Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for one-third of global deaths, claiming approximately 17.9 million lives annually. CVDs encompass heart and blood vessel disorders, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rheumatic heart disease, among others. The World Health Organization reports that heart attacks and strokes account for four out of five CVD fatalities, with one-third occurring in individuals under 70 years old. To lower your risk of

For Valentine’s Day make a batch of these Rose Petals and Chocolate Chip Herbal Candies  for you and your valentine.  Rose Petals and chocolate are classic aphrodisiacs. Rose is the "Queen of Flowers" and has been known for thousands of years for its beauty and fragrance.  Rose fills your heart with love and peace.  If you don’t have dried rose petals, check your local herb shop, or you can order online from Mountain Rose Herbs.   Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is high

If you love garlic, then you’ll love this garlic-infused olive oil recipe. It’s great for so many recipes, such as stir-fries, sautés, roasted vegetables, mixed into mashed potatoes, home-made hummus, and salads.  Actually, for any recipe that calls for oil, I use my garlic oil. For those that love garlic but can’t eat it because of digestive issues, such as colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel, SIBO etc., and must follow a Low-FODMAP diet (FODMAP stands for F ermentable

Whipped body butters are super-rich and great for your skin. They're very effective at rejuvenating dry, damaged skin; and can be applied all over or just on problem areas, such as elbows, knees, or the heels of the feet. Although you can use them any time of the year, they’re especially beneficial during these cold winter months. This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but so worth it. It yields about 10 ounces of butter. Whipped Body Butter Recipe Materials Needed  2 oz. Unref

It's January and we’re in the “dead of winter” now, which has the energetics of cold, heavy, and slow, and can cause stagnation in the body. To counteract these energetics we want warm, light and mobile, so try a few of these selfcare tips for January. January Selfcare Tips Food Cut down on, or avoid, heavy or gooey foods such as dairy and wheat. We need warming foods now to combat the cold, so avoid raw foods. Instead, eat cooked foods, and try broth, soups, and stews.

If life has been hectic lately with all the holiday celebrations, why not relax one afternoon and cozy up with a mug of Peppermint Hot Chocolate?  Peppermint is refreshing and stimulating to the nervous system, so it’s a great pick-me-up.  It also encourages healthy digestion; and if you've been over-indulging, it's a carminative, so it can help with gas and bloating.      Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients 2 tablespoons dried peppermint leaf 2 cups milk or milk alte

I was making a recipe that called for poultry seasoning, when I realized I didn’t have any, so, I decided to make my own homemade poultry seasoning. This recipe is quick and easy, and you probably have all these herbs and spices in your pantry.   Homemade Poultry Seasoning Recipe Ingredients 4 teaspoons dried sage 3 teaspoons dried thyme 2 teaspoons dried marjoram 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (it seems strange to add nutmeg to

Welcome to November!  The cold, dry, windy air is with us and is characteristic of Vata dosha in Ayurveda. To counteract these qualities, we want the opposite characteristics of warm, moist, and grounded. To do so, follow some of these selfcare tips for November.   November Selfcare Tips Diet Include hearty whole grains, as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables. Favor sweet and earthy root vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squashes and potatoes. Be sure to eat

An herbal electuary is a thick paste, made with powdered herbs and honey.  It’s a wonderful way to take your herbs, because the honey makes it taste great. So, this is ideal for children, who may not like the taste of herbs.  However, do not  give honey to children under 12 months of age, because honey can contain bacteria that produces toxins in a baby's intestines.  Herbal Electuaries The use of herbal electuaries dates back thousands of years.  They were used in ancient Ar

A sun tea is a type of herbal infusion made with herbs and water. But, rather than heating water on the stove, you use the power of the sun to heat up the water to make your sun tea. Making Sun Teas You can use fresh herbs from your garden, as well as dried herbs. Some examples of herbs and flowers to include are: lavender, rose petals, calendula, chamomile, lemon balm, feverfew, yarrow, red clover, peppermint, spearmint, catnip, echinacea, tulsi (holy basil), thyme, nettles

