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What are Herbal Supplements?

Herbs have been used by various cultures for thousands of years to promote overall health and wellbeing. Today we channel these diverse powers of Mother Nature into a wide range of dietary supplements. There are hundreds of herbal supplements available that address a plethora of health interests and concerns, from stress to sleep to weight management to heart health. They also come in a variety of formats beyond pills like gummies, organic powders and even specialty teas. It’s time to discover how herbs and natural supplements can help you live better.

Herbs for Stress & Anxiety

Korean ginseng is one of the most popular herbal supplements for combatting stress. Throughout much of Asia, ginseng has been used for centuries as a tonic that promotes total-body wellness. Today, we know it more for its ability to support a healthy, natural response to daily stress. Adaptogenic herbs are also popular picks when it comes to relieving both stress and anxiety. Adaptogens are a specific class of plants that are thought to help fight stress and balance the body. Rhodiola rosea root and ashwagandha are two popular adaptogenic herbs believed to be helpful in managing feelings of stress and anxiety.

Herbs for Sleep

When it comes to promoting relaxation and drifting off to sleep faster at night, valerian root is a common, trusted herb. It can not only help ease nervous tension, but also support restful, restorative sleep. Chamomile is another classic herbal remedy for sleep, commonly brewed in tea form but also available in capsules. Throughout the ages, chamomile has calmed the nerves of adults everywhere, and it may just be the most infamous herbal relaxer in the world. For centuries, European herbalists have placed a high value on lemon balm as well. Lemon balm is an aromatic herb that promotes peace of mind and enhances relaxation for a healthy night’s sleep. Many herbalists also find lemon balm useful for comforting occasional mild stomach discomfort.

Herbs for Weight Management

Many people interested in weight management find the gentle assistance they want in herbal remedies. For instance, true cinnamon can help the body use insulin more effectively and may support healthy blood sugar levels already within a normal range. Green tea is another popular herbal supplement for weight management, which can be enjoyed in a tea, powder or capsule. Green tea extract can give your body a quality boost of energy, as well as support your body’s metabolic health. And while Garcinia cambogia isn’t as well known as cinnamon and green tea, it can promote a healthy metabolism and support your weight management goals with its powerful concentration of hydroxycitric acid.

Herbs for Heart Health

Plenty of herbs out there naturally support cardiovascular health. For effective heart-health nutrition, it's hard to beat hawthorn berry. Used for centuries as an herbal cardiovascular tonic, hawthorn berries have antioxidant flavonoids with unique benefits for the heart and vascular system. Berberine is another favorite among herbalists because it has been shown to support healthy cholesterol and glucose levels already within the normal range. And cayenne pepper in herbal supplement form can help maintain healthy circulation in the body, as well as promote cardiovascular health.

Herbs for Energy

Many of us could use a natural energy boost to help us power through our days with clarity and focus, and there are plenty of herbal supplements that can help. For instance, French oak wood extract contains a unique profile of polyphenols called roburins that can help enhance basic cellular functions to combat the aging process, increase energy and fend off fatigue. Cordyceps, a mushroom-like fungus, is also gaining worldwide fame and recognition as an energy-enhancing, health-promoting tonic. And astragalus root has been used by traditional Chinese herbalists for more than 2,000 years as an energizing tonic or “chi” herb that helps to revitalize your entire body.

Herbs for Sexual Health

Horny goat weed is one of the more popular herbal supplements traditionally used for sexual health. It helps increase blood flow and boost arousal and sexual function, and it’s even more potent in combination with tribulus and maca. Maca is a plant native to the Andes Mountains in Central Peru, and its roots are known for containing essential fatty acids and amino acids. Both men and women can use maca to enhance sexual desire and encourage reproductive health, as well as promote physical stamina. And tribulus is a plant native to many warm climates that produces spine-covered fruit. The herbal supplement uses the fruit, root and leaves to support sexual function, enhance libido and protect reproductive health in both men and women.

Herbs for Immune Support

Herbal supplements can be incredibly helpful in fortifying your body’s line of defenses. For example, elderberry is an old-time favorite of European herbalists who consider it to be an excellent immune health tonic. Olive leaf extract is another popular choice. Most of us already enjoy the health benefits of the oil derived from the plant’s fruit, but its leaves contain a compound called oleuropein that works to support the body’s natural defenses, support healthy cholesterol levels, promote healthy blood pressure and protect against oxidative damage. And you can’t forget echinacea, which has been used for hundreds of years as an immune-boosting herb. Also known as the purple coneflower, echinacea is packed with antioxidants like polysaccharides, alkamides and flavonoids.