Herbs for healthy ageing
Jane Wrigglesworth looks at the research on the herbs and plants most commonly used to maintain wellbeing as we age.
Jane Wrigglesworth says these herbs will help you maintain wellbeing.
Ageing is inevitable – at least for now. As we get older, we become increasingly aware of the importance of healthy life choices to prevent disease and promote wellbeing. We can do this through good eating and exercise, but we can also enhance our wellbeing with the use of herbs.
Digestion and detoxification
We are bombarded by toxins on a daily basis. These include the toxins in our foods, beverages, beauty products, household cleaners, carpets and furniture as well as pollutants in the air and pesticides. These toxins put undue stress on the liver – the body’s primary detoxification organ.
That, in itself, may be damaging to our bodies, but as we age, our liver also produces fewer of the enzymes that are needed for detoxification, and our stomach produces fewer gastric juices to help break down food.
As well, the older we get, the thinner the mucous membrane that lines the stomach becomes, which can lead to inflammation.
Bitter herbs are useful for digestion. The bitter taste stimulates receptors in our mouth, which increases the production of saliva, gastric juices and bile, all of which contain digestive enzymes to break down our food.
Gentian and yarrow are well known bitter herbs, but those that are more easily accessible to the home gardener are rocket, dandelion greens, endive and radicchio. Eat them in a salad before your meal to aid digestion.
Hepatic herbs are herbs that aid the liver. One of particular value is milk thistle ( Silybum marianum), its active constituent being silymarin.
Silymarin acts as an antioxidant. Studies have also shown that silymarin has significantly increased the life expectancy of individuals with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Silybum marianum is a pest plant in New Zealand, so supplements are necessary, but this herb may be very useful for healthy ageing, as our liver function declines.
To help soothe the stomach, demulcent herbs – those rich in mucilage – are effective. When infused in cold water, the mucilaginous gel lines the gut and forms a protective film, cushioning it from irritants, reducing muscle spasms, and helping to soothe inflamed tissues. Demulcents are useful for inflammatory conditions such as gastritis, enteritis, ileitis and colitis.
Slippery elm, marshmallow root and liquorice are excellent demulcents that soothe the gastrointestinal tract if inflammation is present. Hoheria, a New Zealand native plant, also acts as a demulcent. To lower inflammation further, herbs such as chamomile (my favourite) and lemon balm are helpful. These can be made into a tea to be sipped on throughout the day. Slippery elm may decrease the absorption of medications, so take it at least two hours before or after taking medications.
To help soothe the stomach, demulcent herbs are effective… and hoheria, a New Zealand native plant, also acts as a demulcent.
Cardiovascular system
The risk of heart disease rises with age. While herbs cannot replace fast-acting, life-saving pharmaceuticals, they may be beneficial for many of the chronic degenerative conditions that are associated with ageing.
There are many herbs that support healthy ageing. Take the opportunity to explore their usefulness, and then, if you can, grow them in your backyard.
Cardiotonic herbs are helpful. In herbal medicine, hawthorn is the number one herb for cardiovascular ailments, with the leaves, flowers and fruit all being used. Hawthorn contains powerful antioxidants, and these antioxidants may help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow and protect coronary arteries from damage.
Studies suggest that hawthorn may help sufferers of angina, which is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Most studied are Crataegus oxyacantha, Crataegus monogyna and Crataegus laevigata. Crataegus oxyacantha is one of the two species medicinally recognised in European Pharmacopoeia (which provides reference standards for medicines in the continent) and is used in the treatment of numerous heart conditions, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, angina and abnormal cardiac rhythms.
If you can find a hawthorn plant with berries (they fruit in late summer to autumn), pick and dry them and use them to make a simple tea. Alternatively, use the leaves and flowers. To make a tea, infuse up to a 1.5 to 3.5g of dried berry, leaf or flower a day (people with heart conditions who are taking medication should consult their doctor first).
Immune system
The older we get, the more susceptible we become to disease and infection. This is because the immune system, a network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to shield the body from attacks from a host of organisms, declines in function as we age. This has the potential to generate several problems.
One such problem is the clearing away of senescent cells in the body. Senescent cells are cells that have stopped dividing but refuse to die despite programmed cell death. A function of the immune system is to hoover up these cells; if they remain behind, they cause chronic inflammation and accelerated ageing. As we get older, this process is compromised.
Enter Astragalus membranaceus. One of the most popular herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, it’s used for a variety of purposes, including immunoregulation – the control of immune responses between lymphocytes and macrophages (macrophages clean up senescent cells). But it also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, anticancer and hepatoprotective (protects the liver from damage) properties, and can increase telomerase, an enzyme that extends the telomeres of chromosomes (longer telomeres are good; shorter telomeres are associated with ageing).
So as far as beneficial herbs for ageing go, astragalus is a superstar. You can make a tincture of the dried roots or use it in teas.
And the great news is, Kings Seeds now sell astragalus seeds. This hardy plant grows best in well-drained soil in full sun. Harvest the roots in autumn after three years.
There are many herbs that support healthy ageing. Take the opportunity to explore their usefulness, and then, if you can, grow them in your own backyard so you can make use of them easily. ✤