In a world increasingly leaning toward natural remedies and holistic health, herbal healing has reemerged as a powerful, time-tested solution. From boosting immunity to relieving stress, the humble herbs found in your kitchen or garden can offer significant wellness benefits without synthetic chemicals or side effects.

Here are seven everyday herbs that support natural wellness and can easily be incorporated into your daily routine.

1. Ginger

Ginger is a superstar in the herbal world. Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, ginger can help with digestion, ease nausea, and reduce muscle soreness. Whether you enjoy it in tea, smoothies, or meals, ginger is a versatile herb that supports overall health.

2. Turmeric

This golden spice contains curcumin, a compound celebrated for its strong anti-inflammatory effects. Regular consumption of turmeric can support joint health, improve brain function, and even fight chronic diseases. Add it to curries, golden milk, or morning smoothies for a wellness boost.

3. Peppermint

Peppermint isn’t just refreshing, it also soothes the digestive tract and helps relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Inhaling peppermint essential oil or drinking peppermint tea can ease headaches and clear sinuses too.

4. Chamomile

This gentle herb is widely used to promote better sleep and reduce anxiety. Chamomile tea is a popular bedtime beverage thanks to its calming properties. It also has anti-inflammatory effects that can help soothe the skin and digestive tract.

5. Garlic

A kitchen staple, garlic is known for its immune-boosting capabilities. It contains allicin, which has antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Regular consumption of raw or cooked garlic may help reduce the risk of heart disease and strengthen immune defenses.

For more on how hot beverages like herbal teas can benefit your immune system, check out our feature: The Herbal Tea Hustle: Can Steaming Mugs Boost Your Immune System?

6. Lemon Balm

Closely related to mint, lemon balm is known for its ability to reduce stress, boost mood, and enhance cognitive function. It’s often used in teas and tinctures and is also a gentle remedy for digestive discomfort.

7. Basil

Beyond being a culinary favorite, basil—especially Holy Basil (Tulsi)—has adaptogenic properties that help the body manage stress. It also supports immune health, reduces inflammation, and offers antibacterial benefits.

How to Get Started with Herbal Healing

Herbal wellness doesn’t require complicated formulas or rare ingredients. Most of these herbs can be grown at home or found in local markets. For those interested in a more self-sufficient lifestyle, this Homesteading Handbook is a valuable guide to growing a flourishing off-grid garden, raising healthy livestock, and embracing natural living.

Final Thoughts

Herbal healing is not just a trend—it’s a return to our roots. By integrating these seven everyday herbs into your routine, you can experience natural wellness from the inside out. Whether you’re sipping on herbal tea or spicing up your dinner with turmeric and garlic, small changes can lead to significant health improvements.

Some of us experience stressful seasons of life. Others live in a constant state of stress. 

But, no matter which category you find yourself in, your body’s response to stress can be a help or a hindrance. 

Too much stress, or too much of your body’s internal response to stress, can cause your cortisol levels to be elevated. 

And, unfortunately there’s a laundry list of negative side effects that come with having too much of this stress hormone released all at once or over time.  

Ah, but thankfully there’s also a laundry list of ways to combat elevated levels of cortisol naturally! 

What Is Cortisol?

Cortisol is a hormone that your body releases as a response to stress. 

This hormone, or the release of it, is essentially the ignition switch on your body’s fight or flight response. 

And, while a small amount of cortisol can work for your good – fighting inflammation internally, regulating sleep, controlling blood pressure levels, and managing your body’s use of macronutrients – when those levels are elevated, a storm is brewing. 

When too much cortisol is released in your body, or when it is released too often, the following negative side effects or symptoms may occur: 

• high blood sugar 
• irregular periods or the absence of periods
• high blood pressure
• fatigue or low energy
• heart disease
• insomnia
• type 2 diabetes
• increased risk of developing infections
• weakened immune system
• cognitive impairment  
• weight gain
• tumors
• Cushing’s Syndrome (see the following list of Cushing’s symptoms)

– high blood pressure

– muscle weakness

– flushed face

– mood changes

– frequent urination

– lowered sex drive

– osteoporosis

– bruising

And, unfortunately, the threat of that list of concerns hits home for each and every one of us, since we’re all prone to stressful seasons of life.

