Tag: Ayurvedic Herbs

Herbal Healers: 12 Underrated Plants That Boost Your Mind, Mood & Immunity

On By Ashish SinghIn Healthy Living, NutritionLeave a comment

Herbal Healers: 12 Underrated Plants That Boost Your Mind, Mood & Immunity

In our search for wellness, we often overlook nature’s original pharmacy — herbs. These plants have been used for thousands of years, and yet many powerful healers remain tucked away in dusty kitchen cabinets or unfamiliar apothecaries. But as we move toward more natural, holistic living, it’s time to rediscover their quiet magic.

You don’t need an entire herbalist’s garden — just the right allies for your mind, mood, and immune system. Below are 12 underrated (but incredibly potent) herbs that belong in your wellness toolkit.

🌿 1. Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Tulsi isn’t just sacred in Indian tradition — it’s also an adaptogen, helping your body regulate stress.
Benefits: Calms the nervous system, supports adrenal health, enhances focus.
Try it in: Tulsi tea or capsules.

🌼 2. Lemon Balm

This citrus-scented herb is known for its calming and mood-lifting properties.
Benefits: Reduces anxiety, improves sleep, aids digestion.
Try it in: Tea or essential oil for diffusing.

🌸 3. Passionflower

A gorgeous vine that helps the overthinking mind take a break.
Benefits: Eases insomnia, reduces restlessness and racing thoughts.
Try it in: Tincture before bed.

🌰 4. Ashwagandha

One of Ayurveda’s most popular adaptogens, but still underused in everyday routines.
Benefits: Stabilizes mood, reduces cortisol, supports energy.
Try it in: Capsules or as a powder in warm milk (Moon milk).

🍵 5. Schisandra Berry

Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, it’s a five-flavor fruit for full-body harmony.
Benefits: Improves focus, liver detox, endurance.
Try it in: Herbal blends or tinctures.

🍄 6. Reishi Mushroom

Technically a fungus, but a powerhouse for immune and spiritual health.
Benefits: Strengthens immunity, improves sleep, supports emotional resilience.
Try it in: Reishi powder or tea.

🧡 7. Rhodiola Rosea

The mental clarity herb you didn’t know you needed.
Benefits: Enhances focus, reduces brain fog, boosts mood.
Try it in: Capsules or tincture form.

💚 8. Gotu Kola

Known as the “herb of longevity” in Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine.
Benefits: Enhances memory, supports circulation, reduces anxiety.
Try it in: Tea or capsules.

🌾 9. Nettle Leaf

So much more than a spring tonic — it’s a nutritional powerhouse.
Benefits: Strengthens immunity, reduces inflammation, provides iron and minerals.
Try it in: Soups, teas, or dried powder.

🍃 10. Peppermint

Common, yes — but incredibly effective when used correctly.
Benefits: Boosts energy, relieves tension headaches, aids digestion.
Try it in: Fresh tea or diluted essential oil for temples.

🌺 11. Blue Vervain

A nervous system tonic that calms the mind-body loop.
Benefits: Relieves nervous exhaustion, improves sleep, clears mental tension.
Try it in: Tea or tincture.

🍇 12. Elderberry

You’ve seen it in immune syrups, but there’s more to it.
Benefits: High in antioxidants, supports immune response, fights colds.
Try it in: Elderberry syrup or lozenges.

🌱 How to Start Using These Herbal Allies

  1. Start Slow – Introduce 1–2 herbs at a time.
  2. Know Your Body – Some herbs are warming, others cooling. Tune in.
  3. Work With the Seasons – Reishi in winter, Tulsi in stressful phases, Lemon Balm in summer.
  4. Go Organic – Always choose high-quality, pesticide-free herbs.
  5. Listen – Your body will tell you what’s working.

🌿 Final Thoughts: Nature Knows

Herbs don’t shout. They don’t promise overnight results. But they restore balance quietly, day by day.
They speak the language of rhythm, rest, and realignment — and your body understands it.

So, next time you feel overwhelmed, tired, foggy, or unwell — look to the earth. It’s been whispering healing all along.

