Traditional Chinese medicine is a form of medicinal practice that includes the use of herbs, acupuncture, and other forms of therapy. Due to its benefits on health, it wasn’t long before traditional Chinese medicine became mainstream and many people began looking to herbs to help not only prevent, but even manage various diseases.
As we’re looking to improve our health, as well as encourage longevity whilst in the midst of a global pandemic, here are a few of our favorite Chinese herbs for your longevity.
Chinese Herbs For Longevity
1. Ginseng
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Ginseng is probably one of the most popular Chinese herbs out there, particularly because of its anti-inflammatory properties. In regards to your health, ginseng can help to improve your longevity in a number of ways.
Firstly, a study published in the Journal of Ginseng Research found that ginseng helped to significantly increase the number of white blood cells, and we all know that a stronger immune system means a healthier body.
Additionally, ginseng can also help to promote the longevity of your skin, which is probably why it’s often listed as an ingredient in a number of K-beauty products, with a 2017 study revealing that ginseng extract helped to improve the appearance of wrinkles.
2. Reishi mushroom
This Asian herb may be exactly what you need to improve your longevity, especially because it can help to protect against so many chronic diseases.
For one, a study published in the journal Medicines suggested that reishi mushrooms contain properties that can have an anti-cancer effect on breast cancer cells.
3. Basil
Basil isn’t just a great addition to your meals, but a 2017 literature review found that the herb can help to improve your longevity by combatting chronic diseases.
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The review found that basil helped to improve both blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Additionally, the same review also noted that basil helped to significantly improve cognitive function in subjects, regardless of age, gender, formulation, dose, or quality of the study.
4. Ashwagandha
It’s important that you keep your brain healthy as you age, and there are a few ways to do this, outside of doing a crossword puzzle here and there.
Ashwagandha is a herb with anti-inflammatory properties that allows it to combat inflammation associated with aging. That said, Ashwagandha has been found to help combat cognitive decline associated with brain aging. A study, published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, found that Ashwagandha helped to significantly improve memory and cognitive functioning in adults with mild cognitive impairment.
5. Turmeric
We all know about the amazing health benefits of turmeric, thanks to its active compound curcumin. Its rich antioxidant value helps it to fight off free radicals, helping to promote longevity and protect the body from chronic diseases.
Enjoy curcumin and all of its longevity boosting benefits with these delicious turmeric breakfast recipes.
The bottom line
While these ancient Chinese herbs are a great tool to enhance your longevity, they’re not the be-all and end-all when it comes to promoting longevity.
The fact is that if you really want to live a long and healthy life, then you need to adopt the appropriate lifestyle habits. After all, don’t you want to look as good as Betty White at 99? Speaking of which, what is the longtime actress’s secret to aging?
References
Choudhary D, Bhattacharyya S, Bose S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions. J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(6):599-612. doi:10.1080/19390211.2017.1284970
Jamshidi, N., & Cohen, M. M. (2017). The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2017, 9217567. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9217567
Saba, E., Lee, Y. Y., Kim, M., Kim, S. H., Hong, S. B., & Rhee, M. H. (2018). A comparative study on immune-stimulatory and antioxidant activities of various types of ginseng extracts in murine and rodent models. Journal of ginseng research, 42(4), 577–584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2018.07.004
Yang, Y., Ren, C., Zhang, Y., & Wu, X. (2017). Ginseng: An Nonnegligible Natural Remedy for Healthy Aging. Aging and disease, 8(6), 708–720. https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2017.0707
