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Using tea for cooking is an ancient practice used often in China and Japan for adding depth to a variety of dishes. From steamed rice, tea eggs, soups, or desserts, there are endless recipes to experiment with by adding tea.

Some people might tell you that making your own leave-in hair conditioner is as simple as watering down the wash-out product already in your shower. But if you've adopted a no-poo hair care routine or need a little extra nourishment to bring your dry hair back to life, an deeper moisturizing treatment might be in order. An oil-based leave-in conditioner can help tame wild flyaways, soften brittle hair in dry temperatures, and protect a healthy mane.

Feeling a little blue is pretty common for all of us. Sadness can strike on any scale, ranging from a simple Blue Monday to lingering, debilitating heartache. We all struggle with difficult emotions that, at times, can seem to overshadow everything else. Luckily, our herbal allies may be able to help ease the hurt.

Another year has passed, and 2020 is now upon us! As we look forward to sharing 12 more months of herbal learning and discovery with our readers, we'd like to highlight our most popular how-to posts from 2019 (ranging from natural body care formulations to herbal remedies) to motivate and inspire you from the get-go. We hope you'll revisit these ideas (or try any you may have missed the first time around) and let us know how they go—and stay tuned for more plant-powered content to come! 

Making homemade tahini is both fun and easy. Tahini’s unique flavor can enhance a variety of dishes, most commonly hummus and other dips. With its roasted and ground sesame seeds, this savory and nutty tasting paste is even better when blended with hemp seeds.

The winter season is often a time for travel, holidays, family gatherings, and sometimes battling the germs that can accompany these festivities. During this season of cozy blankets, hot cocoa, and fireside chats, I try my best to keep my family healthy and happy, but it’s not always easy. I live and die by my Grandmother’s “golden rule”: always wash your hands with soap as often as possible. This single action is proven to help prevent the spread of germs and is an effective way to remove pesky bacteria from your hands. All it takes is 20 seconds of hand washing with soap and clean water. I especially like foaming hand soap because it’s easier to use and more fun for the kiddos. You can find a foaming bottle at most stores, or you can repurpose foaming soap bottles that you’ve purchased in the past.

One crisp autumn day this year I decided to lounge in the hammock in my woodsy backyard. I got to unwind under the trees and take in the gentle senses of a sunny but cool late fall day. It was that time of year when I could see the steam of my breath on the breeze. As the sun set, a chill caressed my skin. Solstice is soon upon us. My inner time goddess takes note of the seasonal passage and makes her declaration: It is time for hot chocolate.

With the increased availability of Fair Trade and ethically sourced cocoa products, it isn’t hard to find excellent chocolates these days—but if you’re anything like me, you just have to try making a batch yourself. With such a variety of ingredient options and applications, how could I not? Luckily the basic recipe isn’t difficult, and it pairs well with a variety of fillings.

A diffusing essential oil blend is a fun way to spread pleasant aromas throughout any space. Expensive and synthetically perfumed candles can be tempting with their bright colors and familiar aromas of candy canes, apple pie, and evergreen cheer, but diffusing pure essential oils at home or work is a wonderfully natural way to scent a room with seasonal aromas. I hope these holiday-inspired blends bring a smile to your face!

The weather is getting cooler, leaves have changed colors, and in some regions the snow has already begun to fall. Family and friends gather to celebrate and reminisce. It’s holiday season! This time is notoriously known for eating a lot of food and drinking your favorite drinks, most of which contain alcohol. If you don’t drink much alcohol or prefer to enjoy an evening without feeling woozy the next day, you can still experience the magic of the holiday season with this maqui berry holiday mocktail.