative, quick-witted, dry, light, mobile, subtle, and changeable. A Vata imbalance may result in an increase in anxiety, dry skin, brittle hair, and arthritic symptoms. We may find ourselves naturally gravitating to heavier food and sedentary…
“Let food be thy medicine” is often quoted to make the point that a healthy diet is the best way to get all of the nutrients that our bodies need. In an ideal world, we’d all have perfect diets that supplied us with a complete profile of vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients to keep our bodies…
When cooler, drier air comes rolling in, sometimes drinking more water isn’t enough to stay hydrated. If you’re like me and lack a humidifier, these simple self-care techniques help make the cold months of the year much more enjoyable! Here are a few easy ideas to soothe the senses and stay supple this season, inside…
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…
You may know of flaxseed as a wonderful digestive healer and gentle laxative, or maybe as a cardio-protective herb full of nourishing, anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids. This beautiful, blue-flowering herb is also the source of linen, oil for oil paints, and the seeds we enjoy for their culinary and medicinal purposes. While I myself enjoy…
By Tom Wolfe, RH 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…
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…
Aloe, Aloe barbandensis, chinensis is an easy-to-grow evergreen succulent. Originating in the Middle East, it is now grown commercially all over the world. It makes an excellent house plant, and has become well-known in the West as a first-aid remedy, especially for burns. Many households have an Aloe in the kitchen, snipping off a leaf…
As the spring herbs start to make their appearances, burdock root will soon be among them and ready for digging. Like astragalus, burdock’s rich, earthy flavor lends itself well to cleansing soups and nutritive broths.
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…
Yellow dock is a go-to herb for chronic and acute skin conditions like psoriasis and acne. Yellow dock encourages “flow”. Skin problems can often trace their source to a congested liver and sluggish system generally overwhelmed with toxins. Yellow dock encourages the production of bile and promotes bowel cleansing. It strengthens and astringes the stomach…
Lemon Eucalyptus Mosquito Repellent Summer is coming to the East coast, and with it comes…Mosquitoes. Herbalists and aromatherapists have been saying for years that there are plenty of less toxic and more pleasant natural alternatives to the average bug spray, but until recently the CDC has only recommend DEET as a mosquito repellent. Of course…
