Best Herbs To Help You Achieve New Year Resolutions
When we think of herbs we normally think of alternative medicine, sickness, prevention or making dinner more tasty. Herbs, however, have a long history of assisting us energetically and spiritually. When I was in my first year of herbalism school we were required to meditate with herbs before we could start researching its medicinal properties and it was a fascinating experience. Many of us in the class would have the same experience during meditation, whether that be a visual of the plant and what it was traditionally used for or perhaps a feeling in the body where that plant is beneficial. I was blown away by these experiences as they were not isolated and happened over and over again throughout the year. We would do this each month with new herbs and share our experiences with the class and every time there would be at least 3 people that had the same information come up in meditation. It was truly wild and it opened my mind to the fact that we are connected to the plant world on a deep level, beyond the physical. I want to share some of the herbs that have been historically used to help us tackle the obstacles and reach our personal goals in the new year. Bring these herbs in to your life through teas, cooking, essential oils or any other way that feels right for you.
sage
This lovely herb comes to us from southern Europe. One of my favorite herbs, I often burn it to clear the air especially when the new year rolls in. I also use it in the office during sessions to create a calming and cleansed environment. I love using the essential oil in my diffuser. I normally use regular kitchen sage if I’m burning the plant and try to avoid using white sage for cleansing spaces as it’s traditionally used by native Americans. While I have native roots, white sage is in danger of being over harvested as it’s a slow growing desert plant and takes a long time to recover from harvesting. Good old kitchen sage is a wonderful herb for clearing negative or stale energy from a room and the type found in a garden or at the grocery store works just as well in my experience. Sage may also help boost energy, focus, and memory which is vital for achieving those new year goals. Prepare it in a tea with some mint for a refreshing pick me up. In Roman times, sage was thought to impart wisdom and immortality. Sage is quite strong smelling and I’ve found people don’t always like it on it’s own so I often mix it with rosemary or lavender to soften it a bit. Sage is also excellent for helping with digestion and can be consumed for loss of appetite, flatulence, diarrhea, bloating and heartburn. I love to fry the leaves in olive oil and make them crispy for a topping on salad or mix the fresh leaves in with some butter to make a compound butter that is delicious on just about everything!
Ginger
Ginger is a truly magical herbal ally to those of use trying to set new year resolutions around our health. Ayurveda recommends taking it before every meal either by chewing it or taking as a tea or even candy. Being an plant of eastern origins, although it’s debated from exactly where it originates, it has deep historical roots in Malaysia, China, Japan and Indonesia. It is known as the “oil of self empowerment” and a great motivator. If you have task to get done, ginger is your best bet for getting off the couch and getting it accomplished. You can add ginger essential oil to a carrier oil and use it on the body, the abdomen being an ideal spot, while bringing in an affirmation of empowerment such as, “I claim my own power and I lovingly create my own reality”. By affirming your belief in yourself, you can build the energy to sustain you as you move through this new year creating a sense of renewal and health. When it comes to health, this is another herb that is fantastic nausea, osteoarthritis and heart disease to name a few. I keep many forms of ginger in my home from fresh root to candies to dried teas. It’s definitely helpful for keeping me motivated and moving!
ashwagandha
A beautiful evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa, this herb is known as an adaptogen. More and more people are finding out about this fantastic herb for stress relief but I also want to highlight it’s ability to balance energy making it a great herb for endurance. This is an important herb for achieving new year’s resolutions as it will help you to maintain energy in a healthy way plus it helps with stress you may be feeling will be more easily managed. This plant has compounds called withanolides which is believed to be the main reason it’s so good for us. It can also help with sleep, lower cortisol levels, help with exercise recovery, reducing inflammation, and it can help reduce the likelihood of cancer. The best way to take ashwagandha is via capsule or in powder form as a tea. I really love to add the powder to energy balls which I make with nuts and dried fruit. It’s a tasty way to get some herbal medicine making it more enjoyable and less like a chore!
Passionflower
When the new year starts, many of us set goals to get better sleep. More and more research is coming out about how important sleep is to our health and longevity but it can be a difficult goal to achieve. Many of you may have heard of chamomile or lavender, both wonderful options for winding down at bedtime but one of my favorite herbs for sleep is passionflower. This herb has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and sleep. While less well known in modern times, it continues to be a go to for herbalists as it’s an excellent herbal ally for sleep due to its ability to assist with neurotransmitter function which then helps you have a stable, healthy circadian rhythm. This rhythm is essential if you want to have a healthy sleep cycle so try blending passionflower, California poppy and skullcap and drinking it a couple hours before bed. There are also many herbal sleep aid capsules that incorporate passionflower. I highly recommend Gaia Herbs Sound Sleep capsules which incorporate the above blend. This herb is my go to for restless sleep and I hope it will help you meet your sleep goals in the new year.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a perennial herb that is a part of the mint family. It’s lovely hint of lemon and vibrant green leaves are truly a balm to our nervous systems. The plant is native to Europe, west Asia and north Africa and is now found widely throughout the world. This is an herb I carry with me everywhere. It’s one of my go-to’s because it reduces stress and provides a sense of calm and serenity. Stress is truly one of the major contributors to many diseases and illnesses and reducing it is not easy in our modern world. One of my goals this year is to manage my stress better and lemon balm has been with me on my journey for many years now. I especially love it for when I travel. I always ask for a cup of hot water on a plane trip and bring my own little lemon balm tea bags and a packet of stevia so that I can get that little bit of de-stress while traveling. It also supports better mood, digestion, immunity, healthy sleep and cognitive function so it really packs a punch. This is an easy to grow herb and is lovely to have in your home as a house plant or out in your garden.
With these herbs you can find the extra oomph you need to meet those new year’s goals and make it that much easier to stay motivated, make healthier choices and succeed in your personal and professional life. Remember that even if you might be struggling to make your goals, every small step is a win. Don’t forget to celebrate those wins and create a sense of accomplishment as you go. Breaking down your goals in to smaller steps can also help you stay motivated and on track. You’re gonna fall off the wagon, you’re only human, so don’t beat yourself up just get back on when you can, where you can. Improving our bodies, minds, emotional health and professional lives is a journey that we work on for a lifetime so pat yourself on the back for attempting to change things for the better. I wish you health, happiness, peach and prosperity in this new year!