World’s Best Healing Herbs | List Of Herbs

Herbs provide bold flavour, vibrant colour, and an array of impressive health benefits.

Herbs have the ability to transform culinary dishes, but they also have the ability to improve health. There are countless herbs that have been utilized for thousands of years to support health and boost longevity. Here are the world’s best healing herbs and how they can benefit your body:

Devil’s Claw: Natural Pain Reliever
This South African herb’s unique appearance resembling a sharp claw or thorn provides the reason behind the memorable name: Devil’s claw. This African herb has been used for centuries to help naturally alleviate pain, and traditionally, herbalists would give devil’s claw to individuals with arthritis or back pain.

During the 1900’s, devil’s claw was brought to Europe and commonly put in tea to support digestion. This was the catalyst to devil’s claw western popularity. Today, devil’s claw supplements can be found at many health food and supplement stores. People use devil’s claw supplements as a natural pain reliever, for bone support and for healthy digestion.

Yohimbe: Natural Aphrodisiac
Native to West Africa, yohimbe is most commonly known for its aphrodisiac qualities and sexual health benefits, but yohimbe capsules also benefit many bodily systems. Yohimbe is a bark that grows on tall evergreen trees. Yohimbe naturally contains alpha-2-adrenergic blocking properties, which help the body utilize fat for energy and support stamina and energy levels.

Traditionally, yohimbe was brewed in tea and used to boost endurance and libido levels. Nowadays, yohimbe supplements are used not only for sexual health but also for mood support, heart health, healthy ageing and more. Yohimbe supplements are available in yohimbe capsules for convenient consumption.

Saw Palmetto: Prostate Support
Saw palmetto is a powerful extract that comes from dark purple berries that grow on the saw palmetto fan in warm regions of the United States. It’s believed that Native Americans used saw palmetto as tonic to naturally relieve pain. Today, saw palmetto is commonly used as for its ability to support the prostate and urinary tract.

Although saw palmetto is often viewed as a men’s herb, saw palmetto benefits women too. Saw palmetto benefits the digestive system, urinary tract, and may help naturally relieve pain in women and men alike. Today, saw palmetto is commonly taken in a capsule or pill form.

Boswellia: Inflammation Support
Omani trees, native to arid areas in India, produce leaves that have been long cultivated for their healing benefits. Boswellia has been used in folk medicine to treat inflammatory diseases. [1] Still today, boswellia is used to calm inflammation and is an addition to joint soothing supplements and digestive health formulas.

Boswellia houses beneficial phytochemicals like triterpene acids, terpenes, and flavonoids that support everything from the immune system to circulation to normal inflammation responses. Boswellia supplements are wildly popular today because of the benefits they have on the body. Boswellia supplements can be found in most health food stores and online.

Turmeric: Immunity Boost
This vibrant, orange herb is a staple spice in Indian cuisine, and is held in high regard in Ayurvedic herbalism where it has coined the name “Cleanser of the Body.” Ayurvedic medicine has long used turmeric to support the immune system, support liver and kidney health, and naturally cleanse the body.

Curcumin, principal curcuminoid of turmeric, is responsible for most of the active benefits of turmeric supplements. Turmeric supplements demonstrate an ability to support a healthy immunity and contain beneficial antioxidants that may help protect the body from harmful free radicals.

Cinnamon: Blood Sugar Health
No culinary spice rack is complete without cinnamon, but cinnamon is good for more than a recipe addition: Cinnamon is great for your health. Since 2,000 B.C. Egyptians have been cultivating cinnamon, [2] and still today, cinnamon is widely used as a culinary spice and an herbal health supplement.

Researchers have found the chemical compounds of cinnamon to help prevent advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which happens when blood sugar rises and can cause inflammation and tissue damage. [3] Consuming a cinnamon supplement may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels naturally.

Oil Of Oregano: Immune Support
Ancient healers and herbalist from around the world, along with culinary experts, have long cherished oregano for its medicinal qualities and distinct flavour. Oil of oregano is made from the leaves of the oregano plant, which grows in the purest, mountainous regions of the Mediterranean. Oregano made its debut in Mediterranean cuisine long ago, and is now popular in kitchens around the world.

Not only is oil of oregano cherished for its culinary properties, oil of oregano is filled with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are thought to have instilled health and vitality in Mediterranean dwellers. Oil of oregano is a medicinal herb, and is unique because of its natural bacteria, virus and fungal killing properties. Taking an oil of oregano supplement may not only help strengthen the immune system, this Mediterranean ingredient may also support healthy healing and ageing.

Ginger: Digestive Support
Ginger is one of the oldest and most cultivated herbs on the Earth. For thousands of years, Asian cultures have utilized ginger for its vibrant taste and health benefits. Ancient Asian herbalists and healers believed ginger soothed an upset stomach and helped alleviate nausea.

Today, ginger is still a culinary favourite and is a common addition to digestive supplements or prenatal multivitamins. Ginger supplements leave users with a supported digestive system and may help alleviate digestive discomfort. Pure ginger supplements are also found at most health stores.

References:
1.M.Z., S. (2011). Boswellia Serrata, A Potential Antiinflammatory Agent: An Overview. US National Library Of Medicine , 255-261.

2. Synan, M. (2013, October 4). Cinnamon’s Spicy History. Retrieved May 12, 2015, from Hungry History

3. Sass, C. (2014, November 21). 5 Reasons to Love Cinnamon. Retrieved May 12, 2015, from Health News & Views