"Herbs are a gift from God, lovingly planted in His creation to bring healing and restoration, a reminder of His grace and provision through the bounty of the earth."
Any of my long-time followers know of my love for herbs. They represent one of the greatest gifts to us from God and the earth, as they are delicious, nutritious, and healing.
Did you know more than 3,000 different herbs are utilized every year throughout the world? Far more than that exist, but we know at least this many are utilized. Of these, many are intended to fight off illness or infections in the body; however, many are not. The uses are nearly as vast as the needs of our bodies: nourishment, minerals, detoxing, energy, relaxation, pain, enjoyment, and dozens more.
The Need for Minerals & Nourishment
One of the most frequent challenges I see in those battling chronic illness is insufficient minerals and nourishment. This isn’t necessarily a surprise, though. Given how hard our bodies have been fighting in battling chronic illness, and how depleted we can become during treatment or while detoxing, finding ways to bring in more minerals can be critical.
Utilizing Multifunctional Herbs (“Did Someone Say BOGO?”)
For so many of us, adding in MORE things brings about… an eyeroll. I of all people know this (and I can see you rolling your eyes!). But I’m here for you. I’m not offering a BOGO sale per say, but I am offering BOGO knowledge. Some of the herbs I love are those that can serve multiple purposes at once; perhaps it can help complement something you’re already doing. Or, it’s something to explore with the intention of making your healing smarter, not harder.
Here are some multifunctional herbs, with an emphasis on herbs that nourish and deliver minerals to our body:
I’d bet some of you have already heard of this one. It’s best known as a support during allergy season, or when you might be dealing with a high level of histamines. What you might not know is why it’s beneficial in this department. Nettle is rich in nutrients that aid the liver and help it to break down unwanted particles via action to the kidneys (therefore helping to alleviate allergy/histamine symptoms). Some of this richness includes chlorophyll, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamins A & C, and a number of antioxidants. Nettle is also known to be beneficial for improving anemia, decreasing asthma, detoxifying the liver, and improving your body’s resistance to other environmental toxins. One herbs with many functions!
Our soils are not as mineral-rich as they once were, and as such, “sea plants” are becoming a great nutritional option. Sea moss and seaweed are known to contain a remarkable amount of the 102 different minerals that make up the human body. It’s especially rich in iodine, potassium, and magnesium as well as vitamins A, E, and K. Simultaneously, it’s beneficial in soothing the GI tract and for challenges such as gastritis and diarrhea, blood sugar control, strengthening the immune system, improving thyroid health, energy and metabolism, nourishing the nervous system, improving skin health, brain health and cognition, and improving heart health. Recent research shows it is very helpful pre-pregnancy to help with conception as well as supporting women during perimenopause and menopause years. Many multifunctional purposes!
Burdock Root:
Burdock’s principal use is for blood purification and to aid the kidneys. It’s abundance of minerals, especially iron, is part of what makes it effective as a blood purifier and nutritive. It is also contains calcium, phosphorus, folate, and manganese. In general, it helps the body clear heat and get rid of waste through the liver, kidneys, and lymph. It's a powerful herb known for its ability to support the immune system by acting as a natural blood purifier and detoxifier. Rich in antioxidants, it helps reduce inflammation, enhances lymphatic drainage, and promotes healthy skin, making it a valuable tool for overall health and vitality.
Parsley Root:
Parsley Root is used especially for urinary tract infections. Simultaneously, as an effective diuretic, it helps reduce excess fluids in the body through its effect on the kidneys. It is high in chlorophyll, B vitamins, iron, and potassium. It's also a rich source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that strengthens the immune system, protects against infections and illnesses, promotes regular bowel movements, strengthens the bones, and improves skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
Gentian & Fennel Seed:
While these two are not specifically rich in minerals, I did want to bring them to your attention. They both possess strong abilities in assimilation, or aiding the body’s ability to break doing and absorb nutrients from your food and herbs. As you may have experienced, part of the challenge in having less than ideal nourishment can be due to poor nutrient absorption. Getting the most out of your food is critically important as it aids in the cellular repair constantly going on. This is where these two herbs shine!
Wrapping Up
You might enjoy using multiple of the herbs mentioned above in combination, rather than a single herb. Why?
1) You’ll receive a greater variance of minerals to nourish, heal, and repair the body
2) Herbs are by nature intended to work better together synergistically when combined for a greater effect
Not everyone has a palate for teas, however herbs like Licorice Root and Stevia can help to improve or even balance out the flavor. Note that Licorice Root does not taste quite like the candy; I often hear people’s aversion to trying the tea, but don't fear...it’s not the candy grandma used to always try to force on you.
Curious to know where to purchase some of the herbs or herbal blends I love and use myself? My favorite brands can be found below:
Questions about where to start? Reach out! I love talking herbs (bit of an herb nerd over here) and would love to hear the ways you’ve incorporated them into your healing to this point.
Stefanie Smit is a Bioenergetic Root Cause Practitioner & Health Coach. She guides individuals through the challenges of chronic illness to help them find clarity in the WHY behind their symptoms, so they can find a clear path forward back to a life of health and purpose.
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