Marshmallow Root: Not for S’mores! Posted on September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 by joshuasopko When someone mentions Marshmallow you’re brain might instantly visualize the sweet, fluffy white puffs that smash between graham crackers and a piece of chocolate. And while those kinds of marshmallows are delicious, they aren’t exactly healthy. But did you know the sweet marshmallow we think of today actually comes from an ancient recipe that was used to help with sore throats? For generations, marshmallow root has been used for those troubled with dry and irritated throats. This is exactly how I was personally introduced to Marshmallow root. After nearly a week of dealing with a terrible sore throat, my wife made a beautiful tea (recipe below) that had me asking for more. By the end of the following day, my throat was completely better! Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is a demulcent botanical. These demulcents have a calming effect on the mucus membranes they come into contact with because of something called mucopolysaccharides. These chains of sugar molecules in humans are often found in mucus and in the fluid around our joints. Essentially coating these irritated membranes, demulcents offer soothing relief. Since ancient times, people around the world have used marshmallow root to soothe the mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach. Such a beautiful herb with a rich history of medicinal uses! We sell raw marshmallow root in-store and online! This herb is useful in making soothing herbal teas, especially during the cold and flu season. Even as we are dealing with smoky air from the Canadian wildfires, this tea has been effective at dealing with the dry and scratchy effects of the poor air quality. Order Organic Marshmallow Root Here Interested in more raw herbs? We offer a variety of raw herbs to supplement your making needs. Make tinctures, salves, herbal honey, and medicinal herbal tea. Shop our Raw Herbs Marshmallow Tea Recipe Makes about 12 ounces. Active Time: 5 minutes. Tea is a wonderful way to ingest marshmallow’s healthful properties, but it’s important to know that mucopolysaccharides are destroyed by heat. So if you are going to make a tea from either marshmallow root or marshmallow leaf, it’s best to use room temperature water. Ingredients 12 oz. room temperature, non-chlorinated water 1 Tbsp. organic marshmallow root Directions Put water in an appropriately sized vessel that can be covered. Stir herb into water and cover. Let steep at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours. Strain before drinking. Marshmallow is a beautiful plant that grows easily in most gardens. It’s relatively easy to care for and to harvest. It beautifully weaves its way into both the household kitchen and the herbal pantry. Here’s to marshmallow!
What’s the stink on Natural Deodorant? Posted on August 28, 2023August 28, 2023 by joshuasopko Deodorant is one of those Western culture things that’s become a must-use product. But what we thought we knew 20 years ago about deodorant and how our bodies work has changed. Not to mention cultural awareness of the products we use that absorb into our skin. Today we’re discussing natural deodorant and how it sizes up to conventional deodorants. Conventional deodorants contain potentially dangerous ingredients such as aluminum, parabens, and triclosan. Exposure to these compounds has been shown to increase the risk of several health conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, hormone disruption, skin irritation, and fertility issues. One main benefit to using a natural deodorant is that they are FREE from all of these types of ingredients! Natural deodorants are designed to neutralize body odor without using harsh, irritating ingredients. Let’s get into some details about natural deodorant. Sweating is good for your body. It helps release toxins and regulate temperature. Unlike conventional deodorants, natural deodorants do not contain an antiperspirant. Our body needs to sweat, we just don’t want the stink (understandably)! So what even causes the stink? Contrary to popular belief, it’s rare our sweat actually produces a sour body odor. The main culprit for the armpit smell is bacteria on our skin that interacts with our sweat. This bacteria and sweat combo creates the pungent body we’re all trying to avoid. So what’s up with bacteria? I shower daily and I still stink! There are a few likely culprits for this. The most common is our diet. The food we eat is generally eliminated through normal means in the bathroom (let’s not make this gross). But one of the best ways our body detoxes what it doesn’t want or need is through our sweat and skin! Eating a cleaner diet is one of the best ways to naturally reduce body odor! There are a few other culprits that we have less control over, however. Hormonal changes stemming from stress, puberty, or things like pregnancy can really upset the biological flow of our body stink. Medications or changes in lifestyle might also increase or decrease the level of body odor as well. Thankfully, natural deodorants exist that allow our body to sweat but help to neutralize the bacteria and the stink! But making the switch from an antiperspirant to a natural deodorant can feel daunting and a bit tricky. Winter is one of the best times to make the switch to natural deodorant. Cooler months allow your body to become accustomed to the deodorant before the heat sets in! No matter when you’re making this switch, however, there are a few things to know before throwing your old stuff in the trash. There is a transitional period that takes place when switching from a mainstream deodorant to a natural deodorant. This transition might leave you experiencing more sweating. Your body needs to adjust from using a product that stops you from sweating to one that allows your body to do what it was designed to do. It can be helpful to keep your deodorant with you and reapply as needed throughout the day. The best tip we’ve learned is to use a sugar scrub on your armpits a few times a week to remove the buildup and help keep your pits smelling fresh! Another helpful tip to speed up the transition (which can take 1-2 weeks), is to use an armpit detox product like this. Note: This link takes to you a facial mask. Simply select the facial detox mask, follow the instructions, and use it on your armpits! Charcoal detoxes can help to draw toxins and bacteria out of your body faster than letting them naturally come out. It’s worth a shot! One final note about natural deodorants that is worth mentioning. Not all natural deodorants work for everyone and sometimes not forever. Our bodies are ever-changing with our diet and lifestyle choices and sometimes just with age and hormones! So if a natural deodorant you’ve used for two years stops working, don’t be discouraged. Simply try a different brand. We’ve heard many stories about customers who switch deodorant brands every 6-months. From one and back to the other and so on. Hang in there! Natural deodorant is a worthwhile product to keep up with. It’s good for you! Our deodorants are all baking soda-free! Many natural deodorants contain baking soda. While baking soda isn’t necessarily bad, a lot of people have sensitivities or reactions to baking soda on their underarms (including me!). This is why we set out to create a natural deodorant that is baking soda-free. We hope with this information you’ll be better equipped to make the transition and start making the change to a healthier body. Like one that sweats regularly! Check out what one recent customer had to say: “I LOVE this deodorant and the new packaged tubes. I’ve been searching for a natural deodorant that didn’t give me a rash and I think it was the baking soda in the other brands I tried that I reacted to! Finally a deodorant I can trust and rely on to make it through my day without my co-workers commenting on my body odor. Win!’ We have two different options for our natural deodorant. Our Extra-Strength Deodorant Cream or our newly packaged Herbal Deodorant Sticks. Same great recipe, new awesome packaging. Have a natural deodorant story you want to share? Give us a shout! We’d love to hear about it. Until next time! 🙂