According to TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), there are many different pathologies that may result in your experience of PMS and menstrual cramps. Whenever a new patient comes into my practice, I make sure all of their past medical history is discussed so I can paint a clear picture of what is presently going on in his or her body and why. The “why” is looking at the patient’s environment, her lifestyle, and her emotions to pinpoint how the current situation came to be....

Here’s what to know about the popular adaptogen and exactly how to use it to find calm.* It is one of the most revered plant medicines in Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine originating in India more than 3,000 years ago. Today, many people refer to ashwagandha as an “adaptogen,” meaning it can increase our body’s power to adapt to and counter various stressors, but in traditional Ayurveda, it is known as a “rasayana” or a “rejuvenator....

You can’t fall asleep, let alone catch the quality zzz’s that are crucial for your well-being. You’re frustrated, you’re exhausted—but there’s one option that you may not have considered yet to promote a peaceful night of rest: the best CBD gummies for sleep.* Instead, these phytocannabinoids are thought to interact with cannabinoid receptors in unique ways to help promote a steadier mood and better stress management.* As a result, many people think CBD helps you fall asleep—but it’s often just a side effect of your body’s more relaxed state from introducing balancing and calm-promoting phytocannabinoids into the endocannabinoid system....

Unfortunately, there is no check and balance in our food system to assess how food and food additives interact with our microbiome. Foods are generally regarded as safe (AKA—GRAS status1) by the FDA based on their toxicity to us, not our microbiota. And while extensive research shows that the quantity and diversity of plant-based foods promote a healthy and robust microbiome, we are just beginning to understand the safety and impact that additives like emulsifiers in our alternative milks have on our microbes....

For some, these birds have the reputation of being loud, aggressive, and mean. However, certain cultures see them as lucky or a symbol of good things to come. And according to animal spiritualist Jordana Van, seeing a blue jay a lot within a short period of time could indicate it’s coming to you as a force of spiritual guidance. The throat is one of the body’s main channels for creativity, and birds in general are representatives of the air element, which is all about communication, she notes....

This is because it’s the only product that can protect your skin from sun damage, something that can trigger all sorts of negative effects on the skin—some of which you’d look to those extra products to treat. Here, skin experts go over what we know about sun damage thus far and what to do about it. When these cells are damaged it leads to genetic defects and mutations. These, in turn, can manifest in a few different ways including: For this reason and more, you should prioritize sun damage prevention (more on that in a bit), even if certain physical effects of sun damage such as fine lines and dark spots can be treated over time....

To make sure you’re getting enough antioxidants, aim to eat a rainbow of whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbs, nuts, and seeds. (The more colorful your plate—the better.) Produce high in vitamin C1—like red bell peppers, broccoli, and oranges—are especially important. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, “Vitamin C is a necessary cofactor2 in collagen synthesis,”* says Brittany Modell, M.S., R.D., CDN. This essential nutrient is actually required by specific enzymes involved in collagen formation on the daily....