My favourite herbal medicines to discuss are a wide-ranging group of herbs that are very safe and super nutritious. Tonic herbs are full of life-giving and life-building nutrients. They help to build vitality and provide protection. These herbs work on many different levels; the organ and immune systems often benefit, as does our deep energy or essence (called jing in the Chinese medical system).
These herbs are a perfect example of how we can take our health into our own hands. These plants are readily available, the benefits are grounded in solid science and traditional wisdom, and they promote deep health.
It’s through cultivating a relationship with plants like these that we can all begin to return to a more holistic, earth-based view of health. Check out the video to learn more about how to promote overall health with these everyday, powerful plants.
Nutrient deficiencies are very common and can lead to all kinds of problems over time. So herbalists turn to tonic herbs that are nutritive to provide a power-packed, whole-foods solution. You can think of herbal medicine of this type as a healthy foundation for all the other, more specific herbs. Generally, plants in this category can be used more casually and regularly to support the body’s overall functioning.
Nutritive Herbs
The nutritive herbs are so powerful because they deeply support us. They work efficiently, and they build up areas of weakness through nutritional support. They often support immunity and digestive function and provide a level of preventive care.
There are so many plants in this category I absolutely love, so look out for more videos on these types of herbs soon, but today I’m going to stick to 2 really accessible plants. You can use both of these herbs in several ways, but really, one of the best ways to get all of the nutrition is to include them in your food. You can also buy the dried herbs and use them in a tea. And you could blend them for a nutritious tea boost that way
Nettles
Nettles are super nutritious and super safe. This is truly a plant medicine that can be used as a food. You can harvest nettle mostly in the spring, but you can also buy it dried or in capsules. If you’re using the dried plant, you can make tea from it. I like to make a nettle pesto with fresh spring nettles. You can find the recipe for that over on my blog. I’ll also include a link below. Nettles are incredibly high in a form of calcium that is very easily absorbed by the body in comparison to other foods that have forms of calcium that are harder for the body to absorb. They’re also high in magnesium, silica, and potassium. Nettles are diuretic, so they’ll make you pee more frequently. Because of this, make sure to stay hydrated when using nettles.
Calendula
You’ll find Calendula in many gardens. These flowers are super high in antioxidant carotenoids. It’s also an anti-inflammatory herb that soothes the gut. Use the dried petals in a tea or the fresh petals in a salad. If you pick the flower heads regularly, the plant will produce more blooms. If you’re purchasing dried herb, make sure it’s still orange. Over time, calendula will lose potency, resulting in a dull-looking herb.
I hope that gives you some ideas for incorporating more nutritious herbs into your life!
