Humanity is currently at a time when it is especially important to improve our health and wellbeing.
An vast number of people suffer from a variety of diseases and health conditions, stress, depression, anxiety, and lack of sleep. While modern medicine has made immense advances, it’s also essential to support our overall health through a healthy balanced diet and natural supplements.
Let’s take a look at a few herbs, spices, and herbal products that can help us improve health and wellbeing.
Top 10 Herbs to Improve Health and Wellbeing
1. Turmeric
This golden-colored Indian herb does not only give traditional Indian curry its signature yellow color, but also provides some gold benefits. The turmeric root is rich in curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric that has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Some studies indicate that turmeric counters inflammation on a molecular level and has a potency equivalent to some anti-inflammatory medications without any side effects. It also protects the body from free radicals, improves brain function, can help you prevent heart disease, and even protect or help treat Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and cancer.
Keep in mind that the body absorbs turmeric much better if it’s taken along with black pepper. So, make sure to spice up turmeric for even more benefits.
2. Ginger
Ginger is a highly versatile herb that is most well-known for its ability to soothe stomach disorders. However, ginger has a lot more potential.
This beneficial herb can relieve nausea, menstrual cramps, protect against stomach ulcers, boost immunity, and protect against the flu.
Ginger comes in a variety of products. So, in addition to raw ginger, also try ginger powder as well as ginger essential oils.
3. Parsley
For many, parsley is just garnish that they toss away to get to the food. In actuality, it’s a very under-appreciated herb.
Parsley is rich in various vitamins such as Vitamin K, C, and A, as well as minerals like iron and calcium. It also has antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Therefore, parsley essential oil can help soothe the skin and get rid of blemishes.
4. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a tiny yet very spicy chili pepper that goes in spicy dishes. According to a variety of studies, capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, can boost metabolism, suppress appetite, and promote weight loss. Therefore, it is popular in many weight-loss diets.
Keep in mind though that you should take breaks from it. The body tends to adapt to it, so you may no longer experience its beneficial effects if you take it for an extended period of time.
5. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an ancient Indian medicinal herb that can help the body manages stress and support you if you experience stress and anxiety.
This herb can also lower blood sugar and cortisol levels, increase energy, improve brain function, memory, and male fertility. Some studies also point out that ashwagandha can help the immune system fight infections and may even protect against heart disease and cancer.
6. Sage
Sage is an aromatic herb from the mint family with plenty of benefits that can improve health and wellbeing. This herb has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can help soothe skin issues, such as damage from sun exposure.
Compounds in sage are also beneficial for oral health. So, you can gargle sage tea to soothe wounds in the mouth as well as a sore throat. Sage may also boost mood, memory, and brain function.
7. CBD
Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is the most abundant as well as one of the most potent active compounds in cannabis plants. CBD is a compound in both marijuana and hemp and can improve health and wellbeing in a wide variety of ways.
While CBD can derive from both marijuana and hemp plants, most CBD you’ll encounter comes from hemp plants. That’s because hemp CBD is much easier and financially affordable to produce.
Hemp does not require stringent conditions to thrive and does not have THC, the compound in marijuana that makes one “high.” Therefore, you can experience the benefits of CBD without worrying that it may put you in any danger.
CBD has potent anti-inflammatory properties. So, it can ease pain resulting from inflammation, muscle and joint pain, help cope with stress and anxiety, as well as improve sleep. You can find CBD products of various kinds such as CBD oil, edibles, and topical products such as bath salts, lotions, balms, and more.
8. Kratom
Kratom is another herb that is rapidly gaining popularity. An ancient Southeast Asian medicinal plant, kratom is a powder that comes from kratom tree leaves.
Kratom is best known for its potent pain-relieving properties that kratom has due to its alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. In fact, 7-mitragynine is about 13 times more potent than morphine, and it doesn’t have the dangerous side effects that opioid medications or drugs have.
In addition to pain relief, kratom can also relieve stress, anxiety, and depression, improve mood and cognitive function, boost energy, and aid with sleep issues.
9. Valerian Root
Some call valerian root the natural Valium. It’s an ancient herb that can help you relax and sleep. Some studies have found that the compounds in valerian root have an effect on the GABA levels and can help reduce stress and anxiety, which, in turn, can lead to better sleep.
10. Chamomile
Chamomile is a tea that comes from small flowers that look like daisies. This herbal product can improve digestive health, soothe an upset tummy, improve the sleep, and may even protect from heart disease.
Chamomile tea is very affordable, so it’s beneficial to have it in your pantry for times when you may need to help your body’s digestion work better.
We are extremely fortunate to have access to numerous herbs that can help us improve health and wellbeing in various ways. Therefore, it can be beneficial to stock up on some (or all) of these herbal products next time you shop.
