Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a hardy perennial herb that is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint. It's native to Europe, but can be found all across the world. With a long history of therapeutic use for a variety of ailments that extends back to ancient Egypt, peppermint is referred to as "the world's oldest medicine." (more…)
Tourmaline gemstone is a semi-precious mineral similar to granite. With colors ranging from magenta to teal-blue, meadow-green to vibrant yellow, and even black, tourmaline gets its name from the Singhalese phrase "tura mali," which means, "stone mixed with vibrant colors." It's believed that no two tourmaline stones have the exact same color and it's historically revered as a "magic" stone that is capable of protecting whoever wore it. Although it might be a stretch to say tourmaline has supernatural powers, it does have the uncommon and very special ability to […]
Lovage, a member of the parsley family, is a widely-used herb in parts of Europe and southwest Asia. Its use in food and natural healing is nothing new, but it's also not usually first mentioned, so it isn’t surprising if you haven't heard of it. Lovage offers a number of health benefits, including supporting kidney health, fighting harmful organisms, and supporting joint health. (more…)
The loquat tree produces the loquat leaf and the loquat fruit, both known by their Latin name Eriobotrya japonica. It comes from the rose family and is sometimes called the Japanese plum leaf. The loquat tree is a moderately-sized tree, growing up to thirty feet. The loquat leaves are evergreen and are five to twelve inches long and three to four inches wide. These beautiful leaves are glossed and dark green. In this article, we're going to discuss the proven health benefits of the loquat, including its ability to support […]
The beneficial microbes inhabiting your gut have long been known to support digestive health, but deeper research is showing how intestinal bacteria controls and protects organ health. The liver, one of the organs reliant on a healthy balance of good bacteria, is our main detoxifying center. When we're receiving enough probiotics (as well as prebiotics), it works more efficiently at removing toxins from our food and environment. It turns out that many of the liver's metabolic functions are either enhanced or suppressed by the presence or lack of healthy bacteria […]
