THE GARDEN HERBAL REMEDY THAT SURVIVED THE PLAGUE Four Thieves Vinegar is the stuff of legends and kitchen magic. Recipes for this concoction are as numerous as the stories behind it. An easy version for the home herbalist is
Four Thieves Vinegar
Cucumber Cool This Summer
There’s a reason we say “Cool as a cucumber.” Cucumbers have been around for about 10,000 years. They started out as a tropical plant but have been hybridized over time to grow quite well in more temperate areas. They pack
Inflammation, Your Mouth and Your Health.
This months Special Guest Blog is written by our favorite dentist, Candace Krause, DMD, from Gladstone Family Dentistry. I recently attended a seminar at OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) entitled “The Impact of Periodontal Disease on General Health.” According to
Turmeric: The Trendy Herb That Lives Up To The Hype
Next time you think about having a cup of coffee, try some Golden Milk instead. Drinking a cup of Golden Milk every day could keep the doctor away! Golden Paste can also be used in smoothies, to make salad dressings,
Adaptogens: Herbs to Build Vitality and Immunity
Adaptogens are a variety of herbs, mushrooms and foods the boost the immune system and provide general nourishment.
True Healing Begins With The Heart
Have you ever given your friends valentines and little heart-shaped candies on Valentine’s Day? Have you ever crossed your heart when making a promise that you really mean? Or turn on the radio to hear a guy singing about
A Rose By Any Other Name…Is Good Medicine
There is no flower that has been revered and celebrated as much as the rose. As the archetypal queen of the flowers and the definitive symbol for love and appreciation, the rose has endured in its beauty and significance for
Bone Broth for Winter Health
Soups or broths are excellent for supporting the Lungs in the fall and winter. In Chinese medicine bone broth nourishes our Kidneys—the internal organ associated with winter season–supports our qi and builds blood. Bone marrow is the source of essence
Miso Soup with Scallions – A tasty cure for the common cold
Did you know that Miso Soup with Scallions is an ancient Chinese herbal remedy for colds? In 300 AD famous herbalist, Ge Hong, writes about Miso Soup with Scallions in a book called, Bei ji zhou hou fang or Emergency
Jing Ball Recipe
Herbal Tonics need not be bitter teas or handfuls of pills. In fact, one of the best ways to nourish and tonify is by creating foods and treats one can enjoy. The following recipe is adapted from Rosemary Gladstar’s
Put the Jingle Back in your Jing this winter.
Put the Jingle Back in your Jing this winter. We are all born with an intrinsic energy known as Jing. Jing, or Essence, is a Chinese term for the fundamental energy of life. Jing is stored in the Kidneys
Defend Your Vital Energy This Winter
The concept of QI or vital energy is central to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Qi changes its form according to its location and function. The lungs are associated with Wei Qi. Fall is the time to nourish and strengthen the
How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?
There are many reasons a heart can break. It could be a literal break, as in a heart attack or a cardiovascular illness. Or, it could be a metaphorical break—at the end of a relationship, or after the death of
SAVE THE BEES!
About one mouthful in three of the food you eat directly or indirectly benefits from honey bee pollination. Honeybees pollinate over $20 Billion in crops every year. Commercial production of many specialty crops like almonds and other tree nuts, berries,
Love Without Chocolate?
“I have this theory that chocolate slows down the aging process…. It may not be true, but do I dare take the chance?” – Katherine Hepburn Can you show love without using chocolate? Chocolate, cacao. It was considered the food
Making Lacto-Fermented Vegetables Post
Fermentation may be the oldest method for preserving food. It adds intense and complex flavors to whatever is fermented. Fermentation is used in creating many modern foods such as yogurt, bread, sauerkraut, kimchee, pickles, salami, beer, wine, cider–even chocolate and
DON’T GET “SAD” THIS WINTER
During the cold dark days of winter, is it hard for you to get up in the morning? Do you experience a drop in normal energy levels in the afternoon and feel a need for more sleep? Is it difficult
The Cholesterol & Heart Disease Myth
We all have heard it for decades. Heart disease is caused by elevated blood cholesterol and the only accepted therapy is prescribing medications to lower cholesterol and a diet that restricts fat intake. The latter, the experts have insisted, will
Making A Dandelion Tincture
In the late spring I decided to make a tincture from dandelion root, leaf and flower. My friend and acupuncture colleague Carol offered to let me come out to her farm and dig all the dandelions my heart desired.