Herbs (Immunity boosters)

Herbs are being used since approximately 60,000 years and were one of the most important ingredient of medicines but what exactly herbs are, what are their advantages and how they can help us during quarantine.    

Herbs are small plants which have tranquilize or aromatic properties that are used for flavouring and garnishing food, medicinal purposes and fragrances purposes. Today, we will discover about some exciting herbs with their pros and cons.

HOLY BASIL (TULSI):

Holy basil or Tulsi is an aromatic perennial plant in the family of lamiaceae. Other name of holy basil are Ociamum, Tenuiflorum. Holy basil is a plant that has green stems, violet flowers and blossoms.

The name tulsi means the unrivalled one. The Hindus worship Tulsi as the Mother and consider it as “Medicine of Nature”. There are several types of tulsi: Rama, Krishna and Vana. From the seeds to leaves, Tulsi is considered a tonic for the body, mind, and spirit. But in Western medicine holy basil is perhaps most valued as an adaptogen.

Basically Holy basil has been used to combat against the negative effects of stress in the body, maintain stable blood sugar levels, and also help in promoting longevity. Holy basil contains Antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, properties.

Some other advantages of holy basil are:

• Combats with respiratory system
• Lowers the blood pressure
• Relieves arthritis
• Reduces stress
• Treats gastrointestinal disorders
• Prevents diabetics
• Helps in detoxification
• Fights depression

How to use basil:

• Can be use in drinks.
• Can be use as supplement form
• Can be used with cosmetics

Side effects of Holy basil:

• May cause Headache.
• Can cause Anxiety.
• Can cause Diarrhea.
• Lower the blood pressure
• Can cause Nausea and indigestion.
• May cause Earache.

LIQUORICE ROOT (MULETHI):

Liquorice or licorice are basically from the family of Fabaceae, liquorice is a flowering plant of bean family which is commonly known as Glycyrrhiza, Glabra. The root of which extracts very sweet and aromatic flavours. 

The Egyptians used to cure all the concoctions with the help of licorice roots in the early stages. Licorice was later imported to China where it became an important herb in Chinese medicinal tradition.

Licorice root contains glycyrrhizic acid. Glycyrrhiza extract, or licorice root extract, these extracts are effective against the bacteria which may infect the skin. Licorice contains Anti-oxidant, Anti-Microbial properties and also helps in boosting immunity that helps fight against many influenzas and viruses.

Some other benefits of liquorice root:

• Cleanses your respiratory system
• Assists cancer treatment 
• Helps in preventing common cold
• Helps with stomach discomfort and ulcers
• Reduces stress
• Protect skin and mouth
• Helps with high cholesterol
• Reduce obesity

How to Liquorice root:

• Use as a gel and apply on face and body
• Make a cold drink to enjoy summers
• Can make a hot herbal water

Side effects of Licquorice Root: 

• Absence of a menstrual period.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Decreased sexual interest (libido)
• Erectile dysfunction.
• Excess fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
• Fluid and sodium retention.
• May cause Headache.
• High blood pressure

ASHWAGANDHA:

It is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, or winter cherry.

The root of Ashwagandha is regarded as tonic, aphrodisiac, narcotic, diuretic, thermogenic and stimulant, as for most of these 6000 years Ashwagandha has been used as a Rasayana. The name of this herb is given because its root which smells like a horse also known as (“ashwa”).

Tonics, rejuvenators and vitalizers of Ayurveda appear to allay disease and induce immunity and longevity in the users. Ashwagandha has been described as a nervine tonic in Ayurveda and this is why it is a common ingredient of Ayurvedic tonic. It also possesses strong anti-oxidant properties that helps in protecting against cellular damages caused by free radicals.

Some other benefits of ashwagandha.

• Can reduce blood sugar levels
• Helps in reduce cortisol levels
• Helps in reduce stress and anxiety
• Reduces symptoms of depression
• Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides
• Helps with constipation
• Improves skin conditions
• Helps in increase testosterone levels
• Improves brain functioning
• Helps increase strength
• Helps in reduce inflammation

How to use ashwagandha:

• Can have moon milk with ashwagantha
• Can take it in supplement form (powder and tabs)
• Can use it in face pack or face wash.

Side effects of Ashwagandha:

• May increase Thyroid functions
• May irritates Gastro-intestinal tract
• Can decrease blood sugar levels
• Can decrease blood pressure levels
• Can cause early pregnancies and miscarriages  
• May increase immune activity

ECHINACEA:

Echinacea is the herbaceous flowering plant which has a genus or a group in a daisy family. Echinacea has a group of ten species, which are commonly called as coneflowers.

Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida and Echinacea angustifolia are the most common Echinacea species. Echinacea purpurea is the one which is used as a good dietary supplement. Echinacea and its species were the most used medicinal herbs. American Indians were the first people to recognize the benefits of Echinacea, after that numerous tribes used these species that grew in their regions.

Some of these compounds of Echinacea may have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which support the immune system. Echinacea is most commonly used for the common cold and other infections.

Some other benefits of Echinacea:

• Improves immunity
• Help with anxiety
• Helps in increasing performance
• Helps with blood pressure
• Helps with diabetes
• Anti-inflammatory properties
• Improves skin conditions
• Protection against cancer
• Protects against HIV

 How to use Echinacea:

• Can be used as fresh and dried leaves in tea
• Can used as a dietary supplement
• Can be applied on skin
• Can be used as juice.

Side effects of Echinacea:

• Can cause headaches
• Can cause dizziness
• May cause sickness
• Can cause stomach ache
• Can cause constipation
• skin reactions
  
   

HEART-LEAVED MOONSEED (GILOY):

It is a herbaceous vine from the menispermaceae’s family. Tinospora, cordifolia which are known by the common names of heart-leaved moonseed in India it is well known as guduchi, and giloy.  

Heart-leaved moonseed is a glabrous, luscious, it is a climber shrub native to India. It flourish well in tropical regions, it often attains a greater height and climbs up the trunk of larger trees.This shrub got the attention of European practitioners in India as a specific tonic. This Ayurvedic shrub Guduchi or giloy is mentioned in various texts of Ayurvedic medicines.

While other chemicals might increase the activity of immune system, some of these chemicals have antioxidant effects and some helps against the cancer cells in tested animals.

Some other benefits of Tinospora:

• Lowers blood sugar
• Helps with high cholesterol
• Helps with stomach problems
• Prevents from liver disease
• Prevent cancer
• Prevents from fever
• Improves arthritis
• Prevents from HIV

How to use Heart-leaved moonseed:

• Can used as dietary supplement
• Can be applied upon skin
• Can drink with water

Side effects of Heart-leaved moonseed:

• Lower blood sugar
• Bad for surgery
• Promotes auto immune disease
• Leads to constipation

SWERTIA (CHIRATA):

Sometimes these species bear very conspicuous purple and blue flowers. Swertia is a group in the gentian family contains plant sometimes also referred as felworts. Numerous members of this genus have a medicinal and cultural purposes.

Swertia chirata is a very popular medicinal plant which is native to temperate Himalaya. The herb of swertia chirata is found in Bhutan, Kashmir and in the khasi hills. It can also be grown in sub-temperate territories.

Lkaloids and glycosides like xanthones, chiratanin, chiratol, palmitic acid are some chemicals which helps increase the activity of the body’s immune system. Some of these chemicals have antioxidant, antimicrobial and antivirus effects.

Some other benefits of Swertia:

• Helps with Fever.
• Lower the blood sugar
• Helps with Malaria.
• Helps with Constipation.
• Prevent from Worm infestations.
• Prevents from inflammation
• Prevents from Loss of appetite.
• Prevents from Skin diseases.
• Prevents from Cancer.

How to use Swertia:

• Can used as dietary supplement
• Can be applied upon skin
• Can drink with water

Side effects of Swertia:

• Don’t consume during pregnancy
• Lowers the blood sugar
• Bitter taste can cause vomiting

CARDAMOM (ELAICHI):

From the family of zingiberaceae cardamom is a herb made from the seeds of several plants in the general Elettaria and Amomum, sometimes known as cardamon or cardamum.

The use of this herb dates back at least 4000 years. Ancient Egyptians used Cardamom for many medicinal purposes. During the 19^th century, plantations of cardamom were set up by British colonists.

Cardamom has essential oil which shows antimicrobial activity against almost all tested micro-organisms, Antioxidants found in abundance in cardamom which protects our cells from damage of free radicals and stop inflammation from occurring.

Some other benefits of Cardamom:

• Lower blood sugar
• Helps with obesity
• Prevent from cold and cough
• Help with constipation
• Helps with cholesterol
• Helps with stomach problems
• Helps with liver problems
• Prevents gastric problems
• Helps with urinating problems  
• Helps with sour mouth and throat
• Other conditions

How to use Cardamom:

• Can used as dietary supplement
• Can be applied upon skin
• Can drink with water

Side effects of Cardamom:

• Can cause Allergies
• Gallstone complications
• May interacts with drugs

Disclaimer:

Please consult your doctor before consuming any of these herbs if you are allergic or pregnant or dealing with any other problems.

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