Living Naturally
We’re betting many of you have ground ivy in your yard or garden. This unassuming plant appears in early spring, along with the dandelions. While often considered an invasive weed, ground ivy is a perennial herb with an often-forgotten culinary and medicinal history! Learn about the many uses and benefits of ground ivy.What is Ground Ivy?Ground ivy (Glechoma Hederacea) is a perennial…
If you’ve moved into middle age and beyond, it happens with increasing frequency: You see an old acquaintance, and you can’t remember her first name. Or, you open a closet, then you can’t remember what you came to retrieve. Most of us find these lapses annoying, sometimes frightening. Is it normal? Is My Forgetfulness Normal?Many people worry that their forgetfulness…
Herbs are a natural health booster! Tucking herbs into soup is a simple and flavorful way to protect yourself from illness. Here are the best herbs for soup—and 10 delicious soups using healthy herbs.Modern medical science owes a lot to herbs and plants. More than 27 % of today’s medicines are derived originally from plants. Eating a wider variety of plant foods, especially…
The stainless steel stockpot has become one of my most used and useful household tools. I think everyone should own one. (I now own two.) Buy the largest, heaviest one you can afford. Here’s why:9 Ways to Use Your Stainless Steel StockpotCook For a CrowdA big stockpot allows you to steam a large amount of corn on the cob, boil a lobster, brine a small-to-medium-sized turkey,…
For centuries, people have been using fruits, vegetables, and other natural products to nourish their skin and hair. Here are four easy DIY recipes for a cucumber face mask, honey yogurt face mask, banana hair mask, and lip color. All use products straight from your kitchen! Have fun!History of Natural BeautyAvocado, cornmeal, cabbage, honey, milk, eggs, potatoes, cucumbers, apple cider…
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a humble but amazing native North American shrub. For centuries, this plant has been used to calm and heal skin irritations. You can even make your own tincture! Witch hazel is rare among flowering plants in that its delicate, spidery blossoms open in late fall, alongside last year’s fruits, and after its leaves have fallen.A History of…
This gardening season, try growing an herb known to lessen stress and anxiety: Ashwagandha. It’s gained popularity over the past few years for its health benefits. What many gardeners don’t know is that this medicinal herb is fun and somewhat easy to grow.Winter offers us a chance to slow down a bit and perhaps pick up that book we’ve been meaning to read for months. It’s a time for making soups…
Don’t throw out those lettuce stems and kitchen scraps! Regrow them at home! Here are a few easy vegetables to propagate from scraps—without planting a single seed!You may wish to regrow your vegetables from the original stem or root for many reasons. First, it’s just fun. Second, waste not, want not. Third, it saves money. Finally, you can resprout some vegetables any time of…
It’s been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Our eyes are the second most complex organ after the heart, yet we know little about how they work. But if we have issues, we take notice because our eyesight is critical. Discover five important herbal plants for good eye care, health, and eyesight.Herbs have been used for centuries to nourish and protect the eyes. Take the example…
Cuts, scrapes, scratches, burns, coughs, canker sores, heartburn, stomach upsets, diaper rash—mostly minor ailments, but sometimes painful and always inconvenient—are common occurrences in most households. What to do? Some people reach for the honey!Since prehistoric times, traditional healers have used honey for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. A growing body of modern research…
Shortly after returning from a long hike in the woods near my house, an online news headline caught my attention: “Noise Is No. 1 Quality-of-Life Complaint in NYC.” Your body needs peace and quiet time for good health. Learn more about the physical and emotional benefits of turning down the noise. The caption under the newspaper headline about noise complaints stated, “The city’s 311…
Our great-great-grandmothers and beyond passed down basic yet powerful knowledge: how to use plants to heal and nourish. It’s time to remember the simple power of using plants in our homes and to detach from relying on corporations and “experts” to tell us how to be well. How do we weave that ancient plant into our modern lives? It’s amazing to think that our ancestors used…