Diet, blood sugar management, exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle have a tremendous impact on brain health. Natural remedies are also an important part of a brain-boosting strategy.

Nootropics are medicinal botanicals that support mental function—including cognition, focus, and memory—making them useful for people with a wide range of brain health concerns, and those simply looking for some extra support.

Herbal Nootropics

• Mint for Memory

  Various mint-family plants act as nootropics. They help improve focus and mood, reduce inflammation, reduce blood sugar, and boost levels of the important neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

  Each has its own specialty, and all work quickly, typically within minutes. Regular use offers deeper benefits.

  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

    Recently renamed Salvia rosmarinus, the aroma of this Mediterranean herb has been relied upon and incorporated into daily rituals for millennia.

    Whether ingested or inhaled, rosemary’s potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, circulation-enhancing, and neurotransmitter-boosting aroma clears the cobwebs, uplifts the senses, and improves memory.

  • Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

    Just one hour after taking lemon balm, studies suggest you may feel less anxious and more focused, an effect that improves with regular use.

    Lemon balm offers a gentle calming, soothing action, easing not only anxiety but also agitation, hyperactivity, anger, and frustration in all ages.

    Studies support its use inhaled, applied topically, and/or internally.

  • Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

    In aromatherapy, in chewing gum, as tea, or just a few drops of tincture, peppermint promotes a perky-alert-energized mental state.

    It helps clear the mind, boost mood, and improve speed and accuracy for day-to-day tasks like data entry and other clerical work.

• Find your Focus

  These remedies calm anxiety, agitation, and stress with better focus and without sedation. They’re kid- to elder-friendly and useful in almost any cognitive concern from ADHD to dementia as well as traumatic brain injury.

  • Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)

    This traditional nootropic from India is sometimes called “Brahmi,” a common name shared with fellow nootropic gotu kola. Both herbs are subtle, slow-building tonics for neural health that calm anxiety and agitation while enhancing cognitive function and clarity.

    Bacopa offers support for nervous system restoration, and has gently calming but non-sedating actions.

  • Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)

    An adaptogen, vulnerary (healing wounds and supporting collagen and connective tissue integrity), circulatory tonic, and blood vessel toner, gotu kola works best in larger doses, including food forms like juice or pesto, or in formula.

    Ensure that you’re buying organic cultivated material from reputable companies.

  • Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)

    Another adaptogen, this fruit from traditional Chinese medicine has a wide range of medicinal actions.

    For cognition, you’ll notice your focus and energy sharpen almost immediately, without (for most people) feeling overly stimulated.

• Other options

  • Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)

    This Siberian longevity tonic and adaptogenic root not only helps you feel more energized and more resistant to stress but also supports mood, neural health, and improved alertness.

  • Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)

    This edible mushroom, taken as a supplement or eaten regularly for months, has the potential to gradually help restore nerve function, memory, and cognition.

    It may help delay a decline due to aging or damage.

    It also supports mood and sleep.

The rose flower graces us with an intoxicating scent and an almost incomparable beauty.

But did you know that the scent of roses is healing?

It's true: the essential oil of this most romantic of flowers contains antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and calming properties.

But besides this ethereal bloom, there’s something else the rose bush gives us: the potent and revered rosehip.

What Are Rosehips?

Rosehips are the accessory or “false fruit” of rose plants, appearing when the rose flower dies.

Not all rose plants produce rosehips, which makes this edible part of the plant that much more special.

Appearance

Appearing as a cylindrical berry with tiny hairs sprouting from its bottom, the bright orange-red rosehip is a nutritional powerhouse for both the skin and the body.

Nutrition

Rosehips also contain:

• Flavonoids
• Vitamins:
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin A
• Minerals:
  • Potassium
  • Calcium
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc

They’re also one of the best vegetable oil sources of omega 3s and a good source of omega 6s as well.

Rose in the Kitchen

You can add taste to the list of senses that roses appeal to. From tea and jam made from rose hips to salads and desserts that contain rose petals or rosewater, the rose has its own unique culinary flavor.

