There are so many wonderful cold and flu prevention remedies that have been passed down amongst herbalists for centuries. This is my personal variation of a recipe called Four Thieves Vinegar, an infusion of herbs in vinegar, that has been around as a remedy since at least since medieval times.

Four Thieves Vinegar was believed to provide protection from the plague (likely wishful thinking, though garlic and the other herbs in the preparation are antimicrobial), and has almost as many variations on its origin story as its legend.

Classically this remedy four key herbs in it – lavender, sage, mint, and rosemary or thyme. I prefer making mine without the lavender because I don’t love the taste of lavender in my salad dressing – which is how I love to use this blend – making it part of using herbs as both food and medicine.

Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup…

Basil Essential Oil is derived from the leaves of the Ocimum basilicum botanical, better known as the Basil herb. This plant receives its name from the Latin word basilius as well as the Greek word basilikón phutón, which means “royal plant,” hence Basil is also known as the Queen of Herbs or l’herbe royale, meaning “royal herb” in French. It may also be referred to as Saint Joseph’s Wort, Great Basil, European Basil, French Basil, Common Basil, or Sweet Basil.

Several religions and spiritual beliefs practice rituals that emphasize the significance of the use of Basil. In Judaism, traditional stories advocate the use of Basil for increased strength during times of fasting. In various Orthodox churches, Basil is often used to either sprinkle or prepare holy water. As well, pots of the herb are often positioned below church altars to pay reverence to the belief that it was…

It’s hard to mistake the familiar aroma of Sweet Orange essential oil!

I find myself smiling every time I breathe it in. Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) has such a bright, fresh scent that reminds me of warm summer days, feeling happy and healthy and the sense that anything is possible.

In this Spotlight, I’ll share some of the many ways you can use Sweet Orange essential oil, including a recipe for kitchen and bathroom cleaner that actually makes cleaning fun . . . or at least more “sweet!”

1. Use Sweet Orange essential oil to ease tension.

Tension, both physical and emotional, just seems to melt away under Orange’s sunny glow. Got the blues? Use some Orange! It helps everything flow more smoothly. I love Orange in blends that encourage digestion, relaxation, optimistic energy, clear thoughts, and overall health and happiness.

Orange is a great reassuring sidekick. You can keep it…

Let’s get right to it. We know we need to stay hydrated and incorporate botanicals (aka “herbs”) into our lives, especially when feeling depleted, sick, overwhelmed (and so much more….). Go over and say hello to your tea kettle: it’s all about drinking botanical infusions.
I often like to pretend I’m fancy and use the word “tisane” when talking about “herbal tea.” Fancy or not, herbal tea = herbal infusion = tisane. Regardless of what you call it, this is about putting herbs in water, applying gentle heat and then enjoying the benefits of this simple but effective way to work with plants.

Stay Hydrated
Every morning when you wake up, have a glass of water to bathe your tissues. Doesn’t that sound FABULOUS? So…decadent! Not so. It is VITAL. Drinking water “…stimulates elimination and acts like an internal shower waking up the body and preparing it for activity” (Catty…

Eucalyptus is a fast-growing evergreen tree native to Australia. As an ingredient in many OTC products, it is used to reduce symptoms of coughs, colds, and congestion. It also features in creams and ointments aimed at relieving muscle and joint pain.

The oil that comes from the eucalyptus tree is used as an antiseptic, a perfume, as an ingredient in cosmetics, as a flavoring, in dental preparations, and in industrial solvents.

Chinese, Indian Ayurvedic, Greek, and other European styles of medicine have incorporated it into the treatment of a range of conditions for thousands of years.

There are over 400 different species of eucalyptus. Eucalyptus globulus, also known as Blue Gum, is the main source of eucalyptus oil used globally.

Leaves are steam distilled to extract the oil, which is a colorless liquid with a strong, sweet, woody scent. It contains 1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol.

The leaves also…