fortheloveofplants – Roots To Remedies

When a fever strikes, it never phones ahead for a reservation. A concussion doesn’t check the calendar for convenience. Midwives and Doulas can attest that babies born without induction, do so on their own schedule and are oblivious to the existence of a due date. When illness makes a visit, most are unprepared. We start scrambling to make it go away immediately, but with no real confidence or direction. Whether it is you or your child who needs healing, in the moment of distress is a challenging time to make decisions.

Why Knowing Now Matters

Natural wellness has a large population of fair weather fans. As long as we feel great, why not root for it. If a fever or rash or sudden bout of anxiety shows up, it takes someone confident in both the human immune system and the cooperative power of nature to stay to course. We always encourage individual research to find your own path and the right answers for you.

By investing the time in educating yourself in the ways of sustainable wellness and natural remedies; you will gain the confidence to apply that information when someone is sick and the environment is stressed. Being prepared removes much of the pressure when the time arrives to take action.

Our Ideal Home Apothecary (Click on herb title for a list of products that contain the herbs)

#1 – Goldenrod

Goldenrod is an herbal Goliath. It functions like a broad spectrum antibiotic, without the drawback of changing microbial dna to form superbugs. It has shown especially useful in afflictions of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract. Also unlike synthetic antibiotics, Goldenrod won’t negatively affect your gut microbiome. This allows your immune system to be nurtured and supported to gain the advantage over intruders. This incredible herb, mislabeled an intrusive weed, also has effective cancer killing properties.

#2 – Vitamin C

Just about everyone knows to reach for some vitamin C when you feel a sniffle coming on. It is time tested advice. Vitamin C boosts the immune system, shortens the severity and duration of colds, improves cataracts, helps wounds heal, is great for skin, hair and nails, is a cancer fighting antioxidant, increases bone density and reduces your risk for stroke.

#3 – Elderberry

Elderberries are a powerful immune system booster. They are proven to ease colds and the flu, speed recovery, and fight infections. This is because they not only give a jolt to the immune system but also balance and support its regulation.

#4 – Dandelion

Dandelion leaf and root are both powerful parts of this common “weed.” The leaf can be used in bitters, while the root is a hepatic herb for detoxifying. They purify the body and liver by flushing out toxins and excess water. Dandelion can improve bone health and promote weight loss. It also has diuretic and laxative properties. Additionally, studies have shown it lowers cholesterol, reduces inflammation, fights anemia, prevents liver damage, and lowers oxidative stress. Others even suggest that it could

lower blood sugar levels, fight cancer, and even treat jaundice.

#5 – Skullcap

One of my personal favorite herbs! This beauty has anti inflammatory and antioxidant abilities. It calms anxiety and an overstimulated nervous system. Skullcap is helpful in reducing fever, as a sleep aid and hormone balancing measure. It can also reduce heart disease and even treat epilepsy and muscle spasms.

#6 – Chamomile

Chamomile is a calming herb for many different ailments. It is antispasmodic, helping to prevent and ease spasms in the stomach and body. It fits into most of the essential medicinal categories: digestive health, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and sedative. This little flower does it all.

#7 – Peppermint

Who doesn’t love the smell and taste of peppermint? It isn’t just pleasant to the senses. Peppermint boasts an array of benefits including: relaxes the digestive system and improves stomach discomfort, eases headaches, opens sinus and lung passageways, is a powerful antimicrobial, reduces depression and improves mood, is effective against parasites and is amazing for oral hygiene and health.

#8 – Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is both adaptogenic and a superfood. This means it is nutrient dense, boasting a host of vitamins and minerals and has the ability to adapt to our particular cellular needs. This amazing plant enhances immunity, normalizes digestion, soothes and heals skin disorders and improves heart health. Aloe is also antimicrobial, antifungal and can slow the aging process.

#9 – Medicinal Mushrooms

The properties contained in these wonders of nature are formidable and vast. So much so, we dedicated an entire entry to them here. Some balance hormones, most are adaptogenic, many are effective in cancer treatments. We love mushrooms for wellness and feel you will too!

#10 – Ginger

For over 2000 years, Chinese medicine has recommended the use of ginger to help cure and prevent several health problems including; morning sickness and nausea, respiratory issues, cold and flu, colon and ovarian cancer, pain and inflammation and swelling. It is known to strengthen immunity, promote energy circulation in the body and increase our body’s metabolic rate.

#11 – Nettle

Another adaptogen, Stinging Nettle is also categorized as being anti-tumor, anti-spasmodic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, hemostatic, hypotensive (calming), nutritive, kidney/ and adrenal restorative. Used in natural medicine, Nettle has been observed to improve allergies, hemorrhoids, arthritis, asthma, blood deficiency, eczema, fatigue, hypothyroidism, menstrual cramps, sluggish metabolism, urinary tract infections, as well as strengthen hair, teeth and bones.

#12 – Cinnamon

The aroma of cinnamon is identifiable the world over. In every country, cinnamon is used for flavor and for health. Cinnamon is a warming spice which fends off high blood sugar and lowers blood pressure. It has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, making it an excellent ingredient in dental care. It fights infections and viruses, while also tempering inflammation. Cinnamon is believed to improve mental function and is a strong antioxidant.

