

Maybe I need to knock on wood before I say this, but I've never had a flu shot before and I never intend to get one. Charge it to some of the research I've done, coupled with being breastfed as a baby (you'll be AMAZED what it does for a person's immune system, even as adults!), I've just never seen the need or had the desire.
That's not to say that I don't know that with the cold weather comes the need to ramp up my immune system. It's just that personally, I'd prefer to go the holistic route... And the following seven herbs? They always hold me down.
If you want to get your body "wintertime ready" but you'd prefer to not go the traditional medicine route, I can personally vouch for these herbs being just what you need to get through the winter season, and the rest of the year too!
1.Thyme:
If you're particularly susceptible to colds during the winter months, get yourself some thyme essential oil and some thyme tea. They both contain Vitamin C along with antibacterial and antioxidant properties that are able to boost your mood and strengthen your immunity.
Also, if you have an irritating cough and you drink some thyme tea, it will suppress it within a couple of hours. Thyme also has a reputation for alleviating mild bronchitis symptoms.
Tip: You can grow thyme in your house and use it to give your immune system a much-needed boost.
2.Elderberry:
If the flu shot is something you'd rather bypass this year, stock up on some elderberry. It's an herb that contains anthocyanidins, which are chemical compounds that help to make flu symptoms short-lived and much more bearable. Oh, and if you're someone who always seems to get a sinus infection during the winter season, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in elderberry can make those symptoms less of an issue for you too.
Tip: I recommend making some of your own elderberry syrup for the best results.
3.Cinnamon:
Here's something you may not know. If no matter what you do, you can never seem to get warm (especially during winter time), it could be because you have dampness in your body. If you Google that topic, you'll see tons of links on how damp weather can lead to damp-related symptoms like loose stools, head fogginess, and phlegm.
Something that can fight this kind of health ailment is cinnamon. The cinnamaldehyde in it will not only help you to "feel warmer", but it will also fight off viruses and infections and protect your cells from free radicals too.
Tip: Combine one teaspoon of ground cinnamon from your local grocery store with two teaspoons of raw honey and hot water and drink up!
4.St. John’s Wort:
If the winter literally makes you SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and you're feeling depressed or you can't sleep because of it, you can't go wrong with taking a St. John's Wort supplement. There are countless studies to support that it can significantly decrease depression-related symptoms. Not to mention it's also the kind of herb that decreases PMS and menopause symptoms.
Safety Tip: Just a bit of caution, St. John's Wort is an herb that can sometimes interact with oral contraceptives, anti-seizure medications, and antidepressants. So, if you're currently on any of these, speak with your doctor before adding it to your health regimen.
5.Chamomile:
Does your skin feel particularly dry during the winter season? It could be because it's suffering from windburn, which is what can happen when your skin is irritated by cold and harsh windy weather.
Tip: If you already have some chamomile tea in your house to take the chill off, next time you make some, pour a little into a glass bottle, and let it cool. Then take a cotton ball and apply it to your face after you wash it. It will soothe and moisturize your skin so that it's better prepared for ice, sleet, and snow.
6.Nettle:
A lot of people sleep on nettle, but they shouldn't. It's an herb that contains everything from potassium and calcium, to copper and chlorophyll. Its antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties help to fight off infections and it has anti-inflammatory compounds that can get rid of a stuffy nose in record time.
I like it because it's a great way to treat dry scalp/dandruff, which is something that likes to creep up on me when it's cold outside.
Tip: You can infuse some fresh nettle leaves with some coconut oil and massage it on your scalp. Or, if you're pressed for time, you can wash your hair with some nettle shampoo. As a bonus, nettle is known to regrow hair and restore original hair color as well.
7.Horny Goat Weed:
Another thing that keeps your immune system strong during the winter is an active sex life. Sex reduces stress, boosts brain power, relieves pain, improves your quality of sleep, can help you to burn 144 calories every 30 minutes — and that's just for starters!
Tip: If your mind wants to get more intimate but your body isn't in it, do yourself a favor and invest in some horny goat weed. Yes, that's an herb's real name and yes, it does just what you think it does. So well in fact that its nickname is "Natural Viagra".
The perfect Christmas supplement stocking stuffer, wouldn't you say?
