When Europeans arrived on the east coast of what was to become the United States, they found that the indigenous people regularly made an astringent decoction by boiling the leaves and twigs of a particular deciduous, flowering shrub. These Native Americans were making the decoction from Hamamelis virginiana, or American witch hazel, and they used it extensively for a wide variety of health supporting applications and skin irritations. Today, high-quality witch hazel, distilled as an extract, is still beloved as a gentle skin toner and astringent. It is a key ingredient the best DIY and over the counter toners, cleansers, makeup removers, after sun sprays, etc. Additionally, the extract’s naturally low pH helps balance the typically high pH of soap, so it makes a wonderful after-wash refresher that is suitable for most skin types and can be used alone or incorporated with other ingredients. And, best of all, because witch hazel takes on the properties of whatever herbs you infuse it with, you can customize it for your skin’s specific needs!

I was born with hands stained crimson. The coagulated blood of the black women who came before me pulses through my veins. It is their calluses I can feel pushing through the tender surface of each aching palm; a young corn stalk fighting to witness the waning light.

Who doesn’t love a frosty, foamy root beer on a hot day? From drive in burger joints to movie theaters, root beer is the classic American drink. However, the corporate world has turned root beer into a cheap artificial drink full of high fructose corn syrup and other artificial flavors. Real homemade root beer is full of healthful and flavorful herbs.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a full-fledged advocate of bitters. Properly introduced to me by my teacher, Howie Brounstein of Columbines School of Botanical Studies, I’ve come to appreciate the taste of bitter in my daily life and have personally experienced the wonderful effects of this unique flavor. Before herbal school, my first experience of bitters was as a cocktail ingredient. Since then, I’ve learned that this elixir, made from both bitter and aromatic botanicals, has a history dating back thousands of years of wellness-supporting use. This got me thinking, where and how did bitters originate and evolve?

Most herbalists will tell you that they became interested in herbs because they had some condition that they wanted to find a better way to address. For me, it was more about learning to be in charge of my emotions. It’s not that they were out of control, but I studied psychology in college, and this interest has never left me. Strong emotions can be uncomfortable and do considerable damage to various bodily systems.

While in the dog days of summer, it’s important to consider the comfort of our beloved furry friends. My St. Bernard did a great job at reminding me of this fact. Wanting to give my spoiled boy anything that made him happy, I decided to try ready-made puppy ice cream that I found at the grocery store. But between the hefty price tag and knowing it wasn’t the most healthful option to cool him down, it wasn’t a sustainable option for my household. I knew I could make frozen dog treats that were just as refreshing, and which also contained ingredients that would support my dog’s overall wellbeing.

The twelve organ systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) connect with their western biomedical counterparts, but aren’t limited to western understandings of locations or functions. In TCM, each organ system includes not only the organ’s location, but also primary meridian lines, collateral lines, sinew channels, and more. The Five Elements of Chinese medicine—Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal—and their associated seasonal changes correlate with these organ systems.

Spring and summer are especially packed with physical activities—gardening, hiking, cycling, etc. With so much action, it’s important to support your body in its everyday functions. You’re probably wondering why a blog post about ice cream is starting out this way. Well, it’s the ingredients in this recipe that make it as helpful as it is tasty. Turmeric has been touted for its ability to support healthy joint mobility.*

A huge part of healthy living is about adopting lots of small, daily habits that add up to lifelong wellness. For over 25 years of clinical herbal practice, I have sought out and recommended simple hacks for making good lifestyle choices easier. Infused waters offer a simple way to fit nutrition and wellness support into something we already do every day. We all drink water, after all, so why not add the flavor and benefits of fruits and herbs?

Sweet, sour, salty, umami, and everyone's “favorite” flavor: bitter! Bitter herbal concoctions have a long history of use across nearly every culture. They are a unique sensory experience and must be tasted to do their important work. As soon as herbal bitters hit the tongue, the bitter compounds activate our salivary glands, which in turn send signals to our gastrointestinal system that it is time to digest. 

This time of year—coming up on Father’s Day—I take some extra time to appreciate how blessed I have been in the quality of the men who have played significant roles in my life. I was raised by an excellent single father, I’m married to the best of husbands, and I’m privileged to be mother to two fantastic sons. From the time I was a little girl, “my” men have always had my back, believed in me, lifted me up, and supported my dreams. So when it comes to their health, I’m serious about providing everything I can to support their overall well-being.