Do you pay attention to your breath? During times of intense stress, fear, or anxiety, you may notice that your breathing is affected, but have you ever noticed how you breathe during times of relaxation? Try to notice how you breathe and how your body feels the next time you find yourself feeling relaxed. This […]
Just like any other organ in your body, your lungs improve with exercise. However, unlike many organs in the body, your lungs respond directly to physical activity. The harder you work, the more oxygen your body requires, and the deeper and faster you must breathe. As your lungs and respiratory system become fitter, your lungs […]
Just like your heart’s job in the circulatory system, your lungs work is (mostly) involuntary. That is, we breathe without thinking unless we override the process by consciously manipulating the movement of our diaphragm. You’re probably trying it right now. At all other times, however, we don’t give our respiratory systems much thought. As a […]
The lobelia plant goes by a number of names that might turn you off, such as puke weed, gagroot, and vomitwort. But that doesn’t mean this herb doesn’t have some potential health benefits, too. Despite its nicknames, it’s possible that using the lobelia herb could help you reach your health goals. For example, research shows […]
Lobelia is a large annual or biennial herb, with a green and violet stem, green and yellow leaves, and sparse violet blue and pale yellow flowers. Lobelia has earned two fascinating nicknames: “Indian Tobacco†and “puke weed.†Lobelia seeds and leaves have a history of medicinal and recreational usage, some relating to the previously mentioned […]
Some plants have a reputation in natural medicine for being nothing short of miraculous. Take Lobelia inflata, an herb that people sometimes rely on to quit smoking. Though the FDA declared in 1993 that lobelia was not an effective ingredient for this goal, there are still many sources that will tell you this herb is […]
Thyme is a small-leafed, perennial evergreen herb with a storied past. While today it is used primarily as a cooking spice, thyme has historically had many cultural uses, including a symbol for courage, bravery, and strength for soldiers in the Middle Ages. The herb’s longevity is in part due to its versatility. Thyme’s active agent, thymol, […]
