Five Herbs That’ll Keep You Sharp As Can Be
This one goes out to all my dawgs who love a nice herbal remedy. Who like taking a page out of nature’s book to feel the best they can. Who are ready to conquer the world on the back of natural teas and powders rather than suspect pills & medications.
If you’re still reading this, it’s too late. Let’s get into it.
(Please also note that I am not a doctor. If your leg’s falling off, skip the remedies and go to a hospital)
- Ashwagandha
We are connecting with our Indian (not Native American) roots today with a little Ashwaghanda.
This can be translated as “smell of the horse,” related to both its smell & its supposed properties that increase strength and energy.
Ashwagandha is known to relieve stress and increase testosterone in men. Seems like a great combination if you like being a diesel monster hoss animal.
Men who were taking Ashwagandha, as opposed to a placebo group, showed significant difference in muscle size and strength, as measured by bench press and leg extension exercises.
There’s even evidence that it supports focus & memory. Anecdotally, I took one of my roommate’s this morning which not only gave me the idea for the article but made me feel sharp between the ears as well.
Tap into your inner horse with some Ashwagandha and reap the benefits. I may have to buy some of my own.
2. Ginseng
Ginseng has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for years, and is commonly utilized in tea.
There are several types of Ginseng out there, but the family of plant is known to reduce inflammation and improve antioxidant activity in cells.
Several studies with placebo groups (using red Ginseng, a specific type of Ginseng) showed marked decrease in inflammation & stress responses after taking regular doses for 12 weeks.
Ginseng has also been known to improve brain function, although the effects level off after a certain amount of time.
There are even whisperings that the big G helps improve immune function and could help inhibit cancer by preventing abnormal cell production and growth.
These benefits have been tested, and are probably not as effective as other medicines at achieving the same results.
But we’re talking about a simple, ancient herbal remedy here. Much like timeless wisdom, there’s gotta be something to it.
3. Turmeric
Now we roll with Turmeric — which admittedly, does have some similar positives to other herbs on this list.
But the benefit that catches the eye is that Turmeric, and specifically its component Curcumin, can increase levels of BDNF.
That’s Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor.
What is BDNF, you ask?
It helps neurons make new connections, and even multiply in number in certain areas of the brain. This can help you increase memory capacity, as well as general brain function.
Additionally, it seems that in patients with Alzheimer’s and depression, subjects have a decreased level of BDNF proteins.
Are you going to be immune to Alzheimer’s & depression after a little Turmeric?
Probably not.
Will it help your brain function to the highest level possible?
Definitely on the table.
Turmeric has also shown ability to combat arthritis, heart disease, and cancer — again, not saying to take only this if faced with one of those ailments, but taking it regularly may help insulate you from these diseases.
Give it a shot, see if you like it. We want all the homies feeling great.
4. Chamomile
Damn right baby — we’re talking Chamomile. We just do it different over here.
Chamomile, for context, is often made into a tea. And it does have a few different benefits not quite touched on yet in this article.
Chamomile has been found to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.
Chamomile has been found to promote healthy sleep.
Chamomile tea is also known to be a digestive relaxant — aka, helps relieve a bad stomach ache.
There is even some anecdotal evidence that suggest it can help relieve symptoms of the common cold.
As always, take these effects with a grain of salt. They may or may not apply to you, but seems like there’s some use in supplementing a little bit of this into the mix if you’re looking to reap the rewards.
Timeless herbal medicines, man. They get the boys buzzing.
Disclaimer: If you’re allergic to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, or similar plants, may be best to avoid this one. Don’t say I didn’t say so.
5. Echinacea
Ahh, Echinacea. The final item on the list, but the first item I experienced personally. Found her in good old McLanahan’s, for those of you who know what that is.
Echinacea is native to North America, and is known to grow in prairies or open, wooded areas.
You can mix it into tea, or also take it as a pill if you’re into that.
Echinacea is loaded with plant compounds which function as antioxidants, helping boost the immune system. Studies have shown that taking echinacea regularly reduces the risk of the common cold and shortens its duration.
Doesn’t sound like such a bad deal if you ask me.
There’s even evidence that echinacea could reduce the occurrence of skin ailments such as acne — definitely something people out there want resolved.
And as per the usual elements on this list, may reduce risk of cancer, may reduce inflammation, blah blah blah.
Part of me thinks some of these benefits, for all items on the list, could be exaggerated, but the anecdotes are overwhelming.
And people have been taking these supplements, in a variety of forms, for thousands of years.
Anything that seems to follow the Lindy Effect reserves some real estate in my brain, and these herbal remedies do exactly that — better than a lot of modern medicine.
Which I will say, seem to address problems more specifically, but can also create complications we know nothing about.
I will leave you all with the message that I am not a doctor — but take care of yourselves. Be healthy. Take preventative medications before you take reactive ones. And follow on here, on IG @theregrowthproject and subscribe.
After a list like this, directly related to your well being — how could you say I don’t love ya??
