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 »

Tired of brittle, dry, cracked, ridged, or weak fingernails? There are positive steps you can take to promote better nail health. But first, it’s important to assess what poor nail health might mean. That’s because medical experts say certain nail conditions can tell you a great deal about your general health. Read the rest of this entry »

Overcoming nicotine addiction may not be easy, but there are many natural ways to stop smoking and work toward better health. Nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms can make it very difficult to quit on your own, and changing your lifestyle is the first step to kicking the habit. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re like many people, you think herbs are somehow “safer” than many non-herbal products. Guess what? They’re not. Herbs were used as medicine for thousands of years before there were physicians, with good reason. And though modern medicines are made in laboratories instead of mixed by herbalists, as many as 25 percent of prescription drugs contain substances distilled or otherwise obtained from the plant kingdom. Read the rest of this entry »

Few herbs are as important in religious traditions as they are in folk remedies, but holy basil fits that description. Holy basil derives its name from its importance in Hindu religious rituals. Thought to help inspire concentration and sharpen the memory, the plant is commonly grown around temples and in the courtyards of religious families’ homes. The holy basil plant itself is worshiped as a deity, and it is an important feature in Hindu life. Read the rest of this entry »

There must be something to the fact that elderberry has been used medicinally for centuries. It’s a common ingredient in natural remedies, and the fruit contains vitamins A, B, and C, flavonoids, carotenoids, amino acids, and tannins. It has antibiotic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, and is most commonly used to ease cold and flu symptoms and shorten patients’ recovery time from while decreasing their respiratory distress. 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 »

Tens of millions of Americans suffer from sinus pain and pressure, medically referred to as sinusitis. They spend billions of dollars on doctor’s office visits, treatments, and remedies. What are some of the natural remedies and treatments available that offer relief?

When the sinuses are inflamed or blocked, pressure and pain result. The causes of inflammation and blockage are many, including colds and other viral infections, allergic reactions, fungal infections, and irritation caused by pollution. While many cases of sinusitis are short-lived, sometimes the problem can become a chronic condition that is a constant irritation to the sufferer. Read the rest of this entry »