New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
As August wanes and the sun begins to drop along the horizon, there is a melancholy that settles deep within me, for I know that summer is ending and darker days are closing in. I am one who relishes the raucous growth of spring in the garden and lounges under the soothing mellow light of summer. There is something about the earth at her pinnacle that feeds my soul and enlightens my senses—the hum of insects and the scent of honeysuckle, the taste of fresh tomatoes and flashes of sun across the pond. I require less sleep, rising to the early morning calls of the grosbeak and not resting until well after dark when the frogs have grown weary of their croaking. Autumn is forced upon ...
Ah, summer! We all love this time of year, with the sun and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy. But those outdoor barbecues, gardening stints, and a little too much sun can present us with many different skin issues. Luckily, we have a flower that can help us out with all the issues we come up against. And, it isn't just for summer—you can actually have and use it any time of year by making remedies with it to have on hand. This herb loves and cares for skin specifically. What is this little miracle? It is the sunny orange and yellow Calendula flower (Calendula officinalis). Calendula, also known as Pot Marigold or Mary Bud, is an always welcome addition to our garden just ...
Winter and early spring always bring a seasonal crop of coughs, colds, and flu. Happily, Mother Nature provides us with some help to boost our immune systems and treat the symptoms of these ailments. The most important thing is to eat well to boost your immune system, with plenty of fruits and vegetables. However, there are some herbs will also help. Rosemary is a perfect winter herb, antiviral and full of the vitamins and minerals we need at this time. I add it to soups and stews to get the benefits. Parsley helps lift winter fatigue and supplies plenty of vitamins C, A, and E, plus magnesium, iron, potassium, and calcium. Add it to food or make a cup of tea with a teaspoon of fresh ...
The holistic approach, as it applies to everything in life, integrates and celebrates all aspects of our being: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Using herbs in our lives is one of the most practical and accessible ways of accessing all the benefits that earth has to offer; we can use them to create lives that are not just healthier, but also more joyful, life-affirming and satisfying on every level. Herbs are such a precious gift and we should never lose sight of this, or indeed of our sacred responsibility not only to ourselves, but also to the earth around us and the sacred traditions that can offer us so much if we are just open to these gifts and magic. What, you may be asking, ...
