Natural Allertness & Memory Help

According to some research, catching a whiff of this aromatic herb may increase alertness and improve memory. To stay sharp, try smelling fresh rosemary or inhaling the scent of rosemary essential oil before a test or meeting.

Make a Difference This Holiday Season

Did you Know?
When women and girls earn income, they reinvest 90 percent of it into their families.Women are the primary decision-makers on matters of their children. If a woman is educated to the fifth-grade level, she will have more income to bring her children to doctors and will teach them basic health skills and disease prevention, and she is considerably more likely to insist her own children receive education, too.

Watch the video and then take action - you can't help but be moved:

http://www.girleffect.org/

Herbal Remedies for Better Health

For varicose veins, try horse chestnut, an herbal extract that's been shown in studies to strengthen veins and reduce swelling.

Tame tension headaches by rubbing peppermint oil, Tiger Balm, or white flower oil into your temples. All three remedies contain menthol, which has analgesic properties.

The volatile oils in ginger have long made it a useful herbal remedy for nasal and chest congestion. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over a 1-inch piece of peeled, grated ginger; steep for 10 minutes; and strain. Add a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to the water and drink as needed.

Natural Cough Relief

When you find yourself hacking, try natural remedies first, says Dr. Andrew Weil. Loosen phlegm and make coughs more productive by adding crushed eucalyptus or sage leaves to a pot of boiling water, carefully tenting a towel over your head, and breathing in deeply. Certain herbs may also help calm a cough; other favorites include mullein leaf, licorice root, and marshmallow root. Look for teas containing one or more of these herbs, and sip a few cups throughout the day.

Even Martha Stewart Loves Simply Organic!

Martha Stewart uses Simply Organic Peppermint Extract for her holiday recipes and so should you! A powerhouse in the world of herbal teas, peppermint partners well with a wide variety of other herbs (raspberry, rosehips, lemongrass, ginger—you name it) for tea blends. Delicious hot or iced, it has an uncanny ability to both refresh and calm.

Watch the Martha Stewart video here

Stress Free Thanksgiving

Life this time of year can feel like a marathon of family gatherings, shopping, and general overdoing. Instead of relying on vast amounts of caffeine to keep up the pace, try a homemade herbal chai to build your body's reserves.

This energy-enhancing blend stars eleuthero (also known as Siberian ginseng), which helps the body adapt to stress; burdock to gently detox the liver; and licorice to balance the adrenal system (omit if you have high blood pressure). Ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom warm your body and add a spicy-sweet flavor. Drink three to four cups daily for best effects.

Stamina Tea - Makes 1 quart

• 3 teaspoons dried eleuthero
• 2 teaspoons dried burdock root
• 2 teaspoons dried licorice root
• 1 teaspoon dried (or 2 teaspoons fresh chopped) ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon chips (or 1 cinnamon stick)
• 1 teaspoon cardamom pods

Simmer herbs in 1 quart of water for 20 minutes. Strain and discard herbs. Pour a cup, adding milk and honey to taste if desired. Keep remaining tea in a jar or thermos. Tea will keep for two days in refrigerator.