Herbalism. Natural Living. Holistic Health.
This post is about three weeks late, but it's still relevant and it relates to some upcoming posts, so I didn't want to let it waste away in my drafts folder. My blog has become focused mostly on herbalism in recent months, because that is where my current passion lies, and I am immersed in... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Despite being a nurse, I am one of those people who rarely sees my doctor. I go when I have to, like for work physicals, but I really have to be hurting to seek medical care for a cold or sinus infection. I'm lucky to be in good health, and it usually only takes a few... 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 →
I've been experimenting with different recipes for homemade natural body products, and I've concocted a body butter recipe that I'm especially proud of. I gave away jars of it to friends and family, and within weeks, they were returning the jars and asking for more! It smells wonderful, has a lovely whipped texture similar to... Continue Reading →
Pathways and Potions 