​Calming the nerves is not always easy.

There is nothing worse than the feeling of anxiety that you feel when you are stressed. It is human nature to want to worry about things but not everything is within our control. Over time, stress and anxiety can have a detrimental effect on our bodies. Here’s an example of how stress can affect your body, say a large dog comes running after you. Your hypothalamus sets off an alarm in your body which in turn, prompts you adrenal glands to release hormones, adrenaline which prepares your body for fight or flight. The release of adrenaline increases your heart rate, raises your blood pressure, dilates your pupils, slows down digestion and sends more blood to the muscles in your arms and legs. The amount of adrenaline released is enough for you to feel it for 3-5 minutes. That’s the time needed to react to a situation without compromising other organs.

When you experience stress for a long period
of time, another hormone cortisol, comes into play encouraging the release of more adrenaline. This may last for days or weeks causing serious health issues such as racing heart, dizziness, poor digestion, headaches, trouble sleeping, and other serious issues. There are things you can do to help your body relieve stress.

Here are 8 ways to relieve stress naturally.
 
1. Take regular walks- a buildup of adrenaline can cause anxiety and taking regular walks especially in calming places such as the woods or on the beach can lower the production of stress hormones.

2. Decreasing or eliminating caffeine- I love having my morning coffee but that’s where it ends. Drinking too much caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increases the amount of acid in your stomach which can cause heartburn and causes increased heart rate among other things.

3. Avoid alcohol- Alcohol changes the levels of serotonin in the brain making your symptoms worse.

4. Do something relaxing- writing, reading, yoga anything that changes those negative thoughts to positive ones.

5. Diffuse essential oils- some essential oils such as lavender have a calming effect on the body.

6. Talk to people who support you- Talking to someone supportive can really help make you feel better.

7. Drink plenty of water- dehydration can cause heart palpitations which can lead to anxiety.

8. Try some herbal remedies such as chamomile, passionflower, lemon balm or lavender. There are several ways to take herbs. Personally, I love a nice cup of herbal tea to calm and relax me. When I am on the go I make sure to take my remedies in tincture form. Tinctures are ready to go and easy to take.

​Check out Wild about Herbs website for ready-made teas and tinctures.
Talk to your health care professional before taking and herbal remedies.

I love a good cup of herbal tea! Hot in winter, cold in summer, calming, soothing, energetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-infective, detoxification, no matter what I need there is an herb for it.

I am currently concentrating on a gentle herbal detox to cleanse the blood, liver and lymph. Tea alone is not enough to provide a good detox but when combined with lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water and other healthy choices, detox tea can aid in the process of alleviating the symptoms of bloating, lack of energy, irritability and other issues. I have been working on a detox tea and it is ready to go!

When combined with other changes it can provide liver support, provide healthy looking skin, and cleanse the blood and lymphatic system.

Nettle helps in eliminating waste and is high in iron, contains vitamin C, it is rich in minerals and vitamin K; it is a natural antihistamine, natural diuretic and contains antioxidant properties.

​Dandelion is such a nutritious herb! The flowers, leaves and roots can be used and contain high amounts of antioxidants flavonoids supporting the liver and renewing cells.

When I lived in Pa. my father-in-law would pull the leaves and my mother-in -law would make a delicious salad. I could have eaten the whole salad for dinner (lol). The leaves contain vitamins A, B, C, and zinc. Dandelion is naturally a diuretic and slightly bitter to help stimulate the liver and gallbladder.

Cilantro is full of micronutrients, and antioxidants. It helps rid the body of heavy metals is antibacterial, helps alleviate digestive issues such as gas and bloating, contains a rich amount of phytonutrients, flavonoids and phenolic compounds, vitamin K and A.

Burdock Rt.is a good blood cleanser and works together with the liver and lymphatic system to purify the bloodstream of waste and toxins. It contains folic acid, vitamin C, E and magnesium. It promotes sweating and is a diuretic.

Milk Thistle is helpful for repairing damaged liver cells, helps produce bile, and has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antiseptic properties.

Red Clover, A blood cleanser that supports the detox process, it breaks down toxins in the lymph system and produce estrogen like effects in the body and research shows it may help with menopause symptoms.  It contains calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C.

So when is a good time for tea? Anytime you want to sit down and relax to have a good cup of relaxation and let the herbs do the rest. You can find a nice variety of choices to choose from on my website when you click here. 

