As the world evolves, so does our understanding of health and wellness. While modern medicine continues to play a crucial role in healthcare, there’s a growing interest in complementary and alternative approaches. One such area is the use of herbs and supplements. As healthcare professionals, nurses need to be well-informed about these natural remedies to provide holistic care to their patients.
Herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years across cultures worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 80% of the global population relies on herbal medicines as part of their primary healthcare.
Herbs, spices, and medicinal plants contain beneficial compounds that can promote health and wellbeing. Common uses of herbal medicine include treating infections, inflammation, pain, digestive issues, anxiety, insomnia, women’s health concerns, respiratory conditions, heart disease, diabetes, and more.
The guide below summarizes the top 100 best healing medicinal herbs, spices and plants that all health workers should know. However, there are thousands of beneficial plants worldwide, many of which are still being researched for their therapeutic potential. As research continues to uncover their mechanisms of action, bioactive compounds, safety profiles and clinical results, the role of herbal medicine in healthcare will likely continue to expand and evolve.
Top 10 Most Popular Medicinal Herbs
Here are 10 of the most commonly used and thoroughly researched medicinal herbs:
1. Turmeric
Turmeric contains the powerful anti-inflammatory compound curcumin. Studies show turmeric can reduce pain, inflammation, and symptoms of arthritis. It also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
2. Ginger
Ginger is often used to ease nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach. It has anti-inflammatory effects that can relieve pain. Ginger also enhances immune function.
3. Garlic
Garlic has potent antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibiotic effects. It also reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Garlic is used to prevent and treat colds, flu, and respiratory infections.
4. Green Tea
Green tea contains antioxidants called polyphenols, which can reduce inflammation and help prevent heart disease and cancer. It may also aid weight loss.
5. Ginseng
Used as an adaptogen, ginseng helps the body adapt to stress. It boosts energy and enhances cognition and immune function.
6. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle protects the liver from toxins and damage. It can help treat liver disease, cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders.
7. Lavender
Lavender essential oil reduces anxiety and stress. It promotes calmness and sleep. Topically, lavender oil treats skin irritation and wounds.
8. Peppermint
Peppermint oil calms digestive issues like gas, bloating, nausea, stomach pain and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It relieves headache and muscle/joint pain when used topically.
9. Echinacea
Echinacea boosts the immune system to prevent and shorten colds. It also reduces flu symptoms and respiratory infections. However, long-term use can weaken immunity.
10. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort effectively treats mild to moderate depression similarly to antidepressants, with fewer side effects. It also reduces anxiety.
Herbs for Women’s Health
Women can benefit from herbs that address female-specific health concerns:
- Black Cohosh:Â Alleviates hot flashes/night sweats, PMS, menstrual cramps
- Dong Quai:Â Relieves PMS and menopause symptoms
- Evening Primrose Oil:Â Eases PMS, breast pain, menopausal symptoms
- Chasteberry:Â Normalizes menstrual cycles, reduces PMS/PMDD symptoms
- Cranberry:Â Prevents/treats urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Red Clover:Â Treats hot flashes, night sweats, osteoporosis
- Red Raspberry Leaf:Â Strengthens uterus; eases labor pains, PMS
Herbs to Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disorders. Herbs than can lower blood pressure include:
- Garlic
- Hawthorn
- Olive leaf
- Hibiscus
- Cat’s claw
- Green tea
- Ginger
- Turmeric
Herbs for Heart Health
The following herbs promote heart health and can prevent or treat heart disease:
- Hawthorn:Â Strengthens heart function; treats heart failure, arrhythmias.
- Ginger:Â Prevents atherosclerosis by reducing cholesterol levels.
- Turmeric:Â Has anti-inflammatory effects that prevent atherosclerosis and reduce risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Garlic:Â Helps prevent heart disease by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Ginkgo biloba:Â Enhances blood flow to the heart and brain; treats peripheral artery disease.
Herbs to Boost Immunity
Herbs that can enhance immune function and help prevent infections include:
- Echinacea:Â Stimulates white blood cell production; prevents and shortens colds/flu.
- Elderberry:Â Reduces cold/flu duration. It has antiviral properties.
- Astragalus:Â Boosts immune function and prevents upper respiratory infections. Also used with cancer treatments.
