Many people know of Doctors Without Borders, but you may be surprised to learn that practitioners of alternative and complementary medicine are similarly active. Herbalists Without Borders is a local and global network of volunteers that travel to communities that have been impacted by natural disasters, violent conflicts, poverty, and other situations and have limited access to good health and wellness care

Taking care of yourself means eating right, exercising and drinking plenty of water, among other things. Sometimes you may need to take a pill - be it to fight a headache, treat an ongoing health issue or get the vitamins your body needs. If you can take pills without issue, that’s great. But, swallowing pills is a major challenge for many people. In fact, around 40% of American adults have difficulty swallowing pills. The reasons vary from physical to psychological. For example, some people find pills cause a bad aftertaste or make them gag. Having difficulty swallowing pills, however, can affect your supplement intake, which may negatively impact your plans for supporting health and nutrition.

Herbal remedies have the power to support your wellness goals and even treat certain ailments. For example, ginger aids digestive health, elderberry helps support your immune system and turmeric can help reduce inflammation.

If you’re interested in how effective herbal remedies can be, and which ones to use in support of your health goals, it is helpful to learn different ways to use your favorite herbs. Here are five common ways you can use herbs in your day-to-day life as you work toward wellness.

The benefits of vitamins are undeniable. From boosting your immune system to giving you greater energy to get through the day, taking vitamins will help you feel and perform at your best. Yet vitamins are only helpful if you remember to take them. What can you do if you struggle with this? Here are 9 tricks to help you remember to take your vitamins.

Herbalism, the practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants, has a history that spans thousands of years. It predates recorded history and forms the origin of much of modern medicine. Herbalism has also influenced many cultures, as countries such as South Africa, India and China have established their own unique herbal traditions. Interest in this form of medicine has transcended its origins, as about 80% of people in the world use herbalism, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

With herbalism, leaves, seeds, bark, flowers, and other plant parts are carefully selected to treat specific conditions. Since these plant parts are potent, they should be used as directed by a skilled practitioner. That’s where an herbalist comes in.

If you're struggling to get the sleep you need, you are not alone! One in three adults don’t get enough sleep on a regular basis. Getting enough quality sleep for 7 to 8 hours a night is crucial for your mental and physical health. This is true whether you’re in your twenties or your eighties. The benefits of a full night’s sleep include being sick less often, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing stress, improving your mood, and thinking more clearly. Improving your deep sleep can also reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. So how can we sleep better?

Radish & Yogurt Photos © Ellen Silverman for Kyle Books

by Robyn Youkilis, Certified Health Coach

“My biggest shift in body, weight, and mind happened when I focused on nourishing my gut and taking care of myself from the inside out.”

Gut Health is Linked to Total Health

Your gut is the center of your being. Yes, it digests and assimilates nutrients from the food that you eat, but it does so much more than just that. It’s where the majority of your immune system resides, and it plays an important role in your mood and hormones. So if something’s off in your digestive system, it can show up as excess weight and bloating, but it can also show up as poor sleep, chronic anxiety, embarrassing acne, fatigue, and more.  

Photo Courtesy of Alaska Seafood

D’ya know how your heart soars when you unexpectedly see someone you love?  When you laugh heartily with old friends?  When you kiss your sweet child goodnight?

Have you tried Golden Milk? This warm, flavorful beverage has kept baristas and health food bars hopping over the past few years. Calista D., New Chapter employee, makes Golden Milk at home after a long day at work—especially during the colder months of winter.

Fermentation is a chemical transformation that happens when compounds are broken down or metabolized. Fermentation is a process of “becoming.” It happens thanks to the life process of tiny beings—friendly microbes such as yeast and bacteria whose own life cycles and metabolisms help us humans stay healthy and fed. Milk meets a simple life form and becomes easily digestible yogurt. Cabbage can become kimchi, grapes become wine, and flour becomes bread.