Common witch hazel, also called winterbloom, is a flowering shrub native to the forest margins, woodlands and stream banks of eastern North America. It is characterized by its fragrant, gold-colored flowers, which tend to grow in late fall and continue to expand throughout winter. Despite its somewhat sinister name, witch hazel is a plant of considerable medicinal value and has been pressed, boiled, and steamed for human usage for centuries. The American Indians were particularly…
Many health researchers now understand that our skin is a reflection of our internal health. A body that is fed nutritious whole foods, for instance, is more likely to enjoy clear and radiant skin, while a body that is fed processed foods is more likely to suffer from greasy and affliction-prone skin. Therefore, a change in diet should always be the priority among people seeking to improve their skin’s long-term health. That said, nature has…
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin disorder in the United States, affecting an estimated 40 to 50 million people across the nation. While acne usually begins in puberty, this unpleasant inflammatory condition – which manifests as pimples, lumps and plugged pores across the body, especially the face and back – is not restricted to a specific age group, and can occur at any time. In fact, almost 85 percent of…
Honey has always been held in high regard by natural health researchers, and for good reason. This sweet yellow liquid, which is made by honey bees from nectar, is packed with essential nutrients and disease-fighting antioxidants. Raw, unprocessed honey is especially nutritious and makes a great natural alternative to refined sugar, aspartame, and other toxic sweeteners. While honey has always been revered first and foremost as a food, it also possesses a surprising number of…
Aloe vera (“true aloe”) is the best-known species of the aloe genus, which is native to Africa and certain parts of the Middle East. Renowned for its medicinal properties, aloe vera has been utilized for thousands of years to treat numerous medical conditions ranging from skin irritations and herpes to constipation and diabetes. Indeed, this succulent and mucilaginous plant was one of the most frequently prescribed medicines throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. For the…
