5 Herbs Everyone Should Know About
It’s no secret that a diverse diet filled with a variety of plant foods is an important part of feeling great and living a long and healthy life. Think fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices of varying colours and textures, from leaves, roots, flowers and beyond.
Herbs have been praised for centuries for their potent nutrient content and the impact they can have on the physiology of the human body. However, many of the most powerful herbs with valuable medicinal properties aren’t readily available or easily consumed. That’s where supplements come in!
At Thompson’s, our Master Herbalists have been unearthing the benefits of herbs for more than 70 years to create natural remedies that are formulated for the ease of everyday use.
Keep reading for the top 5 herbs to support a healthy lifestyle.
Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle is a flowering herb that’s related to the daisy and has distinctive purple flowers with white veins. This potent plant has long been part of ancient stories and is widely used in traditional herbal medicine. Its extract contains high levels of silymarin, a rich source of antioxidants.
Not only do the antioxidants reduce free radical damage, but Milk Thistle has also been traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to protect the liver, maintain natural liver detoxification processes, support bile production and promote flow from the liver and gallbladder.
With modern diets placing a lot of stress on the liver, Milk Thistle can support us in protecting and maintaining digestive system health.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba, often referred to simply as Ginkgo, is one of the oldest living tree species on earth first appearing more than 290 million years ago. It’s native to China and has played an important role in traditional herbal medicine practices for centuries thanks to its rich antioxidant content.
The high levels of antioxidants make Gingko a powerhouse in reducing free radical damage to body cells, and promote healthy blood circulation in aging individuals. Gingko can also be used to support brain health and works to improve cognitive performance, memory, and recall individuals over 50 years.
The leaves of Ginkgo Biloba trees may be small, but they sure are mighty.
Bilberry
Bilberries are small, blue berries that are native to Northern European and popularly used for medicinal purposes since the Middle Ages. They look like blueberries and have a nutritional profile that resembles the commonly enjoyed fruit, though Bilberries provide a richer source of antioxidants, vitamin C, phenolic acids and minerals that can be used to support eye health.
Beyond supporting healthy eye function, Bilberry can support blood capillary health while antioxidants reduce free radicals formed in the body and the damage they can cause to healthy cells.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is a plant with yellow flowers that’s been used in natural medicine practices as far back as the ancient Greeks and is believed to get its name from St. John the Baptist. Historically, it’s been used to treat a variety of ailments but is most used in traditional Western herbal medicine for its ability to support healthy mood balance and reduce symptoms of mild anxiety.
St John’s wort has also been used to relieve symptoms of mood swings associated with premenstrual tension and has been traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to reduce excess nervous energy, relieve restlessness, and support healthy mood balance and emotional wellbeing.
This high-potency herbal extract is a worthy support for the stresses of modern lifestyles.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an herb that’s widely grown in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa and is one of the most important herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional form of alternative medicine based on principles of natural healing.
Ashwagandha is best known for its use in traditional Western Herbal Medicine to help the body adapt to stress. Ashwagandha root is also traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to soothe nerves, calm the mind and to support cognitive function.
While research provides a rich insight into this powerful herb, there’s still plenty more to be unearthed when it comes to the benefits of Ashwagandha.