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The 7 Supplements That TOTALLY Changed My Life – Read More
I Had Chronic BV Until I Said Goodbye to Antibiotics and Hello to Holistic Health – Read More
Five Ways To Combat Seasonal Depression – Read More
Featured image by Shutterstock
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It's kinda wild that, in 2025, my byline will have appeared on this platform for (what?!) seven years. And yeah, when I'm not waxing poetic on here about sex, relationships and then...more sex and relationships, I am working as a certified marriage life coach, helping to birth babies (as a doula) or penning for other places (oftentimes under pen names).
As some of you know, something that I've been "threatening" to do for a few years now is write another book. Welp, October 2024 was the month that I "gave birth" to my third one: 'Inside of Me 2.0: My Story. With a 20-Year Lens'. It's fitting considering I hit a milestone during the same year.
Beyond that, Pumas and lip gloss are still my faves along with sweatshirts and tees that have a pro-Black message on them. I've also started really getting into big ass unique handbags and I'm always gonna have a signature scent that ain't nobody's business but my own.
As far as where to find me, I continue to be MIA on the social media front and I honestly don't know if that will ever change. Still, if you need to hit me up about something *that has nothing to do with pitching on the site (I'm gonna start ignoring those emails because...boundaries)*, hit me up at missnosipho@gmail.com. I'll do what I can. ;)
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Mother's Day is approaching, and if you're looking for a unique way to celebrate, why not surprise her with a mother-daughter trip? As we age, vacationing with our moms may become rare and precious. Therefore, Mother’s Day presents an excellent opportunity to reconnect and engage in meaningful conversations about our lives. There are numerous destinations that cater to both of your interests and foster bonding experiences. Explore our top five mother-daughter vacation spots below.
For the Foodies: Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
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There's no better way to bond than over a shared meal and Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers an unparalleled dining experience for a mother-daughter trip. The resort boasts Jalisco style ceviche making classes, a Japanese teppanyaki house right on the beach, and it recently launched ‘Las Recetas de la Abuela’ (Grandma’s Recipes.)
Las Recetas de la Abuela is a private dining experience where guests can enjoy the Executive Chef's abuela’s recipes and the heartfelt stories behind them.
For The Music Lovers: Grand Universe Lucca / La Residenza
Music is known for bringing people together and that's why Grand Universe Lucca is a great stay for music-loving mother and daughter. Lucca, steeped in classical music and opera heritage, offers a unique experience for music enthusiasts. During your stay, immerse yourself in the hotel’s Symphony Lounge, where the resident composer creates a personalized musical prelude, drawing inspiration from your personalities and life stories.
Additionally, don’t miss the city’s renowned Lucca Summer Festival, where world-class artists grace the stage each year, showcasing their talents to the local community.
For the Wellness Enthusiasts: Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club
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Wellness is crucial regardless of age, so why not bond over it? Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club announced its Mother's Day Restorative Yoga Retreat, an exclusive opportunity for mothers and daughters to unwind and rejuvenate together. Immerse yourselves in the tranquility of vinyasa, restorative yoga, breathwork, sound baths, and soothing massages.
Located in Cape Cod, MA, this resort offers a serene escape, just a stone’s throw away from the breathtaking beach and conveniently located near bike trails. For the active duo, these trails provide perfect avenues for exhilarating bike rides and leisurely beach walks. Alternatively, if relaxation is your preference, indulge in a day of pampering at the resort’s renowned spa.
For the Cowgirls: The Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa
Get your boots on the ground and visit Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa in Jackson Hole, WY. This resort is situated near two national parks that give picturesque views of the mountains and offers a range of activities, including their critically acclaimed spa.
After you and your mom complete your hydrating facials and restorative massages, head to Wild Sage Restaurant, where you two can indulge in local and seasonal dishes. Lastly, to complete your cowgirl experience, end the night at the iconic Million Dollar Cowboy Bar.
For the Shopaholics: Bellevue, WA
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The girls love to shop and if you and your mom love to tear the mall down, then try planning a mother-daughter trip at the shopping capital of the Pacific Northwest. Bellevue, Washington has a variety of shopping experiences from luxury goods like Gucci and Hermès to local speciality boutiques.
While you’re on your shopping spree, don’t forget to take a break and admire the breathtaking views of the mountains. After a day of shopping, treat yourselves to a delicious meal at Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi and Oprah’s favorite chocolate store, Fran’s to indulge in some sweet treats.
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