Zucchini baba ganoush is a fresh take on the creamy, smoky Mediterranean dip that’s traditionally made with eggplant and is a tasty accompaniment to pita bread or fresh veggies. It comes together quickly and easily, making it the perfect summertime appetizer or potluck dish.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) salve is an effective multipurpose balm that is great to have in your medicine cabinet. In Latin it’s name, solidago, means “to make whole” which alludes to it’s numerous healing properties. Goldenrod has anti-inflammatory effects and is utilized topically on sore muscles, achy joints, and injuries to help reduce pain & swelling. It’s also wonderfully healing and soothing to the skin, and has long been used for…
The tea can also be utilized for numerous acute issues such as colds, sore throats, urinary tract & bladder infections, and for easing symptoms of seasonal allergies. Goldenrod tea is also quite pleasant tasting, making it a lovely addition to an iced tea latte. Sip this cool drink on a hot, late summer day.
Vaginal steaming, also commonly called yoni steaming, is a self-care practice that has its roots in many different cultures worldwide. It involves squatting or sitting on a steam chair over a bowl of hot water and herbs. Steaming is said to have a number of benefits for pelvic health. It can be helpful for easing PMS and menopause symptoms. Women also report its usefulness for various conditions, including pelvic organ…
From time to time, I enjoy paging through an herbal body care book from the 1970’s called Jeanne Rose’s Herbal Body Book. It’s full of old fashioned recipes for natural products that aren’t commonly found in modern day beauty regimens, including something she calls a “cosmetic vinegar.” According to Rose, cosmetic vinegars can be used as a facial rinse, aftershave, or deodorant. “It is softening and will relieve itchy skin and restore…
Delicate and aromatic lilacs are one of my favorite flowers. For the first two and a half decades of my life, their sweet blooms were a yearly herald of warm weather, longer days, and an abundance of fresh fruits & veggies. While I’m not living where lilacs grow anymore, my love for this plant has only deepened. Absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder— in this case anyway. Lilacs (Syringa…
May has always been my favorite month. In the Midwest, it’s when the fields & forests begin to burst with life, offering lots of fungi & flora to forage. It’s also when the lilacs bloom. Such a magical, yet fleeting time that urges us to slow down and be present — to stop and smell the lilacs. Lilac syrup is a lovely way to enjoy this gorgeous flower. It’s a…
Witch hazel extract infused with spring plants makes for a lovely skin tonic. Crafted with herbs that are wonderfully nourishing and soothing to the skin, it can be used as a daily facial toner or utilized to ease a number of skin woes. Dab on to spot treat acne or pour into a spray bottle and spritz on insect bites & stings, sun burns, rashes, and other inflamed, itchy skin…
This tasty dressing is incredibly nutrient dense. Dandelion provides a number of vitamins and minerals, which are readily extracted into the vinegar. It also promotes healthy digestion. Olive oil adds a boost of antioxidants and rich flavor.
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ for short, causes pain in the jaw, face, & ears and can make chewing and opening your mouth painful, or even difficult. A study published in the British Journal of General Practice states, “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are responsible for 30% of hospital admissions for [adverse drug reactions], mainly due to bleeding, heart attack, stroke, and renal damage” (Davis & Robson, 2016). I could dive…