Going green. All natural. Organic. Vegetarian or vegan. These ways of life are all the rage lately. People are constantly searching for a healthier, purer way of dealing with life’s biggest challenges — from weight loss to skincare, stress relief, and everything in between. If you’ve been on the “natural” health craze for some time, then the use of herbs and plants for medicinal purposes is not news to you. However, if you’re only just showing interest in a better way of doing things, keep reading. This article will break down a few of the most beneficial plants and herbs that come from nature to provide healing and therapeutic properties that benefit both your mind and body.
Holy Basil
The Indian culture has worshipped Holy Basil for decades, due to its mental and physical healing properties. Holy Basil, or Tulsi, claims to treat mental illness while also improving cognitive function and boosting memory prowess. If you are one of the 40 million adults suffering from anxiety and stress, Holy Basil can help. This natural plant is also credited with offering cancer patients relief from radiation treatments. A few other conditions Tulsi helps treat include:
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Flu
- Fever
- Common colds
- Cough
The most popular way to consume Holy Basil is in tea form, by placing 2-3 of the herb’s leaves in water and letting it steep for approximately five minutes.
Chamomile
If insomnia is your problem, chamomile is here to help. Nearly 60 million Americans suffer from a long list of sleep disorders. Insomnia is defined as the inability to fall or stay asleep. Insomnia can be acute or chronic, lasting from just a few days to months at a time. Chamomile tea is wildly popular, not only for its calming benefits but also for its delicious taste. But putting you to sleep isn’t the only thing this plant is good for. Chamomile has been used for decades to help cure digestive issues. You can even find chamomile in cream form, due to its anti-inflammatory benefits and soothing properties. Looking to give your blond hair color an extra boost? Chamomile might even help with this, too!
Kratom
Kratom is a tropical tree, known best for both boosting energy and also offering calming effects. Similar to CBD, the dose will determine the user’s reaction. Best known as a stimulant, higher doses of the plant help you feel more energetic. Other positive side effects include reduced pain and a sense of relaxation and euphoria. If you experience trouble sleeping, kratom might help. Even in higher doses, kratom acts as a mild sedative, helping users to calm their minds and bodies for sleep.
Garlic
No, it’s not just for seasoning your pasta or warding off vampires. Garlic actually offers many more benefits than most people realize. But this herb’s long history (which dates back to 5000 B.C.) can’t be wrong. People have coined garlic as the “cure all herb” due to its multipurpose healing properties. Not only can garlic prevent certain types of cancer (stomach and colon, specifically), but it also helps with the following ailments:
- Diabetes
- Blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Skin disorders
- Ulcers
- Cholesterol
Adding garlic to your favorite recipes or taking it in pill form are the best ways to reap the benefits.
Before you reach for your medicine cabinet or visit your local pharmacy, look to nature for some of the best, most gentle healing products. You may even consume some of these useful plants and herbs without even realizing it. But now that you’re armed with the knowledge you need, you can start living a healthier, more natural life.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
