Plants, specifically herbs, have innate properties that can modulate and enhance human physiology. Herbs have always been integral to healing. Indigenous and ancient cultures respected and cultivated the wisdom of botanicals, some of which are being incorporated into mainstream medicine. The synergistic qualities of a plant’s phytochemicals combined with the energetic essence of the plant have therapeutic value that often surpasses the effects of reductionist pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter drugs.
I recommend botanicals in the form of teas (loose leaf herbs), tinctures (alcohol extracts) and tablets/capsules. Herbs can be safely used to influence the body to heal itself – while traditional prescription drugs influence one pathway, herbs have a building and modulating effect. After completing your Comprehensive Health Assessment and determining your individualized treatment plan, I custom-formulate different tinctures or teas, using as many organic ingredients as possible to address your individual concerns.
Herbs have many qualities and actions that can support the body and can be categorized as followed:
Adaptogens
These herbs regulate and balance the body’s response to stress, supporting the adrenal glands. They modulate the immune system and nervous system allowing the body to be more resilient. My favourite adaptogens include: Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Withania somifera (ashwganda), Rhodiolia rosea, and Eleuthrococcus senticosus (siberian ginseng).
Alteratives
Alteratives stimulate the basic processes of metabolism and support the elimination of toxins and waste products from tissues. My favourite alternative herbs include: Urtica dioica (nettle), Galium aparine (cleavers), and Trifolium pratense (red clover).
Anti-inflammatories
Herbal anti-inflammatories nourish and encourage the body to deal with the problem that is causing the inflammation – as opposed to drugs that simply suppress the body’s inflammatory processes. My favourite anti-inflammatory herbs include: Curcuma longa (turmeric), Boswellia serrata (boswellia), Tenacetum parthenium (feverfew) and Petasites hybridus (butterbur).
Antimicrobials:
These herbs destroy or inactivate bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogenic organisms. Antimicrobial herbs also modify and stimulate the immune response. My favourite antimicrobial herbs include: Allium sativum (garlic), Pau d’arco (tabebuia spp.) and Commiphora myrrha (Myrhh).
Bitter tonics:
Herbs with bitter qualities stimulate all aspects of digestive function, enhancing the secretion of gastric juices to encourage the peristaltic movements of the gut. My favourite bitter herbs include: Gentiana lutea (gentian), Arctium lappa (burdock) and Zingiber officinale (ginger).
Demulcents:
By virtue of there mucilage content, demulcent herbs soothe and coat inflamed tissue, typically in the gastrointestinal, respiratory and urinary systems. My favourite demulcent herbs include: Ulmus fulva (slippery elm), Althea officinalis (marshmallow), and Zea mays (corn silk).
Diuretics:
These herbs promote the flow of urine and treat conditions where excess water is retained in the body (edema and hypertension) or when invading organisms need to be flushed from the body (prevention of urinary tract infections). My favourite diuretic herbs include: Crataegus oxycanthoides (hawthorn), Taraxicum offinicalis (dandelion leaf), and Juniper communis (juniper).
Expectorants:
These are herbs that assist the respiratory tract in the elimination of excess mucus. Expectorants can be relaxing, and soothe and irritated tissue and ease bronchial spasm. Alternatively, some expectorants can be stimulating and move congestion in the lung.
Hepatics:
Hepatic herbs have a generally corrective impact on the liver. They can promote the production and flow of bile, strengthen the liver and support detoxification processes. My favourite hepatic herbs are: Silybum marianus (milk thistle), Schisandra chinensis, and Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary).
Immunostimulants:
These plants enhance bodily mechanisms that fight infections. Immunostimulant herbs support specific mechanisms in both the humoral and cell-mediated immune system. My favourite herbs that restore a weak immune system are: Echinacea spp. (purple coneflower), Allium sativum (garlic) and Ganoderma lucidum (reishi).
Nervines:
Nervine herbs tonify the nervous system and can either have a relaxing or stimulating effect. We often forget that Coffee arabica (coffee) is an herb – and one of the most stimulating nervines. My favourite relaxing nervines are Lavandula offinincalis (lavender), Scutellaria lateriflora (skullcap) and Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort).
Restoratives:
These herbs support and heal the vitality of weakened tissues and can be classified to the organ system they act upon (nervous system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, etc.). Many of these herbs have a positive effect on multiple systems. My favourite restorative herbs are: ganoderma lucidum (reishi), Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) and Crataegus oxycanthoides (hawthorn).
I source my tinctures from renowned Toronto Herbalist, Jon Redden, whose botanicals are processed and bottled locally at Viriditas, in The Junction. I formulate custom teas in office from organically sourced dried herbs.
