When Sir Jason Winters was diagnosed with terminal cancer in the late 70s, he underwent treatments that were common, but debilitating. Confident that there must be a better way, Sir Jason Winters set about learning more about natural and what were believed to be healing herbs from cultures around the world.
From Singapore to The U.K., and on to the Southwest deserts of the United States, Sir Jason learned about herbs and how they work in combination. The power of Sir Jason Winters’ Tea isn’t in the single herbs, but in their combination.
How Do Herbal Combinations Work?
Herbalists and traditional healers have known for millennia that herbs work better in combination than they do individually. Most often, an herbal formula will contain primary herbs, supporting herbs, and activating or catalyst herbs.
Primary Herbs
The herb or herbs that form the base of any herbal formula are those that directly target the primary health concern or symptom. For example, in a formula for digestive issues, an herb with digestive-stimulating properties might serve as the primary component.
Secondary Herbs
These supporting herbs play a crucial role in an herbal formula by increasing the efficacy of the primary herbs. These herbs may be included to provide complementary actions or additional benefits.
In the previous example of a digestive formula, herbs that contain anti-inflammatory or immune-boosting properties may be included for their supporting action by helping to soothe and balance the digestive system.
Activating or Catalyst Herbs
Activating or catalyst herbs work to activate the other herbs in a formula. Some activating herbs will increase the absorption or utilization of the other herbs within a formula. Part of what they do is to ensure that the primary and secondary herbs work together effectively. For example, an herb such as ginger or cayenne may work to help stimulate the body’s immune response.
A Holistic Blend
Each herb can contain literally thousands of individual chemical constituents that work together. When herbs are combined, this can amplify their therapeutic effects and address various systems within the body simultaneously and often in a complementary fashion.
Different herbs within a formula may be included to target specific health concerns and stimulate one or more physiological pathways or organs when they are used together. When taken together, it can create a more powerful and effective response.
For example, when working with an herb that is known for its anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties, secondary and catalyst herbs may potentially increase how effective the primary herb or herbs are through their ability to boost or stimulate the body’s immune response.
Herbal formulas can provide a more nuanced and well-rounded therapeutic effect tailored to a person’s unique needs. A competent herbalist will consider many factors, including age, constitution, diet, activity levels, and any chronic or pre-existing health issues when creating a particular formula for a patient.
Not Just for Healing
Not every herbal formula tastes great. Many medicinal herbs are quite bitter. Including herbs that make it taste better can also contribute to making them easier to take. This is especially true with herbal teas. When they taste better, they are much more enjoyable to savor and people are more likely to take them.
Traditional herbalists and healers will often assemble flavor profiles to help with formulation. There are five tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami or savory. By incorporating the element of taste into an herbal formula, a balance is created that can address several systems within the body.
Preventing Tolerance and Adaptation in Herbal Formulations
When working with any herbal formula, traditional herbalists are very careful to ensure that a person does not develop a tolerance. Because formulas use a combination of herbs, this is less likely to happen than if a single herb was used over a long period.
Still, many herbalists will recommend cycling off an herb or herbal formula for a period of time and then cycling back on again. When approached in this more holistic manner, the dynamic nature of the body’s response to botanical intervention can be more effective.
Don’t Mix Herbs on Your Own
Mixing herbs can activate synergistic properties between them to make the results more effective and powerful. However, you should not mix herbs on your own without doing research and consulting with a trained herbal practitioner or medical professional.
Just like how allopathic drugs can interact between each other, herbs can cause negative reactions if they’re mixed incorrectly. However, many combinations on the market are generally safe to use.
If you’ve been using a single herb for a health issue and it’s not as effective as you’d like it to be, consider speaking with an herbal practitioner to see which herbs might be good in combination to boost your remedy’s effectiveness.
Disclaimer: The statements and information made on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, recommend, or prevent any medical condition or replace professional medical advice. If you are pregnant or nursing, taking any medications, or have a medical condition, consult your physician or healthcare professional before using any product, supplement, or tea. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the statements herein.
“An Herbalist’s Guide to Formulary” by Holly Bellebuono, Llewellyn Worldwide, 2017, Minneapolis, MN
“The Art of Formulation”by Rosemary Gladstar (personal notes from lecture) attended August 5, 1999, Herbfest, Frontier Cooperative Herbs, Norway, Iowa
“The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medicinal Herbalism” by David Hoffman, 1998, Healing Arts Press, Rochester VT
Disclaimer: The statements and information made on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, recommend, or prevent any medical condition or replace professional medical advice. If you are pregnant or nursing, taking any medications, or have a medical condition, consult your physician or healthcare professional before using any product, supplement, or tea. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the statements herein.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Austin
A blogger, healthy lifestyle enthusiast with slight “addiction” of planning and organizing. Whether it’s about weight loss, body detoxing or herbal and healing teas.
All this addiction evidences can be found as informative articles here: at sirjasonwinters.com website.
