Alternative treatments, such as aromatherapy, are now offered in therapeutic practices, including massage centers, yoga studios and spas, even hospice settings and chiropractic offices. So what is aromatherapy, exactly? Aromatherapy essential oils are made using dozens of different medicinal plants, flowers, herbs, roots and trees grown all over the world — which have proven, powerful…
People have always visited the doctor for digestive issues, and modern times are no different. Today’s diet is steeped in salt and sugar. It lacks the stimulating digestive work of bitterness, which research confirms is vital to your health. And, as we know, a healthy gut is key to a healthy body. For centuries, wild,…
A number of herbal teas hold a lot of meaning in traditional systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda. One such type of anti-inflammatory tea is the kind made from butterfly pea flower. In Ayurveda, a holistic system of medicine that's been practiced for India for thousands of years, butterfly pea flower tea is called Anchan…
In the world of "detox drinks," some of the most loved ingredients include apple cider vinegar, ginger, lemon, turmeric, celery and cucumber. Each of these has its unique health perks. For example, turmeric help support a healthy response to inflammation, while cucumber is useful for managing swelling and bloating. What's a super simple, healthy beverage…
If you were to ask a practitioner of traditional medicine, "How can I reduce my body heat?" they're likely to recommend adding more cooling foods and herbs to your diet in order to bring things into balance. What are cooling foods, and how do they work? A variety of fruits, veggies, herbs and other foods…
Not only is the feijoa plant low-maintenance to grow and easy on the eyes — with its big, pink flowers and silvery leaves that are both drought- and deer-resistant — it also produces edible fruits that provide valuable nutrients. What is feijoa called in English? It's also known as pineapple guava, which is a type…
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…
You may know of it as a flavoring agent in sambuca and absinthe, or maybe your grandmother sliced fennel bulb for you as a remedy for gassiness and indigestion. It turns out fennel has actually been used for its nutritious properties since ancient times, and it plays an important role in traditional medicine. In the…
Linalool is a compound found in some natural remedies, including certain essential oils. Because it has sedative effects when inhaled, it's been utilized in traditional medicine practices for many centuries, mostly to treat issues related to stress. In fact, linalool is considered to be one of the oldest known sedatives, or sleep aids, in the world.…
Did you know that almost anything you put on your skin can seep right through and into your bloodstream? Yes, that includes parabens and other dangerous chemicals in skin products. So while many of you have taken the clean eating movement seriously (and that is fantastic!), many are forgetting about the products that they are…