The International Herb Association suggests adding rose water to:

• sliced strawberries
• fresh lemonade
• hot or iced tea

Finding and Choosing Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil can spoil quickly, so be sure to buy it in dark glass bottles. Store in the refrigerator to extend shelf life.

Look for rosehip oil, or rosehip’s Latin name (Rosa rubiginosa), on product labels.

• For purity and best results, shop for certified organic rosehip oil, which is free of herbicides and pesticides.
• Look for varieties made with cold-press methods, since high heat can degrade some of rosehip oil’s active ingredients.
• You can also make your own, with our DIY rosehip oil recipe.

Benefits of Rosehip Oil

• For Your Skin

  Rosehip oil, also known as rosehip seed oil, is extracted from the crushed seeds of the wild rosehip fruit. It’s lightweight and easily absorbed by the skin.

  Rosehip oil comes as straight oil, or it can be combined with other ingredients in creams or powders.

  Applying the oil to the skin can help reduce redness and slow the signs of aging. It’s known for its ability to brighten, firm, and tighten the skin.

  What else can this golden-hued oil do for skin?

  • fight acne and shrink pimples due to its linoleic acid
  • regenerate the skin’s cellular membrane and tissues
  • reduce scar tissue due to its essential fatty acids and antioxidants
  • moisturize dry skin
  • protect skin from oxidative stress
  • improve skin moisture, elasticity, and wrinkles
  • lower inflammation and redness from inflammatory skin conditions:
    • eczema
    • rosacea
    • psoriasis
    • dermatitis
  • lighten hyperpigmentation and fade lighter-colored dark spots
  • improve texture and appearance of scars (applied topically twice a day)
  • reduce sun damage due to its vitamin A content
  • hydrate dry and itchy skin with its essential fatty acids
  • assist with collagen production and skin cell turnover
  • help alleviate symptoms of PMS as well as menstrual cramps

  Before bed is a good time to use rosehip oil. Apply a few drops to clean skin just before moisturizing. For best results, apply rosehip the oil neat up to twice a day. Or add a few drops to another carrier oil or to your daily moisturizer.

  Research has also found that those who took rosehip powder orally had increases in their skin elasticity.

  Rosewater, made from the petals of the flower, is found in cosmetics and is touted as an antiseptic that’s soothing to sensitive skin.

• For Your Hair

  The benefits of rosehip oil also extend to the hair. Some people use it to moisturize and condition their locks, but avoid applying rosehip oil to very fine hair, as the oil may weigh it down.

• For the Body

  It’s no surprise the benefits of rosehips go beyond the skin. Rosehips were once a key part of North America’s native peoples’ diets.

  Today, the edible rosehip is consumed in powdered form or syrups, or as a dried fruit. Rosehips have also found their way into teas, beverages, jams, jellies, wines, breads, and more.

  • As an Anti-Inflammatory

    Traditionally, rosehips have treated many diseases. With their anti-inflammatory benefits, they can help provide relief from arthritis when taken daily.

    Rosehips block cartilage cells’ proteins from activating. This activation can lead to the detrimental degradation of joint tissue.

  • To Fight Obesity

    The rosehip may even fight obesity. Researchers discovered that taking rosehip extract daily significantly reduced abdominal total fat area, body weight, and body mass index in pre-obese subjects.

  • For Immunity

    Rich in vitamin C and zinc, rosehips are an impressive immune booster as well.

Precautions

Other Conditions

Rosehips are not recommended for:

• pregnant and breastfeeding women
• those who are diabetic or tend to get kidney stones
• those with bleeding conditions or sickle cell disease
• those with an iron-related disorder or anemia.

Possible Reactions

Before using rosehip oil or products containing it, perform a patch test for any reactions or allergies:

1. Apply a small amount to the wrist, elbow, or forearm.
2. Cover the area with a bandage or gauze for 24 hours.
3. After this time, remove the bandage or gauze and check if any redness, itchiness, or rash occurs.

If there’s irritation or inflammation, rinse the area and don’t use the product.

