The College of Naturopathic Medicine’s Herbs for Every Day Living Short Course is a great opportunity for those looking to learn how to use herbs, spices and therapeutic foods for improved daily health and vitality.
Indigo Herbs are the official sponsors for CNM’s Herbs for Every Day Living Short Course - so we are offering a 10% discount when you use DISCOUNT CODE: INDIGO10 (to be used when booking the course with CNM)
Check out course information, dates and bookings here
Herbs For Everyday Living
Almost all societies have traditionally used herbs for their amazing nutritional benefits as well as their therapeutic powers. Not only are herbs and spices a great way to add more flavour to your food, they also offer many health benefits. Herbs can be used to season your food, either fresh or dried, or in fragrant salads, juices and smoothies. Herbal teas can be helpful; peppermint and fennel help relieve gas and bloating after eating, and to alleviate IBS; green tea is very high in antioxidants. Antioxidants counteract free radicals, protecting our cells.
Learning about the powerful therapeutic properties of food enables you to make decisions which support the health of the whole family. Here are some you can put into daily use.
Cinnamon can help to balance blood sugar levels, and is a gentle aid to support digestion. Sprinkle cinnamon powder on oats and baked goods, and use whole cinnamon sticks in soups and stews.
Rosemary is a powerful antioxidant, and is good for circulation. Fresh rosemary is best, add it to flavour roasts, or infuse fresh rosemary to create a fragrant oil.
Garlic has antimicrobial and immune boosting properties. Allicin is the active component in garlic that helps to keep colds and flu at bay. Always use it freshly chopped or crushed as breaking the clove activates the allicin components. Adding garlic to soups and stews adds a delicious taste!
Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse, and has been used in everything from skin care, weight-loss and even arthritis protocols. Turmeric boasts an impressive nutrient profile, but watch out for its strikingly bright yellow colour when cooking. It is notorious for leaving hard to remove stains.
Dandelion root supports detoxification pathways. It is a bitter herb, and can help to promote bile secretions, speed up digestion and reduce bloating. Sip dandelion tea 20 minutes before meals to support digestion.
Nettle is fantastic for detoxification and contains histamine that will block the body’s own histamine production, slowly desensitizing the effects of the allergens; equally it is an anti-inflammatory, plus it is able to increase urine production and thus speedily remove the collected toxins.
Chamomile is anti-inflammatory and nervine, working as a calming relaxant. It’s incredibly smoothing on the digestive system, and a great sleep remedy. Try chamomile tea as an alternative for a bedtime drink. Chamomile can also be used topically to help soothe skin disorders, such as eczema and dermatitis.
Echinacea moderates the immune system, and is a popular home remedy for preventing colds and flu. Have echinacea drops and lozenges on hand during the winter months. For extra support, an immune boosting tincture containing echinacea can be prescribed by an accredited herbalist who will formulate a remedy based on your unique needs.
Ginger root is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial herb that can help reduce fevers and relieve colds and inflammation. It’s best used freshly chopped with your hot food or in smoothies, or have it as a tea with half a lemon, and sweetened with a little Manuka honey or a pinch of cinnamon.
Lavender is incredibly calming and supports the nervous system. As an essential oil, use lavender on your pillow to improve sleep quality, or add a few drops to a relaxing bath. Whole lavender leaves as a tea can be therapeutic and support overall health and wellbeing. Lavender flower extract can even be used in recipes adding a flavoursome twist to treats!
Liquorice root is an adaptogenic herb, helping the body to cope with stressors by supporting self-healing mechanisms. Take care as there is no need to take high dosages and is not suitable for people with high blood pressure. Working with an accredited herbalist is the best way to ensure you are being prescribed the right dose and form. Even liquorice tea may be too powerful for some as the active component extracted from the liquorice root (glycyrrhizin) has strong therapeutic actions.
