Herbal and Natural Remedies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqmqqAm5iG4
You know spring is here when you catch a whiff of Violets (Viola odorata), which are members of the Violaceae (Violet) Family. You may also know them as Heartsease.
In mythology Zeus had a lover named Ione (from which the word viola is derived from). His wife, Hera was jealous and turned her into a white [...]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNHlu-kA1Jc
Jicama (Pachyrhizus erosus, P. tuberosus), pronounced HEE-ka-ma, is native to Central America, where it is also known as Yam Bean or Mexican Turnip.  The genus name, Pachyrhizus is derived from the Greek and means “thick root.” The species names erosus means “jagged” and tuberosus, means “tuber.” Our name, jicama, comes from the Nahuatlan Indian xicama, [...]

Wild food, raw food, herbs and more!
June 20-22, 2010
Boulder, Colorado
www.purehealth.com

Tags: color therapy, doctrine of signatures, edible, five element, herbs, plants, survival, wild

Nothing warms the body and soul like holding a steaming mug, inhaling its subtle scents as you slowly sip. Why be limited to caffeinated beverages when the herb world can bring flavor, nutrients and health benefits?
Herb tea offers an opportunity during busy days for time out, reflection and even affirmation. One might think, “I’m nourishing [...]

By Brigitte Mars
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential plant oils for healing body, mind and spirit. One of the most ancient methods of aromatherapy was to burn aromatic branches and inhale the smoke. The word perfume is derived from the Latin per fumum, meaning ” through smoke.”
Essential oils, also known as volatile oils are [...]

Herbalist Brigitte Mars teaches about the benefits of growing Yellow Doc.

Herbalist Brigitte Mars explains the benefits of Alfalfa.

Herbalist Brigitte Mars explains Yarrow.

First Published By elephantjournal.com on May 19, 2008
While the world flowers in beauty, many of us find this a season of sniffling and suffering. Hay fever (for the two of you who don’t know) is a common allergy resulting in itchiness, congestion and discharge of the mouth, eyes, ears and nose, sneezing, bronchial irritation and [...]

Tags: allergies, eyebright, ginger, Licorice, marshmallow, mullein leaf, Natural Foods and Diet, nettles, pantothenic acid, quercetin, spring allergies, vitamin B6

First published by elephantjournal.com
Sleep is that rejuvenating repose in which we spend 30 percent of our lives. Our body uses the sleep cycle to repair itself. Still, for many, sleep is elusive. Here’s a few tips for natural, deep, dreamy sleep.
Feng shui your bedroom to improve the energy. Blue is a calming color for sleep. [...]

Tags: calcium, chamomile, feng shui, hops, insomnia, kava kava, passionflower, skullcap, sleep

First published by elephantjournal.com on Dec 12, 2008
Winter is the season that corresponds to the Water Element in oriental medicine. It is the season of deep yin, cold, and a time to conserve energy, as life slows down. It is also a time of going within, quiet, and observing one’s dreams during this phase of [...]

Tags: cardomom, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, horseradish, Natural Foods and Diet, oriental medicine

This article first appeared at elephantjournal.com on Oct 2, 2008
Funny thing is, A.D.H.D., or A.D.D. as it used to be known, didn’t “exist” 20 years ago. It’s as if a group of drug manufacturers gather around a conference table every once in a while and choose a different unlikable part of the human condition (Depression! [...]

Tags: ADD, ADHD, catnip, chromium, lemon balm, Natural Foods and Diet, passionflower, St. John's wort

By Brigitte Mars
Some 34 million Americans are at least 20% over their ideal weight and this can contribute to a wide variety of problems including heart disease, diabetes and lethargy. Select what is ideal for your body and don’t be overly influenced by unhealthy images that fashion magazines promote.
Cravings are more likely to occur [...]