So then, let’s explore some effective ways to naturally lower your cortisol levels and allow this hormone to help, and not hinder, the health of your body. 

1- Sleep 

Both sleep deprivation and irregular sleep patterns can cause increased levels of cortisol in your bloodstream. 

Studies have shown that even those individuals who sleep during daytime hours due to job schedules can have increased levels of cortisol. 

To regulate cortisol levels through sleep, establishing a regular pattern is recommended. 

Seek to get 7-9 hours of restful sleep nightly, and incorporate healthy sleep practices such as avoiding screen time and caffeine close to the time you want to go to sleep, lowering your bedroom temperature a few degrees, waking at the same time each morning, and even using room darkening shades if you must sleep during daytime hours.

2- Laughter

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “laughter is good medicine.” Well, it seems that this sentiment holds a lot of truth! 

Studies show that 10-20 minutes of true laughter can reduce serum cortisol. 

Having a good time, laughing, being happy, these can all reduce stress and lower elevated cortisol levels as well as improve your immune responses and even reduce blood pressure. 

When you laugh, hormones like cortisol are suppressed, and hormones like endorphins are released, improving your mood…and your health! 

3- Hydration

Dehydration acts as a stressor to your body, prompting the release of cortisol. 

And, as other organs and body systems do not function properly when you are dehydrated, this can exacerbate the problem, slowing natural detoxification processes and even contributing to inflammation. 

Drinking enough water throughout the day, half an ounce of water for every pound you weigh, can keep your body systems functioning optimally and regulate cortisol levels. 

4- Cut Caffeine

Caffeine can act as a double edged sword regarding cortisol.  

This stimulant prompts the release of cortisol, and high levels of cortisol contribute to insomnia and low energy. 

Then, what do many folks reach for when they’ve not slept well and are feeling sluggish? Caffeine! 

So, high cortisol levels can leave you feeling fatigued, tempting you to reach for caffeine, then the caffeine causes an increase in cortisol levels as well. It’s a never ending cycle. 

So, avoiding or limiting caffeine is best, but options like antioxidant rich green tea can be a healthy cortisol lowering replacement for beverages high in caffeine and processed sugars (like sodas). 

And, if you must have caffeine at some point in your day, then seek to avoid consuming this stimulant at night, as this can disrupt sleep, another factor in controlling cortisol levels. 

5- Exercise

While intense exercise has the potential to increase cortisol levels as your body undergoes stress during such sweat sessions, those levels decrease a few hours after exercise. 

The act of exercise alone can reduce stress, but this process of increasing and decreasing cortisol levels through exercise can actually teach your body how to handle stress more appropriately creating a greater resilience to such situations. 

To only experience the cortisol reducing effects of exercise (omitting the immediate spike in cortisol from high intensity activity), low intensity exercise is a proven way to reduce circulating cortisol levels. 

6- Stress Relief

As stress is the key in the ignition, driving the release of cortisol, finding ways to cope with and reduce stress in your life is imperative when seeking to lower cortisol levels. 

But, stress relief is different for each and every person. So, it may take a few attempts at trying new things when it comes to seeking out methods for reducing stress and promoting relaxation in your life. 

We’ll give a list of proven methods to reduce stress in a moment, but this isn’t a one size fits all approach. For instance, yoga is a proven method of stress relief, but personally, yoga stresses me out. Go figure, right? 

And, you may find that certain items that have been proven to be successful at relieving stress aren’t right for you either. That’s perfectly fine, just keep searching for ways that fit your personality and lifestyle, providing relief for you personally. 

