Herbal remedies aren’t a replacement for medicine in serious conditions, but many of them have the endorsement of health experts as a way of treating minor woes or supplementing other treatment options.
Here are six of the most popular that have the thumbs-up from reliable sources:
Peppermint for Better Digestion
Peppermint soothes the muscles of your digestive tract and increases the flow of bile, making it easier for your stomach to break down food and pass it through your digestive system. Mount Sinai Health System in New York says peppermint can often help ease feelings of gassiness and bloating, or simply aid overall digestion. Sip on peppermint tea or chew on candies made with all-natural peppermint oil.
Ginger for Nausea
Ginger contains a component known as gingerol, which Johns Hopkins University cites as being good for gastrointestinal motility. This prevents food from sticking around in your stomach for too long, where it can cause nausea. You can grate fresh ginger into recipes, or you can try drinking ginger tea and chewing on ginger candies.
Chamomile for Better Sleep
The Sleep Foundation notes that people who drink chamomile tea tend to have an easier time falling asleep and ultimately enjoy sounder sleep, likely because of a chemical compound called apigenin, which has a tranquilizing effect. Another option is valerian root, which contains the natural sedative properties valepotriates and sesquiterpenes.
Lavender for Anxiety
When you use lavender oil to scent the air—such as through a diffuser or by burning a candle made with natural lavender oil—its smell can help you manage your adrenal levels, breathe better, and reduce your heart rate, according to St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut. This applies to lavender in aromatherapy, not lavender taken in the form of supplemental pills.
Turmeric for Inflammation
Turmeric, which can be used to season food or to brew a tea, contains a compound called curcumin with anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially ease the pain of conditions like osteoporosis and arthritis, according to Johns Hopkins. However, if you want to enjoy the health benefits of turmeric, it’s better to consume it via food or drink, as supplemental turmeric pills have high concentrations that could be unhealthy.
Aloe Vera for Skin Conditions
The gel from the thick leaves of the aloe vera plant does wonders for your skin, thanks to its anthraquinones compounds that reduce swelling and inflammation. Aloe vera is recommended for healing your skin after a bad sunburn, per the advice of Penn Medicine. The Mayo Clinic notes that aloe vera can be used for reducing acne or taming the redness and itching associated with psoriasis.
Although these herbal remedies are natural and supported by health experts, always do your research and consult your doctor, who will be able to let you know about any side effects or interference these might have to medications you’re taking. Happy healing!
