Stardust

Caption: Ocimum tenuiflorum – also known as tulsi, holy basil, or the Elixir of Life – is a key Ayurvedic plant native to India.

🌿 Tulsi has documented effects in lots of different therapeutic contexts, but the underlying shared factor is inflammation. Take tulsi daily to benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties. 

🌿 For a plant so central traditionally, tulsi is fairly understudied. However, it may also help with bronchitis, rheumatism, hiccups, coughs, headaches, and wound healing.

Caption: Cinnamon is surprisingly functional – and you might already have some in your cabinet. 

🌿 To get more cinnamon in your life, add it your coffee grounds before brewing, drink it in horchata, or sprinkle it over toast. 

🌿 Cinnamon also helps people with dysmenorrhea. In one study, participants who took 420 mg of cinnamon in capsules had lighter periods with less severe cramps than the placebo group.

Caption: Sometimes a cliché is a cliché for a reason. Cocoa is a known mood booster, cholesterol lowerer, and anti-inflammatory. 

🍫 If you’re eating cocoa as chocolate, look for bars that list the cocoa as a percentage and limit the number of additives. If you’re not used to enjoying dark chocolate, start with a lower percentage and work your way up as you build your palate.

Caption: Not just for cats! Catnip can help with cramps, digestion issues, bloating, anxiety, and insomnia. Historically, it was even used to treat chicken pox, colic, and the common cold.

🌿 Try catnip as tea or juice. 

🌿 Do not consume if pregnant.

Caption: Seeds have been part of human diet for millennia and are a great functional food and magical booster. Pumpkin seeds, eaten raw, are a great snack with a chewy texture – but to really unlock their magic, roast them for a nutty flavor, crunchy texture, and better bioavailable nutrients. 

🌿 Roasting pumpkin seeds unlocks more antioxidants and makes them easier to digest.* Preheat your oven to 320 F while you wash and dry the pumpkin seeds. Season to taste, spread out on a baking sheet, and roast for about 15 minutes, stirring every five, until golden brown. 

🌿 To go about your business without being noticed or bothered, carry a handful of pumpkin seeds in your pocket. 

🌿 Best if eaten seasonally.

Caption: Pregnant people have used raspberry leaf as an herbal support for hundreds of years. But it can also help with periods. For heavy cramps, sip it as a tea or steep it in a hot bath – or both.

Caption: 🌻 Plant or keep sunflowers by the front door for positive energy inside the home.