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“Cleaning your machine regularly will make it last longer and eliminate moldy smells caused by stale soap and fabric softener buildup,” she writes in an mbg article about how to clean home appliances naturally. Washing your machine out regularly also ensures a higher-quality wash. A few best practices for maintaining your newly clean machine: Leave its door slightly ajar when it’s not in use, and don’t be too liberal with your detergent....

If you’re here, you may be feeling like it’s time to check yourself. So, we asked the experts what manipulation can look like, manipulative behaviors to watch out for, and of course, how you can work to stop being manipulative. According to therapist and relationship expert Ken Page, LCSW, everyone can be manipulative from time to time, sometimes without even realizing it. “We are all human, and all of us manipulate because it’s a human defense mechanism,” he says....

But then there are other uncontrollable factors that play into our susceptibility to osteoporosis—namely, age. Our likelihood of getting osteoporosis increases with age, and again, especially if you’re a woman. Women are more prone to osteoporosis because they naturally have lighter and smaller bones than men. Plus, when women reach menopause, their estrogen levels decrease. Because estrogen is a hormone that helps protect bone in a woman’s body, this often results in bone loss....

“People have used black cumin seeds and their oil to treat a wide range of conditions for thousands of years,” says Vincent Pedre, M.D., mbg Collective member and board-certified internist and integrative medicine specialist in New York City. Black cumin seeds were even found in King Tut’s tomb, and apparently they got a mention in the Old Testament as being able to cure anything but death. But what makes the oil of these small, unassuming black cumin seeds so great?...

At the time, I was using a prescription-strength retinoid called Tazorac. Although the topical cream is great for acne and healthy skin aging, it should only be used in moderation. Otherwise the vitamin can over-exfoliate the skin, which compromises the barrier and can lead to dermatitis, among other reactions. When I was trying to clear my rash, I came across a TikTok page where medical esthetician Isabela Traboscia shared her secret to getting rid of her own dermatitis: drugstore calendula cream....

This is exactly what is happening if you have “candida overgrowth.” One of your body’s microbiomes is out of balance due to excess candida. This can lead to rashes, fatigue, bloat, and more. Risk factors for candida overgrowth include those with weakened immune systems such as adults in the ICU or infants in the NICU; those taking specific medications like antibiotics, corticosteroids, birth control, or anticancer drugs; and those with excessive moisture on susceptible areas of skin such as the fold under the breasts, the groin, diaper area, or hands that are constantly in gloves....

JS: Put simply, while marijuana and hemp are both plants of the same species, Cannabis Sativa L., hemp is different in that it contains only minute levels of the cannabinoid THC, which is the one that produces a psychoactive effect. Marijuana is high in THC, while hemp is high in non-psychoactive compounds like CBD. Hemp and CBD are also legal federally, while marijuana is legal only in certain states. HJ: It is important to use caution with any new product that you have not used before....

Coconut sugar is less processed than table sugar: The sap is dried and packaged without any additional processing and thus retains more nutrients like iron, zinc, and magnesium along with other polyphenols, explains Catherine Perez, R.D., founder of Plant Based R.D. That said, Shanthi Appelö, R.D., says, “It’s not a health food and shouldn’t be consumed in excess.” Here’s how they stack up nutritionally: As such, “Coconut sugar is lower on the glycemic index (GI) than cane sugar or even maple sugar,” New York City–based holistic nurse practitioner Victoria Albina, N....

That’s why it’s so important to learn what’s happening with your skin, so you can be better prepared and adept to care for it—no matter what stage you are at in life. For example, those in their 50s may want to pay special attention to supporting their collagen and hyaluronic acid levels. For most, this decline starts in the 20s (it’s different for everyone and is influenced by lifestyle, skin care habits, and genetics)....

Not to be confused with male versus female, divine feminine and masculine energies can be accessed by all of us, and part of the spiritual path is getting them into a state of balance. Here’s an introduction to divine masculine energy, plus how to tap into yours. These figures represent divine masculine through the qualities they embody. As intuitive counselor and sacred space designer Elana Kilkenny emphasizes to mbg, “Divine masculine is about archetypes—it’s not about men and women....

And while there are plenty of market options to invest in, it’s actually quite easy to make your own luxurious blend at home. But the best part? Body scrubs take only minutes to make, perhaps the best project if you’ve just dipped your toe into the DIY waters. DIY newbies, this one’s for you: The physical exfoliant is perhaps the most important (after all, you’re primarily using the body scrub to exfoliate!...

Hype aside, what can infrared saunas actually do for you and your health? Here’s what some of that preliminary research says about four potential benefits of infrared saunas: In a small 2009 study, 17 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 17 patients with ankylosing spondylitis (an inflammatory disease that can affect the spine) completed eight infrared sauna sessions over the course of four weeks. Results showed that during these sessions, patients experienced decreased pain and stiffness1 to a statistically significant degree....

Another good indication of how to properly store your probiotic is how it was stored when you bought it. If you found it in the refrigerated section of your local health food store, or it was shipped from the manufacturer with an ice pack, chances are, it’ll probably need to stay refrigerated. On the other hand, if your probiotics use shelf-stable technology, the label will say that, too. Many manufacturers even add some extra information about the proper way to store nonrefrigerated probiotics to extend their shelf-life....

According to dream tracker Lauri Loewenberg, snakes are the third most common animal her clients dream about, behind dogs and cats. We asked Loewenberg about the many things your snake dreams could be telling you, plus how to process the dream and integrate some of its lessons so you can slither on. No dream is random, according to Loewenberg, and while there are common interpretations and symbolism, if you have a personal connection to content within the dream (even things like colors or numbers), that’s the first thing to pay attention to....

I got mine specifically for anxiety, but the results had me wondering, what else can they do? So I spoke with experts to find out. According to mbg contributor Dan Hsu, DOAM, LAc, who writes that acupuncture and pressure works by stimulating areas of the skin with lots of nerve endings, mast cells, lymphatics, and capillaries—that then trigger biochemical and physiological changes. For auriculotherapy, in particular, all of the stimulation is done on the ear....

To better understand the health benefits and the potential drawbacks of elderberries, mbg spoke with integrative medicine doctors and immunologists. Here’s what they have to say about the supplement and how it may react with viruses. Elderberry flowers and leaves were traditionally used to manage inflammation, pain, and swelling. Today, the berry is most commonly found in supplement, syrup, or tea form to support the immune system2 and help fight cold and flu symptoms....

According to the recently released annual poll from the American Psychiatric Association (APA), two concerns tied for first place of what we are most anxious about: Keeping our families safe and finances, which 66% of Americans reported they were somewhat or very anxious about. These topped health, politics, and relationships with friends and co-workers. “The poll results reinforce the fact that basic needs, such as personal safety or finances, have a large impact on a person’s mental well-being,” said APA president Altha Stewart, M....

Whether you’ve been taking fish oil for years or are just now considering an omega-3 supplement, there are—of course—a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. From the benefits you can reap (think cardiovascular wellness, joint health, and cognitive function) to precautions you should take note of, here’s what you should know about fish oil’s potential side effects—and how to make your supplement a winning part of your healthy routine....

Keep scrolling for 10 expert-backed tips on how to help, style, and even enhance your frizzy hair no matter your hair type. Curly and coily hair types are more susceptible to frizz than their straight or wavy counterparts. This is because curly textures are naturally drier, and they look to the environment to make up for the lack of moisture in their hair (enter: frizz). Bottom line: Think of frizzy hair as your hair’s way of begging you to step your hydration game up....