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But before I booked myself a treatment, I did a little research on the lymphatic system, as I needed a refresher myself. The lymphatic system is one of the buzzy wellness terms that gets tossed around a lot, and not always justifiably. You’ll hear about it a lot with facial rollers (to drain the face’s lymphatic fluid) and dry brushing (to get your body’s system going in the morning). Joanna Vargas is a celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skincare....

Valerian has long been used as a mild sedative, but research into its efficacy as a sleep aid has brought up some mixed results. One 1996 study on 121 patients1 found that dried valerian root could decrease insomnia symptoms when taken at bedtime for 28 days, compared to a placebo. However, during a more recent trial on 16 women with insomnia, valerian did not appear to improve sleep2 after two weeks....

Much of the malachite you’ll see today often has bands or stripes of dark and light green. It can be tumbled into smaller stones, and there’s also something called “velvet malachite,” which features tiny needlelike formations, Leavy says. Malachite can also be found naturally alongside azurite, sometimes forming into one bigger crystal. Other formations include “botryoidal formations,” which look like bubbles, as well as fan-like formations of longer crystals. Leavy says malachite has been used historically throughout ancient Egypt, Greece, and medieval Europe for everything from makeup to protection amulets....

Having a baby has also made me much more realistic about how I apply zero-waste principles to my life. It’s reminded me that there are things we can do every day and some things that might be just a bit too hard due to lack of sleep or time. And that’s OK. I started testing cloth diapers after learning that single-use, disposable ones take over 400 years to break down in landfills, leaching methane gas and contributing to the greenhouse effect in the process....

Thanks to your body’s hardworking organs and complex antioxidant networks, detoxification is a natural, built-in process that takes place all day, every day—no special “detox diets” necessary. For example, mbg’s daily detox+ is led by glutathione (a master antioxidant in the realm of detox support) and also contains N-acetyl-L-cysteine—a vital player in the detoxification process that replenishes antioxidants in the body to promote healthy redox balance.* As a powerhouse antioxidant and critical building block precursor, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and its health benefits are worth calling out....

Probiotic supplements contain healthy bacteria to support the microbiome, a collection of trillions of bacteria that live in our gut. “Think of probiotics as your little helpers that restore order and help maintain harmony in your gut ecosystem,” Vincent Pedre, M.D. told mindbodygreen. The microbiome is intricately connected with digestive health and the immune system. In fact 70 to 80 percent of the immune system lives in the gut1. Scientists believe that the immune system and the bacteria that live in the gut co-evolved2 to communicate and support one another....

Since it thrives in tropical regions, it’s no surprise that this is a plant that appreciates sun and moisture. Its soft purple hairs make it a bit more finicky about light and water than other tropical plants, but it’s still a relatively low-maintenance plant. The purple passion plant is a quick grower. Once they get to one to two feet in height, some varieties begin to trail, making them a good pick for a hanging planter....

The way the very common act of queefing affects people varies, but it’s not unusual to feel embarrassed or frozen in the moment as you try to understand how it happened. I mean, what do you do or say? Should you feel ashamed? (Never!) Do they only happen during sex? Because the passageway of your vaginal canal has ridges, curves, and grooves, air doesn’t always seamlessly enter and exit. That means queefs can happen “in any situation where air is pushed or trapped in the vagina and is expelled,” explains Roskin, “like when an object is inserted in the vagina and removed or when the body changes positions....

Skin can be triggered by our cosmetics, the environment, hormones, genetics, and stress2, but the common denominator of sensitized skin is a weakened skin barrier, which we’re either born with or develops over time. Our skin barrier3 consists of layers that retain moisture while protecting us from threats like chemicals, pollutants, and allergens. It’s key to healing our reactive skin. “Superkind was inspired by friends and people I met who were frustrated with their lack of options for real skin care for reactive skin....

Now, before you stop me with, But aren’t scalp massages a bit more indulgent than simple? Well, perhaps you’re equating scalp massages solely with something you get in the salon—or at the end of a full-body version. When, in fact, you can actually very easily give yourself one right at home in under a few minutes with nothing but your fingers and a dab of oil that you have on hand....

