When you shop for home remedies for illnesses and discomforts, you might instinctively make a beeline for the pharmacy section of your grocery store. However, you may not realize that natural herbal preparations have played similar roles in health and wellness support throughout human history.
Even today, the powerful healing potential in many common plant products can help you manage pain, anxiety, sleeplessness, and many other aggravations while supporting your body's optimal function, with cannabidiol (CBD) serving as just one case in point. Consider complementing your CBD regimen with the following four examples.
1. Garlic
Garlic has played a prominent role in the herbal medicine traditions of many ancient and modern civilizations, and for good reason. This humble bulb might help lower both blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also appears to support healthy immune system function.
Garlic can inhibit blood clotting, which may help reduce your risk of strokes and other such events. However, this reduction in blood clotting could also cause trouble if you plan to schedule surgery or take medications that might promote bleeding. For this reason, talk to your doctor before taking garlic supplements.
Although you need look no further than your own kitchen cabinets for garlic, you would likely have trouble maintaining consistent dosages of this herb simply by eating raw bulbs or loose garlic powder. Many people also prefer not to reek of garlic. Capsule-based preparations can help you get the right amounts without the odor.
2. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha serves as a keystone of Ayurveda, or Indian traditional medicine. Both the roots and the berries find their way into a variety of nutritional supplements, from capsules and teas to tinctures. This remarkably versatile herbal shrub can improve or normalize a wide range of physical and mental functions.
Studies show that ashwagandha may help burn fat, lower blood sugar levels, sharpen the brain's cognitive abilities, and promote strong muscles. It also appears to boost reproductive function in both men and women. Ashwaganda's ability to ease anxiety can promote more restful sleep and healthier responses to stress.
3. Valerian Root
Valerian root offers powerful stress reduction and sleep improvement benefits of its own. The roots and stems of this perennial herb, which currently thrives all over the world, commonly go into a variety of herbal products such as tinctures, teas, and capsules (the last of which may appeal to those who don't like valerian's strong odor).
Since the days of ancient Greece, valerian has offered people a natural means of conquering nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia. Researchers believe that its active ingredients interact with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors to promote sedation. Valerian may also boast antidepressant effects.
4. Mushroom Extracts
Although some types of fungi can cause health problems such as yeast infections, one group of fungi bucks the trend. Certain types of mushrooms not only enhance meals but may also provide important health and wellness benefits. You can find nutritional products that offer mushroom extracts in capsule form.
Examples of beneficial mushrooms include reishi, cordyceps, shiitake, and lion's mane mushrooms. Reishi mushrooms may boost immunity and protect the liver. Cordyceps and shiitake mushrooms may support healthy cardiovascular and kidney function. Lion's mane mushrooms show promise against certain gastrointestinal problems.
The four examples noted above represent just the tip of the herbal wellness iceberg. Fortunately, you do not need to search high and low for these and other herbal supplements when you can get them all right here at New Leaf Organic Wellness. Check out our extensive lineup of herbal and CBD products to enhance your quality of life the natural way. We look forward to helping you.