Now that we are getting some true fall weather, it is a good time of year to enjoy some of my favorite warming spices. I love hot beverages spiced with cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger just to name a few. I usually choose a tea that has some of these spices, but for special occasionsContinue reading “Spice Things Up: Warming Spices for Digestion”
Tag Archives: colds
Refresh and Fight Stress with Holy Basil Tea
People sometimes ask me if I could grow only one medicinal herb what would it be. My answer is Holy Basil, because it has so many useful medicinal actions and it is very easy to grow. Holy Basil is one of the many herbs that help us cope with stress, but it is easier toContinue reading “Refresh and Fight Stress with Holy Basil Tea”
Vitamin D: Getting Your Right Dose
My grandfather had multiple sclerosis, which is an illness that is more prevalent in northern latitudes like South Dakota where he lived. Some researchers are investigating whether lower vitamin D levels might contribute to this trend. Data like this has increased our awareness of the need for vitamin D over the last few years. ThereContinue reading “Vitamin D: Getting Your Right Dose”
Herbs of the Ozarks
I believe that if we know the local herbs in any region well enough, we can rely on them nearly exclusively to treat most common complaints. This holds true for the Ozark region, where many classic American herbs grow and many introduced species also tend to flourish. In fact, the Ozarks are part of theContinue reading “Herbs of the Ozarks”
Echinacea for Winter Immunity
It seems like nearly everyone I know is either sick right now or just getting over a cold. This is typical for this time of year when the seasons change. One of the first herbs people think of for this season is Echinacea, and probably rightly so. Echinacea is a very well studied and isContinue reading “Echinacea for Winter Immunity”
Pleurisy Root: An Ally for the Lungs
Butterfly milkweed is one of my favorite roadside wildflowers. It has another common name pleurisy root, earned from its traditional use for conditions of the lungs. Pleurisy refers to an inflammation of the lining around the lungs, as sometimes results from coughs and other disorders. Pleurisy root was traditionally used to ease this painful condition,Continue reading “Pleurisy Root: An Ally for the Lungs”
Antiviral Elderberry for Colds and Flus
Whenever I have a cold or feel like one might be coming one, I reach for elderberry. Mostly, I use a syrup made from the berries, because it is a pleasant herbal remedy that always seems to revive me a little. The berries of the elderberry plant are well known for their moderately strong antiviralContinue reading “Antiviral Elderberry for Colds and Flus”
Amazing American Ginseng
September is the beginning of American ginseng season here in Arkansas, or as the old-timers call it ‘sang. We are lucky to have such an amazingly beneficial plant growing nearby, but we need to make sure that we protect it. If you are lucky enough to know a ‘sang hunter or are one yourself, makeContinue reading “Amazing American Ginseng”
The Power of Garlic
My husband just harvested the garlic I planted last fall. We go through a lot of garlic in our house so these approximately 250 bulbs will last the two of us most of the year including what we will plant for next year’s crop. I was surprised to realize I hadn’t yet blogged about garlicContinue reading “The Power of Garlic”
Immune Boosting Astragalus
Spring isn’t quite here, but it is starting to feel like it. As much as I love spring, these shifting temperatures can be stressful on the immune system. That is why early spring tends to be a prime season for cold and flu. I have personally added the herb Astragalus to my daily regimen toContinue reading “Immune Boosting Astragalus”
Dr. Laurell Matthews, ND 