From the soil to the supermarket, herbs and supplements help us from living helplessly with dysfunctions of all kinds.These natural remedies may just be a sample of all the earth has to offer, but they're effective in their own right.
Ginseng as a caffeine alternative
"For the American workflow and the way that we live so fast in this country, I know a lot of people rely heavily on caffeine to get the energy and the focus they need to make it through their day," says Benjamin Weiss, owner and CEO of Susquehanna Sustainable Enterprises in Lancaster. This rings even truer as the trauma of a pandemic and systemic inequities weighs on us all, making it more difficult to focus on the task at hand. "Ginseng is an alternative to that, and it can be taken everyday," says Weiss. Ginseng is an Asian herb native to Korea and the Manchuria region of China and Russia, but there is also an American species. Scientific studies suggest that it's effective in reducing fatigue via aerobic pathways in the brain.
Mushrooms of just about every kind
"Never kick a mushroom off your plate," says Tina Ellor, who has been the technical director of Phillips Mushroom Farms in Kennett Square since 1995. Ellor says mushrooms all have ergothioneine. In 2005, scientists discovered that ergothioneine keeps glutathione (the master intracellular antioxidant for all mammals) stable and that we function best when we have a steady supply.
For instance, shiitakes offer antiviral properties, while oyster mushrooms have statins that lower cholesterol. Maitake can treat breast cancer and ameliorate side effects of chemotherapy. Lion's mane (sometimes referred to as pom pom mushrooms) produces membrane to keep your endoplasmic reticulum healthy, which prevents neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's.
"They should always be cooked in some form," says Ellor. "Those chitin cell walls are hard for us to digest." If you choose to take mushrooms in the form of supplements, Ellor suggests trying to "ascertain if there's a cooking phase in there."
Local & raw honey
"Honey is certainly medicinal," says Weiss, though he clarifies that the golden nectar of honey bees must be local and raw if you want the robust benefits. Weiss promotes honey's almost miraculous topical ability to heal burns. Some experts suggest that consuming local honey can help to desensitize people from pollen allergies. Buying honey from local beekeepers also helps keep the industry sustainable for a heavily burdened species.
Turmeric, the right way
As CEO and Founder of The Holistic Highway in Harrisburg, Kerry Harling, M.Ed, is an integrated medical practitioner and certified ayurveda practitioner. "One of the latest fads out there is turmeric," Harling says. People pop capsules or apply face masks that are stained a golden yellow with the good stuff. "But if you don't add black pepper, you can't actually access the therapeutic value of it, the curcumin," she adds. Additionally, turmeric works best when heated, and our bodies absorb its benefits more when we eat it with healthy fats such as coconut milk—"which is why just taking a capsule isn't going to do anything," Harling says.
Mugwort for a more rewarding sleep
"One of my other favorite herbs that I use a lot of is an herb called mugwort, which also grows around here as a weed," says Weiss. It can help people remember their dreams or combat nightmares, which are often a symptom of other physical or mental illnesses like narcolepsy or PTSD. People can consume mugwort as tea before bed. It's best to check in with a naturopathic physician or herbalist for dosage recommendations.
Just because it's natural…
Remember, the word "natural" isn't regulated by the FDA. "I have a friend who once said to me, 'Kerry. Americans have the most expensive urine in the world.' And that's true," says Harling. "If you don't need it, you're just peeing all that money away." Harling warns against throwing caution to the wind when it comes to dietary additions—even the legitimately natural kind. She reminds us to ask ourselves, "Why are you taking what you're taking?"
