Heal

I used to get really bad headaches all the time (I’m talkin’ tons of tears). Thankfully, I only suffer from headaches occasionally now, and I’m convinced the improvement has to do with diet.

Cold? Cough? Stomach a bit upset? Make a ginger garlic broth that you can sip as a soup, or have with rice to detoxify your system and heal yourself with these Ayurvedic ‘heating’ herbs.

It grows in meadows and fields, and you might find one or two popping up in your yard. It’s a soldier-straight plant with heart-shaped leaves and delicate pink or yellow flowers. But don’t try to pick it, or even brush up against it. The tiny hairs on the stinging nettle release chemicals that will make you wish you hadn’t.

But this obnoxious perennial plant is actually a very useful medicinal plant – and ironically, can take away the itch and sting of insect bites or eczema.

Imagine a tree that cures almost anything that ails you. If there were ever a tree, Moringa oleifera – or drumstick tree - would be it. Referred to as the “miracle tree,” Moringa is used by Ayurveda practitioners to help prevent about 300 different diseases in patients. From the leaves to the bark, the tree can be used for medicinal purposes. Native to South Asia, Moringa is commonly used in curries and stews. It can be ground into a paste, powder, or enjoyed as a tea. It is so healthy, in fact, that it is said to be more nutritious than kale.

 An elixir may sound like something concocted in a magical realm of some fantasy movie or video game BUT they truly exist and provide healing. Elixirs are actually some of the sweetest medicines provided by Mother Nature and concocted by healers all over the world. These clear, sweet, and aromatic drinks are considered Hydroalcoholic, meaning they contain both water and alcohol.

 Almost every house has a kitchen cabinet or a rack designated just for their cooking spices. Did you know that a majority of those spices contain beneficial healing and medicinal properties? Many spices can be used for both healing and preventing ailments.

Topping off your bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon in the early morning sure is pleasurable to the palette, but it is also great for aiding in proper brain function. There are so many edible medicines –  whether they’re used to heal, cure or to simply prevent health issues that taste delicious.

Before there was ever the white gelatin, sugary puffs, there was the marshmallow, which unlike the sweet is actually quite an amazing plant. Marshmallow, otherwise known as Althaea officinalis, is a perennial species plant which is native to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. The root of the Marshmallow plant has often been used for many different purposes involving both health and medicine. Among many, here are 5 marvelous uses of marshmallow root.

Just before my first trip to India, I went in search of advice on how to avoid “Delhi-Belly” and mostly got the standard recommendation: do not, at any cost, drink the local tap water (and beware that ice is also a hazard since it is usually made from tap water).

During the winter months, our immune systems take a hit. That's why it's important to maintain a healthy diet, and get a little extra vitamin C. Boosting the immune system, vitamin C helps keep us healthy and happy. It's no coincidence that citrus fruits are in season during the winter. It's nature's way of keeping us healthy. But how much Vitamin C do we really need?

What is algae?

Scientifically, algae are aquatic organisms that thrive through photosynthesis. This includes a great number of organisms, but for our purposes, we’re going to focus on spirulina and chlorella.

What’s the difference between spirulina and chlorella?

Chlorella is a single-celled green algae made up of chlorophyll pigments (hence it’s bright green color.) Due to its incredibly fast reproduction rate, chlorella is a very sustainable food source.