For more rituals, insights, and plant-powered wisdom — check out my book:
👉 The Mindful Executive

Unlock Ayurveda’s Secrets: Daily Rituals for Vitality

On By Ashish SinghIn Holistic Practices, YogaLeave a comment

Ayurveda, the ancient system of healing from India, has been practiced for over 5,000 years—yet its wisdom remains incredibly relevant today. Rooted in the belief that mind, body, and spirit must be in harmony, Ayurveda provides timeless insights for modern wellness. Whether you’re seeking better digestion, more energy, or a calmer mind, Ayurveda offers natural solutions tailored to your unique constitution. Let’s explore how to incorporate Ayurvedic principles into your daily life for optimal well-being.

1. Understanding the Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha

Ayurveda teaches that each person has a unique balance of three energies, or doshas. Knowing your dosha helps you make lifestyle and dietary choices that align with your natural constitution.

  • Vata (Air & Space): Creative, energetic, but prone to anxiety and dryness. Needs warmth and grounding.
  • Pitta (Fire & Water): Passionate, driven, but susceptible to overheating and irritability. Needs cooling and balance.
  • Kapha (Earth & Water): Nurturing, stable, but prone to sluggishness and weight gain. Needs stimulation and movement.
  • Pro Tip: Take a quick dosha quiz online to discover your primary dosha and lifestyle adjustments.

2. Start Your Day with a Morning Ritual (Dinacharya)

Ayurveda emphasizes daily routines (dinacharya) to promote balance and vitality.

  • How to Practice:
    • Wake up before sunrise (or with the sun) to sync with nature’s rhythms.
    • Scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper to remove toxins.
    • Drink warm lemon water to aid digestion.
    • Oil pulling (swishing sesame or coconut oil) for oral health and detox.
  • Pro Tip: Dry brushing before a shower boosts circulation and lymphatic drainage.

3. Eat According to Your Dosha and the Seasons

Ayurveda teaches that food is medicine, but what you eat depends on your body type and the season.

  • Vata (Fall/Winter): Warm, cooked foods like soups, stews, and herbal teas. Avoid raw and cold foods.
  • Pitta (Summer): Cooling foods like cucumbers, leafy greens, and coconut water. Avoid spicy and fried foods.
  • Kapha (Spring): Light, spicy, and warm foods like ginger tea, quinoa, and greens. Avoid heavy dairy and fried foods.
  • Pro Tip: Eat your largest meal at lunchtime when digestion is strongest.

4. Balance Your Energy with Ayurvedic Herbs

Herbs play a huge role in Ayurveda, supporting immunity, digestion, and mental clarity.

  • Ashwagandha: Adaptogen for stress and energy balance.
  • Triphala: A powerful detoxifying blend that supports digestion.
  • Brahmi: Improves focus and calms the mind.
  • Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory, supports immune function.
  • Pro Tip: Sip golden milk (turmeric latte) at night for relaxation and anti-inflammatory benefits.

5. Align Your Movement with Your Dosha

Exercise should support your body’s natural rhythms.

  • Vata: Gentle movement like yoga, walking, tai chi to ground energy.
  • Pitta: Moderate activity like swimming, hiking, cycling—avoid overheating.
  • Kapha: More intense movement like HIIT, running, or dance to boost circulation.
  • Pro Tip: Avoid excessive workouts at night, as they disturb sleep.

6. Cultivate Mindfulness and Emotional Balance

Ayurveda sees mental health as just as important as physical health.

  • How to Practice:
    • Meditation: Helps balance all three doshas.
    • Pranayama (breathwork): Cooling breath for Pitta, warming breath for Kapha, balancing breath for Vata.
    • Journaling: Writing down thoughts can reduce stress and anxiety.
  • Pro Tip: Try Abhyanga (self-massage with warm oil) before bed to calm the nervous system.

7. Detox Naturally with Ayurvedic Cleansing

Ayurveda believes in gentle daily detoxing rather than extreme cleanses.

  • How to Practice:
    • Drink warm water with lemon in the morning.
    • Eat light, seasonal foods to support digestion.
    • Incorporate herbs like Triphala for digestive cleansing.
  • Pro Tip: Fasting once a week (skipping dinner or having only liquids) can reset digestion.

Conclusion

Ayurveda isn’t about strict rules—it’s about living in harmony with nature and your body’s unique constitution. By making small changes like adjusting your diet, adopting mindful routines, and practicing self-care, you can restore balance and vitality in your life. Start with one or two practices and experience the transformative power of Ayurveda!

For more insights on holistic well-being, check out my book, The Mindful Executive: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D75YJCLW.