Staying healthy the natural way
Maintaining our health is always important, but it’s understandably become something a lot of people are placing a laser-focus on during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural methods at our disposal that can help keep our bodies functioning at their best – from antimicrobial herbs to one of nature’s top remedies: sunshine! Whether you’re combating illness or just looking to stay as healthy as possible during this time, here are a few of the many herbs you can add to your repertoire. Not sure where to source these herbs sustainably? You can find many of them in some of our Fairwinds tinctures – available nationwide!
Ginger
At the top of this list for a reason, ginger is one of the most renowned herbs for its seemingly endless list of benefits. Used for thousands of years to help relieve common ailments such as nausea and indigestion, ginger is also known for its ability to stave off bacterial infections. It has been shown in clinical trials to exhibit both antibacterial and antiviral properties and can also boost the immune system. Other studies have also shown that ginger and garlic are among the two most versatile antimicrobials when it comes to the number of bacteria they’re capable of fighting off!1,2 You can find ginger (alongside a few other herbs from this list) in Fairwinds’ Digestify tincture. It may be designed for assistance with gastrointestinal issues, but it’s a great addition to any wellness routine.
Garlic
Another of history’s most common remedies, garlic is easy to find, easy to use, and packed with benefits. From eating cloves raw to infusing drinks and food, this powerhouse plant is one of nature’s best antimicrobial gifts. According to a clinical trial, garlic in its raw/fresh form is the most powerful antibacterial, followed by powdered/dried, with oil extracted from garlic falling third.1
Clove
Unlike garlic, the extracts from cloves have been shown to be far more powerful bacteria fighters than the raw form! Eugenol, a terpene derived from cloves, can break down individual cells and inhibit cell reproduction in some bacteria.1 However, while clove oil is incredibly valuable at fighting off food-borne pathogens and bacteria such as salmonella, it is a little less versatile than some other herbs/spices in this list when it comes to the types of microbes it can fight off successfully. You can find Eugenol in many Fairwinds products in small quantities.
Oregano
Much like cloves, oregano oil can be incredibly effective when it comes to fighting off food pathogens like salmonella. Additionally, it’s used frequently to help treat and/or prevent illnesses such as the common cold! Oregano oil has also shown to be incredibly effective against E. Coli.1
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a powerhouse when it comes to its benefits. In a similar fashion to cloves, it is able to break down bacterial cell walls and prevent reproduction. More clinical studies are needed to confirm its full list of capabilities; however, current research is promising. Cinnamon may soon be on the same level as garlic and ginger as far as versatile antimicrobial herbs are concerned!1
Coriander
Another incredibly powerful herb/spice, coriander has shown to not only be an antimicrobial, but also to confer bactericidal effects! This means that it can actually kill many kinds of bacteria in addition to just fighting them off. Coriander is another of the herbs used in our Digestify tincture, helping to fortify its benefits. We also love coriander for its anti-inflammatory properties!1
An incomprehensive list
There are so many valuable antimicrobial herbs and spices that people can use to help boost their health and immunity – this is just a short list of some of our favorites and a few we include in our products. As always, we truly appreciate you taking the time to read more and grow your knowledge; when it comes to holistic healing, we’re honored to be a part of your journey towards whole-body wellness.