I am excited to share that you can find all of my inventory stocked at:

• Gypsy Market 72- 22923 US HWY 72, Athens
• Madison County Farmers Market* 1022 Cook Ave NW, Huntsville 
• Southern Trends- 1042 Winchester Rd NE, Huntsville
• Top Key Market- 10005 Memorial Parkway Frontage Rd SW, Huntsville
• Twisted Tree- 7670 Old Madison Pike, Madison

*Check my Facebook page or Madison County Farmers Market Facebook page for days that I will be there.

I am always looking for different ways to improve my health and my research always leads me to try something new. Last month, I found a recipe from Deep Roots that I wanted to try. With her permission, I am posting her recipe for Fermented Garlic in Raw Honey! Sounds delicious right? I thought so too, so
here I sit patiently waiting for the process to complete! It won’t be ready for a few more weeks but I know it will be worth the wait.

Here is a quote from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, often called the father of Western medicine: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Words of wisdom!

Garlic is often used as a powerful antibiotic. It contains compounds with potent medicinal properties. A study from Pub Med central states that garlic can combat the common cold. In a 12-week study, a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% and symptoms of a cold by 70%! Garlic is said to reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol. Garlic contains antioxidants and may
improve athletic performance, detoxify heavy metals in the body and improve bone health. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-proven-health-benefits-of-garlic#section10

Honey has so many health benefits and is delicious too!! Honey is said to help heal wounds and burns, reduce the duration of diarrhea, prevent acid reflux, fight infections, relieve colds and their symptoms, used as a remedy for stress, weakness, sleep disturbances, vision problems, bad breath, teething pain in
children and coughs. Do not give honey to children under 1, it can cause botulism. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264667#benefits

For my personal use, I use honey as an antibiotic, anti- inflammatory and anti-fungal. I use it both topically and internally. I typically use raw, unfiltered local honey but when I need that extra boost for medicinal purposes, I use Manuka honey. I recently purchased Pine Manuka Honey and WOW, did it ever tame a cough!!

Well, there you have it! A great and easy way to keep your immune system in check.

Below is the recipe from Deep Roots. If you haven’t already liked her page just like her on Facebook or go to her website www.deeprootsathome.com she shares a wealth of valuable information that I know you will love.

This process is pretty straightforward:
 Find a pint sized glass jar (you will need a tight fitting lid)
 Fill it half way with peeled garlic cloves, just slightly bruised – cover with
honey and remove air spaces with spoon
 Repeat adding cloves and cover over with more honey, leaving that 1 1/2 –2″  air space at top
 For a pint, you will need ~4-5 full, large bulbs; for a quart, ~8-9 bulbs
Fermented Garlic Tips
1. Leave a couple of inches of headspace at the top of the jar.
2. Seal the jar but not so tightly that pressure cannot escape.
3. Place the jar on a saucer because it’s going to leak honey as it ferments and
bubbles – a positive sign of fermentation!
4. At first, the garlic cloves will float up to the top of the jar.
5. Give it a stir (or tighten cap and shake) every few days to coat all the cloves. 
6. The honey will liquify as it starts to ferment. Eventually all the garlic sinks to bottom.
7. The actual fermentation will slow down after the first couple of weeks.
8. I recommend changing to a plastic lid at this point, because this ferment seems to commonly form rust on the lid.

Use &  Storage of Fermented Garlic
At 4-6 weeks you can start taking it, 1 clove a day as a preventative or 2-3 cloves
when fighting something. Following with hot mint or green tea is very pleasant, and science shows it deodorizes garlic breath – even after fresh garlic! Traditionally, chewing parsley is another effective way.

Your jar will store very well for (at least) over a year out of the refrigerator. I’ve
never experienced any mold forming. When it comes to taste, fermented garlic doesn’t have the distinctive sharp flavor of raw garlic – it tastes sweeter. And it smells more like roasted garlic. We love it – even my husband, which is saying a lot!

This 6 month old batch is pretty mellow, getting more pleasant as it ages.

With all talk about Corona Virus going around, I have decided to talk about boosting the immune system with fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices you might already have in your kitchen. I am always looking for way to keep my immune system in check and stumbled on a powerhouse apple cider vinegar infusion called Fire Cider!

​Fire Cider is a combination antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immune boosting, lymph moving and digestion stimulating, antioxidant herbs to warm up and rev up the body. It can help prevent cold, flu, viruses and is said to help with allergy symptoms. I must say, I love apple cider vinegar so, if you are not a fan you can always mask it in a smoothie, juice, tea or pour a little salad  with your favorite salad dressing. The cool thing is you can add whatever you like to the mixture!! The recipe in this blog is a general recipe for the main ingredients. I add a few extra secret ingredients to the mix for additional benefits. It takes about a month to infuse all of that healthy goodness but I infuse mine for 6 weeks to get the maximum benefit!

