Herbs, plants, and roots of nature have been used to heal our human bodies and souls for centuries. However, there are no cure-alls in nature, this is not about a quick-fix. This is about incorporating the right plants and herbs into your daily lifestyle in ways that are meaningful and delicious!
Food is medicine; what you put into your body matters. There are many plants and their uses are varied, however, these 7 are your starting point to begin the journey to a happier, healthier, more mindful YOU.
1. Tulsi or Holy Basil
One of the most prominent herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, Holy Basil, is associated with the Goddess, Lakshmi, who represents wealth, good fortune, youth, and beauty. Which is no wonder since science has found it to be one of the most adaptogenic herbs and commonly known as, “The Queen of Herbs”. It is quite possibly the plant with the most medicinal properties ever.
What does an adaptogen do? It helps your body adapt to stress! The whole world could use a little more Tulsi in our lives.
One of the easiest ways to incorporate this healing plant into your daily life is by drinking it as a tea. This divine medicinal plant is good for your skin, mental health, fever, arthritis, diabetes, immunity-boosting, and so much more!
2. Echinacea
Known to have incredible anti-inflammatory properties, this beautiful flower is what you power your body with when you start to feel that cold coming on. Its anti-viral and anti-microbial properties also aid the body when battling against the flu or a nasty cold.
By reducing inflammation, it helps the body control blood sugar levels, reduce anxiety, and lower blood pressure. It is so anti-inflammatory, in fact, that it is being used successfully to slow the spread of malignant tumors, especially for breast cancer.
Echinacea is a native flower to North America, a relative of the daisy, and has documented use by many Native American tribes long before white people discovered it.
3. Chamomile
Chamomile may well be one of the most calming and healing plants available. Said to calm the stomach from digestive issues as well as soothe the nerves.
With its bright yellow center and endless prescribable qualities, this medicinal plant was revered by the Ancient Egyptians, and considered sacred to the Sun God, Ra.
Science has shown us that it is absolutely loaded with antioxidants, and very deserving of the worship it received. It can improve heart health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, while also lowering blood sugar levels.
Combine these antioxidants with chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties and you can most certainly sleep better knowing that studies are showing promise in this medicinal plant’s ability to fight against cancer.
4. Parsley
Disturbingly, this plant has been reduced to a mere garnish for far too long. It’s true, eating fresh parsley will improve your bad breath, but its medicinal qualities are much more diverse.
Parsley contains 20/23 of our essential vitamins and minerals, making it a huge additive to your diet to boost your immune system. As an effective carminative, it is not only good for bad breath, but also for bad flatulence.
For women who suffer PMS too long, adding parsley to your diet can help get your cycle flowing, while also relieving cramps.
Unless you are pregnant, add this powerhouse of a medicinal herb to every meal, smoothie, or salad that you can!
5. Turmeric
This ancient and medicinal spice has been used in the Ayurvedic tradition for nearly 4,000 years. It is also used to color the robes of Hindu holy men, and while it should become a regular part of your diet, you definitely shouldn’t wear your favorite t-shirt while cooking with it.
When combined with black pepper, this spice has unstoppable anti-inflammatory properties. It is being used to treat arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes, just to name a few.
By adding turmeric and black pepper to your diet, you are helping your body fight against chronic inflammation that can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
6. Aloe Vera
This amazing succulent is extremely easy to grow and even more useful to have on hand in emergency situations. The gel inside the spiky covering has been used to treat burns and heal wounds for centuries!
Known to the Ancient Chinese and Egyptians for its incredible healing and medicinal properties, it was also one of the main ingredients in Cleopatra’s daily beauty routine.
Today, studies have gone further into all the healing benefits of Aloe and found it to be a natural laxative and useful in treating digestive disorders, lowering blood sugar levels, and relieving heartburn.
Whether you plan on adding this plant to your routine topically to improve your skin health or orally, you really can’t go wrong. This medicinal plant should most definitely be added to your arsenal of healthcare.
7. Kratom
Kratom is a relative of coffee, however, instead of using the roasted bean for that caffeine boost, it is the leaf of the Kratom tree that contains medicinal and stimulant properties.
Kratom should be used with extreme care and dosages should begin with the lowest possible to monitor your body’s reaction. Low doses act as a stimulant with reported effects of giddiness and alertness. Higher doses of the same plant act as a sedative with effects of calmness and euphoria. There are a few different kinds; learn more and check out these types of Kratom.
Kratom’s most redeeming quality is aiding in pain management and opioid withdrawal. In 2017, 47,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose and almost 2 million suffer the social, economical, and health risks of addictive opioids.
If you suffer from addiction, it is important to consult your healthcare physician and be open and honest about all the options you would like to explore.
Practicing Daily Habits With Plants and Their Uses
There is no better way to take charge of your health than by consistently boosting your immune system and charging your body with antioxidant-loaded plants with anti-inflammatory properties.
There are so many medicinal healing plants and their uses widespread which can be overwhelming. Take it slow. Get to know them one at a time and discover all their uses and benefits and your favorite way of adding them to your life.
If you don’t like the taste of Turmeric, try it as a supplement! Love the taste of Tulsi? Don’t just reserve it for your daily cup of tea, try it in cookies or a cake!
Taking control of your health by actively choosing what you put into your body should be fun, informational, and delicious! Experiment and find ways to add these herbal remedies and medicinal plants into your favorite things; food, dessert, cocktails, DIY beauty products, etc.
There are all kinds of ways to strengthen your immune system to live a happier and healthier life. Find more on our blog today!