Don’t you hate it when you realize Mom was right about something?

Remember how she always told you to eat your greens? You probably responded by pushing them around your plate until she gave up. If you wanted dessert, you might even have gone so far as to touch the broccoli or asparagus to your lips, but that was it. Well, even back then your mom knew her stuff. Green foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, water, and antioxidants. Experts stress that the key to getting all the benefits that greens offer is to include different shades of green in your diet. Don’t think that because you’re eating a side salad with every meal that you’re getting enough greens in your system. Remember, the more variety, the greater the benefits. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re experiencing symptoms of acid reflux, regularly have chest pains even though your heart checks out fine, or you find it difficult to breathe after eating, you may have a form of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you’re aware of it or not, you probably are already familiar with the aroma of the herb thyme. If you’ve ever attended Thanksgiving dinner, you know the smell. It’s part of a popular culinary herbal trio often used to spice up the turkey, which also includes rosemary and sage. Rarely growing over a foot high and yielding numerous gray-green stems with tiny oval leaves, this little evergreen’s official botanical name is Thymus vulgaris. You may also find it called common thyme, garden thyme, or French thyme. Receiving its name from the Greeks, it originally meant “to fumigate,” while also symbolizing courage and a source of invigoration. Even then, they knew it possessed medicinal qualities beyond its potent yet pleasant aroma. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever smelled something so foul that you felt queasy? Aromatherapy turns this sort of “gut” reaction to scents to your advantage, offering help for indigestion, upset stomach, nausea, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), irritable bowel syndrome, and gas. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re in search of a natural way to boost to your energy level, increase your stamina, or enhance your general sense of well-being, ginseng may be able to help. Of all the natural substances used in traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng is the most highly prized. That’s because it can be used in many forms to treat a wide variety of conditions. In fact, the botanical name for ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, is derived from the Greek word for panacea, or cure-all. The word in Chinese means “wonder of the world.” Read the rest of this entry »

You don’t have to be an aromatherapy aficionado to recognize the scent of lavender. The flower is a common sight in English gardens, and grocery stores carry lavender-scented soaps and lotions. Perhaps you use lavender sachets to keep your clothes smelling fresh. What you might not know is that the flower offers more than just beauty and a sweet scent; it has therapeutic value as well. Read the rest of this entry »

You woke up this morning with that telltale tickle in the back of your throat. You feel well enough to go to the office, but should you still work out? There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether or not you should exercise when you’re sick. Read the rest of this entry »

Autumn’s here, so cold and flu season can’t be far behind. Before you’re struck down, you might want to arm yourself with echinacea, an herb that some health experts believe is a natural remedy for these types of illnesses.

The Echinacea Plant
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (associated with the National Institutes of Health [NIH]), there are nine different types of echinacea plants. However, echinacea is most commonly known as the purple coneflower or American coneflower. Read the rest of this entry »

The natural power of aromatherapy can help with a variety of health imbalances and ailments simply by working with your sense of smell. While aromatherapy oils can be mixed with massage oils and lotions for topical application, a few of them have potent elements that can help relieve flu symptoms, reduce breathing problems, and even manage a cold. Read the rest of this entry »

You love your pets as family, and you try hard to keep them healthy: You walk the dog, you scrutinize the nutrition panel of your cat’s food, and you ignore their squalling when it’s bath time. What you may not have done is provide them with healthy supplements. In the same way you take a daily multivitamin or use herbs to keep your body in peak condition, you can take advantage of natural supplements for your animal friends. Read the rest of this entry »