Some proven stress relieving methods include: 

• Journaling
• Talking with a therapist (or even a friend or loved one)
• Taking long walks in nature
• Taking a relaxing bath or soak in the tub
• Reading a book by candlelight
• Meditation
• Mindful breathing exercises
• Yoga
• Hobbies such as painting or pottery (working with your hands)
• Physical activity
• Listening to music

7- Relationships

Healthy, loving relationships with friends, family, and spouses or partners can provide stability in a stressful world. 

Such relationships can be a source of happiness, which can lower cortisol levels. 

And, on the flip side of this, unhealthy relationships can actually raise cortisol levels, with studies showing that even an argument with a spouse can prompt a significant release of cortisol. 

If you are in an unhealthy relationship, even a troublesome or stressful relationship at your workplace, seek to put some healthy boundaries in place to protect your body from elevated cortisol levels due to the stress caused by such a relationship. 

And, spend time with those people who make you smile, laugh, and feel happy. Lean on these loved ones during times of stress, and enjoy each moment in these healthy relationships, even practicing gratitude for such relationships, to lower your cortisol levels. 

8- Pets

Healthy relationships with other humans aren’t the only relationships that can be effective at lowering cortisol levels. 

Relationships with furry friends are also beneficial!

Having a pet to care for has been proven to reduce stress and cortisol levels in a wide range of individuals. 

From reducing distress concerning medical procedures in children, to offering support during socially stressful situations in adults, and providing therapy to nursing home patients, studies have proven pets to be a beneficial choice for many looking to lower their stress (and cortisol) levels. 

9- Diet

Your diet can also play a role in reducing cortisol levels. 

Cutting out foods that are high in processed sugars has been shown to reduce cortisol, while on the flip side of this equation, fueling your body with foods containing natural sugars can also regulate cortisol. 

So, ditch the sodas, cakes, and candies, and instead, reach for fresh fruit, starchy vegetables, or even dark chocolate (like cacao, not dark chocolate Kit Kat bars) for a sweet fix. 

Other foods to include in your diet that have been proven to lower cortisol levels naturally include: 

• Bananas
• Pears
• Probiotic-rich yogurt
• Whole grains
• Fatty fish
• Nuts
• Seeds

10- Supplementation

As we’ve just seen, diet can address cortisol levels, but when diet alone doesn’t cut it, there are many supplements that have been proven beneficial at lowering cortisol levels as well. 

Fish Oil

Fish oil is one of the most common supplements used to lower cortisol levels as several studies have proven its effectiveness. 

One study showed omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil to be beneficial at lowering cortisol levels in response to stressful tasks undertaken by participants of the study. 

Another study looking at levels of omega-3 fatty acids within participants found those with higher levels also had lower instances of inflammation and lower cortisol levels. 

Rhodiola

Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb that is known for its role in reducing symptoms of depression, and according to research this is thought to occur due to the herb’s ability to lower stress hormone levels. 

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is another adaptogenic herb that is often used to treat anxiety and stress. One study found that participants taking this herb significantly reduced levels of cortisol over the course of 60 days. 

Juicy Purple Fruit “Eats Through” 57LBs?

When it comes to dropping the pounds, I thought I’d heard it all…

But recently, I stumbled on a potent fat-busting morning shake that I simply have to share with you…

>> Potent morning shake melts off 57 LBs

The reason this fruity drink is so powerful…

Is all down to the mysterious juicy purple fruit inside it…

This fruit triggers a powerful new hormone buried deep in your gut.

Which ruthlessly tears through the most stubborn unwanted fat…

When you try this shake yourself, make sure to drink it down in 5 minutes flat…

Because when you do…

You burn more flab than a whole hour on a joint-busting treadmill…

>> Powerful shake melts off 57 LBs (drink in under 5 minutes)

To salt or not to salt, that is the real question! 

Salt has been demonized for some time, with physicians, dieticians, and many more waving their banners high: “beware the Ides of…” salt. 

And, in sticking with the meaning behind that slight nod to the Ides of March there, which signifies an impending betrayal, it is for a similar reason that many preach warnings in regards to salt. 

Your body needs salt, but too much salt is thought to cause a betrayal to its intended purposes and well, I’m sure you’ve heard of the doom that follows: high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, etc. 

