Good health is something that’s far too easy to take for granted sometimes. When we’re down for the count with a cold or flu—stuck in bed congested, coughing, waking up in the grip of that icky malaise and fatigue—that’s when we fully appreciate and miss what it feels like to be full of health and vitality. Saying you feel awful when you’re sick is a bit like saying water is wet. Why is it exactly that a cold or flu bug will make us feel this way? ... Continue Reading

North America’s herbal medicine story is rooted in Hispanic and pre-Hispanic culture. The use of medicinal herbs was first recorded in the new world by the pre-Hispanic cultures of the Aztecs. The history of herbal medicines in North America cannot be fully understood without looking at the large part Hispanic cultures have played in understanding these herbs as natural medicines, alongside their many uses. Hispanic traditional herbal medicine has ... Continue Reading

Now that the heat of summer has passed, it’s time to get back into the kitchen. Did you know Flora offers a selection of premium culinary oils? There are six delicious varieties to try, whether you want to whip up some salad dressing, a dinner entree, or a sweet treat.  Before you get cooking, though, it’s important to know a bit more about your oils. Why Unrefined? Refined oils are extracted using heat, which can result in the loss of nutrients, f... Continue Reading

As featured @onbetterliving Made with citrus, ginger, turmeric, apple cider vinegar, and omega rich Udo’s Oil 3-6-9 Blend from Flora, these immune “shots” are bursting with powerful nutrients that can help support your immune system and act as a digestive aid. Plus, they only take a few minutes to prep! Healthy, delicious, and packed with plant-based nutrients with medicinal qualities, these Ginger Turmeric Omega Immune Shots will nourish your sy... Continue Reading

A lot of people reach for elderberry at the first sign of an immune challenge, or even take it on the regular to fend off the nasties once the weather turns cold. We’re big fans of the stuff ourselves. But in recent years, there’s been some concern that elderberry could cause a cytokine storm — a harmful overactivation of the immune system. Is this a valid concern? Or much ado about nothing? What Are Cytokines? Cytokines are chemical messengers of ... Continue Reading

Fall has arrived! Time to get out your sweaters and fuzzy socks, shop for apples and pears at the farmers’ market, and take walks as fallen leaves crunch underfoot. It’s also an ideal time for a cleanse. Many herbalists recommend cleansing four times a year, specifically at the change of the seasons. Cleansing is a good way to mark the transition from one time of year to another…a time to go inward, do some self-care, let go of the old and be open ... Continue Reading

As previously posted on @onbetterliving Iron is a big deal when it comes to energy production in the body. But this essential trace mineral is also important when it comes to the health of our hair, skin, and nails. Why? The reason lies within the structure of our red blood cells.Our red blood cells have one main job: carrying oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our body where it’s used to transform the food we eat into cellular energy so our cell... Continue Reading

Udo's Oil Recipe: Healthy Nutty Banana Cream Protein Shake A healthy spin on the flavors of a creamy and delicious banana cream pie, this probiotic rich, protein rich shake is free of refined sugar and also has a boost of plant-based omega-3s from Udo’s Oil 3·6·9 Blend!   If you love banana cream pie but don’t feel good about all the sugar, fat, and calories that come with it, then you’ll love this recipe for our Healthy Nutty Banana Cream Protein ... Continue Reading

What to Look for in a Children's Multivitamin As previously featured on onbetterliving.com If you want to set your child up for success, feeding them a balanced diet with a variety of whole foods is the key to helping them grow up healthy while supporting their development. But for many parents, it’s easier said than done. A study published in JAMA analyzing the diets of American children from 1999 to 2016 found that more than half (56%) had nutrit... Continue Reading

The Basics of Good Health and Nutrition – Filling in the gaps There is a gap in our understanding of health that leads to gaps in our diets and nutrition. The first gap occurs between us and what we learn from school and parents, from government, from doctors, health experts, health magazines and podcasts. They may focus on the physiology of disease or the benefits of specific superfoods and special diets, but I believe there are other, often-forg... Continue Reading

11 Important Health Benefits of Getting Enough Iron  As previously featured on onbetterliving.com Getting enough iron can provide us with a variety of benefits while helping to prevent health concerns like iron deficiency anemia, fatigue, weakness, and more.* If you’re concerned about your health, you most likely make sure you get enough of the big vitamins and minerals like Vitamins A, C, D and calcium. But there's one nutrient in our diet we ofte... Continue Reading

Herbal Medicine: Synergy in Action Flora’s Burnaby, British Columbia office is located a stone’s throw right across the street from the Fraser River Foreshore Park, a large park sprawling east-west along the Fraser River. The park is home to eagles, heron, and many other types of bird, coyote, beavers, squirrels, and sometimes even seals in the river. It’s also a great place for an herb walk in spring and summer. I’ve found of course the ubiquitous... Continue Reading