Kelley Rawlsky

Anise hyssop and hyssop are in the mint family of plants and have been used in traditional herbal medicine.

Modern-day use of echinacea includes decreasing the severity and duration of cold or flu. It is also used to treat respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections from either viral or bacterial causes. In addition, echinacea has been described as being helpful for tonsillitis, cellulitis and gum disease.

Moving here from a state filled with hair-frizzing high humidity and ample rain was eye-opening to say the least. I had to quickly learn how to garden in a dry climate. I also had to learn how to not turn into a prune. The lack of humidity, as well as the normal aging process, can be very drying to some individuals. For me, this looks like dry skin, eyes, nose and throat.

So, yes, plants do emit sound. We humans simply cannot hear it without the help of technology. Plant bioacoustics is a relatively new field focusing on the sound waves created by plants. Unfortunately, I was not able to find direct research on whether infrasonic sounds made by plants might be beneficial for us or not. However, if I were to speculate, it would be a resounding “yes!”

Mimosa trees always seemed magical to me, as though they were the playgrounds of the fairies. The fragrant, flamingo-colored flowers resembled cotton candy.

Garden bugs and animals that gather around in a Colorado garden

I agree with the fox. It has been hot and dry lately. When I am feeling a little hot under the collar, either from the environment or some other cause, I turn to cooling herbs. In the vitalist tradition of herbalism, herbs are classified into different energetic actions. The following are herbs that are considered cool in nature. Some of these can be enjoyed during the day and would make a lovely iced tea, while others can be quite relaxing.

Does anyone else have imposter syndrome? This is a bizarre psychological trait in which folks, despite being well educated and high achieving, persistently doubt their own competence.

Bee balm flowers are edible and the petals are used to make Oswego tea Last year, I divided some yellow coneflowers and replanted them in various empty spots around our yard.

St. Vincent's Medical Center shares six reasons why we should eat more tomatoes on its website. Tomatoes are an excellent source of antioxidants, which contribute to better overall health. Lycopene, in particular, is a compound that can protect cells from being damaged and reduce inflammation. (