In the cold months, hot cocoa is my favorite delivery mechanism for medicinal herbs—for kids and adults. Here are two therapeutic cocoa recipes—one boosts immune function with astragalus and licorice, the other is an “adaptogenic” formula made with ashwagandha and licorice.

Herbs and spices are foundational to anti-inflammatory eating. They are the basis of traditional cuisines and medicine systems around the world. This talk for Health Practitioners explains the science behind herbs and spices anti-inflammatory powers, and how to help patients incorporate them into their daily lives.

How I made friends with Low FODMAPS and why you may want to, also.

IBS is categorized as a “functional disorder,” which means that while everything may feel wrong inside, nothing looks especially wrong on colonoscopies or in blood tests. This can make people feel crazy—and especially women, who IBS disproportionately impacts, and who are routinely made to feel that they’re crazy anyway.

Here's my favorite version of overnight oats, full of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals and good omega 3 fats.

You can feel it in the lower part of your belly, beneath your belly button, and it makes you double over. Or you might experience it higher up, under your rib cage, and it’s hard to take a deep breath. People describe it as sharp, pointy, stabby. Some call it stomach cramps. Often, it’s from trapped gas. My go-to herb to relieve these symptoms is catnip.

In this talk, I explain how the phytochemicals plants make to protect and heal themselves in a complex ecology become medicine we can use to build strength and resilience against stressors in our own world.

People often ask me what herbal medicine is, and whether I “believe” it works. But herbal medicine is not a belief system. It’s chemicals and science. Coffee wakes you up because of phytochemicals that are found in the plant. (Phyto = plant.)

The surprising link between marital distress, leaky gut and chronic inflammation

A deeply flavorful, and super simple, dish that highlights okra, garden tomatoes, cilantro and a sprinkle of feta.

These sweet potato cookies are one of my all-time favorite recipes from my upcoming book. They are super easy to make and full of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals. Kids will love them, and adults too!

Balm is the key word in lemon balm. It soothes anxiety, calms digestive upset, and lifts the spirit. Which is not surprising, because Its unique package of phytochemicals works at the intersection of the gut, nervous and immune system.

New science shows how the gut, nervous system, immune system and the human microbiome talk to each other.