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…
It’s Autumn in Maryland and Smile Herb Shop has the perfect plants for your front porch! Our Fall plants are on sale. Everything but the aloes are 50% off! Come visit today to get your asters, mums, violas, pansies, and aloe vera!
A farm of Katemfe trees in West Africa. I take great joy when customers at Smile Herb Shop are amazed to compare Katemfe Fruit to Stevia Leaf and other sweeteners to find INCREDIBLE sweetness with no aftertaste. This photo shows how fried fish is cooked in Katemfe leaves for the sweetness (West…
Yaya Patterson, Root Woman & Smile Herbalist Green Tea refers to teas made from the leaves of Camellia sinesis, a beautiful shrub native to East Asia. The leaves may be harvested at different times of the plant’s life cycle or undergo varying processes to impact the tea’s flavor profile. In Japan, green tea…
All religions talk of Peace. Yet Christians are fighting Christians in Ukraine, Jews and Christians are fighting Muslims in the Middle East, Hindus and Muslims struggle to live in Peace in India, etc. etc. What if our approach to Peace based on “Our Religion” as opposed to “Other Faiths” turns out to be completely misguided?…
Susan Trial Wolfe Getting good sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our health. Most of us, though, struggle with sleep, both getting enough and feeling refreshed by the sleep we do get. Fortunately there are things you can do to improve your sleep, improve your health, and feel more…
Last week I shared some herbs that may be supportive in more acute anxiety situations, including insomnia. We all want (immediate) relief when we are suffering with pain, whether it be physical or emotional! But with complex mental conditions such as anxiety, there is almost always more to them than meets the eye, and simply…
Fall is here! Each season has its own unique energetic signature that influences our bodies, minds, and spirits. Fall is a significant transitional period for both our inner and outer worlds; we transition from the warm, social, vibrant energy of the summertime and into the introspective, and nostalgic energy of the colder months ahead. In…
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…
Astragulus membranaceus I’m on a bit of a kick these days about strengthening tonic herbs, particularly those that support the digestion, immune system, and the lungs. Autumn is a great time of change, and the Vata organs—the lungs and large intestine—need special attention during this season. Astragalus root, an immune tonic and adaptogen, is a…
Good sleep is essential to good health. And yet so many of us struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Improving your quality of sleep can not only make you feel more alert and energetic, it can also improve immune function, mood, digestion, healing time from injuries and illness, and stress response.
3 N’s for the Nose: Neti, Nasya, and Nettles by Tom Wolfe Part 3: Nettles “Boiled with barley and eaten as a porridge several times a day, the fresh or dried leaves of sister spinster stinging Nettle loosen and bring up deep congestion without irritating sensitive respiratory tissues…Considered a specific for adults with asthmatic allergies,…
For those of us who grew up with Christmas traditions, there are sights and scents that bring back memories of the holidays with incredible strength. Many of the plants that we associate with the Christmas season have medicinal uses as well! Here are a few commonly known holiday herbs that have medicinal action.
“It is also well worth notice that, although grief involves great departures from the normal attitude to life, it never occurs to us to regard it as a morbid condition and hand the mourner over to medical treatment. We rest assured that after a lapse of time it will be overcome, and we look upon…
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…
The fruit that yields bergamot oil is a less common member of the citrus family. The orange-like peel of Citrus bergamia delivers an essential oil that offers a number of beneficial properties. Bergamot oil can be used in aromatherapy or applied topically (diluted of course!) to skin and hair. The aromatic oil is also an essential ingredient…
Lately, some of your friends have been talking about the benefits and uses of certain herbal oils. Because you’ve never purchased any type of herbal oils before, you admit you’re slightly skeptical. However your interest has been piqued on this popular subject, since it seems lots of people are getting great results! If you can…
A growing number of people are discovering the numerous health benefits offered by borage oil. Its unique properties have been found to be beneficial in the treatment of conditions as diverse as dermatitis, eczema, high blood pressure, arthritis, and overall inflammation. It also contains an abundance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, making it perfect…
What is Arnica Oil? Derived from the flowers and roots of the arnica plant, this oil is a well-respected traditional medicine. The arnica plant is part of the same family of flowers as is the daisy, and it is native to certain parts of Europe and Siberia. It is also cultivated in mountain regions at…
Every function of our body is based upon the quality of our blood supply. Sometimes, toxic substances and toxin levels build up in our blood. Over time, our organs are damaged and they begin to perform with less and less ease. Because of this build-up of toxic material, our bodies begin to show symptoms signaling…