Making Empowered Choices

This is a solid place to start. Having these items on hand makes implementing them much more likely when they are needed most. No worried partner or parent wants to venture out in the middle of the night to a 24 hour drugstore in search of comfort. Create your place of comfort ahead of time so when you or they are sick, the focus can be on the patient’s recovery, rather than what needs to be gathered to even collect your thoughts. Preparedness breeds confidence.

Be Bold 💚 – Roots to Remedies

We’re Surrounded

When I hear the word environment, a scene of forest and stream reel through my mind to the tune of a melodic morning flute chime. A gif of the poster board Save the Trees display I made in second grade. Not so, of course. Your environment is so much more than an idea. It’s the air you breathe, the forces all around you, the sounds and scents you’re exposed to, the potions and creams you smear on your body and what you ingest. I would even include your thoughts; many of which are allowed to linger longer that is productive or healthy for you. Your environment has a direct affect on your overall health and wellness.

Your personal circumference of daily exposure is filled with variable factors. Some of those are within your control and some are not. Rude, isn’t it? To be inside your circle but outside of your control. It’s almost like we are being continually reminded of the balance inherent in creation.

Personal Space

The area of your circle closer to you is the controllable domain. Breathing fresh outdoor air is obviously the best option. The trees work in concert with the people in a beautiful cooperation of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. Let’s be honest though, most of life is now lived indoors. So what is lurking in your immediate presence. What do you clean with? Are you spraying carcinogens and neurotoxins in an effort to keep your space clean? A common naturalist’s notion is that if an ingredient is toxic to eat, you shouldn’t otherwise ingest or topically apply it.

Would You Eat That?

Plant based cleaners are more commercially available as awareness rises on the hazards of chemicals in the home. I love making my own. A simple solution of vinegar, orange peels and water yields an antimicrobial cleaner for nearly any hard surface. Lemon oil is fantastic on wood. Baking soda is another safe cleaning powerhouse that will scour your sink and toilet, without adding dangerous chemicals back into your community’s water supply and into our rivers and oceans.

People have grown to love their air fresheners. We plug in this scent and spray that odor eraser, with little thought to the cost. Artificial fragrances are chocked full of BHT and aldehydes which are known neurotoxins. Compounds that are toxic to the brain and central nervous system are responsible for a host of conditions including MS, Fibromyalgia, Vertigo, Mood disorders and many more. Rather than masking household or personal odor, you can use therapeutic essential oils. The Crystal Room and Body sprays at Roots to Remedies contain the highest quality of oils. They also contain precious crystals such as Lapis Lazuli and Peridot. The crystals chosen are done so for their many beneficial properties, which are said to include healing physical and emotional suffering, and opening the mind’s pathways to the metaphysical. Because of this higher consciousness connection, crystals are used in many cultures for treating migraines and as a stress management resource.

Unlock your potential

The pineal gland located in the center of the brain plays a crucial role. The Pineal Gland is the gland with the highest concentration of energy in the body. That`s because it is bathed in highly charged cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and has more blood flow per cubic volume than any other organ. The Pineal Gland is also the primary source of the body`s melatonin. Fluoride and aluminum calcify in the pineal glad rendering it sluggish and clogged.

Without smooth hormone production and brain blood flow channels, a host of problems arise. Cancers of the breasts and reproductive organs, nervous disorders and stagnant and undernourished blood result over time. There is a large body of evidence that the pineal glad is an interactive part of the third eye, or the spiritually-aware part of your being. If you have felt disconnected from the great energy source, or apathetic about deeper meanings; it certainly might be time to tend to your environment. If you want God to visit your space, or if you desire to feel in closer commune with spiritual endeavors, removing toxins that block these pathways is a must.

There are some wonderful options for improving your toxic load. Throw out that tube of toothpaste and try an all natural remineralizing tooth powder. If you still wear deodorant because of some pressure to adhere to societal norms, I beg you to research the health implications. My favorite antiperspirant and odor remover is a wedge of lime. It works fantastic applied to clean armpits. Your skin is your largest and first line of defense for external pathogens. When choosing a skin care routine, consider nourishment. If your soaps and creams have unpronounceables, I assure you they mean you some harm. Pick an ingredient. Do an internet search on said ingredient and side effects. Your skin has its own microbiome. When you over cleanse with unnatural products you inadvertently kill off beneficial bacteria which keep you in balance and healthy. If you struggle with acne or other skin issues, the flora on your surface is out of balance. Roots to Remedies has a great skin care line, as well as non toxic shampoo options.

Fine Tune Your Thinker

Lastly; but continually – tend to your thoughts. What is the voice in your head contributing to your environment. Research has shown that mindfulness improves health. Mindfulness is just a trendy term for being present and aware. Most of us daydream. We relive the past and calculate what we could have done better for a more desirable result. We project ahead to the future and worry about what it might hold for us, and whether we will be prepared.

All of these thoughts are contributing to your personal smog problem. Be more simple. The voice in your head has kind and uplifting words for you. Stop interrupting it with excuses as to why it owes you mistreatment. If you are present with yourself in any moment, you will notice how clear your mental environment becomes. Check in with yourself. What am I seeing or hearing or smelling or feeling or tasting right now? What blessing is it bringing to my life? What is it showing me about myself? Move more slowly and watch how quickly you grow.

We All Heal Together, Roots to Remedies