Roommate LivingActivated Charcoal and Holistic Health
According to Wikipedia, holistic health is defined as the following: “Holistic health is a concept in medical practice upholding that all aspects of people’s needs, psychological, physical and social should be taken into account and seen as a whole.” But when I think of holistic health, I think of a natural approach to healing the entire person (as [...]
Clean Eating for a Healthy Mind and Body
Yesterday, I was reading an online magazine and came across a regional festival that was listed in the category of holistic health. This festival promotes attention to the mind, body and planet through clean eating and living. It’s interesting because that’s something that I strive for personally, but I don’t usually think of it as [...]
Three Uses for Essential Oils (and Aromatherapy)
Previously on this blog, I’ve written about the many benefits of aromatherapy. Personally, it’s one of my favorite herbal remedies. Why? Ah, that’s simple: Because it smells great. The truth is, not all aromatherapy oils smell amazing. There are some that are just so-so and others that border on stinky. But in my opinion, aromatherapy [...]
The Many Uses of Lavender
As I’m sitting here, thinking about what to post that would be of value to you (aka, working through my writer’s block), I’m reminded of the relaxing nature of lavender. I have an oil diffuser going right now, and the scent of lavender has filled the room with just a little hint of citrus from [...]
About Triphala
In the previous weeks, we talked a bit about the principles of Ayurvedic medicine. Today, I’d like to talk about a common herbal remedy used by Ayurvedic practitioners: Triphala. Triphala is often regarded as a laxative, but it is so much more than that. Yes, it does have laxative properties (and taking triphala will probably cure [...]
About the Pitta Dosha
In our Ayurvedic series, we’ve covered the basic principles and highlighted two of the three doshas, so you can imagine what we’re talking about today. If you don’t feel like you fit into either of the doshas I’ve already described (kapha and vata), you may very well be a pitta. When I started this series, [...]
Balancing Vata Dosha
Last week, I focused on the dosha that best describes me. For those of you who have missed the past few posts, “dosha” is an Ayurvedic term that is most often used to describe your dominant personality traits. It is part of your life energy. There are three doshas that we all have, but everyone [...]
The Characteristics of a Kapha
Last week, I delved into the world of Ayurvedic medicine and explored the three different doshas. Today, I’m going to write about the dosha that I think fits me best: Kapha. Kaphas have a strong build (think broad shoulders and wide hips) and they have excellent stamina. They usually don’t have digestion issues and they [...]
What’s Your Dosha?
Normally, I don’t watch much television; I also don’t put as much faith in modern medicine as most people, but every so often, I throw both of these guidelines out the window and watch Dr. Oz. Actually, although Dr. Oz is an M.D., he does keep an open mind about alternative medicine. In fact, this [...]
How to Use Aromatherapy in Your Home
Last week we talked about the benefits of aromatherapy, but you don’t have to go through any sort of elaborate schooling to feel the effects of soothing and healing scents. Of course, if you really want to know everything, you should find a quality program (you can just do a quick search among the top [...]
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the ancient art and alternative medicine of healing by using plants, extracts and scents. Aromatherapy and essential oils are one of the best traditional ways to heal from many types of ailments. From reducing stress to giving you a boost of energy, there’s an aromatherapy option for everyone. That’s right; even me. I’m a big [...]
Herbs to Treat the Common Cold
I’ve always thought that vitamin D was one of the best cures or preventions for the common cold; It may very well be true, but somehow I found myself with a nasty bug here in sunny Florida (the body makes vitamin D from the sun’s rays). I’m actually from New York, so maybe it had [...]
Black Walnut: An Anti-Fungal Herb
Black walnut is among the few holistic herbs that I’ve taken myself. I say few, not because I’ve only taken one or two, but because there are so many herbs out there that I can only say that I’ve had a small percentage. When I took black walnut, it was because I was also on [...]