Herbalism. Natural Living. Holistic Health.
It was only a matter of time before I came across medicinal mushrooms and fungi on my herbal journey. I love eating mushrooms and learning to forage for them has been on my bucket list for some time, but I was completely unaware of their uses outside of the culinary realm. Whenever I learn... 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 →
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 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 →
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 →
I woke up today with a raging sinus headache and the beginnings of what will likely become a congested cough and general miserable condition over the next few days. I headed to the kitchen for some elderberry syrup that I made a few weeks ago...and realize sadly that it's almost gone. Waaahh! When I stopped... Continue Reading →
Here I sit on this lovely fall afternoon, sipping tea made from the petals of my very own calendula plants. Calendula officinalis, also known as pot marigold, is a member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family which includes daisies and ragweed. Calendula is native to the Mediterranean region, but grows worldwide...and very easily might I add! The... Continue Reading →
It's been a while...I don't have any excuses, I've just been busy living, researching and doing. My focus has been elsewhere, although I'm keeping track of all of it for this blog. Someday, really...I promise... Anyway, on to the ashwagandha. While exploring options for natural remedies for stress and anxiety, I came across something called... Continue Reading →
Pathways and Potions 