{"id":179991,"date":"2025-12-12T09:46:11","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T09:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/179991\/"},"modified":"2025-12-12T09:46:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T09:46:11","slug":"here-are-5-medicinal-herbs-you-need-to","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/179991\/","title":{"rendered":"Here are 5 medicinal herbs you need to"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are times when the body doesn\u2019t need to explain itself. We feel stress<\/a> settle in our chest, the nights get shorter, our digestion goes off-balance\u2014and our heart? Sometimes it just races faster. Instead of heading straight to the medicine cabinet, many Israelis are going back to the earth\u2014to the healing herbs of grandmothers and traditional folk medicine.<\/a> And sometimes, that\u2019s really all you need.<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout history, people used plants not just to nourish the body, but also to heal it,\u201d says Tzipi Kadosh, a naturopath and clinical herbalist who heads the clinical herbalism program at Reidman International College for Complementary and Integrative Medicine. \u201cHerbal medicine is one of the oldest healing systems on Earth. It began as traditional medicine passed down through generations\u2014from father to son, mother to daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Kadosh, early knowledge of plant healing properties came from careful observation. \u201cOur ancestors watched the plants around them, the environment they grew in, and how animals used them,\u201d she explains. \u201cThey noticed that some plants were eaten by animals only when they were sick and realized that must mean the plant had healing power.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Among the oldest medicines on Earth: Medicinal plants <\/p>\n

(Photo: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

Through generations of this observation, trial and error, herbal knowledge developed. And in times of stress, this wisdom has always served humanity. \u201cPeople have always experienced stres<\/a>s, though perhaps different from today\u2019s. Back then, it was often survival stress,\u201d says Kadosh. \u201cHumans discovered certain herbs that calm the mind, lift mood, aid sleep or reduce anxiety and they used them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today, when every issue seems to have a shiny pill solution, Kadosh says herbal medicine offers something fundamentally different. <\/p>\n

\u201cA pharmaceutical drug typically contains one active compound, synthetically made in a lab. A plant, on the other hand, has been alive on this planet for thousands of years. It contains a rich variety of active ingredients, sometimes dozens or even hundreds. Some we know, some are yet to be studied.\u201d The key, she adds, is balance. \u201cThe plant\u2019s components exist in perfect proportions for humans and animals to consume. That\u2019s a huge difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Tzipi Kadosh<\/p>\n

(Photo: Personal album)<\/p>\n

Below are five easily available, simple-to-prepare herbs that can help bring calm in turbulent times. All can be consumed as tea and incorporated into a daily relaxation routine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are great to keep at home,\u201d Kadosh advises. \u201cYou can use them separately or mix them. During a stressful moment, just make yourself a calming tea.\u201d If using a single herb, place 1\u20132 teaspoons of dried leaves in a strainer, pour hot water, cover for 5 minutes, then remove the herbs and drink. This method also preserves the essential oils.<\/p>\n

Still, she cautions: \u201cEven gentle infusions can interact with medications.\u201d These suggestions don\u2019t replace professional medical advice. \u201cAlways consult a doctor before using herbal remedies, especially if you\u2019re on medication.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first herb Kadosh recommends is lemon balm, from the mint family. Known for its lemony scent that attracts bees, it\u2019s been widely used across Iran, Africa and in traditional Arabic medicine for anxiety, digestion and nerve conditions.<\/p>\n

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Sedation and pain relief. Medical Melissa <\/p>\n

(Photo: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt calms, relieves muscle tension, and reduces gas and bloating,\u201d Kadosh says. \u201cIt works quickly\u2014even from the first sips of tea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lemon balm supports both digestion and the nervous system, especially in stress-induced digestive issues. A 2010 study found it helped reduce mild anxiety and improve sleep. It\u2019s widely available fresh or dried.<\/p>\n

Gotu kola, revered in Ayurveda, thrives near water\u2014symbolizing its calming nature. It\u2019s used to rejuvenate the nervous system, support memory and reduce stress and high blood pressure.<\/p>\n

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Reduces stress. Centella<\/p>\n

(Photo: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

Pharmacologically, it\u2019s considered an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to long-term stress. \u201cIt improves cognition, protects brain cells and promotes resilience,\u201d says Kadosh. Research supports its anti-stress and antidepressant effects. It\u2019s ideal for prolonged tension, such as a more than two-year war.<\/p>\n

Native to Israel and found in local markets, this mint-scented plant grows in rocky soil and has a delicate yet resilient nature.<\/p>\n

Traditionally used for digestive problems, high blood pressure, fatigue and emotional stress, it soothes the gut and lifts mood.<\/p>\n

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Sold in almost every local market. White Micromeria <\/p>\n

(Photo: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s great for gas, bloating and general calm,\u201d says Kadosh. It also acts as a natural expectorant in cold season. Combined with lemon balm, it makes a refreshing, calming tea.<\/p>\n

A staple in herbal medicine for thousands of years, chamomile contains apigenin, a natural compound studied for its anti-anxiety effects.<\/p>\n

Used to treat digestive issues caused by stress, it\u2019s also known for its gentle calming properties\u2014so much so that even infants can benefit.<\/p>\n

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Treats a variety of digestive problems. Chamomile.<\/p>\n

(Photo: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

\u201cI give chamomile tea to breastfeeding mothers\u2014it calms both mother and baby,\u201d says Kadosh. It\u2019s effective for kids with bedtime anxiety and adults suffering from stress-induced cramps or insomnia.<\/p>\n

A 2020 study showed improved sleep quality in seniors using chamomile capsules, and another found benefits for postpartum women.<\/p>\n

Though less known to the public, hawthorn is a favorite among herbalists for its dual effect on emotional and physical heart health.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe use the flowers, leaves and berries, but here I\u2019ll focus on the flowers,\u201d says Kadosh. \u201cThey help regulate blood pressure and support the heart, especially when stress causes a rapid heartbeat.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Delicate and powerful. Hawthorn flowers<\/p>\n

(Photo: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

She notes it’s important to consult a doctor before using hawthorn if you’re on heart or blood pressure medication.<\/p>\n

Emotionally, it helps with anxiety, insomnia, emotional overload and even heartbreak. \u201cI like to give it after breakups or loss,\u201d says Kadosh. \u201cIt calms the heart, both physically and emotional<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There are times when the body doesn\u2019t need to explain itself. We feel stress settle in our chest,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":179992,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[134,524,111,139,69],"class_list":{"0":"post-179991","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-medication","10":"tag-new-zealand","11":"tag-newzealand","12":"tag-nz"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179991"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179991\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}