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 you can 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 it'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 seeks out what you need most. Yes, it's actually a miracle that nature has given us.
Feel free to read more about adaptogens.
Which herb should I choose?
It can be difficult to know which herbs we should use to feel our best.
The choice of herbs should be adapted to your needs and challenges where you find yourself in life. If you only read descriptions or articles about different herbs, it feels a bit like you need them all.
After over 15 years of experimentation, we have a tip to share: the herb or herb blend that you feel most drawn to is often exactly what you need right now.
We have done many medical tests, kinesiological treatments and various analyses over the years, and this simple truth is what usually holds true, even though it is 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 brief overview of common herbs/plants and which health aspects they are most used for.
Nettle is one of our favorites among wild plants.
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 | Pathogens | Blood | Immune System | Influenza | Anti-age
Thyme | Pathogens | Airways| Bacteria | Gut| Cough
Peppermint | Digestion | Fever | Headache | Stomach Cramps
Meadowsweet | Gastritis | Digestion | Heartburn | Gallbladder | Pain Relief
Lady's Mantle | Menstrual Cramps | Diuretic | Astringent | Connective Tissue
Elder | Pathogens | Influenza | Allergies
Lemon Balm | Relaxation | Sleep | Pathogens
Burdock | Blood | Liver| Skin
Olive Leaf | Pathogens | Heart | Antioxidant
Oregano | Pathogens | Bacteria/Fungus | Antioxidant
Chamomile | Relaxation | Antispasmodic
Bladderwrack / Blåstång | Thyroid | Joints
Turmeric | Joints | Antioxidant
Licorice Root | Digestion | Recovery | Airways
Horsetail | Skin & Hair | Minerals | Bone Health
Hibiscus | Blood Pressure | Antioxidant
Marshmallow Root | Mucous Membranes | Diuretic | Stomach Problems | Skin | Cough
Couch Grass | Skin
Prostate
Uva Ursi / Mjölon | Urinary Tract | Bacteria
Pau D'arco | Pathogens | Immune System | Fungus
Eyebright | Eyes
Raspberry Leaf | Hormones | Menstrual Cramps | Pregnancy
Ginger | Digestion | Nausea | Joints
Cranberry | Urinary Tract
Artichoke | Liver | Digestion | Diuretic
Wormwood | Pathogens | Digestion | Stomach Acid
Clove | Pathogens | Pain Relief | Digestion
Mullein / Kungsljus | Airways
Anise / Fennel / Caraway | Digestion | Antispasmodic
Propolis | Immune System | Pathogens | Antioxidant
Tulsi / Holy Basil | Relaxation | Sleep | Blood | Balance
Moringa | Nutrition | Sleep | Blood
Immune System | Balance | Antioxidant
Immune System | Relaxation | Balance | Meditation
Astragalus | Immune System | Blood | Balance | Anti-age
Rhodiola/Rose Root | Relaxation | Combat Fatigue | Balance
Ginseng | Energy | Mental Performance | Balance | Libido
Siberian Ginseng / Russian Root | Energy | Immune System | Balance | Focus
Schizandra | Liver | Nervous System | Balance | Skin | Concentration
Ashwagandha | Relaxation | Energy | Balance
Lion's Mane / Hedgehog Mushroom | Brain | Immune System
He Shou Wu | Brain | Immune System | Blood | Yin Energy
Energy | Focus | Physical Endurance
Maca | Energy | Libido | Physical Endurance
Gynostemma | Energy | Anti-age | Balance | Immune System
Immune System | Heart | Energy
NOTE!
Herbs are good to alternate and take in periods.
It's important to find a health program that works for you right now, and be open to the fact that it may change a few months later in line with seasons, life situation and other things that change inside and around us.
How are herbs prepared?
How an herb is prepared depends on which substances you wish to extract from the plant.
Herbs for tea
Herbal tea is a common way to use herbs for wellbeing.
Whole, dried herbs are the closest you can get to a herb picked fresh from a garden while still keeping well. If you have the opportunity to pick yourself, you can dry the herbs on a large towel, a sheet, a drying rack or in a dehydrator.
Herbal tea is suitable to make with plants that are rich in essential oil (plant extract) such as peppermint, lavender, lemon balm and rose. You can simply say: the plants that smell a lot.
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 leaf, 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 to make vinegar from an herb or root.
Vinegar made from fresh plants provides both minerals and vitamins. Good plants for this are for example turmeric, garlic, chili, rosemary, horseradish, dandelion root and ginger.
Liquid extracts
Extracts provide a convenient, quick way to get potent active compounds from a plant. They are usually taken one to several times a day in a little water or directly in the mouth depending on the herb.
We offer liquid extracts with dropper or liquid extracts in capsule form. The liquid formula is then packaged in plant-based capsules to be easy to take.
Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms are offered as dried whole mushrooms, a piece of the mushroom such as the fruiting body, or as extracts. These mushrooms have increased markedly in popularity over the past 10 years as people have opened their eyes to their health-promoting effects.
There are water and alcohol extraction methods, but often both water and alcohol are used in the extraction process and as a result, all bioactive components remain.
Our Favorite Brands
Gaia Herbs
Manufactures full-spectrum herbal formulations to access all the beneficial compounds in a plant. They add nothing artificial and are rigorously quality tested at every step. Finding such fine liquid herbal extracts in capsules is unusual.
Nature's Answer
Has manufactured herbal extracts of the highest quality since 1972. Their alcohol-free extracts are produced using 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. You can learn more about their process through their detailed documentation. The result is some of the finest and most effective herbal extracts available on the market today, which 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 wisdom from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help modern people balance and strengthen 'The 3 Treasures' to live a long, happy and fulfilling life.
More information is available about medicinal mushrooms.
Good luck and don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the herbs!
