Health Journal

Should Phytoestrogens be Avoided with Breast Cancer?
There is much conflicting and confusing information regarding the use of phytoestrogen-containing herbs, foods, or dietary supplements, especially when there is a history of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer (or a risk of it, e.g., family history). Some health care professionals advise to...
Supplements ·
Fennel for Digestive Health and More
Herbs that are used for both food and medicinal purposes are amongst my favorites - and Fennel is one such. Contemporary herbalists still recommend fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) for digestive health, including relieving gas and bloating, calming an upset stomach, or...
Immune Boosting Turkey Tail Mushroom
Many mushrooms contain powerful compounds that boost immunity, such as shiitake, maitake, reishi, cordyceps, and turkey tail. Records of the medicinal use of turkey tail (Trametes versicolor) date back to at least the 15th century in China, and a recent...
Antioxidant Complex for Free-Radical Protection
As we head into summer, remember to keep your antioxidant levels topped up! Antioxidants found in a wide variety of plants including Rosemary, Green Tea, and Milk Thistle help protect us against sun damage, which can lead to premature aging...
Natural Headache Reliever - White Willow
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...
Cancer ·
Sugar & Cancer: A Not-so-Sweet Connection
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...
Hair Loss · Skin Care ·
Don't be Flaky! Natural Alternatives for Seborrheic Dermatitis
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...
Herbs for Healthy Hair
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...
Eat Locally & Seasonally
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...
Hair Essentials Partners with HelpMe2Stop to Raise Awareness about Trichotillomania
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...
Natural Tips for Asthma
1. Dust mites - these little microscopic critters live in your bedding, and their feces are a major contributor to asthma episodes. Use dust mite covers on pillows, mattress, duvet covers. 2. Dietary - the most common dietary allergens are...
Grow Your Own "Shampoo Ginger"
The slightly viscous sap of the "Shampoo Ginger" (Zingiber zerumbet) has long been used by Polynesians as a natural shampoo. After the flowering heads turn red, they can be squeezed to release a gingery-fragrant, sudsy fluid. Natural shampoo that smells...
Locks to Talk About
Locks to Talk About offers current trends, ideas, insights, and inspiration on how to grow and maintain the hair you always wished for, naturally! Join us!  http://www.hairessentials.com/blog/    
Natural Dyes for Easter Egg Coloring
Ditch the Dyes! Eggs have long-been associated with spring and a symbol of fertility and new life for many traditions. If you celebrate Easter, instead of artificial dyes, try coloring your eggs with natural dyes from food. Bring each ingredient...
Curly Hair? Spring Healthy Hair Year-Round, with these 5 Tips
Spring healthy new hair growth—and luscious locks, year-round—with these 5 tips! 1. Keep the bounce in your step, and in your curls, with a balanced diet that includes hair-healthy nutrients such as protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants....
Natural Support for Arthritis
Herbs such as Turmeric, Boswellia, Devil's Claw, and Yucca are all beneficial for joint inflammation and arthritis, as are other herbs found in Joint Gold from Natural Wellbeing (http://www.naturalwellbeing.com/products/joint-gold) Cat's Claw from South America has shown notable benefit for rheumatoid...
5 Common Causes of Hair Loss
Hair loss can be devastating, no matter the reason. Learn about 5 of the most common causes of hair loss in women, at Locks to Talk About. Our herbalist Paulina explains them here: http://www.hairessentials.com/blog/5-common-causes-of-hair-loss/
6 Healthy Reasons to Nap
Here are 6 Healthy Reasons to Cat Nap Regularly: Napping: 1. Boosts Alertness 2. Improves Learning and Memory 3. Increases Creativity 4. Boosts Productivity 5. Lifts Your Spirits 6. Reduces Stress  
Nutrition & Diet ·
Nuts for Health: Selenium & Brazil Nuts
Are you nuts for nuts, too? Did you know that Brazil nuts are one of nature's richest sources of selenium? They're so high in this nutrient, in fact, that the National Institutes of Health recommends eating Brazil nuts only occasionally,...
Nursing Mother Milk Support
Nursing Your Baby Breastfeeding not only promotes a deeply intimate and loving way to bond with your newborn, it also nourishes your infant with the perfect balance of nutrients and vital immune protection. If breast milk supply is low, however,...
Five Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women, Part 5: Trichotillomania
Trichos derives from the Greek, meaning hair, with trichotillomania being the compulsive urge to pull out one’s hair. The action of pulling or tugging can lead to noticeable breakage, hair of varying lengths, and hair loss, and has been strongly associated with...