There are three specific herbs I have come to love and value over the years as I've studied medicinal herbs and health and disease. These three herbs are known to be the "elixir of life" and are able to protect us from many types of viruses and bacteria and one of them is even known to balance our energy systems!
These three herbs are:
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a type of mint. It's latin name is Melissa officinalis. You know the popular (and super expensive) Melissa Essential oil that's known to be one of the most powerful anti-viral essential oils in existence? THIS is the plant it comes from! Research conducted over the past decade has demonstrated impressive results using lemon balm as an antiviral herb - especially for the Herpes Simplex Virus.
But not only does lemon balm have some impressive antiviral properties - it's a calming herb that helps relieve stress and anxiety. Chronic stress is the NUMBER ONE cause of deteriorating health. If we're taking an herb that's acting as a mild sedative - calming our nerves, re-setting our autonomic nervous system and relieving nervous tension, our health will take a BIG step in the right direction.
This herb is used to treat the flu, colds, and coughs. It's perfect as a daily tonic not only because of the benefits I just listed but also because it helps improve memory, it improves moods, and it supports the immune system.
Stevia
Stevia isn't just one of the healthiest substitutes for sugar known to man - did you know that Stevia contains phytonutrients which contain antimicrobial properties that work against many pathogens? One recent popular study has shown that the phytonutrients in the stevia plant, when taken in tincture form, has the ability to reduce the biofilm of the Borrelia Burgdorferi bacteria 40% more effectively than three antibiotics it was tested against. That's a profound percentage - especially when considering how difficult it is to get through that blasted biofilm!
Stevia has been proven to lower blood pressure, stimulate the immune system, and it has been found to inhibit Rotaviruses. (1) Stevia is known to help lower blood sugar levels, and has a long list of health benefits including improving energy levels, inhibiting candida, preventing bacterial infections, and improving skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, and eczema. And let's not forget that it tastes amazing and is a welcome addition to any herbal tea!
Holy Basil
Holy basil is known in India as an herb that contains the best medicinal and spiritual properties. Holy basil, also called Tulsi, is regarded as the holiest of all plants by Hindus and is known as "The Incomparable One", "The Queen of Herbs" and is considered an "elixir of life" and a potent adaptogen that promotes longevity. (An adaptogen is a natural substance considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes.)
Dr. Aviva Romm explains that holy basil calms the mind and spirit and promotes longevity. Holy basil is known to improve energy and relieve fatigue. It elevates mood, provides relief from anxiety and mild depression. It improves mental clarity, and increases motivation to make healthy lifestyle and mindset changes. This herb is known to balance all chakra systems in the body!
Holy basil's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions may protect the liver from stress and inflammation-related damage. It lowers blood glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol, and improves immunity to common colds and bronchitis.
How to Use These Three Herbs
All three of these herbs are incredibly easy to grow in the garden or in an outdoor pot. You can either pluck a leaf from each of these plants and eat them together once or twice a day. Or make a tea using the leaves.
Tea Using Fresh Leaves = 2 tsp.'s chopped leaves per cup of boiled water
Tea Using Dried Leaves = 1 tsp of chopped leaves per cup of boiled water
Simple tea making instructions are:
Bring water to boil.
Add in leaves to pot / cup.
Cover (to keep those powerfully medicinal essential oils from escaping).
Allow to steep for 10-20 minutes.
Drink 2-3 times a day.
One Extra Herb
There is one extra herb I LOVE to add to this already beautiful, tasty, and medicinally powerful combination of herbs. That herb is ... licorice root!
There have been numerous studies proving that licorice root is antiviral and anti-inflammatory and that it contains a wide variety of immunomodulating effects - which means that is has the ability to adjust the immune response to a desired level. If you're immune system is too active / sensitive - licorice root will help calm it down and level it out OR if you're immune system is sluggish, licorice root helps stimulate it and bring it back into balance.
Licorice root has been shown to inhibit Epstein Barr (which, I believe is an underlying re-occurring health issue most people with chronic illnesses seem to struggle with). Licorice root has been proven to contain anti-infectious potential seeing as how it has the ability to prevent H. Pylori from adhering to the digestive lining.
Note: Licorice root should not be taken if you have high blood pressure.
Summary
So between these four amazing herbs, they have the ability to kill off viruses and protect us from them (especially H. Pylori and Epstein Barr - which are a rather nasty threat), they balance our chakras, protect us from unwanted bacteria, balance our immune system, help us adapt to stress, they normalize our body processes, reduce inflammation, and, of course, provide us with some great nutrients.
It's a beautiful combination that, in my opinion, creates one of THE BEST daily tonic teas we could take!
Herbal Ratios
When making a tea, I don't use equal parts of each of these herbs (you can if you'd like) but here's what I do:
2 Parts Holy Basil
2 Parts Lemon Balm
1 Part Stevia
1/2 Part Licorice Root
You can adjust your recipe as you'd like. :)
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Purchase fresh herbs from your local nurseries (call before you go). Seeds for these plants can be purchased from StrictlyMedicinalSeeds.com
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As always, I hope this information will be a blessing to you and your family,
~Claudia