Most of us have a crazy plant friend. There is a reason why people enjoy having plants and greenery in and outside of their homes.
In the next few posts, I will write about the healing powers of plants, why to have them as part of your nutrition lifestyle and dive into some specific plants that you can use for healing powers. After these posts, you'll have a better understanding of why plants are enjoyed by so many.
Small History Lesson Of Plants
Plants play an essential role in the history of human development. From medicinal
uses to skincare, plants have been remedies since ancient times.
At the time of Hippocrates (460 – c. 370 BC), St John's wort was being used to soothe burns.
You may have heard the famous quote, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy
food.” This was coined by none other than the Greek physician, Hippocrates.
Even today, we utilize plants for healing! What do you reach for after a day in the sun?
Aloe! This plant produces a gel that is soothing and healing to irritated skin.
Plants have also been a significant source of nourishment throughout history. Hunting
for animal protein was challenging, and the meat was hard to come by. This meant a
bulk of ancient diets relied on PLANTS! Many cultures around the world have thrived on plant-based diets, even to this day.
Healing Powers of Plants
Plants have many different healing powers. From eating a plant-based diet to obtain the nutrients we need to the positive mental health effects we get from being in nature.
We’ve understood for a while now that plants provide nourishment for the body.
All living things require food to sustain themselves. Plants can make their food.
Humans cannot, which is why we need to eat a variety of foods throughout the day. It’s
easy to forget that food is not just about satisfying our hunger; it’s essential to our
health.
Plants prepare food for themselves by using water, carbon dioxide, and minerals
present in their surroundings. The nutrients enable growth, support the process of repairing cellular damage, and provide energy to carry out essential life-sustaining
functions.
Different plants create different nutrients. Where they are grown also plays a key role
in the nutrients they produce. Because most plants are low in fat and calories, and
high in various vitamins and minerals, they are recommended to make up the bulk of a
healthy diet.
What are the Different Nutrient Groups?
Our bodies require specific nutrients to thrive. These nutrients are broken into two
nutrient groups, micro, and macronutrients.
Micronutrients are found in vitamins and minerals and are required in small amounts.
Macronutrients, on the other hand, are needed in larger quantities. They include
carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Fiber is another nutrient necessary for health and
provided by plants.
Micronutrients:
Minerals are inorganic substances absorbed by plants. For example, magnesium is a
mineral and is essential in the body for nerve and muscle function. Plants rich in this
mineral include whole grains, nuts, and legumes.
Vitamins are organic substances made by plants and are also essential for everyday
functioning. For example, vitamin A, from dark leafy green vegetables, keeps your
eyes healthy.
Macronutrients:
Macronutrients include carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Carbohydrates are the primary
source of energy for all cells. This is why plant-based foods are considered healthy
macronutrients. They are high in carbohydrates and low in protein and fat.
Fiber
Fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant foods also provide fiber, whereas meat and
seafood do not. Fiber slows digestion allowing the body to absorb micronutrients. Fiber
is also responsible for the movement of food through your digestive tract.