HERBS FOR VITALITY & LONGEVITY
Want to learn how to improve the quality and length of your life?
Of course you do and plant-based medicine has a huge role to play. There are a vast range of herbs that can be used to improve vitality. In fact, it’s possible to use any medicinal herb to improve your overall health and wellbeing; it all depends on what suits you as a person and which underlying health issues you are trying to address. Any improvement in health will improve your overall quality of life whether it be eliminating a skin condition, improving sleep, increasing energy levels or overcoming fertility issues. It is all personal to you.
Recently, I was asked to give a talk on this topic at the VegFest London event at Olympia. I could have talked about this for days; at speed and going off on many tangents (no one needs that!) So, I decided to focus on a few plants from the herbal category known as Adaptogens. These wonder plants have an innate knowledge that enables them to work with the human body to return it to equilibrium; anything from balancing hormones and blood sugar to reducing blood pressure and increasing the lifespan of DNA.
The concept of Adaptogens is relatively new for Western medicine but has been used for centuries in the Chinese and Ayurvedic health systems. In Eastern medicine, the approach is very much focused on preventing health issues and promoting wellbeing; in contrast to more recent Western medicine, which focuses on a reactive solution to a health issue, once it presents itself.
The basic action of an Adaptogenic herb is one that improves the body’s adaptability and ability to deal with stress; their action is either systematic or on a particular organ. This helps the body to avoid reaching a point of collapse and prevents conditions that may arise from chronic, long term exposure to stress. Acute stress triggers what is known as the “fight or flight” response; powered by the sympathetic nervous system, stress stimulates the adrenal glands to release a host of hormones into the body. The hormones, known as catecholamines (which include adrenaline and noradrenaline) result in an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. It can take the body between 20 to 60 minutes to return to balance following initial trigger. Imagine this reaction being triggered continuously throughout the day by a number of small moments of acute stress. Over time, it is bound to cause wear out and send our systems off balance.
In the modern world, the “fight or flight” reaction is rarely switched off. This is due to (amongst other things) an increase in working hours, technology, pollution and the overall demand from life. Occurrences of acute stress can result from so many things; our commute in the morning, pressure at work, getting your kids ready for school and even receiving too many texts on a Sunday that you feel pressure to reply to. It never stops. This simply is not the state we were built to live in; historically fight or flight reaction would have been initiated by a need for survival e.g. running to escape a lion or protect ourselves from danger.
Adaptogens can help to mitigate the effects of the modern world. They can have an overall tonifying effect or provide benefit to specific organs and systems such as the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, reproductive and nervous systems.
Below are four of my favourites:
Astragalus membranaceus
Also known as Milk Vetch or Huang Qi; I became a bit obsessed with this herb when I was writing my dissertation. My research was focused on methods to improve the health of DNA in order to increase lifespan and resistance to disease; this looked in particular at Telomere length. Telomeres are essentially the “caps” that protect the ends of our DNA strands. Telomere length has been linked to lifespan and the incidence of disease; the longer the Telomere, the longer you live - according to research. Astralagus has been shown to not only protect Telomeres, it also can help regenerate them. Needless to say, I take it every day!
Adaptogen and Immunomodulator
Supports DNA health by activating Telomere regeneration
Activates Telomerase enzyme
Anti-Aging
Substances found in the Astragalus Root are called Cycloastragenols and Astragalosides
Available in patented forms known as TAT2 and TA-65 (please seek the whole, raw herb or extract where possible!)
Ashwagandha
This herb is widely available nowadays in supplement form. The medical name for Ashwagandha is Withania somnifera; as you can probably guess by the more commonly used name, it’s heavily used in Ayurvedic medicine. What is it useful for?
Supports adrenals and balances cortisol levels
General tonic, rejuvenating, nervine, sedative, adaptogen, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, immune boosting
Restores nervous system, eases stress and mental exhaustion by promoting clarity. Improves memory
Tonic for the elderly and to promote growth in children and enhance athletic performance
Siberian Ginseng
The medical name for this plant is Eleutherococcus senticosus and historically has been popular with athletes and Olympians. Also consumed in large quantities for its aphrodisiac properties.
Important in traditional Chinese and Russian medicine. Believed to promote longevity and reduce physical fatigue.
The root is mainly used but fruits have also been used traditionally to create fermented wines; tonic for protecting the liver and accelerating alcohol detoxification
Increases mental alertness and physical endurance
Inhibits hypertrophy of adrenal and thyroid glands by reducing the effect of the flight or fight reaction i.e. long-term stress
Good for rehabilitation, treatment of chronic fatigue and chronic illness
Stimulates immune system so is useful for prophylaxis of infectious disease
Golden Root (Rhodiola rosea)
Perhaps the first fashionable succulent; this amazing plant was supposedly the secret of the Soviet Military and was even used by soldiers who marched for days during the expansion of the Roman Empire.
Hardy plant, known as the Arctic Root or Golden Root; grows in extremely harsh artic and mountainous climates in Asia, Northern Europe and Canada
Popular with Olympians and endurance athletes to keep body, mind and spirit balanced
Also used by soldiers of the Roman Empire and the Soviet Military due to its ability to improve physical and mental endurance helping them to deal with days of marching and physical activity with limited food and low morale
Either stimulating or sedating depending on dosage.
Also improves Thyroid function, protects nervous system and the heart and liver through antioxidant effect
As always, please consult a trained professional before taking any herbal medication. What works for one person might not work for you so it’s best to have a tailored approach that takes into account your medical history and your constitution. Get in touch if you want to know more.