My Top 10 Recommended Herbs
Whether you’re looking to start your herbal inventory or expand what you have already, the process of picking the right plant for you can be super rewarding. Below you’ll find the benefits and pairings for my 10 most recommended herbs. They all deserve consideration, and I hope at least one speaks to you today!
Image credit: Annie Spratt on Unsplash10. Mullein | Verbascum thapsus
First up we have one of my favorite bases for smoker blends, mullein. Because it is so protective and supportive of the lungs and mucus membranes, it’s often consumed as a tea to help expectorate, while having the added benefits of being antibacterial and fighting infection. It even combats parasitic worms!
Mullein smells lovely, though its flavor leans toward the strong, bitter end. I recommend pairing it with naturally sweet licorice root to cut down on the harsh flavor, adding stevia leaf if needed. If you choose to smoke it, you can add anything to your blend so long as around 50% is made up of a fluffy base herb like mullein or number 9 on this list.
9. Raspberry Leaf | Rubus idaeus
This unassuming plant packs a punch when it comes to hormones. Though most discussion around raspberry leaf is focused on women, it is suitable for any gender, working to balance estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone for optimal body levels. In addition, nutrient-dense raspberry leaf works as an antioxidant and immune system supporter.
Though it works and tastes wonderfully by itself, I love pairing this herb with red clover and white peony for women, ashwagandha for men, and tribulus, hawthorn, and maca for all genders.
8. Damiana | Turnera diffusa
My favorite mood-booster is damiana - open a pouch of this herb and you can’t help but smile, as its aroma is so comforting and inviting. Known for its aphrodisiac and anti-anxiety effects, damiana is a staple in a lot of my blends. I particularly love it in a smoker blend, where it calms and uplifts, carrying you through the day like you don’t have a care in the world. Damiana also supports a healthy gut, which plays an important role in our mental health.
The flavor of damiana plays well with every herb I have mixed it with, but my favorite is to sip it in a tea mixed with numbers 6 and 7 on this list! For those looking to bring some heat to the bedroom, add damiana to a blend with epimedium, maca, and rose.
7. Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis
The health benefits of lemon balm are many and varied, helping the body and mind alike with complaints such as stress, sleep issues, indigestion, and headaches. Though it is a member of the mint family, it has a slightly citrusy flavor and leans toward the sweet side. This wonderful plant is also safe and encouraged for use during pregnancy!
My favorite application for lemon balm is nausea, and it works quickly when you pair it with peppermint and chamomile. If you want to address nerves, I recommend accompanying it with catnip and rhodiola.
6. Gynostemma | Gynostemma pentaphyllum
Climbing up the list, lesser-known gynostemma takes my 6th spot! It’s an adaptogen that encourages healthy blood flow and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and stress-relieving effects. This herb has been touted for centuries for its longevity and rejuvenating qualities.
This herb is naturally sweet and compliments just about any tea blend you want to add it to. My morning smoothie typically has maca, bacopa, and gynostemma powders to ensure I have a powerful kickstart to my day!
5. Holy Basil | Ocimum tenuiflorum
This plant has many types under its name, but the most common are Rama, Krishna, and Vana. Also known as Tulsi, this plant is a powerhouse of benefits and you can’t go wrong when picking your variety. You can count on holy basil to help you with mental cognition, balancing blood sugar, fighting bacteria, supporting cardiovascular health, reducing oxidative stress, and calming nerves.
A tea of all three aforementioned types is lovely, and like traditional basil, you can add the leaves to your culinary dishes. I particularly enjoy the subtle peppery flavor of the Krishna variety and prefer to add it to my tea blends when I find no distinct flavor coming through.
4. Rosemary | Salvia rosmarinus
While everyone knows this herb in the kitchen, I cannot recommend it enough in tea. It brings such a pleasant flavor and so many health benefits that there’s no reason not to add it to your daily routine! For starters, it is well known for its memory and is commonly used as an essential oil. But did you know it also helps calm the nervous system, fights inflammation, and has antimicrobial and neuroprotective properties?
Rosemary is wonderful paired with eleuthero and ginkgo biloba for a boost to cognition, as well as white pine and parsley for an inflammation-fighting tea.
3. Gotu Kola | Centella asiatica
This longevity herb has compounds that work to better our mental health and circulation. Applied topically, it has significant impact on the body’s wound-healing process by way of boosting collagen and rebuilding tissue. I work with gotu kola in instances that require focus and mental stamina, and its anti-inflammatory actions make it a great choice for strenuous physical activity.
My favorite thing about this amazing herb is how versatile it is, and thanks to its mild flavor it can easily accompany all herbal blends! I particularly enjoy it with sage and peppermint as a smoker for creativity, as it works on both cognition and blood flow to ensure clarity of thought.
2. Ginseng | Panax spp.
This plant is known the world over to boost energy and brain function, but it also supports your immune system, fights inflammation, and lowers cholesterol! When researching and purchasing ginseng, be diligent and ensure it’s a “Panax” species; there are many plants with similar effects that share a common name, such as Siberian ginseng, Malaysian ginseng, and more. The roots are the most common preference, but I love adding the leaves to my tea!
The flavor profiles of both are quite bitter. When pairing ginseng for tea, I recommend first complimenting with like-effect herbs that add sweetness, like gynostemma or astragalus. Then, if you still find it difficult to palate, add stevia leaf to the base blend or honey once done steeping.
1. Stinging Nettle | Urtica dioica
Nettle is my go-to for a nutritive boost, as it’s packed with tons of vitamins and minerals. It’s one of the best herbal sources of iron, vitamin k, and protein! Nettle benefits those with metabolic syndrome and diabetes. This incredible plant also boasts anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-allergic, and antiviral properties. No wonder it’s considered a superfood!
I typically compliment nettle with alfalfa and oatstraw for a nourishing tea or add it to blends to utilize its earthy flavor. It has culinary applications as well - I once received a block of gouda containing nettle and it was the best cheese I’ve ever had!
In conclusion
This list was pretty tough to nail down; I work with so many powerful and helpful herbs on a daily basis. Any of the options listed here would make a fine choice to buy and work with next, but of course, I recommend trying them all!