Like most herbs, comfrey grows wild or cultivated as a perennial plant in various places of the world. There are several varieties of this herb, and the most useful for medicinal purposes is the Russian Comfrey, or Symphytum x uplandicum. While internal uses of comfrey are considered controversial even among practicing herbalists, it is not necessary to ingest comfrey to reap its greatest medicinal benefits. Used externally, comfrey is completely safe, even for babies, and it is in its use as a wound dressing that comfrey’s magic shines through. The next time you get a wound, sprain your ankle, burn yourself, or even break a bone, turn to comfrey for comfort.

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I experienced one of the worst headaches of my life when someone, in an attempt to be thoughtful, placed one of those liquid air fresheners on the headboard of my bed. For six hours or so I breathed that stuff in, and when I woke up it felt like someone was trying to split my head open . . . from the inside. Although the bedroom is supposed to be a place of rest and rejuvenation, the air quality in the average bedroom is poor and sometimes toxic. The standard mattress outgasses chemicals for years after it’s purchased. Most people have no idea that they are sleeping on a mattress manufactured with formaldehyde and various carcinogenic chemicals. Your bed may be making you sick.

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You often hear that fiber is necessary for good intestinal health, but what exactly is fiber? Fiber is that portion of grains, fruits, and vegetables that is not digested by your system. Soluble fiber can dissolve relatively easily in water and eventually transforms itself into a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, passes through the intestines nearly unchanged. The bulk and the soft texture of fiber help to prevent the hard, dry stools associated with constipation. On the whole, individuals who eat a fiber-rich diet are less likely to become constipated. Conversely, eating foods high in fats, such as cheeses, eggs and meats can also trigger chronic constipation.