Results for Category: Live Well
Can Reiki Support Us? An Alternative Approach in America
The United States has become a place where people are quick to pop a pill for everything that ails them. There seems to be a pill for every imaginable (and unimaginable) ailment or ache. According to a recent Mayo Clinic study, more than 70 percent of Americans take some sort of prescription drug, with 20 […]
Must Haves for Your Family First Aid Kit
Every parent knows the drill – you are out on a hike or playing at the park when your child takes a tumble and is injured. C...
The Grass Isn’t Greener: Inviting Bees Into Your Yard
For bees and beekeepers, the sight of closely-cropped lawns bordered with rows of non-blooming shrubbery will never garner any vot...
What is a Materia Medica?
Every field of study employs its own language, words, and phrases that become an integral part of engaging with the discipline. In herbalism, one such phrase is “materia medica,” which comes from Latin and literally means “healing materials.” More specifically, a materia medica is a body of knowledge that describes how plants have been used therapeutically throughout the […]
Summertime Foot Care Tips For Kids (+ 3 Recipes)
As a kid, I believed it was officially summer when I no longer had to wear shoes. Injuries may have been par for the course, but a stubbed toe or a splinter meant I was out enjoying nature, right down to my bare feet, usually while running as fast as I could! As I learned then, summertime–with […]
The Limits of Herbalism
Herbs have limits, too. For all the amazing ways that herbs can enrich our lives and help us heal, there are still things for whic...
Herbal Allies for Families During Allergy Season
Springtime brings the waking of green things from the Earth. The air is fresh and wild, and we feel called to the out-of-doors, to...
The Importance of Finding an Herb Mentor
Community is an important aspect of herbalism. Herbalism is all about relationships, after all – the relationships we have with each other and with health as well as the relationships we have with plants. One of the most special relationships within herbalism, though, is the relationship between herb mentor and student. Most herbalists eventually find some […]
Plant A Magical Living Fort For Kids
A lush living fort covered in lovely plants creates a wonderful hideaway for children. It makes the perfect shady spot to spend a summer afternoon immersed in imagination or simply reading a good book. For a child, there isn’t anything that is much more fun than hanging out in a fort. A living fort is […]
What to Do With an Herbal Education
There are many reasons to seek an herbal education, ranging from a desire to become a clinical herbalist to something more informa...
3 Simple Handmade Teacher Appreciation Gifts
Here in our neck of the woods the end of the school year is fast approaching. With it comes the promise of a summer filled with lo...
On-the-Go Herbal First-Aid Kit for Camping, Hiking, or Anywhere
I grew up hiking, backpacking, and camping all over Yosemite National Park with my dad. Yosemite fills my heart with amazing memories of the outdoors adventures we shared. I have the pleasure of saying that I have climbed to the top of Half Dome, and that I have seen meteor showers from the top of […]
Herbal Honey Recipes For Kids
Do you love honey? Believe it or not you can make honey even more tasty by infusing it with your favorite herbs. Making your own delightful herbal honey is great to try out with kids and share with family and friends. Herbal honey this is one of the most delectable ways to preserve and enjoy […]
Herbs Work in All Seasons
Herbs work in all seasons – both in the seasons of nature and in the seasons of our lives. There to support us in the unique...
Learning to Define Sustainability: Lessons for Essential Oil Consumers
The Elephant in the Room Define sustainability. “Sustainability” is a not-so-new term floating around the shelves of ...
Introduction To Herbs For Kids: Herbs Are Tasty!
Everyone loves a tasty little something to munch on, and it is fun to cook up a yummy treat to share! You can make delicious food by using herbs when you cook. In fact, throughout history people have used herbs in their cooking to make their food tasty and healthy. When you add herbs to […]
Herbs Work for Families
Herbs work as part of many different lifestyles, and family life is no different – herbs are the perfect complement to family life. They enrich our lives in a multitude of ways. Not only are herbs are a healthy choice for all ages, but they connect us to the natural world, give us seasonal traditions to share […]
Choosing Essential Oil Carriers
This post is the fifth in a weekly, multi-part series on using essential oils. We started by discussing Basic Essential Oils ...
Introduction To Herbs For Kids: Wildcrafting
Fun On The Wild Side Take a trip outside your door and look down! What do you see? Do you see little plants growing? Perhaps it is...
Incorporating Essential Oils into your Herbal Practice
This post is the fourth in a weekly, multi-part series on using essential oils. We started by discussing Basic Essential Oils for Daily Living, How to Choose High Quality Essential Oils, and Essential Oil Safety, and continue here with a discussion on using essential oils in herbal practice. What are the safety considerations? Can essential oils be used internally? What are ways for […]
Herbs Work as a Foundation
One of the most beautiful roles we fill as herbalists is that of teachers. In a way, it really doesn’t matter what path we take as an herbalist – we are always teaching. We may feel that we are the only real student we know, especially if we are self-taught or lifelong learners of the […]
Introduction To Herbs For Kids: Adventures In The Herb Garden
Are you dreaming of starting an herb garden and creating a special place for your new herb friends to live? In our last lesson we ...
Learn About Essential Oils for Free: EO Summit
Want to learn more about essential oils? You’re going to want to mark May 11 – 18 in your calendars for the FREE Essential...
Seasonal Allergy Support With DIY Aromatherapy Shower Tablets
Spring is finally here and it is so beautiful! Gardens are waking up and bees are searching out all the flowers that have suddenly bloomed. It really is a magical time of year and a great season for outdoor activities such as gardening and foraging. However, many of us deal with seasonal allergies during spring […]
A Guide to Essential Oil Safety
This post is the third in a weekly, multi-part series on using essential oils. We started by discussing Basic Essential Oils for Daily Living and How to Choose High Quality Essential Oils, and continue here with a discussion on essential oil safety. What are some general safety rules? How can you use essential oils safely aromatically, internally, and topically? What are […]
Herbs Work as a Lifestyle
Herbs work, but they work best if we do a little work, too! In order for us to receive the most benefit from the herbs we use, we ...
Introduction To Herbs For Kids: Start Your Herb Garden
Make a home for your new best friends! Have you ever watched a little seed sprout into life? Have you seen a baby plant grow into ...
How to Make A Child’s Herbal Sock Bath
Do your kids love bathtime? You can make it extra special by crafting an herbal bath together. For those kiddos who resist bath time, perhaps this craft will help coax them into the tub. I love using bath herbs and other nourishing things like oatmeal in the tub, yet it can get very messy. And […]
How to Choose High Quality Essential Oils
This post is the second in a weekly, multi-part series on Using Essential Oils. Last week we discussed Basic Essential Oils for Daily Living – how to get started using essential oils in your daily life. Here we will explore considerations to help you choose high quality essential oils. What should you look for? How can you […]
Herbs Work As Our Companions and Allies
As herbalists, it’s important for us to learn about plants through hands-on experience, and we are richly rewarded for the time ...
