As we bid ado to the year gone by and welcome a fresh new turn of the calendar, it is not uncommon to crave practices that create a sense of clarity and renewal. After holiday feasts and merriment, you may yearn for simpler foods or wonder if it’s time for a cleanse. However, with the cold days of winter still in full force, is cleansing a good idea? Knowing when it’s time to purify and when you are better off focusing on tonification isn’t always easy to sort out. Let’s discuss some factors to consider when weighing the need for tonification versus purification. Read the full post on the Herbal Academy blog HERE.
Herbal Wellness Routines On the Go For Travel and a Busy Schedule
Whether you are traveling, hosting guests, or taking a vacation or staycation, most of us experience some disruption to our daily routines during the holidays. It is quite normal for one’s wellness routines to become altered during these busy and festive times. However, in order to keep your balance and optimize your ability to enjoy the holiday festivities, taking time to return to yourself—and care for yourself—is important. Taking your wellness routines on the go requires flexibility and a bit of planning, but it’s worth that little bit of extra effort. Let’s take a look at some ideas for how to adapt your wellness routines for travel and particularly busy times. Read the full post on the Herbal Academy blog HERE.
Herbs for Health and Cheer During Winter
As we head into the darker, cooler months of winter, many of us look forward to the sights, sounds, and activities of the holidays. Some of us may pine for quiet snow days and the opportunity to turn within and reflect. Whatever part of the globe you inhabit, an uptick in family gatherings and travel is a good reminder to focus a little more on your health. Let’s take a look at some herbs for health and cheer, especially during winter…Read the full post on the Herbal Academy blog HERE.
5 Autumn Spices for the Herbalist’s Kitchen
I adore autumn, and yet I find it a bittersweet time of year, being the harbinger of the cold, dark days of winter. Whether or not you welcome the transition from the heat of summer to the cool of autumn and winter, adjusting your foods, spices, and herbs to fit the season is one important way to attune yourself to nature and its rhythms. I find that immersing myself in the flavors, colors, and rituals of each season allows me to accept with greater grace the changes in light and temperature that autumn and winter bring. The fall harvest offers a wealth of delicious, comforting food choices, and the opportunity to enjoy seasonal foods with autumn spices.
Autumn Spices: What to Consider
It was difficult to pick just five autumn spices to feature in this article. First of all, you don’t need to restrict yourself to just five spices for fall! My intent here is to offer a flavor profile to consider and to get you thinking about the energetics of autumn. What factors are there to consider when choosing spices for this season?
According to Ayurveda, fall is ruled by vata dosha. This is the time of year in which vata qualities—lightness, dryness, mobility, subtlety—become more pronounced. Especially for those with a vata constitution or vata imbalance, it is especially important to be mindful of vata qualities becoming excessive during this time of year. So what is the solution? Focus on warming, moist, nourishing, grounding foods, herbs, and spices. Cooking with autumn spices is a wonderful, tasty, and aromatic way to incorporate vata-pacification into your everyday routines. Let’s take a look at five autumn spices to incorporate into your herbal kitchen this season.
Read the full article on the Herbal Academy blog HERE.
