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How to Increase Appetite with Herbs, Diet, and Lifestyle

Having a good appetite and being able to relish the experience of eating is a basic sign of health. However, there are a number of factors, ranging from physical to emotional to circumstantial that can diminish one’s appetite. While this may not cause much concern if it happens for only a day or two, a low appetite can become problematic, not to mention a health concern, if it carries on for an extended period of time. Eating too little can lead to unwanted weight loss, low energy, and even malnutrition. Fortunately, there are ways to address this issue. By examining lifestyle factors, emotional factors, and physical components, and working with diet, spices, and herbs to increase appetite, there are many ways to help regain a healthy hunger and desire for food.

Read the full post on the Herbal Academy blog: HOW TO INCREASE THE APPETITE WITH HERBS, DIET, AND LIFESTYLE.

Green Pea Hummus Recipe with Fresh Mint

Many of us appreciate the satisfying and versatile nature of a good hummus. Great on sandwiches, pita bread, and crackers, hummus is also a fabulous topping on veggies, and adds an extra kick of protein to a variety of savory dishes and spreads. As a fun variation on chickpeas, this hummus recipe mixes it up by featuring green peas as the base, along with green chile and mint, making it delectable and zingy. Not to mention that fresh, bright green hue! This green pea hummus recipe may become a new go-to favorite simple recipe for you—it has become one for me!

What’s In It? Prominent Ingredients and Their Benefits

Green Peas

Beyond split pea soup—a comfort food classic—there are many other ways to enjoy these nourishing little legumes. Looking at the energetics of green peas, Ayurveda deems them to have an astringent taste and a cooling energy (Lad & Lad, 1994). This is perfect for summer, offering a cool balance to the heat of the warm months.

With 8 grams of protein and a whopping 7 grams of fiber per serving, according to Chinese medicine, peas harmonize digestion, support an overworked liver, and ease constipation and skin eruptions (Pitchford, 2002).

Read the full article and get the recipe on the Herbal Academy blog: Green Pea Hummus Recipe with Fresh Mint.

Herbal Supports for Menopause + An Herbal Formula for Dryness

While studying Ayurveda, our teacher emphasized many times that “menopause is not a disease.” Though there are often symptoms associated with the transition from the menstruating years to menopause, menopause is a natural biological process and is simply part of the normal life cycle. Some individuals are fortunate enough to experience a relatively symptom-free menopause. However, fortunately, for those who do experience menopause and perimenopause-related troubles, such as dryness, hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, decreased energy, changes in weight, and mood swings, there are a number of plant allies and lifestyle factors that can ease the ups and downs and discomforts related to this time. This article will highlight an herbal formula that I designed to soothe overall dryness related to menopause. That said, there are a variety of herbal supports available for menopause and perimenopause, depending on how symptoms present—this article will touch upon some of these as well.

Since there are a number of symptoms that may be associated with menopause and perimenopause, I am not going to attempt to address the entire topic in-depth here. If you are struggling with menopausal symptoms, getting the help of an experienced herbalist who can create an herbal protocol to address your particular needs can be incredibly helpful. For now, let’s take a deeper dive into a common issue related to menopause—dryness—and how herbs can help. Compared to night sweats, insomnia, and mood swings, dryness may seem minor. However, when someone experiences chronic dry skin, dry eyes, and issues such as constipation and vaginal dryness, it’s certainly a problem worth addressing. Also, from an ayurvedic perspective, the fluids in the body are called the rasa, and having ample rasa is key for overall health and vitality. When rasa is depleted, this may ultimately relate to, or lead to, deeper imbalances and health concerns.

Read the full post on the Herbal Academy blog: HERBAL SUPPORTS FOR MENOPAUSE + AN HERBAL FORMULA FOR DRYNESS

Homemade Butter with Lavender, Cardamom, and Fresh Flowers

As we progress into spring and colorful, eye-popping buds open into bloom, you may be inspired to find more ways to incorporate edible flowers into your herbal preparations and culinary creations. Be it sweet or savory dishes, spreads, jams, or chutneys, edible flowers add color, flavor, and wellness benefits to everyday food items. Have you ever made homemade butter? If not, this may be the time to give it a try, and to take advantage of aromatic, attractive spring and summer blooms that add an herbal, floral kick. Trust me, if I can make homemade butter, you can too! Here’s how to make butter from heavy whipping cream, complete with the flavorful accents of lavender and cardamom.

First of all, many of us may not think of butter as a health food, but full-fat, grass-fed butter does offer significant nutritional value—when consumed in moderation, of course. Butter is a good source of vitamins A, D, and K (important for bone health) and there is some research to indicate that consumption of full-fat dairy products is associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes and insulin resistance (Palanisamy, 2015). Of course, if you are at risk for, or have, high cholesterol or other coronary issues, you may want to be modest with the quantity of dairy products that you consume. Fortunately, even a small amount of this tasty homemade butter offers an aromatic, floral flavor explosion.

Read the full post on the Herbal Academy blog: HOMEMADE BUTTER WITH LAVENDER, CARDAMOM, AND FRESH FLOWERS

Homemade Butter with Lavender, Cardamom, and Fresh Flowers

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