Must-Have Herbs

Hey Muse,

There are herbs that truly remain in your heart after you study and discover all the benefits.

Here I tell you why I chose to tell you about a special mix of these six herbs.

BURDOCK

According to natural medicine, burdock has diuretic and blood purification properties, which are among the characteristics that make it more known in healing uses. Burdock contains mineral salts such as calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium. It also contains antibiotic plant substances with an antibacterial power.

It has significant healing properties and helps to lower blood sugar levels.

According to traditional medicine, burdock treats blood poisoning, bacterial infections, diuretic difficulties and hyperglycemia states. In general, burdock is enhanced for its purifying and diuretic properties and for its ability to stimulate the work of the liver and the production of bile.

Since time immemorial, it is known as a dermopathic plant, used for the treatment of the main skin diseases. These include psoriasis, acne, dermatitis, dermatosis, eczema and many other pathologies related to metabolic and biological disorders. The plant, in fact, is rich in phenolic acids with strong antibiotic and antibacterial properties: not surprisingly, it can be counted among the natural remedies for cystitis and various other types of inflammation.

Thanks to the presence of inulin, it also has a positive effect on intestinal transit and bacterial flora, also thanks to the polyenes it has antibacterial and antifungal properties.

It is also widely used in Chinese Medicine, in which it is considered an aphrodisiac tonic particularly effective against male ailments, such as impotence or infertility.

TURMERIC

For all lovers of natural remedies there is another good news: do you hate anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and pain killers? Don't worry, put the drugs aside, mother nature comes to meet us: turmeric is one of the most powerful natural remedies in circulation against joint pain and flu.

For its beneficial and healing properties, turmeric is traditionally used both in Ayurvedic medicine and in traditional Chinese medicine, in particular it is used as a natural food supplement for its ability to counteract inflammatory processes within the body. The plant has always been known for its purifying, choleretic (stimulates the production of bile by the liver) and cholagogue (favors the emptying of the gallbladder, increasing the flow of bile into the duodenum and avoiding the formation of gallstones), it is a hepatoprotector, biliary tract stimulant, antioxidant, blood thinner.

Recognized as protective of the immune system, it is also a powerful antioxidant capable of counteracting the action of free radicals, responsible for the aging and damage processes of the cell membranes that make up our body.

Turmeric works as an effective natural antispasmodic able to reduce the discomfort due to menstruation, without having to resort to traditional drugs.

CALENDULA

Calendula (aka Marigold) has large yellow/orange flowers that traditionally farmers (at least here in Italy) observed to see if it will rain. In fact, the flowers do not open in the morning if rain is expected. Its name perhaps derives from the Latin "calendae", that is, the first day of the month, when this flower blooms. Calendula contains many polysaccharides, flavonoids, carotenes and mucilages and is also used to treat dysfunctions of the female genital system, since it is able to decrease the abundant menstrual flow and increase the weak one. It also has antispasmodic properties, valid for those suffering from severe pain related to menstruation. Given the presence of mucilage, it is widely used for the treatment of gastritis, ulcers and various pathologies of the intestine. With calendula, thanks to its lipid-lowering agent, it is possible to decrease the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

NETTLE

The large amount of known active ingredients, and others not yet thoroughly studied as a whole, make nettle one of the plants with the greatest number of medicinal properties. The leaves contain abundant chlorophyll, which gives the plant a strong anti-anemic property. It is used against anemia caused by lack of iron or blood loss, because the iron and folic acid contained in it stimulate the production of red blood cells. The plant also has vasoconstrictor (contracts blood vessels) and hemostatic (stops bleeding) properties, therefore it is especially used in cases of nasal and uterine bleeding. It is also very useful for women who suffer from heavy menstruation. Nettle is also recommended in case of recovery, malnutrition and exhaustion, because the leaves are rich in mineral salts, especially silicon, which stimulates the immune system, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, manganese and potassium; and vitamins A, C and K, which make it remineralizing, restorative and invigorating. It also has a purifying, diuretic and alkalizing action: it is indicated in the case of gout, rheumatic diseases, arthritis, kidney stones, kidney and hyperglycaemia and cystitis; and in general, when it is necessary to produce a detoxifying action. Nettle has a great ability to alkalize the blood and facilitates the elimination of acid residues of the metabolism, which are closely linked to all these diseases.

Good results of its use in disorders of the organs of the digestive system are obtained, thanks to its digestive activity, because it contains small quantities of cretin, a hormone produced by some cells of our intestine, which stimulates the secretion of pancreatic juice and the motility of the stomach and gallbladder: nettle thus facilitates digestion and improves the ability to assimilate food.

Thanks to the presence of tannins it also has astringent properties and is therefore successfully used to stop diarrhea, in case of colitis or dysentery. Finally, nettle has a galactogenic action, due to the ability to increase the secretion of breast milk, and therefore it is advisable during breastfeeding.

ECHINACEA

Echinacea is a plant with numerous properties, among which anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and immunostimulant properties stand out.

The anti-inflammatory properties are attributable to the polysaccharides and, above all, to the alkylamides contained in this plant. In fact, a study has shown how the polyunsaturated alkylamides present in Echinacea angustifolia are able to exert an anti-inflammatory action through a mechanism that involves the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase enzymes, i.e. the enzymes responsible for the synthesis. of chemical mediators of inflammation.

The immunostimulating activity, on the other hand, is mainly attributable to the polysaccharides and glycoproteins contained in the plant. In this regard, several studies have been conducted from which it emerged that the alcoholic extracts of echinacea roots exert an immunostimulating action through the increase of phagocytic activity and through the promotion of lymphokine activity.

The derivatives of caffeic acid, however, have been shown to possess antioxidant properties. More in detail, research was conducted which highlighted how echinacoside and chicoric acid can be useful in preventing the degradation of type III collagen from damage caused by free radicals.

CAT’S CLAW

One of the "virgin" plants of the Amazonian forest is the Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa), a climbing plant used for millennia by the indigenous people of the Amazon. Its name derives from the similarity of its thorns with the cat's nails. I was lucky enough to discover this wonderful plant on one of my trips to Peru. In fact, the Ashaninka tribe of central Peru boasts the longest tradition in the use of this important plant: its infusion is a medicine of its own almost unlimited curative treatments that primarily treat inflammation of the digestive system, arthritis and rheumatism; it also supports post-partum, cleanses the kidneys, cleanses and heals deep wounds.

This plant is also the subject of great interest by western researchers who are studying its immunostimulating properties and anticancer (anti-mutagenic) properties.

Cat's claw also has a remarkable anti-inflammatory property and this explains the wide use of this plant in the treatment of intestinal inflammation, arthritis and rheumatism.

Today's use of this plant in herbal medicine mirrors the traditional one, now validated for thousands of years of use. Its multiple applications include: immunodeficiency, inflammatory states of the digestive system, muscles and joints, viral and bacterial infections, colitis, uro-genital infections.

Now that you have discovered the benefits of these fabulous herbs, you know why I fell in love with them.

Make good use of it, a lot of health for everyone!

Much Love,

Manuela