“It’s a fun, not widely known fact that, while occurring simultaneously most of the time, orgasm and ejaculation are separate biological phenomena, and one can occur without the other,” says sexologist Jill McDevitt, M.Ed., Ph.D. Some people also believe that ejaculation releases emotions, and by not releasing them this way, you can get more in touch with them. Some also claim not masturbating improves their health in other ways, including more confidence, motivation, and cognitive skills, but there’s no science to back these claims up....

Today, slippery elm is used to treat a variety of ailments from healing digestive distress, to soothing stress and anxiety, to treating symptoms of psoriasis. It is not only a potent source of antioxidants but also contains a host of minerals, such as magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, as well as vitamin C and a family of B vitamins, to name a few. This herb packs a powerful medicinal punch! Here’s what you need to know about slippery elm’s benefits, side effects, how to buy it, and its safety record....

And listen, consistently having smooth skin takes patience, consistency, and—if we’re being honest—a pinch of luck. Smooth skin may feel effortless—but it hardly ever actually is. Not to mention, there are a plethora of reasons your skin feels less than taut. Texture issues can arise from acne (in the form of pimples and pustules—or later as scars), rosacea (a common misdiagnosed symptom is small, whitehead like bumps), eczema (those notorious dry, flaky patches), enlarged pores (which can create rougher, orange-peel-like skin), and fine lines (which create etches and folds)....

One of these oils that has acne-fighting and moisturizing properties (plus a slew of other skin-healthy benefits) might not be as well known as, say, jojoba oil—but it’s worth a spot in your beauty lexicon nonetheless. According to cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, founder of BeautyStat, it’s an emollient (meaning it fills in microcracks in the skin), and it “might have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial activities.” For a mask, simply mix the tamanu oil with another hydrating base ingredient (like Manuka honey or aloe) and slather on for a few minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water....

Humidifiers can help bring levels up to their ideal range—saving you itchy skin, chapped lips, and thirsty hands in the process. The trick is placing them strategically, in areas where you spend most of your time. For those who work a desk job, a machine that can sit computer-side would be a smart move. We humans aren’t the only ones who appreciate the moisture: Certain houseplants—especially ones native to more tropical locales—also thrive at higher-humidity levels....

While mindbodygreen believes that taking your stroll outdoors is the gold standard, anything that gets you moving (and cuts down on sedentary time) will do the body good. That’s where home workout equipment comes into play. If you’re feeling stagnant during your workday, these best under-desk treadmills could be just what you need. So naturally, one of the major benefits of a treadmill desk is that it encourages you to stay active throughout the day, even when you’re tied to a computer or stuck in a meeting....

—Vincent Pedre, M.D., and best-selling author of Happy Gut —Jess Sepel, mbg class instructor and author of The Healthy Life —Dr. Serena Goldstein, NYC-based naturopath —Lisa Hayim, R.D., founder of The Well Necessities —Jessica Cording, R.D., founder of Jessica Cording Nutrition —Ellen Vora, M.D. and instructor of mbg classes on anxiety and insomnia —Kim Suddeath, R.D., founder of Unrefined RD —Phoebe Lapine, mbg class instructor and author of The Wellness Project —Liz Moody (me!...

Wands represent the element of fire in tarot, Vanderveldt adds, so consider this ace like a first spark or desire for something. “It’s life force, spirit, and positive motion,” she says, asking you to get started. “As with all Aces, it’s an opportunity, but nothing’s guaranteed,” she explains, adding that your presence and energy are required to take this further. “You’re being asked to work with this energy in a new way, but there’s real potential here,” she notes....

This phenomenon is called aphantasia—and it’s a relatively mysterious neurological condition whereby people are unable to visualize things in their heads. Here’s what the little research we have on it has found so far, plus how to find out whether you have it. When someone with aphantasia does try to imagine something, they simply can’t and instead see a void of darkness. Neuroscientist and author of The Source Tara Swart, M....

Most commonly, people reach for honey water when a cold is coming on. Though it may be soothing for sore throats and other cold-like symptoms, is it an actual remedy? Registered dietitians and ayurvedic experts share their opinions on the topic. Based on the above information, honey may be able to manage cold symptoms and support immune functioning, but more research is needed. Adding water to the honey might not matter, registered dietitian Mascha Davis, MPH, RDN, says....