Plants

Look upon marigold to gladden thye eye and drive wikked humors from thye heed

Something about this directive makes me smile. I like the idea of a prescription to look at natures' colors. Can't hurt. Might help. It may at least lift our spirits. Which is actually a big deal, when you think about it. Read more →

Herbal Interactions with Receptors and Enzymes

Chemicals from herbs often mediate effects on your cells by temporarily fitting into either receptors or enzymes. Like a key fitting into a lock, particular herbal chemicals can only fit into particular receptors or enzymes. They do this using the attractive version of the electrostatic force. Read more →

Rethinking antioxidant supplements

So for now it seems like a good idea to just eat your fruits and vegetables,drink tea and/or coffee (with or without caffeine) and put your favorite cooking spices and herbs on your food to flavor it. I would definitely skip the antioxidant supplements. To be clear, antioxidants can overlap with other categories, like vitamins and anti-inflammatories, and there are sometimes very good reasons to take certain vitamins and anti-inflammatories. Read more →

Funny things I learned writing Herbs Demystified

I've learned a bunch of odd things writing Herbs Demystified. I wrote this I can finally spell “hemorrhoids” without looking it up. Half my readers assume I'm an ardent herb advocate who wants everyone to use herbs instead of traditional medications. The other half seem equally convinced that I disapprove... Read more →

The mystery of the multiple menthols

The mystery of the multiple menthols Dear Holly, I am facing a problem I cannot find an answer for, anywhere. My company manufactures a topical analgesic. We use camphor and menthol crystals. We have never had problems until a new question surfaced recently. Are the crystals the same as dl-Camphor... Read more →

How do antioxidants turn into oxidizing agents?

Hi Holly, In your book, you talk about the value of antioxidants, but it seems like you also aren't wild about taken large doses of them as supplements. You say they can turn into oxidizing agents, which seems like the opposite of an antioxidant. Is that right? CJ Dear CJ,... Read more →

Arizona Republic article on my book, Herbs Demystified

HERBAL REALITIES AUTHOR WEIGHS PLANT REMEDIES BY SORTING OUT SCIENTIFIC STUDIES Mary Beth Faller, The Arizona Republic Read more →

Why does our spaceman forage?

Foraging is more than a diversion for me. Part of my passion for all things biological stems from my conviction that our learning the code of nature's sophisticated technology is, on a broader scale, a matter of life and death for the human race. Read more →

In celebration of my favorite planet

“The highest technology that we know of in your entire solar system grows only on this one planet, Earth. It is in life.” Koyper spoke slowly and emphatically, shaking his mint as he spoke. “This is high tech.” Read more →

Updated catnip chapter from my book, Herbs Demystified

I've just updated the catnip chapter from my book, Herbs Demystified, which you can read here. 51 more to go. Read more →

Thanksgiving garbage

Cells—the basic constituent of life—recycle and reuse their constituents, and they have survived on Earth for over three billion years. All cells do this. Three billion years. They are on to something. Read more →

Plant extracts, essential oils, wine, brandy, distillates, ethanol, methanol, and other toxins

Hey Holly, I’m into home craft cocktails, and also considering trying my hand at home distillation. Couple questions: 1) I’m well aware that some plants can have toxic components that can either be extracted by alcohol (more than water) or possibly potentiated by it. I’m interested in trying new, unique... Read more →

Can catnip harm cats? Or affect us?

Dear Holly, I heard you just wrote a chapter on catnip. I watch my cats go crazy writhing around with catnip toys and the dried leaves you can buy at the pet store. What makes them act like this, why don't I experience this euphoria myself, and can the cats... Read more →

What does "natural" really mean?

A molecule’s source won’t tell us what it does, so we have to be ready for anything. Read more →

Licorice (an excerpt from my book, Herbs Demystified)

Licorice Licorice Glycyrrhiza glabra History and Folklore The first thing you may think of when considering licorice--or “liquorice,” if you are in Europe--is that it is candy, but historically it is better known as an herb. The candy is traditionally prepared from the sweet-tasting root of the licorice plant, a... Read more →

Introduction to my book, Herbs Demystified

Here is the intro to my book, Herbs Demystified. First, it might help to learn that my original title was How Herbs Work. I still prefer this title. It was meant to distinguish that my book, in contrast to other herb books which I view as very fine books that... Read more →

Do capsaicin creams work? How?

Dear Holly, Can you tell me if capsaicin creams that I keep seeing in my drugstore work for pain? All I know is that peppers burn my skin! Why would people put this on their skin? How is it supposed to work? I am scared to try it until I... Read more →

Why Doesn't Cooked Nettle Sting?

In your article on Nettle, you say that cooking it keeps it from stinging. Why is this? Dr. J. P., Salt Lake Oh, what an excellent question! And shame on me for not addressing it in my article. Since I can't find a readily available scientific explanation, I will give... Read more →

How is guarana stimulating?

I have heard that guarana doesn't have caffeine, but something else that stimulates you. Is it just the sugar in guarana drinks? How does it work? JT., Costa Rica Guarana, the plant, contains caffeine, and this is identical to the caffeine in coffee, tea, and cola. I love to talk... Read more →

Parsley question

Dear Holly, Does parsley or chlorophyll clean your breath? H C, Marin County CA Dear H.C., It depends. According to clinical studies, alas, pills of parsley extracts including chlorophyll don't work. I think the reason it was once an attractive idea is because theoretically, chlorophyll might stick to some aromatic... Read more →

Why I hate arnica

This is a letter I answered many years ago about arnica. I have confession. I have learned to hate arnica. No, I don't hate the flower itself. I hate people recommending it. It's overharvested and endangered, for one thing, because of this pointless demand. And arnica is toxic (people have... Read more →

rooibos for lupus?

From "lucylupus": could rooibos help lupus pains like yerba mate did ? is rooibos in your book ? in 7 years of yerba mate in the morning i never even needed 1 aspirin . 10 days without yerba mate the pain is draining me away. i am so grateful to... Read more →

Everything I know about calendula so far

I was recently delighted to hear from an editor who works for Martha Stewart Living. She was writing an article on using the herb calendula as a topical treatment. Not having any celestial source of knowledge, I did my usual thing and dug into all the published peer reviewed articles... Read more →