Guest Blog!<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWe often say, \u201cDon\u2019t judge a book by its cover,\u201d but the truth is, we do. It\u2019s instinctive. You see a woman in a bright red dress, and what\u2019s your first thought? \u201cShe\u2019s so confident.\u201d That\u2019s the story the red dress tells. It doesn\u2019t matter if inside she\u2019s feeling shy or second-guessing herself\u2014what we see shapes the story we believe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Colors are like that. They\u2019re storytellers, sending messages without words. They whisper to our emotions and guide the way we respond. The red of her dress is more than a simple color preference\u2014it\u2019s a signal. Red says power, energy, boldness. It\u2019s why stop signs and warning labels are red\u2014they demand attention.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>—————<\/p>
Introductory Note from Maria Noel Groves: I admire KhadiYah’s work and am so grateful to KhadiYah for writing this lovely blog on the healing power of colors and herbs for another way for you to consider and connect with the plants on my website. However, I do want to remind readers that color is only one aspect of plants and you should always connect with a plant on *many* levels before consuming in–knowing not only its color but what it does.<\/em><\/p>Plant colors offer themes and clues but will not alone suffice to tell you what a plant does and if it’s safe. Enjoy the blog!<\/em><\/p>————-<\/p>
Now imagine the same woman in soft lavender. The story changes. Lavender says calm, gentle, approachable even… That\u2019s the power of color\u2014it shapes the way we think, feel, and interact, even when we don\u2019t realize it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Colors influence everything\u2014our emotions, our focus, and even our energy.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KhadiYah-garden-harvest-948x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>And it isn\u2019t just us humans who respond this way. Nature uses colors as its language too. That poison dart frog dressed in neon yellow, blue, or red? Those colors are a big, flashy \u201cStay away!\u201d Red says, \u201cPay attention to me.\u201d It\u2019s the reason stop signs and fire trucks demand your focus. It is the color of love and heat but also danger and caution. But then there are colors like pinks and yellows in flowers, designed to say, \u201cCome closer,\u201d calling bees and butterflies to help pollinate and keep the cycle of life going. These colors aren\u2019t random; they were carefully selected to attract or repel based on what the plant needs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KhadiYah-garden-harvest-1-948x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>Colors tell us what a plant can do for us, just like that red dress told us something about the woman. The language of color is everywhere.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>The colors in plants tell us about what\u2019s inside them too. Yellow herbs, such as ginger or turmeric, are connected to digestion and warmth. Even the colors we see in fruits and flowers come from compounds like azulene, carotenoids, and flavonoids, each with a specific role in both the plant\u2019s survival <\/span>and our healing<\/span><\/i>. When you know what makes a color, you can understand how it works on a deeper level, not just in plants but in us too.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KhadiYah-Gardening2-300x300.png\")
<\/a>But what makes these colors? Colors are mathematical\u2014red + yellow = orange. They\u2019re chemical too, made of pigments and compounds like chlorophyll for green or anthocyanins for purple. It\u2019s scientific, depending on how light bounces off something and reaches our eyes. Red reflects longer wavelengths of light, which is why it feels bold and intense. Blue reflects shorter wavelengths, giving it that calm, cool energy. When you understand what makes a color, you can start to see how predictable it is, not just in nature but in how it works in our bodies.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>But understanding the \u201cwhy\u201d simply isn\u2019t enough-<\/span> how <\/span><\/i>does color effect the body?…<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>Well, that depends, are we referring to the body of a plant of or ourselves?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KhadiYah-fresh-cleavers-300x300.png\")
<\/a>Let\u2019s think about the rich green of a spinach or nettle leaf. That green comes from chlorophyll, the compound that \u201cpowers\u201d the plant by turning sunlight into energy. The bitter taste of greens, like dandelion leaves, tells us they\u2019re deeply cleansing, flushing toxins through the lymphatic system\u2014which is also often depicted as green. While some might say the green color was chosen arbitrarily to represent the lymphatic system, it feels more intuitive, as though nature itself made the connection clear for us. Thus green = energy, nourishment and detoxification.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KhadiYah-InApothecary10-300x300.png\")
<\/a>Now think of red plants, like hibiscus or beetroot. Red speaks to the heart and the blood, being the color of passion and life itself. The compounds that create red, such as anthocyanins, protect our cells, strengthen blood vessels, and improve circulation. These pigments have specific jobs. The fiery red of a cayenne pepper signals capsaicin, which stimulates circulation and helps with pain relief.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KhadiYah-withGoldenrod12-300x300.png\")