But, could it be that so much effort has been made towards such warnings that we’ve forgotten the good, and essential, purposes of salt in regards to our bodies…to our health? 

Perhaps we need to spend a few moments here reexamining this important mineral. 

Is salt bad? Is it good? 

Should we eat it or refrain? 

What is salt’s intended purpose in regards to our health (as opposed to the hindrance of health)?

Salt 101

Let’s get things straight right from the start here, salt is essential. 

This mineral has been demonized in regards to heart health on such a grand scale that it seems we’ve begun to undermine the necessity of it entirely. 

But, there’s not really any other way to cut it: your body needs salt to function! 

Your body must have sodium to balance fluid. It is needed for your nerves and muscles to function in a healthy manner. And, it helps your body to appropriately absorb needed nutrients.  

If you were to cut salt out of your diet completely, you wouldn’t survive. 

And, when it comes to salt, as I’m sure you’re aware, there are many kinds.

• There’s common table salt, which is generally mined and has other minerals added to it such as iodine, iron, and folic acid. 

• Sea salt is a type of salt that is produced by evaporating water from the ocean or saltwater lakes. This type of salt (most any variety of sea salt, really) is not as processed as table salt, so it contains trace minerals that serve to add flavor, color, and potential health benefits due to these other minerals present. 

• Celtic sea salt is another type of salt, though perhaps a bit controversial. It is typically unrefined and hand harvested. And, while it does contain other minerals, even trace amounts of iodine, some believe it to also contain trace amounts of lead. 

• Pink Himalayan salt is yet another option. It is mined near the Himalayan mountains, and as suggested by its name, it has a pink hue. 

Pink Himalayan salt is considered a healthier alternative to table salt as it contains less sodium while also being made up of numerous needed minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, and manganese. 

And, salt is present in far more foods than many of us realize. It’s not just sprinkled on top of food, you know? 

Sodium is present in most processed foods (in high amounts), and it is used in making pastas, breads, dairy products, and even sweets! Yes, desserts contain salt as well. 

And, it can be true that too much salt, rather too much sodium, can potentially be detrimental to your health, depending on your circumstances. 

Too much sodium is thought to increase the risk of some stomach cancers and high blood pressure which contributes to heart disease, and it is likely due to these risks that the American Heart Association recommends that people cut their sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg daily. 

But, other studies show a detriment in tipping the sodium scale in the opposite direction. 

A 2014 study in the New England Journal Of Medicine found that those individuals who consumed less than 3,000 mg of sodium daily actually increased their risk of not only heart disease but premature death as well.

In other words, perhaps too much salt isn’t great for our health, but too little salt seems to raise an equal amount of concern! 

Salt, in and of itself, stands to bring much benefit to the body in the right circumstances. 

Below we’ll detail some of those circumstances, highlighting some great reasons to include salt as part of a healthy diet! 

Reasons Why You Should Eat More Salt

1- Survival

We’ll start here with a more indepth look at the ways that not consuming enough salt can be detrimental to your health. 

We labored the fact that salt is essential for your body to function properly in the above section, but exactly what are you putting your body at risk of if/when you’re deficient in this mineral. 

When you don’t get enough salt, you are at risk of:

• Dehydration
• Headaches
• Weakness
• Cognitive decline
• Heart attack 
• Irritability 
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood sodium 
• High cholesterol and triglycerides
• Muscle cramps
• Sensitivity to heat (incapable of withstanding heat most notably when exerting yourself)
• Water retention in both kidneys and sweat glands

2- Sex And Fertility

Too much sodium is often listed as a culprit in the case of a killed libido. 

However, here we are again with the pesky issue of balance. 

It turns out that too little salt can actually crush your desire for sex! 

Sodium deficiencies can lead to an imbalance of nutrients in the body, and this can affect us hormonally as well, here potentially decreasing sperm count and affecting fertility. 

An experiment done in the late 1990’s found men who lowered their sodium intake complained of erectile dysfunction. 

