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

Nettles (Urtica dioica), commonly called stinging nettles, is an old folk remedy for treating muscle and joint pain, including arthritis...

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) has been used for centuries to reduce pain and to promote healing of injuries. Recent research has shown...

In addition to foods that help build bone, here are some bone-building herbs to include in your diet: - Basil (Ocimum basilicum) -...

Anti-inflammatory herbs include turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, black pepper, cayenne, and clove. Cook with them daily, such as...

Now that we're in Fall, and cold and flu season is around the corner, it's time to make Elderberry Syrup. It's a wonderful immune...

Whether you suffer from acid reflux, lots of burping, or nausea, try some fennel seeds. Fennel seeds improve your digestive fire, or...

Both blueberries and lavender are in abundance right now; and together they make a tasty jam. This recipe calls for only four...

Herbal-infused culinary oils are great to use in stir-fries, sautés, pasta dishes, marinades, and oil and vinaigrette salad dressings. ...