Discover the Fountain of Youth with Herbs
For a youthful glow, learn which herbs to use inside and out.
By Laurel Vukovic
July/August 2003
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The fountain of youth has been sought after since the beginning of time. People have searched for potions to prolong life, and restore youthful energy and beauty. With substances ranging from powdered gemstones to mercury and tiger bones, not much has escaped scrutiny as a longevity elixir.
Most of these reputed life enhancers have turned out to be simply wishful thinking — and some have been downright deadly. But through the process of trial and error, several have emerged that actually do restore vitality, maximize well-being and improve the chances that you will live to a healthy old age. Many of these life-enhancing substances hail from the herbal kingdom and include the humble garlic and the exotic maitake mushroom (once reserved only for royalty). One of the benefits of living today is that these longevity tonics are available to everyone.
Since the early 1980s, we’ve learned an enormous amount about how to maintain physical and mental vitality throughout life. It’s not possible to stop growing older. But it is possible to slow down the changes that we associate with aging by adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle and using specific herbs to support optimal health.
The choices you make on a daily basis about how to live and care for yourself determine to a great extent how healthy and fulfilling your life will be as you age. In the suggestions that follow, you’ll discover how you can be vitally healthy at mid-life and beyond.
Increase Your Vitality
Vitality — especially after the age of 40 — is directly related to how well you care for your body, mind and spirit. On a psychological and spiritual level, vitality comes from doing what you want to do in your life — the things that make you want to get up in the morning. Physical vitality comes from nourishing your body with a healthful diet, finding a form of regular exercise you enjoy and getting plenty of rest and relaxation.
Some of the biggest energy robbers include caffeine and sugar, which many people rely on to get through the day. Occasionally, a quick pick-me-up can be helpful. But when used to excess, these substances stress the body and accelerate the aging process.
Instead of relying on short-term energy boosts provided by caffeine and sugar, try tonic herbs such as Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) or eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also known as Siberian ginseng. These herbs replenish vitality and help the body adapt more easily to physical and emotional stressors by strengthening the adrenal glands.
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