In pursuit of wellness…
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. Of course, not every experiment turns out as planned, but I seem to have a decent success rate. There isn't really any other way to develop... 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 →
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. It's one of my all-time favorite ingredients. Especially the fresh root, although dried ginger will do. The spicy, sweet rhizome lends flavor and zing to almost any dish, and it is highly versatile in the kitchen. I often add it to smoothies or herbal tea blends, and find it to be uplifting... 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 