Natural Healing News

The tiny mustard seed by Joanne Henning Tedesco —  The mustard seed has been eaten and used medicinally since ancient times, but due to its connection to the type of mustard used on burgers and hot dogs, we are reminded of fast food. This is unfortunate, since both mustard seeds and the popular condiments they […]

Spicy Cinnamon by Joanne Henning Tedesco —  Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree. There are between 50 and 250 different species of cinnamon, depending on which botanist you believe. The two main varieties are Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Native to Sri Lanka, the best cinnamon grows along the coastal […]

Stress relief, cortisol reduction and holy basil by Connie Cagley —  Holy basil (ocimum sanctum) has an ancient history as an adaptogenic tonic in Ayurvedic medicine. Also known as tulsi, “the incomparable one,” it is considered the Mother Medicine of Nature in the Ayurvedic tradition. It is revered as a “rasayana” or an herb that […]

by Joanne Henning Tedesco —  Ginger is the dried, knobby-shaped root of the perennial herb Zingiber officinale. The plant grows two to three feet tall, and once the leaves of the plant die, its thick roots, about six inches long, are dug up. Ginger is used in Indian curries as well as Chinese, Japanese and […]

by Joanne Henning Tedesco —  Thyme is the dried leaves of Thymus vulgaris, a small perennial in the mint family. The leaves measure about one-quarter of an inch in length and one-tenth of an inch in width. The grayish-green plant grows about 18 inches tall and produces small flowers that are very attractive to honey […]

by Dr. Tricia Pingel —  More than 74 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. And as any person who is diagnosed with high blood pressure can tell you — it is frightening. Once diagnosed, many patients are placed on medications, such as diuretics. These medications deplete the body […]

by Joanne Henning Tedesco —  Rosemary grows on a small evergreen shrub belonging to the Labiatae family, and is related to mint. The tops of its leaves look like flat, deep green pine-tree needles, while they are silver-white on their underside. Rosemary’s memorable flavor and unique health benefits make it an indispensable herb for every […]

by Joanne Henning Tedesco —  Cloves (Eugenia caryophyllus) are the unopened pink flower buds of the evergreen clove tree that are picked by hand and dried until they turn brown. They are renowned for providing their uniquely warm, sweet and aromatic taste to gingerbread, pumpkin pie and apple cider, but they also can make a […]

by Joanne Henning Tedesco — Herbs have played a huge role in healing throughout the centuries, and one of the major contributors has been Egyptian medicine, which has provided some of the oldest documented remedies. From the 33rd century B.C. until the Persian invasion in 525 B.C., Egyptian medical practices were highly advanced for the […]

by Joanne Henning Tedesco —  Paprika is made from the dried, ground pods of Capsicum annum, a sweet red pepper. It is mildly flavored and prized for its brilliant red color, although the powder can vary in color from bright red to rusty brown. Like all capsicums, the paprika varieties are native to South America, […]

by Kiva Rose —  At 3 years of age, I learned the name of the prolific wildflower, yarrow. When I was 7 years old, a silver-haired Spanish grandmother from my city block showed me how to use its fresh green leaves to soothe my perpetually abraded knees and elbows. Years later, this truly versatile plant […]

by Joanne Henning Tedesco — Pepper was so precious in ancient times that it was used as money to pay taxes, tributes, dowries and rent. Weighed like gold, it was used as a common medium of exchange. Pepper was the spice that inspired the search for new routes to the East and changed the course […]

by Joanne Henning Tedesco — A member of the labiatae, or mint family, thyme is an herb that comes in many varieties and is native to the Mediterranean basin. There is only one genus of the plant (thymus vulgaris), but depending on the region in which it grows, the composition of the oil distilled from […]