On hot summer days, I tend to have more smoothies for breakfast. Though there are many ingredients I love, the maca I am adding seems to contribute to my sense of wellbeing. This is probably because maca is an adaptogen and a hormone balancer. By adaptogen, I am referring to maca’s ability to reduce theContinue reading “Maca Smoothies for More Vibrant Days”
Category Archives: Herbs
Drink Your Turmeric for Better Health: Bulletproof turmeric part 2
My bulletproof turmeric recipe has been very popular, partially because it is delicious and an excellent way to consume a more absorbable form of turmeric. I chose the ingredients for the recipe because I wanted to encourage people to consume whole turmeric instead of just the isolated “main” component, curcumin. The other constituents of turmericContinue reading “Drink Your Turmeric for Better Health: Bulletproof turmeric part 2”
Bulletproof Turmeric: An Herbal Alternative to Bulletproof Coffee
Bulletproof coffee isn’t the only way to have a delicious brain-boosting beverage. You can boost your cognitive function with curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin protects the brain from cognitive deterioration caused by stress. But I don’t know anyone who is dealing with stress! Especially not the law students who are popularizing the bulletproofContinue reading “Bulletproof Turmeric: An Herbal Alternative to Bulletproof Coffee”
Five Flavors, But Don’t Forget Bitter
Some cooking traditions focus on artfully combining the flavors our tongue perceives. The five flavors are sweet, salty, sour, spicy, and bitter. American cuisine doesn’t emphasize bitter as much as some other cultures. We will have coffee after a meal for something bitter or dark chocolate or maybe some slightly bitter greens in our salads.Continue reading “Five Flavors, But Don’t Forget Bitter”
Nettles for Allergy Season
Like nearly everyone else in Northwest Arkansas, I suffer from seasonal allergies. Fortunately mine are pretty mild. I might wake up with a sore throat or find myself sneezing while working in the garden. My first choice herb for seasonal allergies is nettle leaf, also know as stinging nettles. Nettles can reduce the amount ofContinue reading “Nettles for Allergy Season”
Herbal First Aid
Here come the summertime burns, cuts, bites and stings. I recently gave a lecture on Herbal First Aid covering these topics and more. Here are the notes for everyone who couldn’t make it. Activated charcoal– draws out and absorbs toxins. Open up capsules and mix contents with a small amount of water. Leave on bitesContinue reading “Herbal First Aid”
Refreshing and Soothing Chickweed
Nothing says spring as much as baby chicks hatching on the farm. Every year, I think they are even cuter than last year’s chicks. In addition to the organic chick feed at Ozark Natural Feeds, I make sure my chicks get some fresh foods too. I find worms and wild plants for them to eat.Continue reading “Refreshing and Soothing Chickweed”
Save American Ginseng: Save Yourself
A new show on the History channel, Appalachian Outlaws, highlights the politics of one of this region’s most valuable herbs, American ginseng. Many of us here in the Ozarks also have a personal attachment to this medicinal plant. A good friend of mine had the ginseng patch he had nurtured for over 20 years decimatedContinue reading “Save American Ginseng: Save Yourself”
How to Make Elderberry Syrup
Last week, I wrote about natural tips for preventing the flu. Elderberries were one of the items I highlighted because they taste delicious and are safe for nearly every age group. I have trouble getting my husband to use some of the remedies I use personally like Echinacea tincture and oregano oil, but he isContinue reading “How to Make Elderberry Syrup”
Natural Flu Prevention
This seems to be shaping up to be a particularly bad flu season. So far, nearly forty people have died of influenza here in Arkansas. My husband recently had a mild case himself, and it made me think I should share what I did to prevent myself from getting it. These interventions can also helpContinue reading “Natural Flu Prevention”
Dr. Laurell Matthews, ND 