A deeper look at natural healing with plant medicine

One of the main lessons of the Ayurvedic teachings is to surround ourselves with all that nature has to offer through the healing powers of the herbs and plants. We all know the positive impact we experience in our body after we spend some time in nature, but why not welcome those feelings into your home? Adding plants to our diet and lifestyle not only influences our health but has a positive impact on our wellbeing and enables us to effortlessly interact in and navigate ourselves through any difficult situations we might find ourselves. An easy example of this is to use lavender oil on pressure points when feeling stressed to help fast track relaxation or by simply keeping a fern in your home to help clean your air!

It’s no secret that from the earliest possible time, our ancestors have used plants for medicinal use, for eating, drinking and even for shelter – and there is no reason as to why you shouldn’t either. As a matter of fact, the use of herbs for health and wellness dates as far back as 3000BC!

While in this modern world that we are currently living in, it is easy to brush off the impact that herbs can have on our healing. It is super important to note how more and more people are resorting to alternative therapies, using herbs and plants to promote healing and keep one healthy naturally.

“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better” – Albert Einstein

Using herbal remedies (correctly) or even plants and roots in their natural form has been shown to decrease signs of inflammation, diseases, anxiety, depression, improve energy levels and even aid in reducing symptoms of degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. Because herbs and plants are natural and not man made unlike their chemical medication counterparts, herbs and plants are like a natural cure-all – and it’s easy to see why!

According to Martha Soffer, “On the most esoteric level, according to Ayurveda, plants carry with them a kind of intelligence that we’re only beginning to discover—a cellular and universal intelligence, which is aligned with the same cellular intelligence in our own bodies, aligning the right plant with the right imbalance puts our bodies back in order. Healing herbs help us restore that connection and restore our well-being.” – Byrdie 

The best plants for your kitchen

Lemon balm

While it is not always a popular choice for a kitchen herb, the lemon balm plant has a significant number of benefits that make it a favorite for herbalists – and it will most likely become one of your favorites too! We love lemon balms as it thrives quite well in a container which therefore makes it a great plant for small spaces. The zesty scent of lemon balm has not only shown to reduce anxiety, but it can also improve focus and leaves your space smelling clean and fresh. You can also harness the calming quality of lemon balm by infusing the leaves in some hot water with honey and enjoying it as a tea.

Mint and Peppermint

Originally used to heal and combat stomach aches, it’s no secret why keeping a mint plant in your home has a myriad of benefits. Other than being delicious in salads or used to flavour water, mint can also be used to make a refreshing tea to help with digestion, IBS and relieve colds and flu. Not only is it rich in essential nutrients, but when chewed, mint can also help to mask bad breath and alleviate indigestion.

Like mint, peppermint is another wonder plant. Just a drop of this plants oil will help to relieve nausea in an instant. It can also be used to help with breath and when paired with cocoa, makes a delicious healthy treat! Peppermint is also an excellent cure for headaches – simply brew it in a tea or rub some of the oil on your temples and wrists for maximum results.

What’s more, both of these plants can be purchased at your local nursery so that you can reap the benefits in your own home!

Basil

Most commonly used as a pizza topping and its ability to give water a delicious taste, basil is actually a really great plant to keep on hand helping with inflammation in arthritis and heart disease. The oil can also be used to fight respiratory issues and heal skin problems, plus, keeping one of these plants on hand means that you can make your own pesto whenever the craving hits!

Chamomile

One of the most popular flowers around due to its delicious taste and calming nature, chamomile has always been a favorite for many herbalists and natural medicine doctors. Not only does it provide a natural sense of calm to the body, but it also reduces menstrual pain, treats diabetes, reduces inflammation and can help reduce cold and flu symptoms. 

Ginger

Keeping ginger root on hand in your home not only means that you can add some heat and warmth to your curry, but also allows you to have a magical fix for nausea, IBS, digestion issues and symptoms of colds and flu. Ginger has natural and powerful anti-inflammatory properties that make it a super valuable plant to keep on hand. You can also get ginger oil or extract at health shops and add it to your juices for an extra boost!

The best plants for your home

Adding a few plants in your personal space is also a really great and effective way to harness the power of plants with minimal effort. Having plants scattered around your bedroom, living area and bathroom can effortlessly transform your home into a calming, Zen environment brimming with positivity and healthy, C02 balanced air.

Get a few house plants like the fiddle leaf fig, spider plants, snake plants and ferns to help build your indoor haven and provide you with natural air purifying properties. Interestingly, these plants don’t just look good in your home but, according to environmental psychologists, they also increase creativity, improve your emotional state and can even reduce a negative mood! These plants work to clean up the air in your home or office by absorbing harmful pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene which are often found in our furniture. Spider plants can eliminate formaldehyde and a few other chemicals that are found in the home while ferns can help to filter out pollutants, keeping the air in your loving space clean and fresh.

Take your plants in a capsule

At Avalife, we believe in harnessing the power of herbs and plants to help one’s body and promote mental wellbeing. We extract incredible plants and herbs to make some of our most popular products that keep you and your body healthy and happy.

Avalife Calm provides a beautifully balanced blend of both Ayurvedic and European herbal extracts to help combat mental conditions such as anxiety, self-doubt, fear and depression. We love that it contains a generous amount of chamomile and holy basil to promote mental and emotional balance and wellbeing.

We also extracted the power of Ashwagandha, one of the most popular natural enhancing herbs and added it to our Avalife Ashwagandha capsules. This herb not only helps to boost brain function but improves energy, stamina and endurance.

If you need something to support your immune system, then Avalife Immune Support is for you! It is the perfect blend of some of the most popular ayurvedic herbs such as ginger, black pepper and echinacea to name a few.

“Medicine plants heal more than the physical body. They help open our hearts, reconnect us with Spirit, and guide us in developing respectful and joyful relationships with the natural world” – Deb Soule