I heard a bang followed by a cuss word and guessed some first aid would be needed. He came down the hall with a bleeding finger. The cut wasn’t life threatening but it was big enough to require a bandage. After applying pressure to stop the bleeding, I cleaned the cut, applied some healing salve […]
Category: Medicinal Herbs
Inflammation
Rushing to answer the phone, I smashed into the corner of the desk with my little toe. After releasing the energy with a few swear words and doing some Reiki on my foot I saw the redness and swelling that indicate inflammation. Even with the pain and throbbing I had a moment of gratitude for […]
4 Herbs That Stop Pain
Everyone has experienced physical pain, yet our experiences are as individual as we are. Some people have a “high” tolerance for pain and some have a “low” tolerance. But what does that even mean when the same word is used to describe everything from a stomach ache to a severed limb? Pain is the body’s […]
Healthy Not High
When I ask people what they know about hemp I get everything from smoke filled scenes in Cheech & Chong movies to a superfood. And occasionally someone shares a story about the family member that knows a lot about hemp…wink, wink. But the hemp I am talking about is different than what cousin Johnny has […]
Goddess of Allergies
Ostara is a goddess of springtime and is associated with fertility, new ideas and the start of new things. She helps bring us out of darkness by nourishing new plants to grow and bloom. Spring has always been my favorite time of year because my birthday is in April and Ostara holds a special place […]
Follow Up Call
They say time heals all wounds. I’m not sure I believe that…or maybe it just hasn’t been enough time. Even though it feels like a lifetime ago, it has only been 6 ½ months since my last breast cancer surgery. I had to call today to make an appointment for my follow up mammogram. Back […]
Getting Stoned
I was navigating Friday afternoon traffic trying to get home. It was early enough that the get-out-of-town-for-the-weekend rush hadn’t started in earnest yet but it was still heavy. As I got off at the New River exit I took a deep breath, taking in the view of the mountains helped shift my energy down a […]
Sweet taste of Stevia
I’ve been fascinated with Stevia since my early days as an herbalist. It has only been since I have lived in the desert that I have begun growing my own. When I have visitors to the garden I like to pinch off a little piece of the plant for them to taste. They are always […]
Last Resort Antibiotics
Recently the news ran yet another story about the overuse of antibiotics, saying that 1/3 of the prescriptions are actually harmful. Antibiotics are strong medicines used to treat infections, including life-threatening contagious diseases, by destroying or slowing down the growth of bacteria. But antibiotics can cause more harm than good when used incorrectly. http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/third-antibiotic-prescriptions-are-just-wrong-n567026 By […]
Don’t harvest the latex!
Aloe Vera was the first succulent I ever met. The thick, meaty leaves beckon me to touch and feel the plant despite the thorns that stick out both sides. A popular houseplant, Aloe Vera is often kept on hand as a quick remedy for burns. But don’t think of this as a new age remedy, […]
Natural Aphrodisiacs
Humans have forever been in search of the perfect aphrodisiac. From ancient to modern times almost no culture, primitive or civilized, has been without its cornucopia of love foods and potions. The term aphrodisiac comes from Aphrodite, the goddess of love and sexuality. Aphrodisiacs are substances that excite sexual desire or enhance sexual performance. They […]