Tags: Ayurvedic, garcinia cambogia, weight loss

By Brigitte Mars
If you are going to spend the time and money to travel, it’s wise to insure the trip will be enjoyed in good health. Being sick away from the comforts of home can be a major drag and downright dangerous.
Be in good health before leaving. Hustling to do last minute errands and [...]

Tags: aromatherapy, cerebral tonic pills, charcoal, flax seeds, ginger, ginseng, peppermint, Rescue Remedy, tea tree oil

The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland positioned on the front of the neck, on either side of the windpipe, directly below the “Adam’s apple.” Part of the endocrine system, it is one of the first organs to develop in a fetus.
This gland has many functions:

It affects protein synthesis within the cells and electrolyte transportation.
It [...]

Tags: bugleweed, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, irish moss, motherwort, mullein leaf, nettle, St. John's wort, thyroid

By Brigitte Mars
As children, most of us had twenty teeth. As adults, the norm is thirty-two, some people who lose their second set of teeth get a third one – from their dentist! Many teeth problems can be helped with good nutrition and proper care.
Teeth are nourished through their roots, building and renewing from [...]

Tags: bloodroot, chamomile, prickly ash bark, teeth, toothache, valerian, white oak bark

By Brigitte Mars
Life is not without its share of stress. Even activities such as skiing down a mountain, aiming for higher goals or falling in love can take a toll on one’s nerves. All too often, during difficult times, people take worse care of themselves by either over or under eating, using more sugar, [...]

Tags: catnip, chamomile, hops, kava kava. lavender, Oatstraw, passion flower, peppermint, skullcap, valerian

By Brigitte Mars
Sports are a great way to be active, improve health, energy levels, and enjoy the outdoors, though can sometimes result in injury. If pain from an athletic injury is severe or breakage or fracture is suspected, please seek medical attention. Also be sure to get medical attention if a joint is swollen [...]

Tags: arnica, calendula, catnip, chamomile, chaparral, comfrey, echinacea, essential oils, goldenseal, horsetail, juniper berries, nettles, Oatstraw, passion flower, propolis, Rosemary, skullcap, tea tree oil, valerian

By Brigitte Mars
Blissful sleep is that recharging, rejuvenating repose in which about one third of our lives are be spent. When resting, bone marrow and lymph nodes produce substances that aid the immune systems and much of the body’s repair work is done. Yet for many, sweet sleep can be elusive, leaving one exhausted [...]

Tags: chamomile, essential oils, hops, insomnia, passion flower, skullcap, sleep, valerian

By Brigitte Mars
Passion is such a pleasure in our lives! Many people assume that sex comes naturally. But it is well worth spending time investigating ways to enhance The Art of Love.
Have you ever wondered if there existed such a thing as an aphrodisiac? In truth the mind is the most important erogenous zone. [...]

Tags: aphrodisiac, damiana, essential oils, lecithin, muira puama, Natural Foods and Diet, oriental medicine, passion, sarsaparilla, sex

By Brigitte Mars
Pregnancy can be such an amazing time of growing, nurturing, loving and change. More and more women seek to use natural, alternative time tested remedies for minor ailments. When it comes to using herbs during pregnancy, a bit of knowledge is essential. Some herbs are very beneficial to consume during pregnancy and [...]

Tags: burdock root, ginger, nettles, peppermint, pregnancy, raspberry leaf, yellow dock root

By Brigitte Mars
Pain can serve a protective function by letting one know that something is wrong. Resolving the underlying problem, when possible is the best way to eliminate pain. The brain responds to pain by producing morphine-like hormones known as endorphins. Besides drugs, there are other ways to stimulate endorphin production.
Dietary Recommendations
The amino acid, [...]

Tags: calcium, cayenne pepper, corydalis root, cramp bark, DLPA, feverfew, ginger, hops, kava kava, Natural Foods and Diet, pain relief, passionflower, skullcap, valerian, vitamin B-1, white willow bark

By Brigitte Mars
New studies are being conducted on neural nutrients. The amino acid, phenylalanine helps to improve mental alertness, ambition and awareness. Choline and inositol are both components of lecithin (available derived from soybeans in natural food stores). They contribute to our ability to plan and focus. Autopsies show that lecithin is present in [...]

