Natural Herbal Beauty

The simplest remedy for the symptoms and diseases of excess is cleansing. Natural health practitioners believe that when the body is overloaded with toxins, disease occurs. The disease may be as commonplace as a cold or an allergy, or it can be as serious and life- threatening as the clogged arteries that lead to a heart attack or the damaged cells which give rise to cancer. (more…)

During any type of illness, our bodies increase their normal processes of detoxification. For example, when you come down with a cold or the flu, you naturally lose your appetite, because your body wants to focus attention on cleansing. You may run a fever, the body’s natural internal mechanism for killing trouble-causing microorganisms. You may have copious mucus discharge and sneezing as your body attempts to expell the invaders. (more…)

Cleansing Principle #4: Purify with Breathing Exercises

Breathing is an involuntary act that primarily occurs beneath the level of your conscious awareness. By focusing your attention on your breath, you can dramatically affect your well-being. Special breathing exercises have been practiced in the Far East for centuries as a means of purification and renewal, and are used to heal the body, improve mental concentration, and enhance spiritual practices. The regular practice of calming breathing exercises has been proven in research studies to be an excellent method for relieving stress and anxiety. (more…)

Creating a nontoxic environment and lifestyle are essential for optimal health. At the same time, no matter how pristine your environment, your body still needs to detoxify on daily basis. There are a number of powerful and effective ways of assisting your body in the process of purification. These practices will support your overall health and well-being, while helping you to feel younger and more vibrantly alive. (more…)

Footbath to Increase Lymph Circulation

Alternating hot and cold footbaths is another pleasurable method for increasing lymphatic flow. Gravity naturally pulls lymph down to your feet, and the stimulating effects of hot and cold water help to move stagnant lymph. You’ll need two buckets, each one large enough to hold both of your feet. Fill one bucket with water as hot as you can tolerate, and fill the other with cold water. (more…)

An herbal steam inhalation is an excellent method for loosening congestion and cleansing the lungs. Steam inhalations are particularly helpful for relieving chronic sinusitis, respiratory congestion, bronchitis, and colds and flus, and can be used as often as desired for treating these conditions. (more…)

Making your own herbal infusions, decoctions, and tinctures is easy. Herbal infusions and decoctions are basically teas prepared in a specific way to maximize the healing properties of the herb. They are similar to teas, in that the fresh or dried herb is steeped or simmered in hot water. Herbs are best prepared in glass, porcelain, earthenware, or enamel-coated steel pots. You can use stainless steel, but avoid aluminum or nonstick cookware. (more…)

Ginger Tea

According to Ayurvedic medicine, ginger tea is excellent for stimulating agni, or digestive fire. At the same time, it reduces ama, or the accumulation of toxins in the digestive tract. Sip hot ginger tea after meals as a digestive aid. Ginger increases circulation and has antimicrobial properties, and is excellent for treating colds, flus and other respiratory problems, digestive ailments, and menstrual cramps. I drink ginger tea daily as a health tonic. (more…)

Lung-Cleansing Tea

This tea will help to relieve congestion related to colds, bronchitis, or allergies. It helps to soothe irritated bronchial passages and cleanses the lungs of excess mucus.

1 tablespoon mullein

1 tablespoon peppermint

1 tablespoon licorice root, if desired (more…)

Cooling Diaphoretic Tea

This tea is excellent for relieving a cold or flu. It is especially helpful for “hot” symptoms such as a fever, as it helps the body to naturally cool down by inducing perspiration, thus eliminating the virus.

2 teaspoons yarrow

2 teaspoons elder flower

2 teaspoons peppermint (more…)