Before you head off on a summer road trip, put together a first-aid kit. Think basic and then pack your first-aid supplies in a handy, portable case that will fit easily into your car or suitcase. 

Dealing With Bugs

• Avoid Toxic Repellents

  Research highlights adverse effects of DEET, malathion, and permethrin (used alone or in combination), particularly among the young. 

  Look for safe, natural repellents using essential oils of cedarwood, citronella, eucalyptus, geranium, and pine.

• Repel Ticks Naturally

  To help prevent tick bites—and lower the risk of Lyme disease—wear protective clothing in tick-infested grassy or wooded areas.

  Oils of citronella, cloves, and lily of the valley “possessed repelling activities of the same magnitude as the repellent DEET” against ticks, say researchers, but without DEET’s side effects.

  Removing a Tick

  Carefully remove any ticks you find with tweezers and disinfect bites with tea tree oil or other antiseptic.

  Report any bull’s-eye rash to your healthcare provider immediately.

Travel-Related Ailments

Diarrhea, heat rash, motion sickness, poison ivy, sleeplessness, and sunburn are nuisances at any age—but can make kids (and anyone around them) downright miserable.

• Soothing Foods

  For carsickness, it’s best to drink a little ginger tea before you drive off—and to bring along a thermos of tea, organic fruit, nuts, and whole-grain crackers.

• Soothing Tea

  Chamomile tea is a time-honored natural solution for sleeplessness.

• Soothing Topicals

  After too much fun in the sun, aloe vera or calendula creams or gels can help soothe burns.

First-Aid Kit Essentials

Items to consider include:

• adhesive bandages (all sizes)
• adhesive tape
• aloe vera gel
• antiseptic wipes
• arnica cream or calendula lotion
• cleansing agent/natural soap
• cold pack
• cotton swabs
• flashlight and extra batteries
• nonpetroleum jelly
• packet of tissues
• rolled gauze bandages (3 rolls)
• safety pins (assorted sizes)
• saline eye drops
• scissors, preferably blunt
• sewing needle
• sterile gauze pads
• sunblock or sunscreen
• thermometer
• tweezers
• zinc lozenges

Summer brings us warmth and longer days, as well as plenty of mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, and flies!

It may feel like Mother Nature is pulling a fast one on us, but she has provided tools for keeping things in balance.

Given the severity of the diseases carried by some biting insects, people will want to make careful choices about the insect repellents they choose for themselves and their families.

For those who want to stay natural, there are plenty of options, and one ingredient—lemon eucalyptus oil—matches up to DEET in repelling mosquitoes and may have some effectiveness against ticks as well.

Natural Ways to Repel Bugs

• Environmental Deterrents

  Those of us who spend a lot of time in our backyards can start by making them less friendly to insect pests.

  • Get Rid of Standing Water

    Dump any standing water that’s accumulated in buckets, old tires, tarps, and the like. Mosquitoes love to breed in such spots.

  • Plant Things Bugs Don't Like

    Next, try growing herbs that help deter pests.

    • Basil

      House flies and mosquitoes will avoid basil. Plant it in the garden and in pots where people congregate—it will provide some insect relief and an ingredient for pesto!

    • Lemongrass

      Lemongrass, an ornamental that contains citronella oil, is a mosquito repellent and a nice addition to chicken and pork dishes. Grow it in a pot so it can winter indoors.

    • Mint

      Try planting mint in pots too, then pluck the leaves and crumple them into iced tea while the plants help keep bugs off nearby plants.

    • Other Herbs

      Both mosquitoes and ticks will avoid rosemary and catnip plants. Other herbs to try planting include lemon thyme, lemon balm, and oregano.

• Natural Insect Repellent

  For a natural insect repellent that’s applied to the skin or sprayed on clothes, look for one key ingredient: oil of lemon eucalyptus.

  • Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

    The only plant-based mosquito-repelling ingredient that’s recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s found in bug sprays and lotions made by natural products companies as well as companies that also make repellents containing DEET.

