The Best Yoga Shorts
Get ready for the summer with these yoga biker shorts.
Get ready for the summer with these yoga biker shorts.
Live Be Yoga Ambassador Monica Cadena discusses why she runs and what she does to prepare for a training run.
St. John's Wort can possibly alleviate depression, help detoxify the liver, reduce scarring, and more. It has many other possible benefits, such as wound healing and scar prevention, relieving symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and hot flashes, and enhancing liver detoxification. Its rich content of antioxidants is also important for the brain, as well as more generalized healing. The herb can possibly activate some liver enzymes, enhancing the breakdown of pharmaceutical drugs and toxins. Overall, the herb might melt away anxiety and lift one's mood.
Research shows that Vitamin C might be able to help maintain skin firmness and elasticity by supporting the construction of collagen, the skin’s primary building block. Vitamin C could also possibly increase skin brightness by reducing the enzymes that cause dark spots and blotches. Humans are unable to synthesize vitamin C, and even if you ingest high doses, only a small fraction will be biologically available and active in the skin. That’s why it might be important to make topical vitamin C part of your skincare routine.
During cold and flu season, good nutrition and basic precautions—such as washing your hands often and keeping your distance from people who are sick—can help keep you healthy, but there are a few supplements that science has backed as helpful boosts. Elderberry is a natural remedy that might be able to help stave off sickness and speed up recovery. In lab studies, scientists have found that extracts of European elderberry work in two ways: They can block the ability of various flu viruses to invade and infect cells, which stops the virus from replicating. And, they can activate an immune response to fight the virus in cells that have already been infected.
If you’re not a modern-day jump rope connoisseur, then you likely remember jump ropes as those flimsy, plastic ropes that you used during recess as a child. However, for workout gurus, jump ropes are a big deal and come with a ton of bells and whistles. From sturdy, coated steel cables to lightweight handles to “no-tangle” features to lifetime warranties, jump ropes can get pretty sophisticated. Which one is right for your workout? We’ve outlined some of our favorites below.
Berberine is found in several plants, including goldenseal, goldthread, and phellodendron. Supplements containing the chemical can help to regulate blood sugar, reduce cholesterol, and provide digestive support. The effects can last up to 20 hours, so many people can take it once per day to feel the benefits. The body most easily absorbs berberine hydrochloride, which can cause a stronger heartbeat and ease the negative effects of high blood sugar. Lesser known benefits of the supplement include increased concentration and memory, as well as weight loss aid. When adding a berberine supplement to your routine, consider the dosage, the other components of the complex, and the number of capsules per bottle. Keep reading for our top berberine picks on the market.
Going on vacation is something we usually look forward to, but travel can present its own challenges, and unfamiliar activities can leave you sore, achy, tired, or even sick. Luckily, there are simple ways to treat most common travel-related complaints. A natural medicine chest filled with just a few herbs can help you enjoy the trip. To treat minor injuries yourself, arnica can be taken internally as a homeopathic remedy. It reduces swelling and bruising and decreases the effects of trauma, which helps the body heal. To speed recovery further, apply arnica gel on sore or bruised areas (but not on open wounds).
Echinacea is a coneflower used to increase the number of white blood cells. Among the three most popular types of echinacea, David Winston, RH (AHG), a registered herbalist, recommends taking the strongest, Echinacea angustifolia, alone or in combination with Echinacea purpurea and/or Echinacea pallida. Like andrographis, echinacea stimulates the immune system, but in a different way. The key when taking echinacea is to make sure that you get the correct dose. "There are good German studies," says Winston, "showing that if you drop below a certain threshold of the dose, it just doesn't work."
It’s important to regularly take vitamin supplements to ensure that you are at your healthiest. Designed for men, the daily pills in this list will provide many of the same benefits as women’s supplements, including a healthy immune system to keep you from catching illnesses.
Holistic paediatrician Elisa Song, MD, has been helping parents navigate cold and flu seasons for years. The mother to two daughters and founder of Whole Family Wellness clinic in Belmont, California, Song knows a thing or two about preventing and treating nasty bugs. “As the cold and flu season approaches, every parent wants to know the same thing,” says Song. “What can I do to boost my child’s immune system?” In addition to common sense measures, such as eliminating junk food from your child’s diet and making sure sleep is a priority, Song has found that certain remedies give a child’s body “that extra defense to more effectively ward off and fight colds and flus.” Here are four of her favorites—be sure to stock up on them now!
Taking good care of your body is essential to any workout routine, and one of the best ways to ease your muscles after working out is with a soothing ice wrap. Cold therapy can allow your body to repair itself more efficiently, leading to better, stronger workouts. These soft gel packs adjust to the curve of your body and offer instant relief for any sore or tense muscles. With a variety of sizing, temperature levels and flexibilities, you’re sure to find the perfect ice wrap for your needs.
Aromatherapy can be one of the best ways to enhance your meditation or stretching session, and these essential oils each evoke a variety of feelings, and some can help relieve sinuses stuffiness. But don’t be fooled by the small bottles—essential oils are extracted and formulated to be highly potent and one needs to use only a couple of drops, so these therapeutic oils will last you for months to come. A variety of scent profiles and sizes, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
There are many different kinds of therapy balls and which is best for you depends on what kind of use you hope to get out of it. For instance, exercise balls are great for improving your balance and core strength, while massage therapy balls help to relieve tension in your muscles. Thinking about picking up a therapy ball? Check out our guide to the best therapy balls on the market below.
Yoga gloves are a great addition if you’ve noticed yourself slipping during your routine. These breathable gloves have gripping technology to keep you anchored in place while you hold your pose so that you can focus on your breathing instead. Most yoga gloves are fingerless so that you can still stretch your fingers and enjoy the feel of the mat beneath you. Think you should invest in some yoga gloves? Look no further; we’ve rounded up a list of our favorites.
Athletic sandals are one of our favorite shoes because they are so flexible and light. They’re great to slip on before and after yoga class and for your general everyday use, but they’re also sturdy enough to wear on a hike. Most athletic sandals are also waterproof, making them great for trips to the beach.Interested in buying a pair for yourself? Check out our guide to the best athletic sandals on the market right now.
Resistance bands are a key tool for pilates and help you to stretch and strengthen your muscles. These bands often come in various different “strengths,” which provide different levels of resistance. The right resistance level will depend on your expertise and the workout you are doing. Interested in buying some resistance bands for pilates? Check out our guide to the best resistance bands on the market right now.
Yoga pillows are a great addition to all of your favorite poses, whether you’re using a long rectangular bolster or a pillow. These are often like normal pillows, but firmer, and are great at getting you to relax in your pose or for meditation. Think you need a yoga pillow but not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Check out our favorites below.
Hemp balms are great for relieving skin pain, especially those caused by persistent conditions like eczema. These creams are made with hemp extract and often use only organic and natural ingredients. Containing omega-three fatty acids and other vitamins, these creams will hydrate your skin and relieve inflammation, redness, and itchiness. Think you should invest in some hemp balm? We’ve put together a list of our favorites below.