When you think of the bay leaf, you may be thinking of spaghetti and savory soups, but the bay leaf is also used in the iconic bay rum aftershave. In fact, the West Indian bay leaf comes from the leaf of the West Indian bay tree, typically used to produce the cologne called bay rum that…
Have you ever experienced a foot soak? A good foot soak offers some much-needed therapy to tired, achy feet and overall relaxation. Healthy, soothed feet can make a difference in your day. Depending on what you do day to day, your feet can get rather beat up, sometimes forming calluses and rough, dry skin. And,…
Although children most often develop swimmer’s ear from swimming outdoors in oceans or lakes, adults can also develop this painful problem. In fact, swabbing the inside of the ears with Q-tips after a shower (a common habit among cleanly adults) can actually raise the risk for ear infections, since this removes protective bacteria and also…
When it comes to a natural remedy for almost anything, from sore muscles and burns to insect bites, a poultice is a great way to tackle it. As a kid, I remember my grandmother creating this remedy when I had my first bee sting. I had no idea what she was doing, but it worked and I…
There are numerous reasons why people struggle to get good sleep at night, ranging from anxiety to chronic pain. One potential cause is having hot feet and legs, which is a bit different than restless leg syndrome (having uncomfortable feelings in your legs that give you a strong urge to keep moving them). What does it mean…
Summertime: trips to the beach, family cookouts, warm nights and … sunburn? Unfortunately, even if you’ve slathered on sunblock religiously, those UV rays can sneak through and leave you with a painful, itchy red burn. While I believe some sensible sun exposure is essential for your health to prevent vitamin D deficiency, too much of…
If you’ve ever fought the battle against tiny insects in your home, such as ants, gnats or fruit flies, then you know how tedious it can be to say goodbye to them for good. Thankfully, there are natural ways for how to get rid of fruit flies. Chances are if your kitchen surfaces tend to…
Your skin needs it. Your heart needs it. Even your colon needs it! Almond oil takes the mighty, nutrition-rich almonds and transforms it into a powerful oil with incredible benefits. Though there are two main kinds of almonds that create almond oil, the one used for most homeopathic and cosmetic purposes is sweet almond oil. Don’t…
Although the skin is subject to acne, other skin conditions and aging, as the body's largest organ, it also has the potential to soak up a lot of healthy vitamins. One of the main vitamins our skin soaks up is vitamin D, which it absorbs from sunlight. The skin can also absorb vitamins from face…
What precious botanical oil requires around 1,000 pounds of handpicked flowers to be produced? I’ll give you a hint — its fragrance can be described as a deep, intoxicating mix of citrus and floral aromas. Its scent isn’t the only reason you’ll want to read on. This essential oil is excellent at soothing agitated nerves and…
