Category: Herb
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Calendula: Herbal Remedy for the Skin and So Much More
The use of calendula tea, oil, extract, and tincture dates back to ancient Egyptian culture and early Christianity. Calendula officinalis has many health enhancing properties that can help heal inflamed skin, reduce pain and swelling, and support the renewal of skin cells. The plant compounds found in it’s fiery red and yellow petals contain antibacterial,…
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Medicinal and Practical Uses for Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is a fragrant herb that has many practical uses and medicinal benefits. In botanical medicine, rosemary has been used to reduce inflammation, boost mental focus, and help lower stress. In the garden, growing rosemary can help to keep away deer and rodents. In the kitchen, rosemary is well known for lending a warm, bitter…
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Skullcap Herb Soothes Tension and Supports Wellness
Grown in meadows and wetland habitats, skullcap herb has been used in traditional herbal medicine to instill a sense of gentle calm. One of the most versatile herbs, skullcap also is used in holistic practices to help quell anxiety, calm symptoms of neuropathy, decrease inflammation, soothe irritability, and relieve headaches and tension. There are two…
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Kava: A Healing Herb of the Pacific Islands
Traveling across the Pacific Ocean destined for island exploration in the 1770’s, Captain James Cook encountered native people drinking a bitter brew they called kava. They believed the drink facilitated access to the spirit realm. Made from the pounded and liquified rhizome of a tropical plant, a few sips of kava left the mouth a…
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Support for Natural Detox with Andrographis
While fasting, the body has the opportunity to flush out toxins that it may have been sluggishly trying to move out through respiration, excretion, sweating and other innate physiological processes. This can temporarily increase activity on the organs of detoxification, particularly the liver. To support this increased activity and to bolster immunity, holistic practitioners may…
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Honeysuckle: Herbal Support for Mind, Body & Spirit
A practice as old as time… sending, sharing, and cooking with specific flowers to express a sentiment, be it hope, sorrow, peace, joy, or love. Known as floriography, flowers have long been used to reveal sentiments of love and affection, and, if arranged in a certain way, they could even convey a secret message or…
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Astragalus Root for Strengthening Immunity
Centuries of Traditional Chinese Medicine and European botanical medicine have documented Astragalus root (Astragalus Membranaceus) as a tonic to support the health of the spleen and the immune system, helping the body build resistance to illness. Today, researchers are studying how Astragalus may help prevent the common cold and be a complementary therapy to establish immune health.…
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Help Keep Your Skin in Balance with Burdock Root
Burdock root, seeds, and leaves are recognized for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The herb also has been used to protect liver cells from damage and to help purify the blood. The medicinal effects of Burdock root (Arctium lappa) on the organs of detoxification (liver, gut, and skin) makes it an excellent choice to support healthy skin.…
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Herbs and Pets: Don’t Put Your Pet’s Health at Risk
When it comes to herbs for pets, just as with people, there is a lot of conflicting and often unreliable information surfing around the Web. Additionally, herbs that may be safe for dogs are often not safe for cats and vice versa. The best advice you can follow when it comes to giving a pet…
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Catnip: A Soothing Botanical Remedy
Many intriguing stories come along with the herb, catnip (Nepeta cataria), also known as catmint. There’s folklore regarding women ingesting catnip and being turned into…you guessed it, cats. And, the more credible lore about cats exhibiting strange behavior around the plant. While big cats and domestic kitties alike get happy, spunky, and amorous after nibbling…