The World’s Flower Saffron, known scientifically as Crocus sativus, is more than just the world's most expensive spice; it's a treasure trove of rich history, culture, and traditional properties that spans continents and centuries. In the realm of Ayurveda, saffron is not merely a spice but a symbol of purity and a key to balancing the body's unique energies, offering mood enhancement and fertility benefits which are now very well elucidated in research in modern times. Additionally, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where saffron's circulation-boosting and spirit calming properties are revered, saffron’s role in mind/spirit harmony is once again highlighted. Again,...

As the summer comes to an end, we turn our attention to the changing seasons and of course, the full swing of the back to school season.  In Ayurveda, as autumn sets in, it is characterized by the ascension of the Vata energy as the dominant movement expressed by nature. Vata energy is considered a combination of two of the 5 elements of nature: air and ether, which can be conceptualized as “the space between.” As a result of these 2 primordial forces rising, which we call Vata energy, increases in dryness, coldness, and winds naturally occur. We watch as...

Our bones are the deepest tissue of the body and all 206 of them are constantly remodeling themselves throughout our lifespan. They are a reservoir of minerals encasing the marrow that makes our blood, and they quite literally give us form to carry us through life. It is perhaps this endurance that makes them so fascinating, but as we get older and their resilience deteriorates, we must reciprocate the energy to keep them strong as they have for us all these years. Fortunately, our bones, like the rest of our body and mind, are always ready to heal and be...

As the harvest moon approaches, the season of fall is in full swing. The air is brisk, and the hours of daylight are noticeably diminishing. Often, we begin spending more time indoors, enjoying the warmth and comforts of home. We tend to exercise less and eat a bit more, usually, craving foods that make us feel good, temporarily; foods that contain increased amounts of sugar and fat. With Halloween right around the corner, it is important to avoid overindulging in sugary treats in order to maintain balance in mind and body. Similar to the autumn air, the qualities of vata...