Over 20 million adults in the US suffer from seasonal allergies… are you one of them? We are quickly approaching warmer weather, which means freshly cut grass, blooming trees and flowers, pollen in the air and a lot of us will probably be dealing with itchy, watery eyes and sneezing. Usually these symptoms are treated with antihistamines, decongestants and in the really severe cases, corticosteroids. However, these can cause drowsiness, dryness of the mouth, restlessness, heart palpitations and insomnia. Fortunately, like almost every other condition out there, there are natural ways to tre...

Raise your hand if you have perfect posture! I’m sure none of us are raising our hands right now. Most people don’t think about it, but slouching is pretty typical especially if you have the kind of job where you sit at a computer all day. Chronic bad posture can lead to: • Headaches/Jaw Pain- leaning forward when you are seated makes it more likely that you will clench your jaw, which can lead to both headaches and jaw pain. • Shoulder/Back Pain- Slouching causes the shoulders to come forward, which puts strain on both your shoulders and back. The same can happen if you try to overcorrect ...

Having acid reflux is a pain in the neck… or should I say pain in the chest? It is defined as a digestive disease in which stomach acid or bile irritates the food pipe lining. Ouch! The lining of our stomach is specially adapted to protect it from the powerful acid, but the esophagus does not have this advantage. The gastroesophageal sphincter, a ring of muscle, normally acts as a valve that lets food into the stomach but not back up into the esophagus. When this valve fails, and stomach contents are regurgitated into the esophagus, the symptoms of acid reflux are felt, such as heartburn. T...

“I love you” is a common phrase in our vocabulary. We say it to our spouses, our parents, our children, and even our pets. But some of us forget to say it to one important person…ourselves. Low self-esteem is something we all struggle with at some point in our lives. We look in the mirror and all we see is everything that we want to change. But how many of us look in the mirror and think, “I love myself”? Self-love is important. Some may think that it’s selfish and narcissistic to say that they love themselves, but that is not the case. It is simply about treating yourself with respect. It’...

Millions of years ago, our prehistoric ancestors used clay from the Earth to treat minor ailments, skin conditions, aches and pains and even as beauty treatments! Today, we have the same thing- bentonite clay. Clay is a soft mineral substance made from weathered volcanic ash. Bentonite clay was discovered in large amounts in Fort Benton in Wyoming. The clay has a strong negative electromagnetic charge, and when activated by water, it acts like a magnet in and on our bodies, drawing metals and toxins to it and out of us. The good thing is, it can be taken both internally AND externally. Inte...

Today’s topic is medicinal mushrooms – and no, I am not talking about the ones that were passed around at Woodstock in 1969 :) We usually do not think of mushrooms as herbs, but as a fungus. But many of the world’s more than 38,000 species of mushrooms have medicinal uses, and they have been used for thousands of years. Some of the most common are: • Shiitake- Immune system boosting, antiviral, may lower blood pressure and cholesterol, may alleviate environmental allergies, candida, the flu and colds. Has high levels of calcium, vitamin b2, and vitamin c. • Reishi- Calms anxiety, anti-aller...

Have you ever heard of elderberry? It has been popping up a lot lately, but it dates back thousands of years. In fact, archaeological excavations have found large numbers of the seeds at prehistoric sites, dating back to around 17,000 years ago. There are many medicinal traits of this herb, including: Strengthens immune system- have strong antibacterial and anti-infectious properties and is often used to ward off the flu and colds (go here for recipe for elderberry syrup- https://realfoodrn.com/homemade-elderberry-syrup/) Improves respiratory health- can also help sore throat and cough due...

We are now entering the winter months, which means … the dreaded chapped lips. There are many other reasons for chapped lips besides the cold, such as: • Dehydration- not drinking enough water • Not enough healthy fat in your diet • Mouth-breathing • Nutrient deficiencies- low levels of iron, zinc, & B vitamins • Certain medications • Irritating foods • Illness Now, the first thing we would think to do is pull out our handy dandy Chapstick and slather it on. But more often than not, the Chapstick we have come to know and love can be even more damaging to the already dry lips. Most are m...

Dopamine is the chemical that makes us feel good. Here are things you can do and foods you can incorporate that can help increase dopamine levels naturally.

We’ve all felt it at one time or another, that overwhelming feeling that we NEED to have a certain food. Yes, this is a craving. It can be difficult to differentiate between a craving and actual hunger. We NEED to eat when we are hungry, but we do not need to eat when we have a craving, even though it feels like we have to. Hunger is a need for food. It is your body’s way of letting you know that it needs energy. Hunger for food is built into our genes, which is based on our instincts to survive. Typically, any type of food can satisfy your hunger, and also typically, once you...