Cannabis sativa is arguably one of the most controversial, hotly debated, and valuable cultivars in the plant kingdom. With evidence of its use stretching back to 3500 BC, it has long been cultivated for hemp oil and fibers, as a food, medicine, and recreational drug. Though hampered by the widespread criminalization of marijuana in the 20th century, the scientific study of cannabis as medicine has… [read more]
5 Steps To Making Your Own Fruit Wine + 8 Recipes To Get You Started
June 28, 2018 by
A much more natural way to imbibe this summer, fruit wine – also known as country wine – can be composed of any combination of fruits, flowers, and herbs. Budget-friendly and easy to make, homemade wines allow you to flex your culinary prowess to make a wine true to your tastes, while also producing a cleaner beverage since it doesn’t contain the preservatives or pesticides… [read more]
7 Reasons To Stop Buying Electrolyte Drinks & Start Making It Instead
June 27, 2018 by
Leading the charge in the $8 billion dollar sports drink industry, Gatorade and Powerade (owned by PepsiCo and Coca-Cola respectively) have long claimed that their drinks hydrate better than water, replenish electrolytes lost in sweat, and are absolutely essential for the best athletic performance. There’s a lot of hype surrounding sports drinks. Let’s dispel some of these myths. 1. Sports Drink Makers Rely Heavily On… [read more]
6 Best Ways To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies & 5 Ways To Prevent Them
June 21, 2018 by
Undaunted by window screens and strangely immune to exuberant bouts of swatting, fruit flies become a real nuisance as soon as the warmer weather arrives. Often found en masse, forming a living cloud around a fresh bowl of fruit, these tiny annoyances will quickly grow their numbers when not dealt with post haste. Know Thy Enemy The common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) is either brought… [read more]
10 Best Natural Hair Conditioners For Soft & Silky Hair
June 18, 2018 by
Long before acquiring hair care products involved a quick trip to the store, men and women cleaned their tresses with soaps made from plant or animal oils. Since these cleansers had the effect of drying out the hair, the conventional wisdom from the late 18th century onwards was to shampoo only very rarely (every four to six weeks) to prevent damage. The earliest known hair… [read more]
Grow Your Own Birdseed: 10 Best Plants To Attract Backyard Birds
May 30, 2018 by
The only living dinosaurs, birds are the world’s most successful four-limbed tetrapod with an estimated 10,000 species that reside in all seven continents. A marvel of evolution and adaptation, birds range from the petite hummingbird, the showy peacock, the flightless penguin, the colorful parrot, the enormous ostrich, and so many in between. They are among the most intelligent of creatures, with the ability to make… [read more]
41 Cheats To Garden For (Almost) Free
May 23, 2018 by
Whether you wish to cultivate gorgeous flowers or the freshest fruits and vegetables, tending a garden is also an amazing tonic for the mind, body, and soul. But breaking into the gardening game can carry with it some pretty high upfront costs. Although you’ll need to obtain a wealth of tools and supplies to get things up and running, the upside is that once you’re… [read more]
10 Best Natural Sources Of Electrolytes & 11 Signs You Are Deficient
May 22, 2018 by
Vital for many core functions in the human body, electrolytes are minerals that carry an electrical charge. When dissolved in bodily fluids, electrolytes separate into negatively or positively charged ions that provide the voltage necessary for nerve signalling, muscle movement, and fluid balance throughout the body. They are found in blood, urine, tissues, and other bodily fluids. Every time we sweat, urinate, or defecate, we… [read more]
10 Bold & Beautiful Essential Oil Necklaces So You Can Carry Your Favorite Scent Anywhere
May 1, 2018 by
Marrying form and function, essential oil diffuser necklaces are wonderful for providing on-the-spot therapeutic relief in a gorgeously designed amulet. Donning a piece of diffuser jewelry has several advantages: Aromatherapy – Essential oils have been used for thousands of years to naturally soothe the body, mind, and soul. Derived from the roots, flowers, bark, fruits, seeds, and leaves of plants, botanical oils consist of concentrated… [read more]
8 Health Benefits Of Licorice Root & How To Use It
May 1, 2018 by
An herbaceous perennial native to Europe and Asia, the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant produces woody roots that are highly prized as a natural sweetener. Commonly known as licorice, the roots are 30 to 50 times sweeter than sugar, and are chiefly composed of the compound glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) which is what gives licorice its unique flavor. Though it is mainly cultivated to flavor tobacco and candy,… [read more]
