4 Healing Herbs you should use Everyday

Herbs, which are also known as botanicals or phytomedicines (‘phyto’ means ‘plant’ in Greek), have been the staples of sickroom and the kitchen since ancient times, and were the primary form of medicine throughout the world, and more so in India. In recent times, interest has been rejuvenated in holistic, natural, and safe ways of treating or preventing diseases.

This has been the fall out of costly and unnecessary modern allopathic medicine prescriptions and the dawning realization that while many “medicines” cure illnesses, they do create more side effects and problems in the long run.

It was noted that, in Europe, saw palmetto (a herb) was the standard treatment for prostate enlargement and not conventional allopathic prescription drug. Similarly, reports of St. John’s wort for mild depression and gingko biloba for dementia sufferers have made news.

In Germany, a special body of scientists and health professionals known as Commission E has been studying herbs, and concluded that over one third of them were safe and effective.

Best Herbal Supplements you should use everyday

Herbals supplements are prepared from plants, often using leaves, stems, roots, bark, and buds and flowers. Many plant parts can be used in their natural form or they can be refined into tablets, capsules, powders, tinctures, and other formulations. While no herb or supplement can completely cure diseases like cancer, diabetes or others, they can be useful to prevent or delay progression of disease, and in some cases, prevent further complications. They must be combined with a healthy, balanced diet, and regular physical activity for best results.  Here are 4 Gs that are quite effective as herbs.

Ginger

A centuries old remedy for delicate stomachs, ginger can act within minutes to combat dizziness and nausea associated with motion sickness or mild vertigo.

In some trials, ginger has been proved to be more effective than over the counter allopathic remedies to prevent nausea.  And ginger does not produce the side effects of drowsiness or blurred vision unlike conventional medicines. Fresh ginger root, ginger tea or ginger ale (a drink made of ginger) can all be effective against dizziness, nausea, or motion sickness.

Ginger can also cure flatulence and bloating. Additionally, it has pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. Use of 50 grams of fresh ginger in a study of seven women with rheumatoid arthritis lowered joint pain and inflammation. It can also be useful to ease bronchial constriction in allergies, asthma, or cold.

You may also like: Exploring Herbal Supplements

Gingko biloba

Controlled trials have demonstrated that the herb gingko biloba, which increases the brain’s blood supply, may improve memory and help alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disorder which impacts memory and mental functioning.

In the first major study of the effect of gingko on Alzheimer’s, 27 % of those taking the herb showed the equivalent of a six month delay in progression of the disease compared to 14 % in those who were not taking the herb.

Gingko also is proven to improve blood flow to the heart, and is recommended for those with heart disease or arrhythmias (a dangerous condition of irregular heartbeat) and diabetes.

Gugulipid

The active ingredient in gugulipid, known as guggulsterones, has an effect on how fat is metabolized in the body.   It is made from the gummy resin of the small thorny mukul myrrh tree, native to India.  Called gum guggul or guggulu, the resin has been part of Ayurveda. As early as 600 BC, ayurvedic physicians in India described a disease marked by overeating of fatty foods, lack of exercise and “coating and obstruction of channels” which they termed “medoroga”.

Today we know this as “atherosclerosis” or hardening of arteries due to cholesterol deposit.  Gugulipid has a cholesterol lowering effect.  It stimulates the liver to breakdown LDL cholesterol, while raising HDL, the “good” cholesterol levels. A study in India of 205 people found that gugulipid in combination with low fat diet lowered total cholesterol by 24%.

Green tea

Green tea and tea extracts are known to have powerful antioxidant properties. They can fight inflammation and reduce fat cells in the body. Trials have shown that they reduce the risk of cancer. Studies in China showed that those who drank green tea for six months had lower rates of rectal, pancreatic and possibly colon cancer than those who did not drink it at all. This effect is due to the antioxidant, called “catechins” in short. Green tea also has a protective effect on the heart.

You may also like: 5 Simple Ways To Detoxify Your Body At Home

Visit Gympik.com to seek addresses and other details of expert nutritionists. Pink Fitness One in Nungambakkam, Saligramam, and Rajakilpakkam, Fitness One in Kilpauk, and Ateliers Fitness in Velachery are some of the centres in Chennai that offer diet and nutritional counselling.