Commonly called “blue tea”, Butterfly Pea Flower has been brewed for centuries in south-east Asia.  It has also been used in cooking to color dishes, especially rice dishes. It's an herb, so it doesn't contain caffeine, which makes it kid-friendly. Butterfly Pea Flower The bright blue color of Butterfly Pea Flower tea can change color based on the pH level of the substance added to it, such as lemon or lime, where it will turn purple or pink.  In Thailand and Vietnam, the dr

Do you have an abundance of basil growing in your garden?  I always have so much!  So other than making pesto (which is delicious), what else can you do with it?  Well, you can use basil in all sorts of dishes, such as on top of your pizza or pasta, blend it into sauces and soups, add to a salad, or garnish it on avocado toast.  Caprese Salad is a cool option during the summer months, and you’ll get to use some of your tomatoes as well, ( see recipe below ). When it comes to

The month of May makes me think of roses, especially with Mother’s Day this weekend.  Rose is the "Queen of Flowers" and has many benefits from physical to energetic.  It has been known for thousands of years for its beauty and fragrance.  Why Rose is the Queen of Flowers For skincare, rose has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.  Rose’s cooling and soothing nature is great for irritated, inflamed skin. The fruit of the rose plant is called “rosehip”, an

Herbal salves are useful for a variety of skin issues, including cuts, scrapes, bruises, irritated skin, dry skin, acne scars, arthritis, and so much more. They’re also easy to make, so this is the perfect project for beginner herbalists. So give it a try - make these herbal salves for natural skin care. Herbal Salves for Natural Skin Care Where to Get Your Herbs If you're a gardener, then you're all set; you can grow some of these herbs. If you don't wish to start from seed,

It’s early-Autumn and my lips are already getting dry and cracked. If yours are too, then make this lip balm with healing Calendula and soothing Coconut Oil. Calendula is an anti-inflammatory herb, ideal for chapped, brittle, or cracked lips; and Coconut Oil inhibits skin moisture loss and makes the skin smooth. The Calendula is infused in Olive Oil, which hydrates and nourishes dry, cracked, or chapped lips. Calendula Lip Balm Recipe for Dry, Cracked Lips I like making so

The heat has been brutal this summer, so to help cool off, try this tea with rose petals and hibiscus. Rose is sweet, grounding, an anti-inflammatory and strongly cools the body. Hibiscus is a tropical herb that is refreshing sour and astringent. It strongly cools the body, is a diuretic, and is rich in antioxidants. It's also high in vitamin C, so it helps boost the immune system. To brew this tea: In a pot, bring a few cups of water almost to a boil; add a heaping teasp

Start preparing for the cold and flu season now. One herb that is beneficial for respiratory health is mullein (Verbascum Thapsis). It's abundant now; so forage what you can if you see it growing while walking or hiking. However, don't pick any herb that grows along a busy highway or road (which mullein does); rather go in about a mile to gather any plants. Read more about mullein for respiratory health - it's history and benefits. Mullein for Respiratory Health The History o

Poison Ivy, like other poisonous plants, are actually protectors of a disturbed environment. Wherever you see an abundance of any of these plants, it means that the area has been badly damaged. These plants are Mother Nature’s way of saying “Keep Out”. Their role is to keep us away until the area has healed. However, if you’ve ever broken out from poison ivy exposure, you know it can be downright miserable. Try some of these herbal remedies for treating poison ivy. Herbal

Learn how to make herbal candies for people, especially children, who don't like the taste of herbal teas or tinctures.

Herbal ice cubes are so refreshing during the hot summer months. They can add flavor to a glass of plain water or iced tea. Flowering herbs, such as lavender, chamomile, roses, or calendula, are great to use. You can add flowers to an ice cube tray, cover with water, and freeze; or you can make an infusion (a tea) with the herbs first in order to get the therapeutic benefits of the herbs. Here's how to do it. Herbal Ice Cubes Directions Add about 3 tablespoons of flowers