White Willow has been used as medicine dating at least as far back as Hippocrates and ancient Greece, when people were advised to chew on the bark to relieve pain and fever. The bark of White Willow (Salix alba) contains salicin, similar to salicylic acid, the active compound in over-the-counter ‘aspirin’ and other acetylsalicylic (ASA) products. Salicin in White Willow bark is converted to salicylic acid in the body, and works in the same fashion as its synthetic counterpart, ASA.… Continue reading →

Who doesn’t love a little sugar? It’s undoubtedly one of the most satisfying and pleasurable of tastes. But sugar consumption has been rising steadily over the last few decades, and, alongside it, so have a host of health complications, including cancer. One of the main reasons for sugar’s dramatic increase is the food industry’s clever ability to disguise it under many different names. Here’s a partial list of other names that your sugar may be hiding under: barley malt beet sugar… Continue reading →

Topical corticosteroids are very effective at reducing inflammation in conditions such as eczema and seborrheic dermatitis (via suppressing the immune response), but chronic use can cause thinning of the epidermal layer of the skin, including the scalp. This makes the epidermis much more vulnerable to damage and infection, and reduces the protection that it provides us. When the topical steroid is discontinued, many users experience a ‘rebound’ effect of extremely worsened symptoms. As well, both the seborrheic dermatitis and damage from… Continue reading →

These recipes look beautiful and taste delicious! 1) The Classic: Lemon/cucumber Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + 1 cucumber and a lemon, thinly sliced + 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaf + 1/3 of finely chopped fresh mint leaves. Leave in the refrigerator overnight before serving. 2) The Granite: Strawberry/Lime or Raspberry/Lime Mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + 6 strawberries / 0r Raspberries and one thinly sliced lime + 12 finely chopped fresh… Continue reading →

Many herbs are notably beneficial for promoting healthy hair, and Fo-ti root (Polygonum multiflorum) from the Orient is one of the most renowned. According to legend, its common name, He Shou Wu (“black-haired Mr. He”), is derived from the name of a Tang dynasty ruler whose long life and ample fertility was attributed to this herb. In traditional Chinese medicine, Fo-ti root is most often used as a longevity tonic. It is considered to strengthen our ‘Kidney qi,’ a specific type… Continue reading →

The healing power of nature – vis medicatrix naturae – is an ancient medical principle that recognizes the innate ability of the body to heal itself. Immersing ourselves in nature is a powerful and effective way to soothe the nervous system and allay stress, fear, and anxiety immediately, and for a period of time afterwards. ‘Bathing your vision’ via photographic images—of streams, valleys, river terraces, orchids, forests, farms, bodies of water—is also measurably effective. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3353853/

Coffee cherry tea, anyone? Coffee cherries are the red fruit surrounding each coffee bean, and though at one time these were simply discarded in the processing of coffee, they have really come into their own of late. The sun-dried coffee cherry has powerful antioxidant properties, reportedly higher than acai, without the caffeine kick of the bean. Perhaps coffee in the morning and coffee cherry tisane in the afternoon?

With spring and summer coming upon us, eating locally and seasonally makes sense: it’s good for you, your community, and for reducing stress on the environment. Do you eat locally and seasonally? 1. In-season foods taste better. 2. Fresh = higher nutritional content, including powerhouse antioxidants. 3. Supports your local growers and local economy. 4. Lower environmental impact vs goods transported from afar. 5. Less expensive – seasonal foods, because they are usually abundant for a short period of time, are… Continue reading →

Tip: A short walk a day, helps keep depression at bay. Even 10 minutes a day is enough to improve outlook and wellbeing!  

Hair Essentials from Natural Wellbeing has partnered with HelpMe2Stop (www.helpme2stop.org), a non-profit dedicated to providing recovery assistance to those suffering from trichotillomania. Known simply as ‘trich’, this is a hair pulling disorder that affects 1 out of 50 people. Oftentimes, trich can be overcome by building self-confidence and seeing improvement in one’s appearance. “Trich can affect people at any age, gender and ethnicity,” said Charlene Blacer, founder of HelpMe2Stop. “Millions of people are affected by trich; nearly 90 percent of reported… Continue reading →