Herbalism. Natural Living. Holistic Health.
It was only a matter of time before medicinal mushrooms found their way into my herbal studies. I’ve always loved eating mushrooms, and learning to forage them has been on my bucket list for years. What I didn’t realize at the time was that mushrooms have been valued for far more than their culinary appeal.... Continue Reading →
One of the best things about learning herbalism is experimenting with various recipes and ingredients. I'm always blending, brewing, or infusing something, and it's fun being the mad scientist. Not every experiment turns out as planned, but so far I seem to have a decent success rate. There isn't any other way to develop your... Continue Reading →
I feel like I've been living under a rock or something, as I've only recently discovered the “golden” craze. For the uninitiated like myself, it is a beverage made using a base of fresh or dried turmeric. The practice originated in India and the traditional preparation calls for turmeric to be combined with water and... Continue Reading →
Is it useful? Overhyped? Maybe a little of both. Apple cider vinegar has lived many lives. Pantry staple. Folk remedy. Weight loss miracle. Detox darling. The truth, as usual, sits somewhere in the middle. Let’s sort this out. Apple Cider Vinegar: The Hype vs. The Humble Reality At its core, apple cider vinegar (ACV)... Continue Reading →
For thousands of years, humans have utilized nature's resources for the treatment of a variety of ailments. As we progressed in scientific thought and knowledge, we began to focus primarily on treatment of disease, rather than prevention of disease or maintaining wellness. Modern medicine was born. The medical and pharmaceutical industries are what we tend... Continue Reading →
For the last post in this series, I'm focusing on three herbs commonly used for their calming effects on the mind and body. Passionflower, Skullcap, and Lemon balm have all been used as natural remedies for stress, anxiety, and insomnia for centuries and have similar effects, with a few notable strengths and differences. They can... Continue Reading →
Kava kava, or just "kava," is one of the first herbs I've ever tried for medicinal use. A friend recommended it for stress and insomnia, so I bought a bottle of extract from a local health food store. It worked, but I used it sparingly because it was expensive. When it was gone (as was... Continue Reading →
I love ginger. The spicy, sweet rhizome is highly versatile in the kitchen, lending flavor and zing to almost any dish. It’s one of those common ingredients that manages to be both delicious and incredibly useful at the same time. That strange looking root offers an impressive array of benefits. Ginger has long history of... Continue Reading →
Adaptogens refer to a group of herbs, roots, and mushrooms which have been used in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to promote wellness. The term adaptogen indicates their primary usage -- they help the body adapt to psychological, physical, and environmental stress through a nonspecific resistance. In general, adaptogens are known to... Continue Reading →
For my next several posts, I will be focusing on herbs to help manage stress and anxiety. The plant world is full of surprisingly effective remedies that do not come with the same risks and side-effects of typical anti-anxiety medications. I've found several that seem to work well, and I'm hoping others can benefit from... Continue Reading →
Pathways and Potions 