  • Child-Safe Bug Repellent

    Oil of lemon eucalyptus isn’t safe for children younger than 3, so consider a soy-based repellent for preschoolers.

    One commercial repellent containing 2 percent soybean oil along with glycerin, lecithin, vanillin, and oils of coconut and geranium was as effective as DEET in one study.

    Using Repellent on Children

    • Check the Product Label

      When (and before) using repellent on children, always follow the instructions on the product’s label.

    • Apply Indirectly

      Parents should spray the repellent on their own hands, then apply to a child’s face.

    • Don't Use On Newborns

      Use mosquito netting rather than repellent for babies under two months old.

• More Ways to Keep Bugs Off You

  Repellent is a must for anyone who’ll be exposed to potentially disease-carrying insects. But to get the most protection, follow these recommendations.

  • Keep Covered

    Wear long sleeves and pants, and tuck your shirt in your pants and your pants in your socks.

  • Keep Air Moving

    Turn on a fan to deter mosquitoes on patios and porches.

  • Stay in Sunlight

    Mosquitoes love dawn and dusk, so if you don’t love mosquitoes, avoid being outdoors during those hours.

  • Beware of Ticks

    People who may have been exposed to ticks should shower after spending time outdoors, in addition to doing regular tick checks on clothing and bodies.

Homeopathic Remedies for Stings & Bug Bites

A wasp, a yellow jacket, or a bee got the best of you? Homeopathy may help.

Always check the product’s label for the proper dose.

• Ledumm Palustre (Wild Rosemary)

  If the pain lessens after ice or cold applications, try this out. This is typically the first homeopathic remedy given after a bug bite.

• Apis Mellifica (Crushed Bee)

  This may be useful for swelling and burning.For swelling and burning pain, try .

• Carbolicum acidum (Carbolic Acid)

  This can be useful if you’ve been stung more than once.

Problems with some Cox 2-inhibiting drugs have created concern among the millions of Americans who suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). The good news is that natural alternatives are available.

Safe and effective, some of these pain relievers have been shown to slow the progression of osteoarthritis and even reverse damage.

Inflammation and Pain

All types of arthritis are characterized by chronic inflammation. While there are more than 100 types, the most common is osteoarthritis—also called degenerative joint disease—affecting nearly 21 million Americans.

More than 40 million of us experience occasional joint pain, according to researchers at the Mayo Clinic. OA most commonly strikes the hips and knees, the primary weight-bearing joints.

When joint-cushioning cartilage breaks down, bones rub against one another—causing pain, loss of movement, and inflammation.

Chronic inflammation, like that found in OA, can lead to more serious health problems, such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, says Nancy Appleton, PhD, in Stopping Inflammation.

Natural Pain Relief

Long-term solutions and pain relief are available, thanks to natural medicines and whole foods.

• Ginger

  Ginger may be one answer.

  With 477 documented active ingredients, this anti-inflammatory herb contains several powerful natural Cox-2 inhibitors. Yet ginger is so gentle that it is often recommended for morning sickness in pregnant women.

  Studies have shown that a moderate dosage of this herb inhibits the formation of inflammatory pain-causing prostaglandins by up to 56 percent.

  And a University of Miami study found that 63 percent of patients with knee OA showed improvement after taking ginger for just six weeks.

• Turmeric

  Turmeric, the culinary herb that gives curry its golden color, inhibits the Cox-2 enzyme while keeping Cox-1 levels steady. The curcumin in turmeric appears to reduce inflammation as well as a prescription drug, according to one study. Research shows that curcumin supplements that include gingerols and piperine (ginger and black pepper) enhance the effect of curcumin.

• Glucosamine

  Glucosamine is perhaps the best known and best studied of supplements for relieving joint pain. A form of amino sugar often derived from the shells of shellfish, glucosamine sulfate appears to work in two ways: by stopping the breakdown of cartilage and by stopping the inflammation cycle.

  Recent research suggests a higher dosage may be needed than what many supplements contain. For improved effectiveness, glucosamine is often combined with other ingredients.