- Garlic:Â Has powerful antimicrobial effects against viruses, bacteria and fungi.
- Andrographis:Â Treats respiratory infections and reduces fever.
Anti-Inflammatory Herbs
Inflammation causes many chronic diseases. Herbs with anti-inflammatory properties include:
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Green tea
- Licorice
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Boswellia
- Cat’s claw
- Devil’s claw
Antimicrobial Herbs
Herbs that can fight infections and boost immunity include:
- Oregano – antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal
- Garlic – antibiotic, antiviral
- Echinacea – treats colds/flu
- Goldenseal – reduces cold/flu duration
- Clove – pain relief, antimicrobial
- Thyme – coughs, bronchitis, sore throats
Best Herbs for Anxiety and Depression
Herbal remedies can effectively treat mild to moderate anxiety and depression, either alone or with antidepressants.
For anxiety:Â passionflower, valerian, chamomile, lemon balm, ashwagandha, Rhodiola rosea
For depression:Â St. John’s wort, lavender, turmeric, saffron, Rhodiola rosea
Insomnia and Sleep Aids
Many herbs promote relaxation and sleep, including:
- Valerian
- Chamomile
- Passionflower
- Hops
- Lavender
- Magnolia bark
- Lemon balm
- California poppy
Herbs for Digestion and Gut Health
Herbs that can relieve digestive issues like gas, bloating, cramping, nausea, diarrhea and IBS symptoms include:
- Ginger
- Peppermint/spearmint
- Slippery elm
- Marshmallow root
- Fennel seed
- Chamomile
- Milk thistle
Diabetes and Blood Sugar Control
Herbs that lower blood sugar levels include:
- Cinnamon
- Bitter melon
- Fenugreek
- Gymnema
- Ginseng
- Aloe vera
- Milk thistle
Herbs for Pain Relief
Herbal alternatives to pain medications include:
- Turmeric – anti-inflammatory for arthritis, joint pain, headaches
- Devil’s claw – back pain, arthritis, muscle pain
- White willow bark – backaches, osteoarthritis, headaches
- Capsaicin – topical for muscle, joint pain; neuropathy
- Kratom – chronic pain
- Cannabis – multiple types of pain
Best Herbs for Skin Health
Herbs for various skin conditions include:
- Chamomile: eczema, wounds, bruises, skin irritation, burns, acne
- Tea tree oil: acne, athlete’s foot, dandruff, wounds, fungal infections
- Calendula (marigold): eczema, rashes, wounds
- Aloe vera: burns, wounds, frostbite, psoriasis
- Oregon grape: eczema, psoriasis
- Witch hazel: acne, varicose veins, hemorrhoids
Adaptogenic Herbs
Adaptogens enhance the body’s ability to handle stress and promote homeostasis. Top adaptogens include:
- Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng)
- Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng)
- Rhodiola rosea (golden root)
- Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng)
- Astragalus (huang qi)
- Holy basil (tulsi)
- Licorice root
- Schisandra
Liver Support and Detoxification
Herbs that protect liver function and aid detoxification include:
- Milk thistle
- Dandelion
- Artichoke
- Burdock
- Yellow dock
- Turmeric
- Ginger
- Garlic
Anti-Cancer Herbs and Supplements
Herbs with anti-cancer properties include:
- Curcumin (turmeric):Â prevents and treats various cancers
- Garlic:Â reduces risk of lung, brain, pancreatic and breast cancers
- Echinacea:Â stimulates immune function to fight cancer
- Milk thistle:Â prevents/treats liver cancer
- Astragalus:Â protects against cancer treatment side effects
- Essiac tea:Â anti-cancer effects, often used alongside chemotherapy
- Reishi mushroom:Â used alongside cancer treatments to enhance their effects
Nootropics and Brain Boosters
Herbs that enhance cognitive function include:
- Ginkgo biloba: memory, focus, mental clarity
- Gotu kola: memory, mood, brain health
- Rhodiola: concentration, memory, energy
- Bacopa monnieri: memory, focus, brain health
- Lion’s mane mushroom: memory, cognitive decline, dementia risk
Conclusion
Herbal medicines can effectively prevent and treat a wide range of health conditions. They have fewer side effects than many conventional medications when used properly under the guidance of a knowledgeable practitioner.
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