The Top 10 Healing Plants For A Healthy And Balanced 2022

We all know that beauty comes from within. When you nourish your body, the benefits show for themselves. Along with the plenty of water and greens, there’s also a whole range of healing plants that can help a multitude of wellness issues. So, instead of cutting things out of your diet – perhaps you should look at what extra to include instead?

Beauty Daily talks to Jenya Di Pierro, Herbal Medicine Practitioner (BA, MA, AMH, ANP);  CEO & Founder of Cloud Twelve wellness and lifestyle club in London, on the beautiful healing herbs, spices and plants to add to your protocols – whether that’s cooking, in tea, smoothies or your skincare.

 

The top 10 healing plants for a healthy and balanced 2022 by Jenya Di Pierro, Herbal Medicine Practitioner

 

1. Liquorice

Liquorice root contains glycyrrhizin which resembles adrenal hormones with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and antiallergic effects similar to cortisone. In addition, it is soothing for dry mucus membranes and skin allergies, like eczema. In Chinese medicine, liquorice is used as a Qi tonic to alleviate fatigue, frequent infections and lack of appetite. It is sweet to taste and can be made in candies and syrups, making it a perfect remedy for kids.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is a wonder herb that possesses antioxidant, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, digestive, analgesic, and anticarcinogenic properties and helps with liver protection. Easily added into curries, soups and smoothies, it aids digestion, absorption and overall metabolism, stimulates bile flow from the liver and protects the liver against damage by free radicals. It lowers blood sugar in people with diabetes and lessens harmful cholesterol, and inhibits blood clotting by blocking prostaglandin production. It is used for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and topically; it is soothing for inflamed skin conditions like eczema, acne, psoriasis and fungal infections.

 

Beauty Daily says, “However, there’s no need to slather yourself with something from the spice cabinet – you’ll only end up with yellow-stained skin. Therefore, try it in the most accessible form – the award-winning antioxidant Double Serum. It’s a brilliant pro-ager when smoothed on morning and night, and it increases blood flow and boosts glow – oh, and doesn’t smell spicy too.” – Sarah Joan Ross, Editor

3. Nettle

Is one of my go-to beauty herbs, and its harvest is often described as ‘springtime herbalism at one of its finest moments’. It is detoxifying and nutritious at the same time. Nettle is rich in A, C vitamins, calcium, potassium and magnesium. It has long been considered a blood tonic and is an excellent treatment for anaemia, as it is high in iron and chlorophyll. It enhances immunity and relieves allergies and catarrh, and enhances elimination via the liver, lymph and kidneys. Spring is the best time to enjoy young leaves in soups, pesto and stir-fries. Root and seeds are also medicinal and are used in hormonal disorders.

 

4. Echinacea

Is the hero herb to relieve a wide range of infections. It’s anti-viral, antimicrobial and antifungal, has a strong anti-inflammatory effect, and is particularly useful when patients develop resistance to antibiotics. So it’s a key ingredient of my formulas for prevention and early onset of infections.

5. Rehmannia

This is an adaptogen from China I use for chronic fatigue, depletion, and autoimmune conditions. Therefore, I always include it in my long covid preparations. In addition to improving energy levels, it reduces phlegm. It increases lung energy, often the epicentre of covid and is strongly linked to fatigue, especially when accompanied by shortness of breath.

 

6. St John’s Wort

Very well known as the wonderful mood-elevating herb. It reduces SAD during winter, relives neuralgic pain, is an effective natural anti-depressant and has potent anti-viral properties. The bright yellow flowers of this plant are an embodiment of sunshine and kindness. Look out for it in summer to make a beautiful infusion.

 

Read next: Adopt A Holistic Approach If You Want Healthier Skin

 

7. Shisandra

Is a liver enhancing herb and is believed in traditional Chinese medicine to balance all bodily systems. Indeed, the liver is responsible for detoxification, hormone clearance and mood, as energetically, this is where we hold our emotions. Shisandra enhances glutathione production in the liver, stimulates glucogen and protein synthesis and may protect against liver cancer. It tastes lovely and is a perfect addition to the smoothie in the morning.

8. Ginkgo

Gingko is one of the oldest trees on the planet; hence it is well known for its anti-ageing properties. However, nowadays, its most beneficial effects are linked to improved blood flow to the brain, clot, and stroke prevention. Therefore, it should be your go-to herb for cardiovascular health – and it’s also useful for the menopause.

 

9. Wormwood

As healing plants go, this is the most in-demand herb in my clinic right now, as our ability to digest it has diminished significantly due to stress, infections, bad diet and toxins. Wormwood provides digestive support by stimulating the flow of hydrochloric acid and restoring beneficial microbial balance in the gut. If you suffer from excessive bloating, reflux, irregular stool, dysbiosis or SIBO, a bitter infusion of wormwood should be part of your morning and evening routine.

 

10. Brahmi

Brahmi is a beautiful herb many of us can benefit from right now. It is one of the most sattvic herbs known in since Vedic times. In Ayurveda, sattvic foods are thought to be pure and balanced, offering feelings of calmness, happiness, and mental clarity. Brahmi enhances brain function, improves memory and concentration, calms anxiety and increases resilience to stress. As we navigate through uncertainty, tension and turbulence, Brahmi is there for you to open your mind to new beginnings and possibilities that the change can bring.

Find out more about herbal medicine and book a herbal consultation with Jenya Di Pierro here.

Read: Top 10 Superfoods: Healthy Skin Diet Rules