  Chondroitin may improve joint mobility and slow cartilage loss.

  A recent analysis of clinical trials indicated that supplementing with chondroitin appears effective against arthritis pain.

• MSM

  MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) contains sulfur molecules that help relieve pain and build certain amino acids like collagen, from which cartilage is formed. A small preliminary study showed patients received an 80 percent reduction in pain when taking MSM.

• Whole Foods

  A fiber-rich diet of whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetables can help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation. Avoiding stress and environmental toxins can be useful, as well.

Exercise

Finally, an energetic exercise program is a powerful way to address joint pain, as long as you work with a therapist or trainer who can help you prevent further joint damage.

It may seem paradoxical to think of relieving joint pain by inducing more pain, but that’s exactly what you need to do.

Movement of a painful joint actually draws circulation to the area, provides lubrication for the joint, and encourages healing through a reduction of inflammation.

Walking, swimming, and yoga are excellent workouts for many people with inflammatory pain.

Let’s consider the wondrous bee. The miracle worker that is not only a champion pollinator vital to our food supply but also the giver of many healing substances.

The most popular of these is honey, that golden and sweet substance that’s been a food for humans throughout history. Now this sticky substance has found its way into skin care.

But honey’s not the only substance this mighty insect gives us. Propolis, bee pollen, beeswax, royal jelly, and bee venom are other popular ingredients finding their way into topical products to get the skin healthy and glowing.

Here’s the buzz on the skin benefits of these gifts from the bee.

Bee Products for Skin Care

• Honey

  This tasty sweetener, made by bees from nectar and honeydew (a sticky, sugary substance made by aphids), is truly a healing substance. It contains at least 181 ingredients! These include:

  • enzymes
  • organic acids
  • flavonoids
  • essential oils
  • proteins
  • amino acids
  • small amounts of vitamins and minerals

  Uses

  • Healing

    Not only a food, honey also has regenerative properties. It can help detoxify dermal tissue, improve skin elasticity and color, and smooth out wrinkles.

    Honey helps speed up skin cells’ healing activities. In fact, the Manuka variety is so beneficial for wound healing that it’s now used in clinical settings.

    For Acne

    Honey can also help heal acne scars. Apply it every day to scars to help the healing process.

    Always remove honey before going to bed. Remnants on the face can attract dust and dirt, which could lead to more breakouts.

  • Moisturizing

    Honey also helps soften the skin. It adds moisture to dry areas, and it makes creams, lotions, and oils easier to rub in. It’s a balm for chapped lips, dry hands, and even frostbite.

    In its sugared form, honey acts as a peeling agent.

  Usage

  If you decide to make your own skin care treatments, use only raw, unpasteurized honey. Heated varieties don’t have the same powerful nutritional and enzymatic properties.

  Dab raw honey directly on the skin to help with acne, candida overgrowth, eczema, or psoriasis. Or use it as a natural exfoliator to reveal brighter skin.

  Leave the honey on your skin for several minutes and then rinse it off.

• Propolis

  Commonly mixed in beeswax, propolis is also known as bee glue. It is a resinous substance that bees collect from tree buds, shrubs, and plants.

  Propolis has a whopping 300-plus active compounds, including:

  • esters
  • phenolic acids
  • flavonoids
  • aromatic compounds

  Uses

  With antimicrobial, antiseptic, antioxidant, antiviral, and antifungal properties, propolis treats fungal infections, skin burns, and acne vulgaris.

  Look for propolis in sunblock products and protective lipsticks, as it offers protection from ultraviolet radiation.

• Bee Pollen

  Bees bring pollen from plants back to the hives. Bee pollen has at least 200 active substances, including:

  • vitamins
  • flavonoids
  • hydroxy acids
  • unsaturated fatty acids

  Uses

  A strong antifungal, bee pollen is an anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulating agent that can regenerate damaged skin tissue.

  With its high content of flavonoids, it affects cell metabolism and boosts regeneration.

  Bee pollen extracts and dried grains of bee pollen are sometimes added to natural cosmetics and skin care.

