Heads up: These aren’t meant to be medical recommendations, but they’re tactics that have worked for others and might work for you, too. Always check in with your doctor before trying anything new.

 

Seeing “Golden Milk” slowly pop up on cafe menus in hipster areas was a bittersweet moment.

On one hand, I was waiting for the world to realize that the milk and turmeric combination is not so nice on the palate. On the other hand, I was sort of proud that a recipe of my childhood, one that my mother reserved for days when I suffered from a chesty cough, was becoming mainstream. 

Before the development of modern, industrial medicine, communities around the world relied heavily on what they had foraged in natural areas to discover new remedies. Turmeric is one of many herbs, plants, and spices making a comeback as a mainstream form of health and wellness. 

The global herbal health industries are shooting up in financial value for a variety of reasons. Not only is a general awareness of natural remedies increasing, but also, in light of the global shift in attitudes around environmental sustainability, communities are beginning to rethink how they can use plants over synthetically-produced medication.

Herbal healthcare has been praised both for its physical benefits, but also for its positive impact on mental and emotional wellbeing. 

Furthermore, globalization and the spread of cultures are also responsible for the spread of herbal health remedies. Ayurveda, a South-Asian holistic health practice, has now become a global medical market that is predicted to increase by 16 percent each year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recognized the value of traditional Chinese medicine, a market that is estimated to reach $50 billion globally.

Specialist herbal tea brand, Pukka Herbs – recently sold to fast-moving-consumer-goods giant Unilever – is a prime example of the revival of herbal health.

‘‘People are waking up to the fact that they can look after their own health,” said founder Sebastian Pole. “Plants have been at the heart of our health forever and herbalism empowers people to look after their bodies throughout their lives rather than just treating the problem at the end.”

1. Try a little CBD oil to help relax you.

No, this is not the same as weed. Fatty acids in hemp oil have been known to soothe inflammatory skin conditions, and CBD oil is widely used in stress and anxiety relief treatments.  

“Helps calm my anxiety and I’ve been sleeping way better since I started using it!” – April

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

2. Help your hair grow with some camphor oil.

The oil extracted from the camphor tree can be used for a variety of ailments, including as a form of pain relief and to calm a congested respiratory system.

“Use this product for hair with a combination of oils to promote hair growth together, excellent.” – Kindle Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

3. Treat muscle swelling with a cup of rosehip tea.

Usually consumed in the form of tea, rosehip can help prevent joint damage and reduce joint inflammation. It has been successfully tried and tested as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. 

“I have been using this product for about a month before reviewing it, and I am pleasantly surprised. I’ve had pesky stretch marks and scars that I’ve tried getting rid of for years, and I noticed how much they had faded just from using this!” – Leah

Get it from Amazon for $12.95.

4. Minimize any nausea with a dose of ginger.

Perhaps the easiest of the list to find and integrate into meals or wellness regimes, ginger is known to decrease nausea and morning sickness. For those suffering from diabetes, ginger has also been proven to decrease blood sugar levels.

“It is so hard to find the ginger that is not crystallized and encrusted in a layer of sugar. Ginger doesn’t need all that nonsense. This stuff is exactly what I wanted, simply dried ginger.” – J. More

Get it from Amazon for $14.95.

5. Nourish your hair and skin with some moringa.

A plant that I came across when working in Burkina Faso, moringa has been brought into both edible and cosmetic products. It is known to protect and nourish the skin and hair, both from the inside and from the outside. 

“I started taking this product for milk production and I continued taking it for the benefit that it provided to my hair, nails, and energy. It increased my milk supply and I felt more energetic, although I was sleeping 4 hours per night with an infant. I recommend this to everyone, it’s a great supplement for overall health.” – Oleg Sparky

Get it from Amazon for $15.95.

 

These treatments do, of course, need to form part of a healthy, active and happy lifestyle. Consuming natural remedies alone will do little for you if you are spending the rest of your day in a static position, or eating relatively carelessly. 

Let us know on social media if you have an herbal remedy of your own – we may just feature you in a future Tempest Fam article! I’ll be waiting with my warm cup of raw lemon, honey, pepper, and fenugreek tea, waiting for my insides to be fully revitalized.