Viruses “do their damage by invading human cells, taking over the machinery, and replicating themselves like mad,” says Heather Moday, M.D., an allergist and immunologist who is board-certified in integrative and holistic medicine. There are no targeted medical treatments for viruses—antiviral medications may lessen the severity of symptoms, but they don’t stop the virus directly. Many antiviral herbs have been studied, primarily in vitro, but it’s important to know that human research is very limited, and more is needed before making definitive statements about the effects of natural antivirals....

Albeit necessary, condoms are a single-use product, which contributes to waste. That said, there are ways to be more thoughtful about the condoms you purchase. Some people assume condoms are just automatically vegan, but that’s not always the case. Most condoms are made from latex, which is a plant-based product. However, some latex condoms are made smooth by resting in a bath of casein (a milk byproduct), which makes them non-vegan, integrative gynecologist Shawn Tassone, M....

Astaxanthin (asta-ZAN-thin), the pigment that makes salmon and flamingos that nice shade of pink, is actually a potent carotenoid that may help protect your skin from wrinkles and other signs of aging.* Here, find out why astaxanthin deserves a starring role in your skin care routine and what other amazing health benefits it has. The body does produce some of these free radical scavengers itself, but we rely on diet and supplements for many antioxidants1....

Depending on your needs, there are two main types of meal delivery services: prepared entrées and meal kits. Heat-and-eat options are perfect for those times when you only have a few minutes to spare for your next meal, while a meal kit is a great pick for those who want to feel some semblance of normalcy but don’t have the time to prep (let alone shop for) ingredients. Regardless of your preference, there are plenty of reliable options that make it easy for new parents to scarf down a nutrient-packed meal during nap time....

We can have cords to places as well. Perhaps you were not happy in the city you lived in, so you moved to a new one. Things have started well, but after the first few months, you find certain patterns repeating themselves, even if there is no good reason. For example, you used to feel nervous walking home at night alone in your city, but now you live somewhere very safe and friendly, but you still keep doing the same things you did to feel safe walking alone....

The Healthy Home report contained a lot of advice that you’ve heard before in mbg headlines: Kick your shoes off at the door, add plants to your space, be mindful of your humidity levels, etc. But its warning on candles gave us pause: “If you use candles or incense, you are creating small combustion sources inside your home,” the report reads. “The evidence is clear—in homes with candles or incense burning, there is a sharp increase in airborne particles, sometimes reaching levels that are higher than what is typically measured outside in US cities....

Before we go on, we should note: Fine lines happen to us all at some point, and they are signs of a life well lived. Crow’s feet, for example, signal years spent laughing and smiling—and that’s a beautiful thing. “When we start to have less collagen and elastic fibers in skin as it ages, this very thin skin shows lines earliest,” explains board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD. That thin skin is also why the area is more sensitive to sun damage, pollution, and oxidative stress—all of which can contribute to sagging skin and wrinkles....