A few years back I took a trip to Nepal, and spent nearly a month hiking through the Annapurna mountain range. It was absolutely breathtaking scenery, to say the least—miles of trails on which we rarely saw other people. Other than a daily dose of donkeys and porters, our encounters […]
Herbal Medicine
A Holistic Approach to Stress
Whether you need just a few extra minutes of calm in your day or more long-term stress relief, Pharmaca offers a variety of different approaches to beating anxiety. And don’t forget—helping your body better cope with stress can go a long way toward optimal health and reducing your risk for […]
The Ins and Outs of Immunity-Boosting Herbs
Ever wonder what is it about Echinacea that helps fight colds? Or why practitioners often recommend elderberry? Anne Salazar-Dunbar, herbalist and lead practitioner at our La Jolla store, tells us about these immune-boosting herbs. Echinacea Echinacea’s ability to boost the immune system’s performance has been extensively documented over the years. […]
Back Pain Relief Now
Back pain can be debilitating, whether it’s the result of trauma or simply a pulled muscle. But there are natural solutions that can help your body heal, reduce inflammation and offer relief. We spoke with Matthew Becker, herbalist and lead practitioner at our north Boulder store, about what he recommends […]
Adaptogens in Focus: Holy Basil
Each time I think about writing a new adaptogen piece I find myself saying, “Oh now this is my favorite adaptogenic herb…” I guess it’s pointless to try and play favorites when they all have their perfect place and time for use, right? That being said, this plant we’ll talk […]
Adaptogens in Focus: Rhodiola
On nearly every continent, there are plants that contain particular substances and chemicals capable of altering the human physiological and emotional reaction to stress. Known for thousands of years and utilized by cultures around the globe, these healing herbs and fungi—what we now call adaptogens—convey a resistance to chemical, physical […]
Natural Relief for Yeast Infections and Candida
Experts think that more than 100 million Americans suffer from yeast overgrowth, commonly called candida. Women often experience it as a vaginal yeast infection, and it’s one of the most common reasons women go to the doctor. It’s also one of the most common health complaints we see at Pharmaca. […]
Herbal Remedy: Nettle (Stinging Nettle)
Hopefully you haven’t had many real life encounters with nettle (Urtica Dioica)—also called “stinging nettle,” it grows in temperate climates and its stinging hairs and leaves can cause nasty hives. The hives, formally called urticaria, produce pale red, itchy, raised bumps (in fact, the Latin root of Urtica is uro […]
Herbal Remedy: Turmeric
Even if you’ve never taken turmeric as a supplement, there’s a good chance you’ve tasted it; it’s a common spice and kitchen staple used in almost all Indian dishes, as well as many Thai and Persian foods. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) grows mainly in southern and southeast Asia and is known […]
Herbal Remedy: Ginger
There’s a reason ginger ale has long been the go-to remedy for anyone with an upset stomach: Ginger is an important aid for digestion–and a variety of other health concerns. Ginger (zingiber officinale) is most commonly grown in India, China, Indonesia, Mexico, Nepal and Thailand. A member of the zingiberaceae […]