<\/a><\/span>Yellow, on the other hand, warms and heals, supporting digestion and boosting energy. Take calendula, for example\u2014a plant with vibrant yellow or orange petals that are both cheerful to the eye and soothing to the skin. Its active compounds, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and saponins, help heal wounds, reduce inflammation, and protect against infections. But the benefits go beyond the physical. Colors like yellow shape how we feel and think. A field of sunflowers naturally uplifts our mood, and even the scent of citrus fruits can energize us. It\u2019s no coincidence that many of the herbs we turn to for healing also provide emotional comfort.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>So, the next time you see a vibrant red pepper, a golden flower, or a leafy green herb, take a moment to pause.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0What is its story?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0What is it trying to tell you?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\u00a0<\/span>Colors are more than just what we see. They shape our emotions, unconsciously direct our actions, and even help us heal. And when we start to learn what they mean, both in nature and in our own lives, we unlock a whole new level of understanding. So yes, we judge books by their covers, but maybe the real wisdom is in learning to read the cover\u2019s story more deeply. Colors are there to teach us if we are willing to listen.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KhadiYah-InGarden14-300x300.png\")
<\/a><\/span>KhadiYah Preciado<\/strong> is a passionate author, herbal teacher, and mother dedicated to empowering others to reconnect with nature\u2019s healing power through African-centered and biblically aligned herbalism. As the founder of Yah\u2019s Apothecary, she combines her professional expertise with personal experience to empower others to heal their bodies, nurture their families, and build thriving herbal businesses. When she\u2019s not teaching or blending remedies, homeschools her children, cultivates her herbal garden, and mentors women who want to reclaim their health and their purpose.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>This guest blog and all photos are courtesy of KhadiYah.<\/p>
Grab a free copy of KhadiYah’s free e-book on Blossoming Beyond Mistakes here<\/a>.\u00a0
(a few steps and opt-in to KhadiYah’s list required)<\/em><\/span><\/p>Follow and Learn More from KhadiYah at\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>Youtube<\/span><\/b> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/herhealthyhome<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>IG<\/span><\/b> https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/khadiyahpreciado\/<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>
We often say, \u201cDon\u2019t judge a book by its cover,\u201d but the truth is, we do. It\u2019s instinctive. You see a woman in a bright red dress, and what\u2019s your first thought? \u201cShe\u2019s so confident.\u201d That\u2019s the story the red dress tells. It doesn\u2019t matter if inside she\u2019s feeling shy or second-guessing herself\u2014what we see shapes the story we believe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Colors are like that. They\u2019re storytellers, sending messages without words. They whisper to our emotions and guide the way we respond. The red of her dress is more than a simple color preference\u2014it\u2019s a signal. Red says power, energy, boldness. It\u2019s why stop signs and warning labels are red\u2014they demand attention.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> —————<\/p> Introductory Note from Maria Noel Groves: I admire KhadiYah’s work and am so grateful to KhadiYah for writing this lovely blog on the healing power of colors and herbs for another way for you to consider and connect with the plants on my website. However, I do want to remind readers that color is only one aspect of plants and you should always connect with a plant on *many* levels before consuming in–knowing not only its color but what it does.<\/em><\/p> Plant colors offer themes and clues but will not alone suffice to tell you what a plant does and if it’s safe. Enjoy the blog!<\/em><\/p> ————-<\/p> Now imagine the same woman in soft lavender. The story changes. Lavender says calm, gentle, approachable even… That\u2019s the power of color\u2014it shapes the way we think, feel, and interact, even when we don\u2019t realize it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Colors influence everything\u2014our emotions, our focus, and even our energy.<\/strong><\/em><\/p> And it isn\u2019t just us humans who respond this way. Nature uses colors as its language too. That poison dart frog dressed in neon yellow, blue, or red? Those colors are a big, flashy \u201cStay away!\u201d Red says, \u201cPay attention to me.\u201d It\u2019s the reason stop signs and fire trucks demand your focus. It is the color of love and heat but also danger and caution. But then there are colors like pinks and yellows in flowers, designed to say, \u201cCome closer,\u201d calling bees and butterflies to help pollinate and keep the cycle of life going. These colors aren\u2019t random; they were carefully selected to attract or repel based on what the plant needs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Colors tell us what a plant can do for us, just like that red dress told us something about the woman. The language of color is everywhere.