Bad Press for Herbal Supplements
There has been some recent media attention regarding DNA testing of herbal supplements sold in 4 chain stores. The supplements they tested, echinacea, garlic, ginseng, and gingko, contained no plant material and were found to contain rice, beans, pine, citrus, asparagus, primrose, wheat, houseplant, and wild carrot not listed on the labels. Some believe that testing was […]
Oh, no! I think I’m getting sick. What can I do?
You awoke with a tickle in your throat, you are feeling run down, everyone around you has been sick, and you don’t want to get to get it. Here are some practical tips for staving off colds and flus at the first symptom: 1) Stay in bed or go back to bed, if at […]
Herbal Gift Ideas
Many years ago, I worked at Hilltop Garden and Nature Center in Bloomington. Every year I would lead a workshop on Herbal Gift Making. I thought about these fun and informative classes and thought I would share these ideas with you today. These are perfect gifts for those on a budget or those who wish […]
Blissful Beauty Sleep
I asked for suggestions for blog posts and found that many people would like some ideas on how to beat insomnia. Insomnia can mean different things to different people. Some people have trouble falling asleep, some have trouble staying asleep, and some have both. Insomnia can be caused by many factors and anyone who has […]
Stay Healthy as Cold and Flu Season Approaches
As we approach the cold and flu season, I thought it a good time to discuss how to prevent illnesses from getting the best of us. I have already heard of a few cases of colds making their way to my area. Build yourself up now to avoid getting ill. First, the obvious stuff, […]
Fall Fruition
Today is the first day of autumn, the season of the harvest, the fruition of the hard work of spring and summer. It is the time to store our foods and our energy for the winter. It also begins the time when we personally begin to turn our energy inward for the season of rest. […]
How are you beating the heat?
We have had a pretty cool summer here in Indiana so far, but the heat has returned. At the request of one of my newsletter subscribers, here are some tips for beating the heat: 1. The obvious stuff: Wear a hat and sunscreen Stay out of the direct sunlight Drink a lot of water […]
Eat Your Summer Lawn
In March, we talked about eating our spring lawns. Here we are into summer and I don’t know about yours, but my lawn has exploded. Here are some of my favorite yard goodies available to us here in southern Indiana right now: Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) My favorite use of Red Clover is with […]
Harmonizing Hawthorn
Hawthorn berries are one of my favorite herbal remedies to work with. Pay attention guys, you won’t want to miss this one! They have been used as a cardiovascular tonic for centuries and have been helpful in treating irregular heart rhythms, congestive heart failure, elevated blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and even erectile dysfunction. That’s right, […]
5 of My Favorite Herbs to Grow
As I sit here typing, there is a light spring rain. My little garden seedlings look green and happy for the drink. It was a beautiful weekend and I saw a lot of gardening going on in yards across town. I thought today I would share with you 5 of my favorite herbs to grow, […]