Category: Herbal Remedies

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a well-known culinary herb that is commonly used to flavor Mediterranean cuisine, as well as a variety of other dishes. This aromatic plant also has many potent medicinal properties.

Studies have shown that oregano is effective against a variety of pathogens, including various strains of bacteria, yeast, and some fungi — many of which cause illnesses in humans and animals. One study evaluating the effectiveness of oregano against various strains of bacteria found that oregano had stronger antimicrobial activity than the antibiotic it was being compared with (Özkalp et al., 2010; Singletary, 2010).

Adaptogens are herbs + mushrooms that boost our overall well-being, vitality, and resilience. Dr. Aviva Romm says, “adaptogens help your body to cope more effectively with the demands of everyday life. They provide a sustained sense of calm, and while they increase energy, […] they are non-stimulating. In addition to their effects on stress adaptation, adaptogens have profound antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that protect your cells from damage from a variety of chemical exposures.”

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), also commonly called holy basil, is a powerful adaptogen. It is a revitalizing herb that helps ease fatigue, boost energy, and improve resilience + longevity. It is calming and uplifts mood. Some find it helpful for reliving mild depression (Romm).

Ají & Mint Pain Relief Spray is inspired by Icy Hot, a cooling and warming topical pain relief ointment. This herbal version, however, is easy to make yourself and contains only natural ingredients. It’s great to have on hand to help relieve aches, leg cramps, muscle soreness and pain.

I used a homemade tincture of ají (Capsicum pubescens), a spicy pepper that’s common here in the Ecuadorian Andes and grows abundantly in our gardens, in this spray, but cayenne (Capsicum annuum) tincture is a wonderful substitute for those living in Northern climates.