If you’re looking for an effective way to support balance for your body and mind, turn to herbs for good health that have a long history of use.*
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines good health as: A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease or infirmity.1
That’s a very broad definition, and yours may differ slightly and will undoubtedly be specific to you. But however you define good health, taking an herbal supplement is a great way to help keep your body and mind in top shape.*
In this article, we discuss the best herbs for sustaining good health and how you can incorporate them into your daily life.*
The Best Herbs for Good Health*
1) Turmeric
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in Southeastern and Eastern Asia as a traditional medicine, coloring agent, and spice.*
In fact, reports of its use to reduce occasional inflammation, support healthy digestion, promote cardiovascular health, and support the immune system go as far back as 600 B.C.*2
Traditional health benefits of Turmeric include:*
- Brain and cognitive support
- Digestive support
- Foundational support
- Immune support
- Liver support
- Beauty support
For foundational support and to reduce occasional inflammation due to normal wear and tear, try Turmeric Supreme® Extra Strength.*
2) Black Elderberry
Primarily found in Europe and North America, Black Elderberry has long been used in traditional cultures to support immune function.* Regarded as an “Elder” plant in Native American Herbalism, Elderberry has been used collectively by many tribes as a tonic medicine and food to promote health and vitality.*1
While not used often in food and drink in the U.S., these versatile berries are prized as a staple part of a healthy diet in many parts of the world and have even been used to make wine and syrup.
Because Black Elderberry is high in flavonoid-rich compounds, it is believed to provide antioxidant protection to cells in your body that are vulnerable to free radicals and airborne elements.*3
Traditional health benefits of Black Elderberry include:*
To maintain your well-being any time of the year, try Gaia Herbs Black Elderberry Syrup or Black Elderberry Adult Daily Gummies for immune support you can feel good about.*
3) Holy Basil
As an herb for good health, Holy Basil has a history that traces back more than 3,000 years to ancient Ayurvedic texts.*
Since then, it has been used for a variety of reasons, including to support a healthy response to stress, help maintain already-healthy blood sugar levels, promote longevity, nourish the mind, and elevate the spirit.*
In addition, Holy Basil is classified as an adaptogen — an herb or mushroom that helps balance and restore the body.*4
Traditional health benefits of Holy Basil include:*
- Stress support
- Brain and cognitive support
- Immune support
- Foundational support
- Glycemic support
- Digestive support
Gaia Herbs Holy Basil Leaf Liquid Phyto-Caps® help maintain emotional well-being and support a positive mood.*
4) Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha — also known as Indian Ginseng and Winter Cherry — has traditional uses stretching back more than 4,000 years in its native India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
In the Middle East, it is still used today to help promote normal sleep patterns and encourage a healthy inflammatory response.*5
In the U.S., Ashwagandha is more commonly known and used as an adaptogenic herb that can help promote balance in many different systems of the body and help the body cope with stress in a healthy way.*
Traditional health benefits of Ashwagandha include:*
- Brain & cognitive support
- Immune support
- Energy support
- Stress support
- Sleep support
- Men’s health
- Women’s health
If you’re a busy professional or anyone dealing with ongoing stress, Gaia Herbs Ashwagandha Root can provide the support you need to help you cope with whatever life throws at you.*
5) Oregano
Oregano is native to Europe, the Mediterranean, and southern Asia, where it was — and still is — prized for the flavor it adds to many foods. Oregano was also used to preserve meat before refrigeration was available because it contains high amounts of volatile oils, including Carvacrol, Thymol, and Eugenol.
Oregano has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times.* As an herb for good health, Oregano is high in antioxidants and contains key constituents that function synergistically to support the body’s natural resistance and a healthy immune response.*
Traditional health benefits of Oregano include:*
Experience beneficial antioxidant support with Gaia Herbs Oil of Oregano.* Your well-being awaits.
6) Echinacea
Echinacea — often referred to as Purple Coneflower — is closely related to the daisy and is a member of the Compositae family.
The plant is scarce in the wild but is cultivated extensively in its native Arkansas and Missouri, as well as in North Carolina (home of Gaia Herbs 350-acre Certified Organic Farm) and elsewhere in the United States.
Echinacea is unique amongst herbs for good health in that different parts of the plant can be used to achieve different results. In fact, we’ve performed extensive research on the activity of the seeds, flowering tops (in several phases of development), and roots.*7
Traditional health benefits of Echinacea include:*
For a harmonious blend of Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia, try Gaia Herbs Echinacea Supreme to support your immune defenses year-round.*
7) Kava
It is believed that Kava originated in the archipelago of Vanuatu and quickly spread to Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, and Hawaii (where it is called Awa).
