Tulsi is one of the first herbs that I ever wrote about, and after several years, it's one that I continue to use regularly. I was initially intrigued by a quote that referred to tulsi as “liquid yoga.” As someone who understood the benefits of yoga, but couldn't find the time (or discipline) to commit... Continue Reading →
Building an Anti-Inflammatory Kitchen – Nature’s Medicine Cabinet
In my last post, we talked about how inflammation affects us in midlife. In that post, I touched on ways that we can reduce that inflammation, but I wanted to take the time to look deeper into one aspect of the overall strategy. The foods we put into our bodies. Something we do every single... Continue Reading →
Lemon Balm for Perimenopause: A Midlife Must-Have
Lemon balm was one of the very first herbs I learned about as a beginner herbalist. All these years later, it’s still one of those plants I use and recommend consistently. It is, without a doubt, one of my absolute favorites. It works gently, it’s incredibly easy to grow, and it actually tastes delicious, with... Continue Reading →
Herbal Support for Perimenopause – A Grounded Guide to Herbs for Midlife
Perimenopause can feel so confusing. One minute you feel fine… and the next you’re sweaty, anxious, exhausted, irrationally irritated, and wondering why your body feels so unfamiliar. And the most frustrating part? You can be doing “everything right” and still feel completely off balance thanks to unpredictable hormone fluctuations. This is where many women begin... Continue Reading →
Reishi Mushrooms: Uses, Health Effects, and Traditional Remedies
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 →
Homemade Healing Winter Skin Salve with Flower Power
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 →
Golden Chai Latte: Warmth, Ritual, and Herbal Support
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 →
Fire Cider 101: Boost Your Immunity with This Spicy ACV Tonic
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 →
The Appeal of Herbalism
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 →
Herbs for Stress and Anxiety part 3
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 →