Healing Quest | Herbal Insight

Senna

The safety of senna has been well established through many years of historical use, with millions of people around the world using laxative preparations made with senna extracts. Senna can come in solid dosage forms like pills or tablets that contain the extract of the senna leaf or fruit, or they can come in the form of teas which often contain other herbs that have a beneficial effect on the digestive system.

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Marshmallow

One of the main uses for marshmallow in herbal medicine is to help soothe scratchy, itchy sore throats. Marshmallow root, and to some extent marshmallow leaf, also can be used for gastrointestinal inflammations, stomach upsets and other GI tract conditions. Combined with other herbs that contain mucilage marshmallow helps people who rely on their voices – radio announcers, TV personalities, singers, or anyone who needs to make sure their voice is working optimally.

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Ginger

Ginger is a common spice going back thousands of years. Ginger is a candy, a medicine and a dietary supplement. One of the primary benefits of ginger is its digestive property. It is also has been used to help prevent motion sickness, and numerous clinical trials have also shown using ginger can allay post-operative nausea and even prevent morning sickness in women.

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Peppermint

There's a reason why restaurants have those after-dinner mints; they're really good for your tummy! For thousands of years people have used peppermint as a mild sedative for their stomach. Our herbal expert, Mark Blumenthal, shares his insights into the history and healing properties of this wonderful plant.

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Slippery Elm

Slippery Elm is an herb harvested from the inner bark of a certain type of elm tree. It is one of the few herbs sold in North America today that is still approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for medicinal benefit, including temporary relief from minor pain and irritation of the mouth and throat. It is found today in many over-the-counter products including lozenges and teas, which if taken for just a couple of days could mitigate the inflammatory expressions associated with colds and flu.

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Camomile

There are two reasons why people drink chamomile tea aside from its flavor. Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council, says people also drink chamomile tea to soothe their stomachs, and it has been shown to be a very mild, safe, effective sleep aid. Modern clinical research suggests also shows chamomile extracts can help treat certain skin wounds and other kinds of skin problems, making it an herb that everybody would want to have in their kitchen.

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Echinacea for Colds
Herbal Remedies as Quick Defense

Echinacea is a plant that has grown naturally in the United States for centuries. Native Americans used it as one of their primary means of medicine. Modern science recently took a close look at Echinacea with a five-year study funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) that focused on Echinacea’s ability to provide quick relief at the onset of sinus and respiratory problems.

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Gaia Herbs

Echinacea for Immune Health
What the Latest Research Says

There is conflicting information about Echinacea in the media and amongst the scientific community. According to a recent study by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), Echinacea is found to have two very different health benefits. The roots of Echinacea, when harvested in the fall, yield alkylamides that can quickly reduce the duration and severity of colds and respiratory problems. The flowering tops, when harvested in the spring, release polysaccarides that are shown to stimulate and boost the immune system on an ongoing basis.

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Dr. Keri Marshall
Official Website

Gaia Herbs

Natural Menopause Remedy
Black Cohosh

Menopause may be a natural part of a woman’s life, but for many it’s not a lot of fun. A number of pharmaceutical approaches to menopause have been developed, but many have side-effects. It turns out that of the different herbal remedies, the only one that has good, documented efficacy is actually black cohosh. We ask two experts who’ve come to appreciate this plant rooted in North American native wisdom.

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