Turmeric is without a doubt the most powerful herb on the planet. It is from the ginger family that is mainly grown in India, China and Indonesia and contains several compounds with medicinal properties. Curcumin, a powerful antioxidant found in turmeric, increases the body's antioxidant enzymes. Gingko is one of the oldest homeopathic plants and a key herb in Chinese medicine.
The leaves are used to create capsules, tablets and extracts, and when dried, they can be consumed as tea. It is perhaps best known for its ability to improve brain health. Studies say gingko can treat patients with mild to moderate dementia and may slow cognitive decline in dementia and Alzheimer's disease. With its bright orange hue, it's impossible to miss a bottle of turmeric on a spice rack.
Turmeric, native to India, is believed to have anti-cancer properties and may prevent mutations. It has been used as a medicinal herb for 4,000 years and is a tentpole of an Indian alternative medicine practice called Ayurveda. Evening primrose oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is known to help with conditions such as atopic dermatitis and diabetic neuropathy. It can also help with other health problems, such as breast pain.
Flax seed is one of the safest options among plant-based dietary supplements. Harvested for thousands of years, today flax seed is praised for its antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory benefits. Studies suggest that it may help prevent colon cancer and lower blood pressure. When consumed, it can even help reduce obesity.
Tea tree oil has antimicrobial superpowers in wounds and topical infections. Wilson recommends that tea tree oil, like all essential oils, be diluted in a carrier oil. It is often already diluted in a variety of skin care products and creams. Echinacea is much more than those beautiful purple echinacea that you see dotting gardens.
These flowers have been used for centuries as medicine in the form of teas, juices and extracts. Nowadays, they can be taken as powders or supplements. The most well-known use of echinacea is to shorten the symptoms of the common cold but further studies are needed to verify this benefit and understand how echinacea increases immunity when there is a virus. Ashwagandha comes from the plant Withania somnifera, also known as ginseng from India and winter cherry from India.
The evergreen shrub is native to Africa and Asia and grows in parts of the Middle East and India. Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties to increase energy levels, decrease anxiety and stress, and reduce pain and inflammation. It can also increase testosterone levels in men and support erectile dysfunction, increase libido (sexual desire) and improve sexual pleasure. Chamomile is a popular herbal remedy in the United States commonly used to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
