Nutrition, Tips/Guides, Wellness
The Health Benefits of Herbs
15
Apr
Apr
The health benefits of herbal medicine have always been debated by experts and medical practitioners in the clinical health circle for decades. Despite the knowledge that herbs and roots are the basic ingredients used in home-made remedies and traditional medical solutions, they contended that there wasn’t sufficient proof to show that consumption of herbs or roots actually strengthens the immune system, apart from the occasional incidental health benefits. Recent scientific breakthrough, however, has shown that root herbs contain certain minerals and nutrients which help the immune system.
Being Healthy is synonymous with having a strong immune system. Though the Immune system’s is a complex system, its primary purpose is to defend the body against invasive and inimical disease causing pathogens or substances. The immune system protects the body from disease-causing microbes by secreting white blood cells or Leucocytes to attack invading microorganisms. If the immune system is compromised, the body is left defenseless and vulnerable to diseases. However, not only microbes affect the performance of the immune system.
For the immune system to function properly, the right nutrition, hygiene, and even vaccination, must be adopted so as to minimize the body’s exposure to harmful toxins and germs.
Interestingly, Health experts have established a relationship between healthy lifestyle choices and performance of the immune system. A poor lifestyle will affect how well the immune system can protect against germs, viruses, and chronic illness. Replacing bad habits such as Inadequate sleep, poor nutrition and with good ones can help keep your immune system healthy.
To examine the effects of herbs, let us first consider what herbs are. Herbs can be defined as the botanical (any leafy/green part of the herbal plant) or culinary (the other parts of the herbs plants) mainly seeds, stem, bark, roots and spices which are mostly medicinal. Herbs contain nutrients and possess antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties which are qualities vital for an optimal immune system.
Common meal spices such as Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Basil, Garlic, Onion, Shallots, Ginger contain antioxidant properties and are regularly used in home-made herbal medicine. Similarly, roots are useful for treating common infections such as throat, fevers, coughs, flu, and disorders found in the liver, urinary tract and stomach. Also, cardiovascular conditions such as lungs infections and asthma are managed with the use of roots.
In fact, Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains many anti-depressant compounds and stress relieving benefits.
Some common roots are Nandina Flower (Chinese White Flower), Paris Polyphylla root (paris herb) root, scutellari baicalensis (skllkap) root, dandelion root, imperata root, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Lavender(Lavandula spp), Orange (Citrus sinensis, Citrus spp), Self-Heal, (Prunella vulgaris L), Spearmint(Mentha spicata), Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), St. John’s Wort, (Hypericum perforatum), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Wild Yam Root (Dioscorea villosa) and Yacon Root (Smallanthus sonchifolius).
So here is a list of some of the health benefits of herbs
Herbs plants such as oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme have antioxidant properties Share on X
Antioxidants help to control or eliminate free radicals. Free radicals, caused by chemical reactions within our body, break down the body by reducing cellular oxidation and leaving the body susceptible to diseases in the process. Antioxidants counter this effect by controlling and eliminating free radicals.
Since Herbs contain antioxidants, they help the body defend diseases caused by oxidative stress. Herbs plants such as oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme have antioxidant properties. Other sources of antioxidants are blueberries and apples.
Herbs also support the immune system. For instance, Licorice also appears to enhance immunity by boosting levels of interferon, a key immune system chemical that fights off attacking viruses. Glycyrrhizinic acid also seems to stop the growth of many bacteria and of viruses such as influenza A.
The Immune system can also be boosted by herbs such as Echinacea purpurea, eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticocus), Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). A house remedy for enhancing immune function and treating recurrent cold infections is echinacea tincture, made from a root of the same name.
Herbs have been proven to relieves pain and stress, control respiratory problems and sore throat, ameliorate symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, combat hepatitis, treat PMS and menstrual problems, and even prevent heart disease. Herbs therefore have so much benefits when taken in the right amount . Concentrated herbal extracts work best and can usually be provided through supplementation.
Herbs Are A Rich Source Of Antioxidants
Antioxidants help to control or eliminate free radicals. Free radicals, caused by chemical reactions within our body, break down the body by reducing cellular oxidation and leaving the body susceptible to diseases in the process. Antioxidants counter this effect by controlling and eliminating free radicals.
Since Herbs contain antioxidants, they help the body defend diseases caused by oxidative stress. Herbs plants such as oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme have antioxidant properties. Other sources of antioxidants are blueberries and apples.
Herbs Are Anti-Microbial
Herbs such as Garlic act as antimicrobial agent and immune booster. Other plants such as medicinal mushrooms, shiitake and maitake protect against microbes by reducing microbial activity. A house remedy for enhancing immune function and treating recurrent cold infections is echinacea tincture. #HomeRemedy Share on XHerbs Support Immune System Functions
Herbs also support the immune system. For instance, Licorice also appears to enhance immunity by boosting levels of interferon, a key immune system chemical that fights off attacking viruses. Glycyrrhizinic acid also seems to stop the growth of many bacteria and of viruses such as influenza A.
The Immune system can also be boosted by herbs such as Echinacea purpurea, eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticocus), Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). A house remedy for enhancing immune function and treating recurrent cold infections is echinacea tincture, made from a root of the same name.
Herbs have been proven to relieves pain and stress, control respiratory problems and sore throat, ameliorate symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, combat hepatitis, treat PMS and menstrual problems, and even prevent heart disease. Herbs therefore have so much benefits when taken in the right amount . Concentrated herbal extracts work best and can usually be provided through supplementation.
