Using herbs for support
Herbal medicine has been around forever. Before there were pharmaceuticals there were plants and people using them to get well and support the needs of their bodies.
I love that herbs support the natural functions of the body. Unlike many pharmaceuticals that force or block the body system into doing something for an end result.
There are risks and side effects associated with taking pharmaceuticals and some of those risks can be severe. There is also a domino effect that we don't hear enough of. Your body works like a well-oiled machine and if one area is affected it's likely to have an effect on other areas of your body. You should be informed if you choose to take medication.
Knowing what a medication is made from and the risks or side effects makes you an educated consumer.
There can be some risks with taking herbs as well, mostly being able to properly identify the herb if you are picking it yourself or an allergy to the plant.
Adaptogen herbs
I wanted to talk about a couple of my favorite herbs. They are both considered adaptogen herbs. There are many adaptogen herbs. Here are two of my favorites.
Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Holy Basil is top on my list. It's a great herb to grow in your garden, it's in the basil family. You can use the leaves or flowers fresh from the garden. It has a slightly sweet taste that is great in tea. Harvesting and drying some for the winter months will give you tea throughout the winter. It helps to reduce stress levels and bring balance to the body.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is probably my favorite herb to recommend if you are dealing with a lot of stress or anxiety. It is a great herb for supporting the adrenal gland and helps to calm the fight or flight response.
Adaptogens are a great support tool that I like to use with my clients. Helping them feel better while working on making some changes to get to the root cause and start healing.
These herbs are supportive not a cure all.
Getting to the root cause of what is going on inside your body so you can change it will ultimately bring you into a healing state.
You may be thinking, you don't understand how things you have always done could be causing your health issues. But health is cumulative, as we get older and are exposed to more and more unhealthy foods, toxins, and stressors it starts to add up and the body can't keep up.
When we are young our cells reproduce and repair at a much faster rate. You can process out the bad stuff quicker. But as we get older and have years of accumulated stressors on the body it starts to take a toll. The immune system is busy trying to keep up with fighting off unwanted invaders and clearing out the stuff we don't want in the body. It gets overloaded.
Inflammation is one of the leading causes of so many health issues these days. We have to remember that inflammation is a normal part of the immune system. Chronic inflammation is literally your immune system on overdrive.
Healing doesn't happen overnight, it takes time. Herbs are a great way to help give you added support during that time.
Try an herbal tea to give your body support for stress and anxiety.
Adaptogen herbs work best when used regularly so enjoy a cup of tea daily. If you would rather, you can take herbs as a supplement or tincture. You can find herbs at your local apothecary, tea shop or natural health store.
You may be thinking, that's all great but will it really help me?
I want to offer to you that it's a start and starting is a positive step forward. Becoming the person who sticks to a plan and puts their health and wellness first means making changes and pushing outside your comfort zone.
If you are living with stress, anxiety, depression and struggling with your emotional health as well as your physical health, can you imagine what it would be like to not have that struggle anymore? It's time to put your wellness first and feel better in your body.
Having a coach on your team can make all the difference. I want to help you to make a plan but more importantly I want to help you to see it through. Help you to see when you're putting up roadblocks and coach you though it even when you don't know you are doing it. I'm not just your cheerleader; I will give you knowledge so you can make changes that will have an impact on your health.
I will also push you when you are resistant, showing you how your brain is keeping you stuck.
I'd love to talk with you further about your personal health journey. You can respond to this email and I will get back to you.
If you are ready to book a free consultation, just click the link below to get to my schedule.
Tracy Doyle Wellness
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