Tags: brain function, cardamom seed, chickweed, Ginkgo, licorice root, mental health, Oatstraw, prickly ash, Rosemary, Siberian Ginseng, spearmint

Insects are often known for their aggravating qualities of biting, stinging, contaminating and transferring disease, and thus humans have long sought methods to control them. We do not need to destroy all insect life. Insects provide food for birds, reptiles and mammals, and many help pollinate plants.
Essential oils that repel insects include bay, bergamot, camphor, [...]

Tags: bee sting, essential oils, mosquito repellent, Rescue Remedy, tick bites

By Brigitte Mars
Colds often occur when we’re overworked, overtired or overindulged. A cold may be your body’s way of saying, “Rest up. Nurture me, pay attention.” Some ways to do just that include adding a nourishing soup to the diet. I often saute some garlic and onions in a bit of olive oil, add [...]

Tags: astragalus, colds, ear oil, earache, earaches, echinacea, elder flowers, ginger, lemon grass, licorice root, marshmallow, peppermint, rose hips, sore throats, St. John's wort, thyme

By Brigitte Mars
After a long cold winter, its hard to imagine we would be bothered by heat. Summer is the season of growth and maturation when sunlight brings the abundance of flowers and fruit. Summer correlates to the Fire Element and is the most yang, masculine and active of seasons. The Fire Element corresponds [...]

Tags: hawthorn, hibiscus, leafy greens, lemongrass, potassium, raspberry leaf, red clover, Siberian gingseng, spearmint, yellow chrysanthemum

Headaches are one of humanity’s most common afflictions. Vascular headaches result from dilation of the blood vessels in the head, and non-vascular (psychogenic) headaches result from stress. Many headaches are caused by neuromuscular/skeletal imbalances. Low blood sugar can be factor. If one feels worse when bending, it may be a sinus headache. Headaches are considered [...]

Tags: allergies, aromatherapy, feverfew, ginger, headaches, hydrotherapy, lifestyle, magnesium, peppermint, vitamins, white willow bark

Food intolerance, also known as hypersensitivity, and in more serious cases, allergies, is a response triggered by the immune system. The immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE), a protein that is effective against a specific food, or food antibody that circulates in the blood. This specific IgE attaches to mast cells, which exist throughout the [...]

Tags: allergin sources, food allergies, food interolerance, marshmallow root, nettles, slippery elm

By Brigitte Mars
Being prepared with the right remedies and knowing what to do can save much discomfort when minor emergencies occur. Reduce hazards, maintain awareness and have some basic natural first aid supplies on hand when mishaps occur. The following are excellent supplies to have on hand, each with multiple uses. When an accident [...]

Tags: antispectic soap, arnica, charcoal, echinacea root, first aid, herbal salve, homeopathic, lavender, Rescue Remedy, tea tree oil, umeboshi plum paste

By Brigitte Mars
Our feet support, ground and connect us to the Earth we stand upon. On an emotional level they represent our foundation, security, and inner strength. Our feet bear the weight of our entire bodies some 1,500 times for every mile we walk. Each foot contains over 7,000 nerve endings, 107 ligaments, nineteen [...]

Tags: antifungal foot soak, catnip, chamomile, eucalyptus, feet, foot bath, ginger, horsetail, juniper berry, lavender flowers, lovage root, marjoram, peppermint, pine needles, Rosemary, sage leaves, thyme

By Brigitte Mars
In 1878, Willy Kuhne, a German physician, philosopher, and physiology professor, coined the word enzyme to indicate a biocatalyst outside the living cell. Enzymes are “living sparks,” a delicate animated force needed for life and every chemical action and reaction in the body, as well as in plants and animals.
Enzymes are made [...]