PRO TIP: When using a mason jar, cover the jar with a plastic bag or wax paper to avoid corrosion of the lid.

Ingredients
½ cup chopped Horseradish
½ cup chopped Garlic
½ cup chopped Onion
½ cup chopped turmeric
¼ cup chopped Ginger
2 chopped jalapeños
2 chopped lemons
A few sprigs Thyme.
Organic Raw Apple Cider (with the mother)

Directions
Add ingredients to a jar and cover with ACV (apple cider vinegar) making sure that all of the ingredients are covered. Cover the mouth of the jar with plastic before putting on the lid. Store in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks shaking occasionally. When ready strain and bottle. Does not need to be refrigerated.
​
If you would like to try some right away or do not feel like making it you can always order it online at
Http://www.wildaboutherbs@yahoo.com I am here to help you navigate healthy choices and healthy living, especially during uncertain times like we are experiencing today. 
(256) 425-1321 Sandi!

​​When you think of St. Patrick’s Day, luck of the Irish, four leaf clovers and Irish dishes might come to mind. Rosemary isn’t the first herb I would think of for St. Patty’s day but searching the internet (www.epicourious.com), I found a recipe that that I thought would taste as delicious as it looks! You can find the link to the recipe at the bottom of the page.

Here is little history of Rosemary and its uses: rosemary is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. Some of rosemary’s medicinal uses are analgesic, antioxidant, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, skin tonic, and stimulant, to name a few. Parts used are leaves, flowers and stems. 

Medicinal uses can include: improved memory, students used to take a sprig of Rosemary in their hair to help when taking exams. Scientific research credits much of rosemary's action on the central nervous system to its powerful antioxidant action. Fresh rosemary in the summer air has an uplifting, fresh scent and I love taking a deep breath of it to take in all that it has to offer.

Rosemary can contribute to healthy, beautiful skin and hair. Studies show that Rosemary can slow or prevent premature baldness and hair loss. It is used in many beauty products such as shampoos, conditioners and rinses. A few drops of essential in carrier oil such as olive, jojoba or grapeseed, applied directly to the scalp once or twice a week, can restore dry, irritated scalp and over time your hair will look shiny and healthy. Rosemary essential oil can be used in a massage oil to relieve pain, from arthritis, headache, and menstrual cramps just to name a few.

When used in the culinary world, is often added to roasting meats and vegetables dishes, cooking stews, baking, infused in and oils or vinegars. I enjoy making soap and my shampoo bars are packed with nourishing herbs, oils and other ingredients for healthy, shiny hair. You could also try my Rosemary infused roller balls and face mist. Whenever I have a headache I just roll some over my temples and immediately feel it going to work to relieve the tension. It also sharpens mental clarity and boost memory.

My Rosemary hydrosol is antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory and a few spritzes can help with acne, eczema, psoriasis and even rosacea and the inflammation they create. The powerful antiseptic properties are good for disinfecting the skin and the astringent properties could help tighten the pores and reduce oiliness.

Wild about Herbs uses the finest organic/wildcrafted ingredients, free of preservatives or added colors. All essential oils are from Young Living. Click here to order YL.

TESTIMONIAL TIME: Alivya recently wrote,
These shampoo bars are the best thing that has happened to my hair. Previously, I hadn’t been able to find any products that would tame my natural wave and make it wearable for every day. Now because of the bars, I wear it natural almost every day. A lifesaver in the mornings, I also wash my hair less frequently. Highly recommended!

Is rosemary lucky? I'll let you be the judge of that! :) 

And for the recipe I promised, just list our friends at Epicurious and let us know how it turns out. 

Herbs are a gift from God. They can heal us internally and externally.
A few weeks ago I traveled up North to see my precious granddaughter. What a blessing she is. As soon as I got there I could smell the pollen in the air. Thankfully, I brought along my nettle.
Nettle (also known as stinging nettle), has some pretty impressive health benefits. It detoxifies the body, boosts immune health, lowers inflammation, increases milk production in nursing mothers, improves respiratory conditions, and my favorite benefit, nettle is a natural antihistamine!!!
Nettle is full of iron, vitamin k, calcium and potassium. The dried herb can be used to make a tea using 1 tbsp in 8 oz of water. Steep for 10 - 15 minutes, add a little honey or maple syrup and you have a tea that really packs a punch.
My awesome son-in-law also suffers from allergies and my beautiful daughter is currently breastfeeding so needless to say the nettle tea with its many benefits really helped us all.