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

The first weed that pops up in the spring is the dandelion, which is an important food source for pollinators, such as bees. However, we're now seeing more flowering plants for bees, and Red Clover is one of them. I gather Red Clover blossoms here in the New Mexico mountains, and often I’m picking the blossoms right next to the bees. Of course, I only take what I need and leave the rest for them and other insects. Red Clover's Benefits I gather these wonderful blossoms bec

If you're experiencing burnout and need some stamina, consider adaptogens. The term “adaptogen” refers to a group of herbs that improves stamina and immunity. They also promote well-being and longevity. These herbs help us adapt to stress and to recover from the effects of stress, as well as to balance and restore the body. There’s a wide spectrum of adaptogens from soothing and nourishing to more stimulating. Also, some adaptogens help improve mental performance, which is

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1/3 of Americans will experience long-term anxiety sometime in their life. ...

Shea butter comes from Africa, and is traditionally used by Africa drummers to moisturize and heal their hands. It has anti-inflammatory,...

Baked pears with star anise are the perfect wintertime tonic. Pears are anti-inflammatory, calming to the heart, and high in vitamin C and copper. The warming spices of star anise, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg aid digestion; and star anise is also good for heart health as a cardiac stimulant. Baked Pears with Star Anise Recipe Ingredients 2 pears - peeled, halved, and cored 1 teaspoon ground star anise 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground clove 1/4 teaspoon gro

In Ayurveda, excess mucus is caused by “sweet blood”, which is blood that’s high in sugar, fats, or proteins. The mucus is thick, white,...

Do you tend to over-indulge during the holiday season? If so, give your digestive system some support with any of these 10 herbs. There are many herbs that aid digestion; but these are my favorites, and I always have them on hand. 10 Digestive Herbs for the Holidays Cardamom is a dry, light, and warming herb that stimulates the appetite, helps expel gas, and encourages healthy digestion. It can also help reduce nausea. Cinnamon is a hot, light, sweet herb that helps rekindl