Tags: digestion, digestive enzymes, enzyme therapy, enzymes, raw food

By Brigitte Mars
Are you tired of being tired? Has your get up and go got up and gone? When you make your bed in the morning, do you feel like getting back into it? Fatigue may have multiple causes, including nutritional deficiencies, chi and blood deficiencies, allergies (both food and environmental), poor elimination, lack [...]

Tags: aromatherapy, ashwaghanda root, codonopsis root, dandelion root, energy, essential oils, Ginkgo, ginseng, green foods, hawthorn, licorice root, overeating, schizandra berries, stress

By Brigitte Mars
Dreams are a way of clearing the subconscious and can help give us insight about what lies deep in our psyches. It is amazing how in a few seconds we traverse years of experience in these “fantasies of the night.” At the very least, dreams can be an opportunity for adventure and [...]

Tags: aromatherapy, damiana, dream pillow, dreams, eyebright, flower essences, herbal teas, insomnia, jasmine, kava kava, sleep, St. John's wort

By Brigitte Mars
Digestive disorders are among the most common afflictions of humankind, contributing to feelings of discomfort, gas, bloating, heartburn, colon problems as well as a multi-million dollar a year business in synthetic over-the-counter preparations. Choosing wholesome foods, properly combined, free of chemical additives that are low in added fats is a good place [...]

Tags: alfalfa, cinnamon, corianda seed, digestion, fennel seed, ginger, orange peel, oriental medicine, papaya leaves, peppermint

By Brigitte Mars
Depression can occur when life isn’t going right. Feeling “down” when unhappy in work, relationships, and life situations can happen to anyone. However depression can also be biochemical, and occur regardless of how life is going. Expressing oneself creatively through art, music, writing or dance can be productive ways of letting go [...]

Tags: color therapy, dandelion root, depression, essential oils, food allergies, Ginkgo, lemon balm, Licorice, liver function, Oatstraw, oriental medicine, Siberian Ginseng, St. John's wort

By Brigitte Mars
Color is radiant luminous energy. Color therapy has been used for healing by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. When we lack light, depression, insomnia, alcoholism and suicidal tendencies increase. Exposure to light can affect moods, hormones and fertility.
Being in nature and basking in the blue sky, turquoise water and shimmering greens [...]

Tags: color therapy

Colds and flu, both viral infections often occur when too much going is on in our lives. Rest, relaxation and nourishment help us be more resistant. Viruses enter the body through the respiratory tract and attach to cells lining the nose, throat and bronchial tubes. Exposure to cold, damp, wind and rapid temperature change can [...]

Tags: antiobiotic, antispectic, antiviral, aromatherapy, beta carotene, boneset, cayenne peper, colds, congestion, cough, echinacea root, elderberry, fever, flu, gan mao ling, garlic, ginger root, headache, healing foods, herbs, homeopathic, honeysuckle flowers, immunity, isatis root, licorice root, marshmallow root, mucus, myrrh resin, osha root, peppermint, propolis, respiratory infection, sage leaf, sore muscles, sore throat, thyme leaf, tonsillitis, usnea lichen, viral infections, vitamin a, vitamin c, yarrow, yin chiao, zinc

By Brigitte Mars
Brains will sprout new connections between cells as long as the environment challenges or stimulates. The saying, “Use it or you lose it” applies to brain power as well as other aspects of our lives. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers the brain uses to communicate. Transmission of signals across the synapses is regulated by [...]

Tags: Bacupa, brain power, chlorophyll, color therapy, DMAE, Ginkgo, Gotu Kola, kale, leafy greens, Licorice, Oatstraw, oriental medicine, Rosemary, Schizandara berries, Siberian Ginseng, stress

It is estimated that 4 to 6% of children in the United States have ADHD. Between one third to 2/3 of these children will continue to have ADHD concerns as adults.
Hyperactivity is more unable to sit still, moving around constantly. Boys may be more likely to be hyperactive, and girls are often attention deficit.
There are [...]