A study done in mice found a correlation between increased sperm count and a high sodium diet.

And, low sodium diets have been known to cause women not to ovulate.

One then has to wonder about the following being a valid analysis (or even hypothesis) – reproductive hormones and processes are hindered from a lack of sodium, so the body sees the lack of reproduction capability as a signal to decrease the desire for sex (procreation). 

3- Stress Management

Some studies found that rats, when in the midst of stressful situations, prefer salty water to unsalted water. 

These findings support the notion that salt helps to rid the body of cortisol, a hormone that increases within the body in instances of stress. 

When there are high levels of cortisol in the body you can experience greater instances of stress, fatigue, weight grain, high blood pressure, irritability and even depression and anxiety. 

Increasing salt intake can potentially help to decrease cortisol levels, aiding your body in needful and appropriate responses to stress. 

In fact, this link has caused some to wonder if this is why the desire for salty foods increases when stressed. 

Unfortunately, when stressed most people don’t simply add a teaspoon or so of a healthy salt to increase their daily sodium levels, but rather binge on processed junk foods containing excessive amounts of sodium. 

So, the next time you’re feeling overburdened by stress, try adding just a bit more healthy salt to your dinner or even seek to snack on a measured portion of heart healthy nuts as opposed to opting for frozen pizzas, chips, or an extra large order of salty fast food french fries.

4- Dehydration, Muscle Cramps, And Athletic Performance

Whether you’re an athlete or not, your body needs a sufficient amount of electrolytes, and salt (particularly sea salt) is a great source of electrolytes.

But for athletes, it’s important to remember that as you workout, you sweat. And, as you sweat, you lose salt. 

If you fail to replenish that salt, causing an imbalance in electrolytes within the body, you could suffer greatly, increasing your risk of seizures, coma, or heart attack. 

If you drink a lot of water without consuming enough salt, you can experience what is known as hyponatremia, causing dizziness, weakness, confusion, even death. 

The electrolytes in sea salt can also stave off muscle cramps. And, the potassium and sodium work together to balance the amount of water in your body, keeping you from getting dehydrated.

5- Improved Sleep

While sodium-rich processed foods and table salt can hinder sleep quality, the electrolyte content of sea salt has been shown to improve sleep. 

This is due to the fact that electrolytes (those found in sea salt) are thought to balance hormones which play a huge role in sleep quality. 

Just remember to get your salt from healthy sources as table salt and processed foods can cause sodium imbalances within the body (thus hindering sleep quality as mentioned above). 

6- Clean Diet

How could there be anything detrimental to eating a clean, healthy diet? 

Technically, there’s only good to be gained by eating healthy, nutritious foods. 

But, when eating clean, you could be consuming far too little sodium. 

I mean, obviously there’s not much sodium to consume when eating fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. 

So, be sure to use sea salt (such as Pink Himalayan sea salt) to add sodium and other essential minerals to your food or drinks to avoid consuming too little salt. 

The 40 year-old “Salt Lie” Before you sprinkle ANYMORE salt, you have to read this… USE WITH CAUTION

You’ve heard how salt is “bad for you”.

In fact, the USDA says it’s worse than fats, sugar… And even alcohol!

But what if you found out it wasn’t based on any scientific proof?

Click Here  <–Uncover the “Salt Lie”

What’s all this about?

Well, my good friend John Cawrse  recently uncovered some “unsettling” facts about salt after working with some salineros (salt farmers) in Colima, Mexico.

We’ve all heard that salt is “bad for you”. We’ve also heard how “sea salt” is good for you. And how a “low-salt-diet” can prevent heart disease.

But are any of these “facts” true?

Here’s the surprising thing. They’re all FALSE! Before you sprinkle ANY salt on your next meal, you have to read this…

Click Here  <–The Truth About Salt

P.S. Did you know most table salt has additives in it?

P.P.S This is the only salt I allow in my kitchen.

Find out here…

Click Here  <–Claim a Bag of Healthy Sea Salt for just a PENNY plus shipping