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Your Ultimate Guide to Healthy Living
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Warmth & Wellness
'Tis the season for warming herbs and spices; the ones that bring comfort to cold hands, support our bodies during cold season, and fill the house with aromas that make everyone want to linger at the kitchen table just a little longer.
Laura Van Horn
4 days ago7 min read
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Essential Oil Quality
Purchasing essential oils is an investment in your home and wellness, and like any investment, it deserves careful consideration. The difference between a pure, properly sourced essential oil and an adulterated product can mean the difference between therapeutic benefit and wasted money, or worse, potential harm.
Laura Van Horn
Oct 145 min read
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Herbal Roots
Herbal roots can form a solid foundation for home herbalism, addressing immune support, digestive health, liver function, inflammation, and structural wellness. Each can be prepared as a simple decoction or tincture and stored for use throughout the winter months when the body often needs extra support.
Laura Van Horn
Oct 77 min read
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Grocery Store Herbalisms
I used to think you needed special trips to health food stores or expensive supplements to support your family's wellness. Then I realized that some of the most effective natural remedies were already sitting right there in my spice cabinet, just waiting to be put to better use.
Laura Van Horn
Aug 267 min read
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Be Ready for Back to School
School environments create the perfect storm for infections to spread. Meanwhile, the pressure of academic performance, social dynamics, and packed schedules can leave some feeling overwhelmed. But there is hope.
Laura Van Horn
Aug 59 min read
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Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)
Geranium tends to be an overlooked essential oil that is versatile and reliable, offering a wide-reaching benefit for skin, mood, and overall well-being.
Laura Van Horn
Jul 295 min read
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Digestive Support
Herbs and Essential Oils for Digestive Support Tummy ache waiting to happen Digestion complaints are all too common, ranging from...
Laura Van Horn
Jul 226 min read
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Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is no lightweight; it exudes warmth and strength. In the kitchen, it enlivens. In the apothecary, it stimulates, soothes, and comforts. This is an herb that acts on digestion, joints, circulation, respiration, and the immune system. Keep it on hand, and you will find it meets more needs than you might expect.
Laura Van Horn
Jul 156 min read
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Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is an enjoyable summertime herb in both the kitchen and the apothecary. European herbalists have long used basil to support digestion, calm the nervous system, and ease respiratory complaints.
Laura Van Horn
Jul 86 min read
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Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
Peppermint is loved for its versatility and reliability; it is easy to grow, multipurpose, and offers benefits in many forms—from the fresh or dried leaf to the potent essential oil and gentle hydrosol.
Laura Van Horn
Jul 17 min read
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Summer Relief Kit
Summer brings unique challenges when it comes to pain and discomfort. From sunburns, itchy bug bites, muscle cramps due to dehydration, or a tension headache from excessive sun exposure, having a well-stocked natural pain relief kit can make all the difference between suffering through summer or enjoying it.
Laura Van Horn
Jun 245 min read
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Refreshing Sun Teas and Iced Herbal Refreshers
When the summer heat hits and you are looking for something refreshing that supports, nourishes, and hydrates your body instead of draining it, herbal teas are a great option. These simple, cooling beverages help you stay hydrated while providing gentle herbal benefits—perfect for busy families who want something more nourishing than sugary drinks or popsicles.
Laura Van Horn
Jun 174 min read
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Beat the Stink Naturally
When you switch to natural deodorants, you support your body's natural detox process while still maintaining social acceptability. Win-win!
Laura Van Horn
Jun 105 min read
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Build a Summer Apothecary
Summer brings sunshine, fresh air, county fairs, and fun… along with sunburns, bug bites, bumps, and the occasional overheating. A well-stocked apothecary gives you natural tools to be prepared.
Laura Van Horn
May 208 min read
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Herbal Medicine in Modern Times
Herbs have been used for generations as a practical means of addressing common health concerns. Many people have found relief using herbal preparations for indigestion, sleep, mild pain, or seasonal allergies. Herbs are still widely used today for these purposes. Herbs are not miracle cures, but neither is modern medicine.
Laura Van Horn
May 86 min read
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Natural Support for Pain
Herbs and oils can support comfort and healing, but may not fully resolve chronic pain or gout flares. Pair with lifestyle habits such as rest, hydration, and movement
Laura Van Horn
May 79 min read
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Mother's Day
Mother's Day is a time to celebrate the love, warmth, and care that mothers pour into our lives. A heartfelt, handmade gift can say more than anything store-bought ever could. Here are some simple, beautiful, and natural DIY Mother's Day gift ideas you can put together in just an afternoon, using ingredients you may already have at home!
Laura Van Horn
Apr 305 min read
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Vetiver Essential Oil
Vetiver may not be the most loved oil, but it is a wonderful oil to have in your collection for a sense of overall calm.
Laura Van Horn
Apr 245 min read
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Spike Lavender Essential Oil
If you are familiar with the calming, floral scent of lavender, spike lavender might surprise you; with a sharper, camphoraceous edge and a different therapeutic experience altogether.
Laura Van Horn
Apr 175 min read
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Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is your go-to when you need a reset.
Laura Van Horn
Apr 104 min read
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