"Healthy Empowerment"

As the holidays approach, our minds are on many things--securing gifts for loved ones, accommodating guests, and preparing our favorite foods and traditions--but it is also an important time to keep our immune systems in mind! Colder weather keeps us indoors where sickness is more likely to spread, and visiting family and friends can inadvertently bring pathogens into your home. It is more important now than ever to take steps to ensure your immune response is strong and healthy and ready to fight off sicknesses. To avoid feeling under the weather during the holidays this year, try some of the herbs, formulas, and supplements listed below!

The heart is perhaps the body's strongest and most tireless muscle, never ceasing in its mission to provide the rest of the body with nutrients and oxygen. It's a thankless job; not only do we often not remember to appreciate our hearts, but our modern diet and lifestyle seems to only add more stress to our cardiovascular systems. Cardiovascular disease is among the biggest health concerns in the world today, with rates rising from 12.1 million in 1990 to 20.5 million in 2021. Because of the crucial role blood flow plays in the rest of our bodies' ability to function, ensuring the health of our hearts might be one of the best things we can do for our overall health. Read on to discover some of our favorite herbs and supplements to support your heart.

We all know that staying active is an important part of maintaining good health, but what happens when joint pain and stiffness prevent us from doing so? Several factors contribute to deteriorating joints, such as injuries, overuse, chronic conditions, and old age. Whatever the reason they may be bothering you, there are many natural ways to find relief. Read on to learn about the many herbs, formulas, and other supplements to soothe and restore aching joints.

Poor metabolism (in other words, the ability of your body to optimally convert food into energy) is one of the biggest health concerns in America today. In a world where sugary, processed foods are almost always conveniently within reach, our bodies' ability to manage glucose is put to the test--and many of us are struggling. Related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues are on the rise, together affecting nearly half of the American population.

Thankfully, along with adjustments to diet and lifestyle, natural herbal supplements can make a difference in the way your body reacts to and manages glucose, promoting healthy blood sugar levels and metabolic function. Continue reading to learn about some of our favorite supplements for managing blood sugar and improving sensitivity to insulin.

In the world of health, several issues affect men disproportionately or even exclusively. Men are two to five times more likely to develop heart disease, with young men being much more susceptible to the condition than young women. In addition, men are about two times more likely than women to suffer from diabetes or prediabetes, especially when testosterone levels are low. Added to that are the symptoms associated with male aging, from hair loss to decreased stamina and prostate enlargement. Fortunately, for a man looking to improve his health naturally, there is a large variety of herbs, mushrooms, and formulas with just the nutrients he needs to support testosterone levels, prostate care, cardiovascular support, metabolism, and more. Read on to learn about some of our favorite herbal solutions for men's health care.

So you've just brought a new human being into the world - congratulations! A new adventure is about to begin, one where you discover your ability to nurture, guide, and protect. The beginning stages after welcoming a baby can be challenging; not only are you adjusting to life as a new parent, but mothers may also be dealing with problems like hormone imbalance, pain and bleeding, fatigue, and trouble lactating. You may also have questions, such as: "How can I support postpartum health naturally?", "Are there herbs that can boost milk supply?", and "Which herbs are safe for me to take while breastfeeding?"

This week's blog will answer these questions and more, introducing several herbs that assist with lactation, hormonal balance, and repairing and nourishing your healing body.

If you have found that you're expecting, and now you want to know how to support your pregnancy naturally, you've come to the right place! Read on to learn about which herbs are safe to take while pregnant and for a list of herbs, supplements, and formulas that can help contribute to health during pregnancy and support fetal development.

For many people, there is little venture as exciting as starting a family. From preconception to pregnancy to postpartum, there is a lot to consider when it comes to ensuring a healthy pregnancy, mother, and child, and we understand how important it is to ensure optimal health throughout this entire process.

This is the first of a three-part series focusing on the stages of reproduction, beginning with preconception. Here we will focus on reproductive health and fertility, providing you with the best herbs and formulas for the early days of trying for a baby.

We all have those days where we feel tired, sluggish, and unenthusiastic about anything except crawling back into bed. While the key to maintaining energy naturally lies in staying hydrated, eating nourishing foods, and getting enough rest at night, sometimes, we just need an extra boost to get ourselves through the day. Caffeinated beverages like coffee wake us up temporarily, but they come with jitters, high blood pressure, and the inevitable crash when our supply runs out. Thankfully, you don't have to choose between caffeine and fatigue—there are plenty of natural supplements that can promote long-lasting, sustainable energy.

Respiration is among the most vital functions of life, and the importance of our lung health cannot be understated. When we inhale, our lungs work together with our vascular system to supply oxygen, a key ingredient in cellular reactions, all throughout our bodies. As we exhale, we remove carbon dioxide and other waste from the body–a whopping 70% of our body’s waste is eliminated by breathing.

While our lungs are powerful, they are also vulnerable to infection by bacteria or viruses. There are over 200 different viruses that can cause upper respiratory infection, and inflammatory diseases such as asthma are common, affecting about 10% of people across the world. Knowing this, you may be wondering what you can do to prevent these issues and improve the health of your lungs. Read on to learn about some of the best natural remedies for the respiratory system.

As fellow animal lovers, we at Christopher's Herb Shop know as well as anyone how much you love and care for your pets. Like humans, these furry members of our families can be susceptible to health issues such as joint pain, allergies, anxiety, and more. In this blog post, we'll go over which herbal supplements are safe for dogs and cats, as well as highlight several pet-friendly products.

As the largest organ in our body, our skin plays a very important role in our health, wellness, and bodily function. It is also the most exposed organ in our body, and can easily experience drying, cracking, UV ray damage, and other skin cell damage. In addition, as we get older, our body produces less collagen, causing wrinkles and weakening of the skin. Thankfully, there are several herbs that can contribute to maintaining healthy skin and reduce signs of aging. Read below to learn about some of our favorite herbal skincare products and the ingredients that make them effective.