Herbs and medicinal plants are truly nature's gift to us, they can contribute in many ways to increased wellbeing. Here we share information about how they are prepared, which herbs to choose, and about our various brands that specialize in herbs.
Adaptogens – stress management or more energy?
Several herbs help with both stress management and provide increased energy which may seem strange, but that's because they are so-called adaptogens. Adaptogens help create a state of balance in the body and make the body more adaptable to different situations. They support the body in handling stress, promote stability but can also provide energy. You could say that the herb finds its way to what you need most. Yes, it is truly a wonder that nature has given us.
More energy with adaptogens
Which herb should I choose?
It can be difficult to know which herbs to use for optimal wellbeing.
The choice of herbs should be adapted to your needs and challenges at your current stage in life. If you only read descriptions or articles about different herbs, it can feel like you need them all.
After over 15 years of experimenting, we have a tip to share: the herb or herbal blend you feel most drawn to is often exactly what you need right now.
We have done many medical tests, kinesiology treatments, and various analyses over the years, and this simple truth is what usually holds true, even though it's very educational and beneficial to regularly visit a skilled nutritional therapist.
Health Aspects Overview
If you're wondering where to start looking, here follows a short overview of common herbs/plants and the health aspects they are most commonly used for.
You can read more about one of our favorites, the nettle, here.
Dandelion | Liver | Gallbladder | Digestion | Lymph | Circulation
Nettle | Energy | Kidneys | Skin | Joints | Nervous system
Red Clover | Hormones / Hot flashes | Nervous system| Skin | Bone health | Energy
Milk Thistle | Liver | Gallbladder
| Yarrow | Hormones | Reproductive system| Bacteria/Fungus
Sage | Invaders | Blood | Immune system | Influenza | Anti-aging
Thyme | Invaders | Respiratory tract| Bacteria | Intestine| Cough
Peppermint | Digestion | Fever | Headache | Stomach cramps
Meadowsweet | Gastritis | Digestion | Heartburn | Gallbladder| Pain relief
Lady's Mantle | Menstrual cramps | Diuretic | Astringent | Connective tissue
Elderflower | Invaders | Influenza | Allergies
Lemon Balm | Relaxation | Sleep | Invaders
Burdock | Blood | Liver| Skin
Olive Leaf | Invaders | Heart | Antioxidant
Oregano | Invaders | Bacteria/Fungus | Antioxidant
Chamomile | Relaxation | Antispasmodic
Bladderwrack / Sea Kelp | Thyroid | Joints
Turmeric | Joints | Antioxidant
Licorice Root | Digestion | Recovery | Respiratory tract
Horsetail | Skin & Hair | Minerals | Bone health
Hibiscus | Blood pressure | Antioxidant
Marshmallow Root | Mucous membranes | Diuretic | Stomach problems | Skin | Cough
Plantain | Skin
Willowherb | Prostate
Bearberry | Urinary tract | Bacteria
Pau D'arco | Invaders | Immune system | Fungus
Eyebright | Eyes
Raspberry Leaves | Hormones | Menstrual cramps | Pregnancy
Ginger | Digestion | Nausea | Joints
Cranberry | Urinary tract
Artichoke | Liver | Digestion | Diuretic
Wormwood | Invaders | Digestion | Hydrochloric acid
Clove | Invaders | Pain relief | Digestion
Mullein | Respiratory tract
Anise / Fennel / Caraway | Digestion | Antispasmodic
Propolis | Immune system | Invaders | Antioxidant
Tulsi / Holy Basil | Relaxation | Sleep | Blood | Balance
Moringa | Nutrition | Sleep | Blood
Chaga | Immune system | Balance | Antioxidant
Reishi | Immune system | Relaxation | Balance | Meditation
Astragalus | Immune system | Blood | Balance | Anti-aging
Rhodiola | Relaxation | Combat fatigue | Balance
Ginseng | Energy | Mental performance | Balance | Libido
Siberian Ginseng / Eleuthero | Energy | Immune system | Balance | Focus
Schizandra | Liver | Nervous system | Balance | Skin | Concentration
Ashwagandha | Relaxation | Energy | Balance
Lion's Mane | Brain | Immune system
He Shou Wu | Brain | Immune system | Blood | Yin Energy
Cordyceps | Energy | Focus | Physical endurance
Maca | Energy | Libido | Physical endurance
Gynostemma | Energy | Anti-aging | Balance | Immune system
Shiitake | Immune system | Heart | Energy
NOTE!
Herbs are good to alternate and consume in periods.
It's important to find a health program that works for you right now, and be open to the fact that it might change a few months later in accordance with seasons, life situation, and other things that change within and around us.
How are herbs prepared?
How an herb is prepared depends on which substances you wish to extract from the plant.
Herbal tea
Herbal tea is a common way to use herbs for wellbeing.
Whole, dried herbs are the closest you can get to an herb freshly picked from a garden, yet they keep for a long time. If you have the opportunity to pick them yourself, you can dry the herbs on a large towel, a sheet, a drying rack, or in a dehydrator.
Herbal tea is suitable for plants rich in essential oils (plant extracts) such as peppermint, lavender, lemon balm, and rose. You can simply say: plants that have a strong scent.
Herbs for tea need to steep for about 10-15 minutes.
Infusions
You can also make infusions from dried herbs. Infusions are made to extract as many minerals as possible from the plant. For example, nettle infusion provides a lot of magnesium. Good herbs for infusion are nettle, raspberry leaves, red clover, dandelion leaves, and lady's mantle.
The herb then needs to steep in boiled water for 2 to 8 hours depending on whether it's leaves, flowers, or bark. An alternative to this can be making vinegar from an herb or root. Vinegar made from fresh plants provides both minerals and vitamins. Good plants for this are turmeric, garlic, chili, rosemary, horseradish, dandelion root, and ginger.
Liquid extracts
Extracts provide a smooth, quick way to consume potent active compounds from a plant. They are typically taken once or several times a day in a little water or directly in the mouth depending on the herb. We offer liquid extracts with droppers or liquid extracts in capsule form. The liquid formula is then packaged in plant-based capsules to make them easy to take.
Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms are offered as dried whole mushrooms, a part of the mushroom such as the fruiting body, or as an extract. These mushrooms have significantly increased in popularity over the last 10 years as people have become more aware of their health-promoting effects. There are water and alcohol extractions, but often both water and alcohol are used during the extraction process and as a result, all bioactive components remain.
Our Favorite Brands
Gaia Herbs
Produces full-spectrum herbal formulations to access all beneficial compounds in a plant. They add nothing artificial and they are rigorously quality tested at every step. Finding such fine liquid herbal extracts in capsules is rare.
Nature's Answer
Has been manufacturing herbal extracts of the highest quality since 1972. Their alcohol-free extracts are produced with a cold Bio-Chelated proprietary extraction process, which provides a holistic, balanced and advanced botanical fingerprint extract in the same synergistic proportions found in the plant itself.
Global Healing
Manufactures herbal extracts of exceptional quality in a unique way. The result is some of the finest and most effective herbal extracts available on the market today that we are proud to offer.
Dragon Herbs
Offers fantastic herbs, plants, and mushrooms that they have carefully selected. Each Dragon Herbs product is a work of art and science, tempered with love and respect. Every ingredient is very carefully chosen. The goal of Dragon Herbs is to use the ancient knowledge from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help modern people balance and strengthen 'The 3 Treasures' to live a long, happy, and fulfilling life.
You can read more about medicinal mushrooms here.
Good luck and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the herbs!
