4 Herbal Supplements and What They Can Do for You

Herbal medicine has been around for centuries, but it’s gained recent traction in the spotlight as a plethora of health and wellness gurus on social media have begun to sing the praises of supplements.

Ancient cultures used herbs with potent natural properties to treat myriad conditions and alleviate pain. Nowadays, we just open our medicine cabinet and take ibuprofen, but the same properties of your everyday analgesic originate from the natural herbal supplements people used in the past.

If you’re interested in holistic medicine, herbal supplements are an interesting field to explore. Make sure that you speak to your physician first before trying any supplements mentioned in this article, and do not forgo pharmaceutical medication in favor of herbal supplements against a doctor’s advice.

Garlic

You might think that this is a bland herbal supplement suggestion, but garlic is actually a powerful plant that has been utilized in herbal medicine for thousands of years. The main ingredient in garlic is allicin, a natural antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral agent.

Allicin can reduce inflammation and may percent you from developing diabetes and heart disease.

Chamomile

The popular sleepy time tea is derived from the daisy-like flowers of the plant family Asteraceae. Chamomile is most widely used to help treat insomnia and improve sleep quality. One study found that people who consumed 270 mg of chamomile extract twice a day for 28 days fell asleep faster and woke up less frequently throughout the night.

Korean Ginseng

Korean ginseng is the “true” source of ginseng as it is derived directly from the root of the plant. White Korean ginseng and red Korean ginseng each boast unique properties that target different parts of the body.

White Korean ginseng health benefits include a strengthened immune system, reduced inflammation and possibly improved brain function. Red Korean ginseng is also known as panax ginseng. The word “panax” is Latin for “cure-all,” and it’s a suitable moniker for a plant with the ability to help reduce cholesterol and blood sugar, improve cognitive function and even possibly prevent cancer.

Ligustrum

Frequently found in Chinese medicine, ligustrum is a plant from eastern Asia that can help boost your immune system and fight off infection. There isn’t enough scientific research to prove the effects of ligustrum, but many people swear by this herbal supplement as a powder or tincture.

It’s important to note that wild ligustrum berries can be poisonous to humans, so you should only use packaged products that have been cultivated and manufactured for human consumption.

Herbal Supplements as Preventative Medicine

The role of herbal supplements has changed in human history. With the evolution of modern medicine, we no longer have to rely on plants to fight off illnesses and cure disease. However, the natural healing properties of many herbs cannot be understated, and many of them can still be used today as a means of preserving our physical well-being and promoting a healthy lifestyle.