How Does Plant Medicine Work?
How Does Plant Medicine Work?
Plant medicine is a term that’s not often used in our daily language. Only those who are interested in herbalism are aware of the potent health benefits of using herbs. How Does Plant Medicine Work?
To most other people, plant medicine is some esoteric and exotic philosophy that’s best left to the ‘new age health fanatics’. In reality, plant medicine is very straightforward once you understand how it works.
* The focus of plant medicine
For starters, the focus is mostly on herbs. While you can get health benefits by consuming foods such as broccoli, kale, and other luscious vegetables that are rich in micronutrients and antioxidants, plant medicine is mostly concerned with herbs.
After all, you can’t make broccoli tea.
One of the reasons herbs are used as plant medicine is because of the simplicity involved. It’s very easy to brew herbal tea and consume it.
While you can use herbs in your cooking, it’s a lot faster to just make a quick ginger tea if you have indigestion or a cup of basil tea if you’re down with the flu. Quick remedies are what you need and that’s why herbs are great.
* How do herbs work?
There are several benefits of consuming herbs, but they mostly fall into a few specific categories.
*Tonics – herbs like ginseng are often used in tonics to improve your health by making your body function optimally.
*Antioxidants – you may have heard this term ad nauseam, and all it really means is that the herbs contain properties that arrest free radicals and eliminates the damage they cause. You can get antioxidants from vegetables and fruit too. Most herbs are rich in antioxidants.
*Adaptogens – this ‘scientific-sounding’ word just refers to herbs that help the body to combat stress. Herbs like arctic root, aloe vera, milk thistle, ashwagandha, astragalus, etc. are all examples of adaptogens. When your body is able to manage stress, it will be less prone to disease.
*Hepatic – this refers to herbs that help the liver function well. Turmeric, licorice, ginger, yellow dock, etc. are all hepatic herbs that aid with liver function.
*Alternatives – An alternative refers to an action within the body where the body’s processes are slightly altered so it acts in a way that improves one’s health. This is a difficult term to explain – but one good example is drinking chickweed tea to cleanse your blood.
*Stimulants – forget the energy drinks. Herbal teas can help to ‘wake you up’ and energize you. Ginseng, maca, and ashwagandha are examples of herbs that will give you energy.
Unlike energy drinks which may cause nervousness and heart palpitations, these natural stimulants are much gentler on your system. You’ll also not get tons of sugar in your body (often found in energy drinks).
*Nervines – herbs that help support the nervous system are known as nervines. They calm the body, aid in sleep, and provide a general sense of relaxation within the body. Chamomile, lemon balm, and skullcap are a few examples of herbs that are nervines.
Promote good health
By now, you’ll realize that herbs have many properties that support and promote good health. While you may study herbalism in depth when you have the time, your key takeaway from this article should be – you need to include herbs in your diet.
The study is great, but consumption is even better. Start sipping on chamomile tea or some other herbal tea to help boost your health.
If you have any health problems, do find out what suitable herbal remedies will address them – and give them a try. You just might be amazed by the results.
