Tulsi, also known as Holy basil or Tulasi (Ocimum tenuiflorum, Ocimum sanctum),  grows abundantly in temperate regions of India through the Southeast Asian tropics.   Tulsi is India’s most sacred and powerful plant both medicinally and spiritually. Its species name, “sanctum”, refers to this sacredness. In Sanskrit, tulsi means “beyond compare.”  Indeed, the leaves smell and […]

My lavender is blooming, so it’s a perfect time for herbal syrup making! I snip my fresh lavender when in full bloom, dry from dew, and before fragrance fades. I like to add the lavender syrup to cocktails, kefir soda, kombucha, tea, blueberry-lavender scones or other bakery items etc.. Making syrup is such a simple […]

Dandruff is a condition of the scalp where the skin becomes very dry and flaky. This hair rinse will help deep-cleanse your scalp and rid it of any dead skin cells. The vinegar in the rinse can be drying to hair. Avoid drying out your hair in the process of treating your scalp by following […]

What are adaptogens? Adaptogens are herbs that help us adapt to changes and stress caused by physical, biological, emotional, and environmental factors. They can assist in restoring balance within the body and help us defend against both chronic and acute stressors. One of my favorite adaptogens is astragalus. Astragalus (Astragalus Membranaceus) Astragalus is an adaptogenic […]

If your garden or local farmer’s market is bursting with herbs like mine is you are probably looking for new ways to incorporate all that goodness into your diet.  This summer salad is bursting with fresh herbs. Blackened Chicken on Caribbean Salad with a Jalapeno Lime Dressing Jalapeno Lime Dressing INGREDIENTS 1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded and […]

Cooking with Herbs and Essential Oils: Cooking with herbs and essential oils can bring your cooking to a whole new level. Herbs can do more than just give you a flavor boost they can be used as powerful tools for prevention and healing when it comes to establishing and maintaining good health.  Many of the […]

Life Cycle Ginseng is a long-lived perennial that grows in USDA zones 3 to 8. Plant Description Ginseng is a member of the Araliaceae family and grows in the deciduous forests in the mountains of the eastern United States and Canada. In the United States its range extends from northern Vermont to Georgia and as […]

Cleavers (galium aparine).  The name (Galium) is derived from gala which is Greek for ‘milk’ (cleavers was used to curdle milk for cheese) and the species name ‘aparine‘ comes from the Greek word apara meaning ‘to seize’.   Also known as Bedstraw because it was used to stuff mattresses. Cleavers is a persistent, sticky plant that […]

Speed date with nettles; you will either love them or hate them but the more you know, the more you will fall for this one! As an herb: Nettles is an excellent diuretic helping to flush the kidneys. Being hemostatic and astringent, it helps to tighten and tone tissues and stop bleeding. Nettles is an […]

I’ve had an unusual amount of headaches lately. Instead of reaching each time for a couple of ibuprofen, which can cause ulcers and increase bleeding in the stomach if taken on a regular basis, I’ve been looking into some natural remedies for headache relief. Aromatherapy for Headaches Peppermint oil: Rubbing a few drops of peppermint oil on your temples has […]