<\/strong><\/em><\/p> The colors in plants tell us about what\u2019s inside them too. Yellow herbs, such as ginger or turmeric, are connected to digestion and warmth. Even the colors we see in fruits and flowers come from compounds like azulene, carotenoids, and flavonoids, each with a specific role in both the plant\u2019s survival <\/span>and our healing<\/span><\/i>. When you know what makes a color, you can understand how it works on a deeper level, not just in plants but in us too.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> But understanding the \u201cwhy\u201d simply isn\u2019t enough-<\/span> how <\/span><\/i>does color effect the body?…<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> Well, that depends, are we referring to the body of a plant of or ourselves?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> So, the next time you see a vibrant red pepper, a golden flower, or a leafy green herb, take a moment to pause.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u00a0What is its story?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u00a0What is it trying to tell you?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p> \u00a0<\/span>Colors are more than just what we see. They shape our emotions, unconsciously direct our actions, and even help us heal. And when we start to learn what they mean, both in nature and in our own lives, we unlock a whole new level of understanding. So yes, we judge books by their covers, but maybe the real wisdom is in learning to read the cover\u2019s story more deeply. Colors are there to teach us if we are willing to listen.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t This guest blog and all photos are courtesy of KhadiYah.<\/p> Grab a free copy of KhadiYah’s free e-book on Blossoming Beyond Mistakes here<\/a>.\u00a0 Follow and Learn More from KhadiYah at\u00a0<\/strong><\/p> Youtube<\/span><\/b> https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/herhealthyhome<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p> IG<\/span><\/b> https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/khadiyahpreciado\/<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wintergreenbotanicals.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/KhadiYah-garden-harvest.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p><\/a><\/p><\/a>But what makes these colors? Colors are mathematical\u2014red + yellow = orange. They\u2019re chemical too, made of pigments and compounds like chlorophyll for green or anthocyanins for purple. It\u2019s scientific, depending on how light bounces off something and reaches our eyes. Red reflects longer wavelengths of light, which is why it feels bold and intense. Blue reflects shorter wavelengths, giving it that calm, cool energy. When you understand what makes a color, you can start to see how predictable it is, not just in nature but in how it works in our bodies.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/a>Let\u2019s think about the rich green of a spinach or nettle leaf. That green comes from chlorophyll, the compound that \u201cpowers\u201d the plant by turning sunlight into energy. The bitter taste of greens, like dandelion leaves, tells us they\u2019re deeply cleansing, flushing toxins through the lymphatic system\u2014which is also often depicted as green. While some might say the green color was chosen arbitrarily to represent the lymphatic system, it feels more intuitive, as though nature itself made the connection clear for us. Thus green = energy, nourishment and detoxification.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/a>Now think of red plants, like hibiscus or beetroot. Red speaks to the heart and the blood, being the color of passion and life itself. The compounds that create red, such as anthocyanins, protect our cells, strengthen blood vessels, and improve circulation. These pigments have specific jobs. The fiery red of a cayenne pepper signals capsaicin, which stimulates circulation and helps with pain relief.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/a><\/span>Yellow, on the other hand, warms and heals, supporting digestion and boosting energy. Take calendula, for example\u2014a plant with vibrant yellow or orange petals that are both cheerful to the eye and soothing to the skin. Its active compounds, including carotenoids, flavonoids, and saponins, help heal wounds, reduce inflammation, and protect against infections. But the benefits go beyond the physical. Colors like yellow shape how we feel and think. A field of sunflowers naturally uplifts our mood, and even the scent of citrus fruits can energize us. It\u2019s no coincidence that many of the herbs we turn to for healing also provide emotional comfort.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/a><\/span>KhadiYah Preciado<\/strong> is a passionate author, herbal teacher, and mother dedicated to empowering others to reconnect with nature\u2019s healing power through African-centered and biblically aligned herbalism. As the founder of Yah\u2019s Apothecary, she combines her professional expertise with personal experience to empower others to heal their bodies, nurture their families, and build thriving herbal businesses. When she\u2019s not teaching or blending remedies, homeschools her children, cultivates her herbal garden, and mentors women who want to reclaim their health and their purpose.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>
(a few steps and opt-in to KhadiYah’s list required)<\/em><\/span><\/p>