An Herb a Day
By Mariel Wiley
Artwork by Jas Calcitas
For thousands of years, we evolved alongside plants. Slats of timber held a roof over our heads, and flattened reeds held our thoughts in ink. Generation after generation of farmers coaxed unforeseen vitality from ears of maize and fields of grain. Flora fed and clothed and housed us; it enabled teeming cities filled with artists and teachers and athletes.
But in the Western world, we’ve largely forgotten how plants, for those thousands of years, also healed us.
Of course, the feats of surgical, medication, and inoculation practices continue to save countless lives from aggressive diseases like cancer and epidemic spreads of vanquishable viruses like smallpox and polio. But our modern world is afflicted by something else that hides in plain sight — a malaise of no understandable origin; an illness with no known cause.
And this malaise affects people who receive a clean bill of health after every checkup. here’s nothing “wrong” with us, so we should feel fine. We should be singing from the mountains, right?
Right?
Well then why do we still feel… unwell? Fatigued, achey, foggy, insomniac, out of sync, out of order.
There’s a lot to be said about how our increased separation from the natural world has negatively impacted our lives. But a result of this schism from nature, our relationship to and consumption habits of plant foods has deteriorated to a point in which we aren’t basking in the healing power of herbs any longer.
No, a cup of green tea will never be able to perform open heart surgery, and a daily spoonful of chia seeds will never be able to shield you from the seasonal flu, but these plant medicines hold power in preventing illness and maintaining wellness in the body.
I’m no witch doctor (I wish I was), but I’d love to share with you a few ways that I incorporate the healing power of plants into my own life, and some of my favorite resources to learn more
For decreasing brain fog and increasing energy: green tea, specifically matcha (made from the tiniest, newest leaves on the tea plant for refined taste and energy). The caffeine contained in tea is released at a much more controlled rate than that in coffee, so it doesn’t cause jitters or afternoon crashes. Green tea also contains a ton of antioxidants that boost your immune system.
For increased digestive function: two tablespoons of chia seeds per day, mixed into a smoothie or combined with oat milk for chia pudding. This is a great option for those of you who are somewhat or completely gluten free — we’re often missing out on a lot of fiber usually consumed in wheat products, so chia is a great & gentle alternative.
For the occasional onset of insomnia and anxiety triggered by an overactive nervous system: valerian root. Valerian contains the incredible property of being a nervine relaxant. In small doses it can aid with general anxiety. In a larger “bedtime” dose it, can calm an overactive mind and body to aid in falling asleep. Use as recommended by the instructions on your specific packaging, As this herb can cause drowsiness and shouldn’t be taken before operating heavy machinery!
For occasional musculoskeletal aches and chronic pain: CBD products. Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis sativa plants, hemp and cannabis. Can be used in edible or topical form to relieve & relax tension and chronic pain. Although it’s not a cure-all, CBD is known to help with a wide array of ailments including anxiety, depression, inflammation, and general pain. It also shows incredibly promising results for the treatment of seizure-related ailments (although if you are suffering from seizures, seek medical attention before attempting to self-prescribe treatment).
Educational sources (some of my favorites as of late):
Like I said before, I’m no witch doctor. I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn in using the plants that evolved alongside us to improve my overall health and quality of life. But the wisdom of thousands of years of herbal medicine is out there, patiently waiting for you to soak it in.