Linda's Voice: October 2019

The Native American ritual of “smudging” or burning sage to clear the air of “bad energy” turns out to ward away more than just “negative vibes.”

A recent study showed burning the herb in a room for an hour reduced the number of airborne bacteria by a whopping 94%.

The room remained almost entirely disinfected for over 24 hours, and seven strains of disease-causing bacteria previously present in the room still could not be detected 30 days later.

”We have demonstrated that using medicinal smoke it is possible to completely eliminate diverse plant and human pathogenic bacteria of the air within confined space,” wrote the study’s authors, from the National Botanical Research Institute in India.

Sage is also used in herbal medicine internally as a powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory.

The smoke created by burning the plant is also used as an insect repellent.

So instead of an expensive air purifier, you might try sage instead! Also, open the curtains. Another study has shown sunlight to be another excellent disinfectant.

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Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is one of those buzzy wellness ingredients that people time and time again swear by. It’s not surprising why, though.

It almost like the holy grail of home remedies — for instance, a shot of it is said to help boost energy, control blood sugar, and promote weight loss. Topically, ACV may help improve your hair’s shine as well as the texture and tone of your skin by clearing up unwanted breakouts.

Mixed with other good-for-you ingredients like lemon juice or olive oil, ACV can be a potent booster for your daily routine. Here are 11 easy ways to boost your health with ACV.