The Power of Herbs

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Hi! My name is Anne and I am a qualified Naturopath, Clinical Nutritionist, and Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner.

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Nov 26, 2021 Anne Reid

Herbs are a great addition to any healthy lifestyle to help prevent illness and disease.

Not only do herbs contain different compounds and actions, they are nutritious as well.

Herbs have been used traditionally and are still currently the first option for healthcare in around 70% of the world's population.

Most of today's pharmaceutical compounds originate from herbs.

Herbal teas are a great way to access all these therapeutic benefits in a subtle and gentle way and to also add vitamins and minerals to your diet.

Let’s take, for example, the herb Chamomile. Not only is Chamomile a carminative, a relaxant, an antispasmodic, an anti-inflammatory, an anti-allergic, a bitter and a vulnerary, it also contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, iodine, zinc and manganese.

Herbal Tisanes (teas) are not to be confused with Western Herbal Medicine which uses concentrated active ingredients of the herb or plant in the form of tinctures.

"Herbal teas are not only therapeutic, they are nutritious as well."

These medicinal tinctures can only be prescribed by a qualified health professional after a consultation.

Herbal teas are classified by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) to be a food and part of a healthy diet.

I have included below the nutritional panels of some of the herbs in this therapeutic range:

Nettle – (A, B2, C, E, carotenoids and K) + Calcium, magnesium, potassium, silicic acid, iron, selenium, zinc, manganese and copper

Lime flowers - Calcium, potassium, selenium, zinc and chromium Agrimony – (C, K and B1) + Iron and silicon

Bladderwrack – (B-carotene) + Calcium, manganese, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, and molybdenum

Black Cohosh - Calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and zinc Cinnamon - Manganese, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur

Dandelion – (A, B, C and D if leaf and root, carotenoids in the leaf) +Potassium, iron, copper in the leaf and root; calcium, sodium, phosphorous and zinc in the root

Damiana - (B-carotene and C) + Manganese, iron, copper, zinc, calcium and potassium

Devils claw - Phosphorus, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc

Feverfew - (A, B1, B2, niacin and C) + High amounts of iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, chromium, and selenium

"Mother Nature has provided us with wonderful tools in the form of herbs"

Ginger - (A, B-complex and C) + Calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and magnesium

Gingko – (A, B6, C and E)

Hops – (B-complex) + Magnesium, zinc, copper and traces of iodine, manganese iron and sodium

Juniper – (C) + Potassium, selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron

Licorice – (E and B complex, biotin, niacin, and pantothenic acid) + Phosphorus, manganese, iodine, chromium, and zinc

Lime flowers - Calcium, potassium, selenium, zinc and chromium

Marshmallow – (High in A and also contains vitamin B complex) + Calcium, zinc, iron, sodium, and iodine

Nettle – (A, B2, C, E, carotenoids and K) + Calcium, magnesium, potassium, silicic acid, iron, selenium, zinc, manganese and copper

Oats – (A, B- complex including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, B6, C, E and K) + Silicon, calcium, iron (high), potassium, phosphorus, manganese, and zinc

Peppermint – (A, C and niacin) + iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper, iodine, silicon, sulphur, manganese, and zinc

Red Clover – (A, B-complex, C, F and P) + magnesium, calcium, potassium and copper with some selenium, manganese, sodium, and zinc

Rosemary – (A, C and E) + High in calcium with some iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and zinc

“Herbs work in synergy to promote health and wellbeing”

Sage – (A, C and B complex) + Calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium and small amounts of manganese, zinc, copper, sulphur, silicon, phosphorus, and sodium

Sarsaparilla – (A, B complex, C and D) + Potassium, iron, manganese, sodium, silica, sulphur, copper, zinc, and iodine

Skullcap – (C and E) + calcium, potassium and magnesium with some iron and zinc

Red Clover – (A, B-complex, C, F and P) + magnesium, calcium, potassium and copper with some selenium, manganese, sodium, and zinc

Uva-ursi – (C and A) + Calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium

Wild Yam – (C and A) + Calcium, chromium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium Wood Betony - Magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus