Health Journal

Lovely Lavender
For many, Lavender is the fragrance that comes to mind at the mention of aromatherapy. With good reason: Of the thousands of essential oils in nature to choose from, Lavender is by far the most popular. And within the ‘field...
Zinc Deficiency and Hair Loss?
One of our Fantastic Fans, Elizabeth, had some interesting questions for us about zinc and its significance with hair loss. She was also curious as to whether zinc was included in Hair Essentials as an “aromatase-inhibitor.” Aromatase is an enzyme...
Herpes Happens
Cold sores and genital blisters are infectious conditions caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). While cold sores on the mouth are usually associated with the type 1 strain of the virus (HSV1), they can occasionally be caused by type...
Has Your "Thinking Cap" Been on Too Tight?
If your mind seems to be racing a million miles a minute or you’re having nonstop, circular or repetitive thoughts, herbal relaxants such as Skullcap can help ease that too-tight thinking cap. Its gentle, sedative action helps to calm the...
Weed of Wonder
Though another type of “weed” has been coming into its own of late, the “weed of wonder” we’re talking here is a slightly less controversial one: Dandelion. ;) Those cheery yellow flowers dotting the planet are not only one of...
Sweet Dreams - Coming Your Way!
Lack of deep, restful sleep, especially when it’s chronic, can have significant daytime consequences. It can interfere with our ability to concentrate, our decision-making skills and reaction times, and can make us more irritable(!) and susceptible to illness. So What...
To Bee, or Not to Bee – That Truly IS the Question!
“The way humanity manages or mismanages its nature-based assets, including pollinators, will in part define our collective future in the 21st century.” - Achim Steiner, UN Undersecretary-General and UNEP’s Executive Director Amazingly, bees pollinate over 70 percent of the 100...
Stress & Hair Loss
Regular, everyday types of stress like being late for work aren’t usually enough to cause hair loss. But when you’re under ongoing stress or experience a sudden, traumatic event, significant hormonal changes occur that can trigger hair loss. Emotional stress...
Health & Beauty Secrets of Tropical Tamanu Oil
Tamanu oil, pressed from the nut of the fruit of the Tamanu tree, is a remarkable topical healing agent with skin healing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibiotic and antioxidant properties. It possesses the unique capacity to promote the formation of new tissue...
Have You Ever Had Morning Breath - That Lasts All Day?
If you’ve ever had morning breath that lasts well beyond noon, you likely know how distressing it can be... trying to talk without getting too near anyone, or avoiding breathing directly towards anyone. Perhaps even worse is not knowing you’ve...
Are you an Apple or a Pear?
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have pinpointed a protein that plays a part in how fat is stored in the body. And how the body stores fat – whether it’s deposited more around the torso (apple-shaped) vs around the...
Probiotics are "For Life"!
Probiotics literally means “for life.” They're the bacteria that live in your intestinal tract – all 3 to 5 pounds of them - and help you to digest food, synthesize important vitamins, support your immune system, and ensure proper elimination...
Passion in a Flower!
Passionflower - simply one of the most gorgeous flowers of all time! Not only is its ‘other-worldly’ appearance beautiful to behold, but Passionflower also provides fantastic support for anxiety and insomnia. I find that simply looking at this amazing flower...
Rosa for Rosacea
Rosacea - often mistakenly called adult acne, a different condition - is a chronic inflammatory condition of the small blood vessels of the face. These tiny capillaries enlarge and fill with blood, giving the skin a rosy appearance. They can...
The Passion of Chocolate
Chocolate is one of life’s sweetest treats and a familiar courtship ritual. Like red roses, it is often given on Valentine's Day and has come to symbolize romantic love and the tender feelings between lovers. This tradition was borne of...
Skullcap - When Your “Thinking Cap” Has Been on Too Tight!
When mental stress is also causing physical tension, Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is one of the best herbs to consider. Its gentle, sedative action helps to calm the nervous system which, in turn, helps the entire body to relax. Named for...
The Secret to Living Years Longer?
The saying “An apple a day...” may have more to it than just keeping the doctor away! Recent studies on fruit flies – OK, not exactly humans, but they do serve as stand-ins for us in hundreds of research projects...
Migraines & Headaches - This Pretty Flower Can Help!
Feverfew, as its name indicates, can be used to help lower fevers, and it has been used since Roman times to induce menstruation . It has also long been used as a herb for arthritis and rheumatism, especially in combination...
Something to Stew About – Prunes!
Grandma’s recommendation “have some stewed prunes!” turns out be sound advice for constipation afterall, like so many of the simple health remedies used by our elders before the advent of pharmaceuticals. According to results from a recent clinical trial, a...
Ginger is a Zinger!
When we think of Ginger, likely its delicious culinary applications first come to mind... even its botanical name, Zingiber officinalis, alludes to the “zing” that Ginger carries! If you’re one of many who suffer from heartburn, try a freshly brewed...
Natural Alternatives for Psoriasis, Part 2
Yesterday we looked at psoriasis and some herbs that have traditionally been used to help manage this troubling condition. (If you missed that post--and the enlightening discussion thread that followed!—scroll down the Wall a little, to ‘Natural Alternatives for Psoriasis:...