  Look for skin products combining omega-rich fatty acids with bee pollen to help with scarring and sensitive skin.

• Beeswax

  Beeswax is a natural secretion formed from the wax-producing glands in worker bees’ abdomens. It’s used by bees to build honeycomb cells. For us humans, it’s an important cosmetic ingredient.

  Uses

  An emulsifying agent, beeswax forms the base for many lip balms, lipsticks, and creams because of its softening and lubricating properties, which also help prevent water loss from the skin.

  Beeswax can help psoriasis, dermatitis, and the overgrowth of normal skin flora.

• Royal Jelly

  With such a regal name, it’s no surprise this ingredient is a supreme skin defender.

  Uses

  It has anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antimicrobial, and regenerative properties to help repair skin tissues, wounds, and burns. It can also help heal shingles.

  Find royal jelly as an ingredient in balms, lotions, and creams. Products with higher amounts of royal jelly tend to absorb well with no greasy residue.

• Bee Venom

  It sounds scary, but don’t let the name sway you from bee venom’s healing properties.

  An effective, natural toxin rich in peptides, it offers antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial actions.

  Uses

  Many like bee venom for its natural botox-like properties, which help boost collagen production and improve elasticity.

  Bee venom can be found in anti-acne products, as well as in treatments for wounds, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.

  Bee venom’s recently been found effective for fighting wrinkles and photo-damaged skin.

  Those with dry, aging, and acne-prone skin benefit most from this ingredient.

  Look for bee venom-infused moisturizers to heal patches of itchy and dry skin.

Precautions: Bee Safe

Allergic reactions, though not common, can occur when using bee products.

Bee pollen is the most frequent allergen causing hypersensitivity, and beeswax is the least allergenic.

If you have allergies to bee venom, use caution with products containing honey and other bee ingredients.

Allergies to honey are rare. However, some individuals can experience skin rashes and eczema when applying royal jelly topically. Always do a patch test before using.

As the weather warms, you may spend more time outside in the hot sun.

It’s important to be mindful of your body’s water and electrolyte balance.

What Are Electrolytes?

“Electrolytes” is the scientific term for the minerals in the blood and body fluids that carry an electrical charge. The most common electrolytes are:

• calcium
• chloride
• magnesium
• phosphorus
• potassium
• sodium

Benefits of Electrolytes

Electrolytes are important because they perform many vital tasks in the body, including:

• balancing water and pH levels
• carrying nutrients into and moving wastes out of cells
• ensuring that the brain, heart, muscles, and nerves are all functioning properly

For Heart Function

Electrolytes are especially important for heart function because they facilitate the electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract and relax at a normal rate.

Without electrolytes, the heart can’t pump properly. In extreme cases, electrolyte imbalances can lead to arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats.

Refresh and Replenish

You take in electrolytes from the foods you eat and the fluids you drink.

Every day your body works to balance your water and electrolyte levels, but sometimes this balance can be disrupted.

Causes of Depletion

Diarrhea, sweating, and vomiting can all deplete water and electrolytes quickly.

The three main electrolytes lost through sweating—which you may tend to do a lot in the summer—are magnesium, potassium, and sodium.

And, even if you’re not sweating a lot when you mow the lawn or work out, you can still lose electrolytes from breathing rapidly.

Rehydrating

If you’re active, especially in the warmer months, consider replacing one 8-ounce serving of water per day with an oral rehydration product that contains electrolytes.

You can buy oral rehydration products at the store, or you can make your own with easy-to-find ingredients.

DIY Recipes

• Water Base

  • 4 cups water
  • ³⁄₄ teaspoon table salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

• Chicken Broth Base

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

• Tomato Juice Base

  • 2 ¹⁄₂ cups plain tomato juice
  • 1 ¹⁄₂ cups water

• Cranberry Juice Base

  • ³⁄₄ cup cranberry juice
  • 3 ¹⁄₄ cups water
  • ³⁄₄ teaspoon table salt