Tag: herbalism
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Witch Hazel: Connecticut’s Most Powerful Wild Medicine
Did you know Connecticut is considered the Witch Hazel capital of the world? [Source] If you’ve ever stepped onto a wooded trail here, that probably doesn’t surprise you. Witch hazel is everywhere—tucked along stream banks, lining old forest roads, even growing right off hiking paths. One of my favorite fall moments is catching that faint…
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Sun-Kissed Butt Cheeks: My Experience with Calendula
Calendula, the bright orange, lions-mane-like flowers of late summer have been on my Top 5 Herbal remedies to keep in my medicine cabinet for over 16 years now. All because of little red butt cheeks. The first time I ever even heard of Calendula was as an ingredient in the all-natural diaper rash cream I…
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The Ancient Plant that hoards Precious Minerals
Horsetail is one of the world’s oldest plants, dating back over 300 million years. Many people find it on their property and decide to hate it, as it’s incredibly difficult to eradicate once it has populated an area. But those “in the know” see this wild being as the precious resource it truly is. There…
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My No-BS Skincare Routine (That Actually Works)
I get compliments on my skin ALL the time. As an elder millennial, I really appreciate it! I thought I would share my Skincare Routine with you all here so you will be able to follow in my footsteps if you so choose. Some of you are not going to like this. You’re either going…
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The Simple Herbal Tea That Finally Stopped My Heavy Bleeding
It sounds like an exaggeration, but I’m writing this from my desk with a profound sense of relief at the fact that one cup of red raspberry leaf infusion has managed to slow my bleeding down to a manageable level. It feels like this plant saved my life today. Warning: This post is going to…
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Is Oil of Oregano Really So Great?
If you’re reading this, I’m assuming you know what oregano is and you’ve probably eaten it before, even if you only recognize the flavor from the pizza you had last Friday night. What exactly IS “Oil of oregano” though? You’ve probably heard someone suggest you take it, but you don’t really understand why, right? First…
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Feeling better about tasting bitters
Why do we eat a salad first? Think about it– you go to a restaurant or you sit down at Aunt Martha’s house for Thanksgiving and what’s the first course you get? Salad. Has it always been this way? What’s the point of eating cold greens before the ham casserole comes out? It’s not just…
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Wild Lettuce: How to Identify, Forage, and Work With This Powerful Plant
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. I’m an Herbalist, not a Doctor. Wild Lettuce (Lactuca spp.) quickly became one of my top favorite herbal remedies as soon as I was confident enough to recognize it and try it. Why? Because it is hands-down the strongest natural painkiller I’ve ever experienced. Traditionally speaking, this plant has…
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The Vitamin C Powerhouse Growing in the Wild: Rose Hips
You’ve heard that you need Vitamin C, so you eat oranges regularly and figure you’re doing a good deed for your body, right? Why do you even need Vitamin C? According to the pharmacy aisle at Walgreens, you NEED vitamin C to stop your cold and if you don’t take their products you’ll never get…
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Figuring my way out of an unexpected allergic reaction
NOTE: This post is not intended as medical advice. I am not a doctor. I took a mini vacation this past weekend. It’s the first time I allowed myself “time off” for more than a 6-hour period in the last 6 years. It was nice to step away from work, even if it was just…