Healthy Herbs
There are so many amazing and super healthy herbs that have medicinal qualities. If you want to improve your health naturally, have a closer look at these beautiful herbs.
In this blog, we are investigating the qualities of wonderful Milk Thistle and delicate Water Hyssop.
Milk Thistle
Milk Thistle is a natural herb derived from the milk thistle plant known as Silybum Marianum. It has a beautiful purple flower and white veins. The active ingredient is silymarin, which is also known as milk thistle extract. This herbal remedy is known to have antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Milk thistle protects the liver by reducing liver inflammation and liver damage. Liver damage can be caused by free radicals produced by toxic cirrhotic metabolism.
Milk thistle is used for complementary medication for conditions like alcoholic liver disease, fatty-acid liver disease, hepatitis and even cancer.
Milk thistle has been used as traditional medication for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease for over 2000 years. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are also neuroprotective in preventing oxidative damage to brain cells and reducing the number of amyloid plaques in the nervous brain cells according to an animal study.
Milk thistle could protect your bone health. Milk thistle has been shown to stimulate bone mineralization and therefore prevent osteoporosis.
A research shows that milk thistle could be beneficial especially for postmenopausal women. Silymarin antioxidant effects may have some anticancer benefits by reducing side-effects of cancer treatment and even destroying cancerous cells.
Milk thistle can increase the breast milk production in lactating women. Research found out how consuming silymarin increased the prolactin, milk-producing hormone.
Milk thistle is beneficial in reducing fasting blood sugar levels and helping improving insulin sensitivity and reducing the risk of developing diabetes and diabetic complications like kidney disease. Therefore it may be helpful in treating type 2 diabetes patients.
Silymarin consumption was shown by research to reduce acne lesions. Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition which also affects mental health and confidence in young people.
Milk thistle is available as tablets, liquid extract and capsules. You can also find it in a herbal teas, which has a subtle mild taste comparable to Dandelion Tea.
Water Hyssop
Bacopa monnieri, also called water hyssop and a herb of grace, loves tropical environment and has an ability to thrive underwater. Water hyssop has been used in traditional Ayurvedic (Hindu) medicine for centuries for various illnesses.
Firstly, this herb of grace contains powerful antioxidants. The main active compound, bacoside, has been shown to neutralise free radicals and prevent fat molecules from reacting with free radicals. Oxidative stress on cellular level is linked to diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. It may prevent the process of nerve cell deterioration and improve memory impairment. Research has shown that Bacopa can suppress the release of inflammatory molecyles, that stimulate an inflammatory immune response.
Secondly, water hyssop can also inhibit enzymes which are all active players in the process of inflammation and pain. Low-level inflammation has been linked with chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and kidney malfunction. It has similar anti-inflammatory effects comparable to non-steroidal medication like diclofenac and indomethacin.
Thirdly, Water Hyssop was shown to improve the speed of processing visual information, learning rate and attention span. It may help to boost brain function and improve memory function. Therefore it may help with reducing the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. ADHD symptoms like restlessness, poor self-control, inattention and impulsivity can be improved with better and balanced social skills.
Fourthly, Bacopa Monnieri is an adaptogenic herb, which means that it increases body’s resistance to stress. Therefore it prevents anxiety and stress by elevating mood and reducing the cortisol levels. One study showed that it has similar anti-anxiety effects comparable to benzodiazepine, a medication used to treat anxiety.
Fifthly, Water hyssop may reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by releasing nitric oxide which helps to dilate blood vessels. This increases the systemic blood circulation.
Lastly, Bacopa may have cancer-fighting properties. In a study, the active compound in bacopa was shown to kill aggressive brain tumour cells. It also effectively inhibited growth of breast and colon cancer cells.
You can find this beautiful herb from the health food stores and it is available as capsules and powders. The powdered form can be added to hot water and consumed as a herbal tea.
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