Although further research is needed, some clinical studies have shown great promise for Kava as an herb for good health that supports the healthy activity of lung tissue and the nervous system.*
In regard to uses, Kava is known to have a calming and relaxing effect on the body, so it is especially helpful during periods of occasional stress.*
Traditional benefits of Kava include:*
If you’re looking for a way to maintain a sense of calm and serenity at home, at the office, or while traveling, try Gaia Herbs Kava Root to help restore balance to your body and mind.*
8) Rhodiola
The fragrant Rhodiola rosea root — also known as roseroot — has been used throughout history in Iceland, Sweden, France, Russia, and Greece.
This revered adaptogen became popular with the Vikings as a way to enhance mental and physical endurance and was even included in the first Swedish Pharmacopeia.*
The respected Greek physician Dioscorides discussed the virtues of Rhodiola rosea root in his De Materia Medica discourse in the first century A.D., and the father of taxonomy, Linnaeus, also wrote about Rhodiola’s medicinal properties in his Materia Medica (1749).*8
We use Siberian Rhodiola rosea to support adrenal gland function and to encourage a healthy response to physical, emotional, and mental stress.*
Traditional health benefits of Rhodiola include:*
Rhodiola is an excellent adaptogenic herb for good health and can help your body cope with stress in a healthy way.* Try Rhodiola for yourself with Gaia Herbs Rhodiola Rosea.*
9) Maca
Maca is a tuberous root that grows in the high elevations of the Andes mountain range, where the native peoples use it as a staple and medicinal food.
Maca belongs to the Brassicaceae family and offers many of the same nutritional benefits as broccoli, kale, cabbage, rutabagas, turnips, and radishes.
Maca root is a caffeine-free, edible herbaceous plant that has been traditionally used to support healthy energy and stamina.*
Traditional benefits of Maca include:*
If you’re looking for a way to support peak performance, Gaia Herbs Maca Root is popular among athletes, weekend warriors, and anyone looking to stay physically active.*
Gaia Herbs Maca Root is made with organic Maca, which is ethically harvested by our trusted partners, high in the Peruvian Andes. Our Maca roots are slowly sun-dried according to traditional methods, which promotes an optimal amount of final bioactive compounds.*
Our organic Maca goes through a process known as gelatinization, which uses heat and water to make our Maca easier to digest.*
Incorporating Herbs for Good Health into Your Diet
As you can see, herbs are a versatile way to support your physical, mental, and emotional health so you can live a healthy, thriving life.* They’re also extremely easy to take. Herbs come in many different forms so you can incorporate them into your diet in a variety of ways.
For example, we offer Liquid Phyto-Caps®, powders, capsules, gummies, and even liquids. With those options, you can take your herbs straight, mix them in your food, or even dissolve them in your drink.
And for the best results, take your herbs at the right time of day. You’ll experience more benefits if you take certain herbs in the morning and certain herbs in the evening.
For example, take an energizing herb like Rhodiola rosea in the morning to start your day off right and avoid interfering with your circadian rhythms.* Or take a calming herb like Holy Basil before bed (or any time you need to relax) to help you feel better in the morning.*
It’s also important to understand that different herbs will require different amounts of time to take effect in your body. Some herbs may work quickly to address acute concerns, while other herbs need time to restore balance in the body.
Read our article How to Get The Most From Your Herbal Supplements to learn more. And be sure to talk to your doctor or Ayurvedic practitioner for information, guidance, and advice on introducing herbs into your balanced diet.
To shop herbs for good health, search for our products by herb or by health interest.
REFERENCES:
1 Word Health Organization Constitution.
https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/constitution
2 Biological activities of Curcuma longa L.
https://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0074-02762001000500026&script=sci_arttext&tlng=en
3Safety and whole-body antioxidant potential of a novel anthocyanin-rich formulation of edible berries.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16328973/
4 Validation of traditional claim of Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum Linn. as a medicinal plant.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1300/9e5d5c8b66b4c999e3fd92c9d50a56634412.pdf
5 Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12365397_Scientific_basis_for_the_therapeutic_use_of_Withania_somnifera_Ashwagandha_A_Review
6 Chemical composition and bioactivity of different oregano (Origanum vulgare) extracts and essential oil.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23553824/
7 Chromosome Karyotyes of Echinacea angustifolia var. angustifolia and E. purpurea.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1317084/
8 Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy.
http://accurateclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Rosenroot-Rhodiola-rosea-Traditional-use-chemical-composition-pharmacology-and-clinical-efficacy-2010.pdf