Boost your wellness journey

Juicing is a powerful way to ingest a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. But when combined with herbs, juices can be even more beneficial. Herbs bring additional therapeutic properties like anti-inflammatory effects, digestive support, immune boosting, and more.

Incorporating herbs into your juice routine adds layers of wellness benefits that can address specific health concerns. Let’s explore how juicing and herbal benefits work together.

1. Ginger
   
   • Benefits: Ginger is one of the most well-known medicinal herbs used in juicing. It's anti-inflammatory and aids digestion, making it perfect for soothing an upset stomach, reducing bloating, and promoting healthy gut function.
   • Additional Benefits:
     • Eases nausea and vomiting, especially for motion sickness or morning sickness.
     • Improves circulation and has mild pain-relieving properties.
   • How to Use in Juice: Add a small piece of fresh ginger root to your vegetable or fruit juice for a spicy kick and digestive aid.

1. Turmeric
   
   • Benefits: Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that supports joint health, fights oxidative stress, and enhances liver detoxification.
   • Additional Benefits:
     • Supports brain health by increasing levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor).
     • Acts as an antioxidant and boosts immunity.
   • How to Use in Juice: Fresh turmeric root or turmeric powder can be grated or sprinkled into your juice, particularly when paired with citrus or carrots.

1. Mint
   
   • Benefits: Mint is cooling and refreshing, making it a perfect herb for hydrating juices. It's known for its soothing properties for the digestive tract, especially for reducing bloating and indigestion.
   • Additional Benefits:
     • Helps relieve nausea and headaches.
     • Improves breath freshness and has mild pain-relieving effects.
   • How to Use in Juice: Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to any juice for a refreshing and soothing flavor. Great in citrus or cucumber-based juices.

1. Parsley
   
   • Benefits: Parsley is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K and acts as a detoxifying agent. It's great for purifying the kidneys and liver, helping to flush out toxins.
   • Additional Benefits:
     • High in antioxidants that support skin health and reduce inflammation.
     • Aids in digestion and helps reduce bloating.
   • How to Use in Juice: Fresh parsley can be added to green juices, particularly when paired with other leafy greens like spinach or kale.

1. Basil
   
   • Benefits: Basil is often used for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can support the immune system and is rich in antioxidants.
   • Additional Benefits:
     • Reduces stress and supports mental clarity.
     • Contains compounds that may help reduce blood sugar levels.
   • How to Use in Juice: Fresh basil can be added to fruit juices or green juices for a fragrant, slightly sweet touch, especially with citrus, ginger, or watermelon.

1. Cilantro (Coriander)
   
   • Benefits: Cilantro is known for its detoxifying properties, particularly its ability to help remove heavy metals like mercury from the body.
   • Additional Benefits:
     • Supports digestive health and has antimicrobial properties.
     • High in Vitamin K and antioxidants.
   • How to Use in Juice: Add a small handful of cilantro to your green juices or combine it with lime for a zesty and detoxifying juice.

1. Lemon Balm
   
   • Benefits: Lemon balm is known for its calming effects and is often used to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
   • Additional Benefits:
     • Supports digestion and helps reduce bloating.
     • Relieves headaches and helps improve sleep quality.
   • How to Use in Juice: Add a few leaves of lemon balm to citrus-based juices or a green juice to enhance relaxation and improve digestive health.

1. Dandelion Greens
   
   • Benefits: Dandelion is a powerful detox herb, especially for the liver and kidneys. It can help with water retention, support digestion, and reduce inflammation.
   • Additional Benefits:
     • Supports digestion and promotes bile production.
     • High in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium.
   • How to Use in Juice: The leaves can be added to green juices, combined with lemon or ginger for a detoxifying effect.

1. Lavender
   
   • Benefits: Lavender is known for its relaxing, stress-relieving properties. It’s often used for sleep disorders and anxiety.
   • Additional Benefits:
     • Eases digestive discomfort and reduces bloating.
     • Helps improve mood and reduce tension.
   • How to Use in Juice: Add a small sprig of fresh lavender to your juice, particularly in fruit-based blends like citrus or berries, for a calming, floral note.

• Ingredients: Orange, ginger, turmeric, parsley, lemon
• Benefits: The Vitamin C from the orange and lemon helps support the immune system, while ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties. Parsley provides additional antioxidants for detoxification.

• Ingredients: Pineapple, mint, ginger, cucumber
• Benefits: Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion. Mint and ginger are soothing to the digestive tract, while cucumber helps hydrate and calm the stomach.

• Ingredients: Beetroot, dandelion greens, lemon, cucumber, turmeric
• Benefits: Beets and dandelion greens support liver detoxification. Lemon is a natural cleanser, while turmeric helps reduce inflammation and promote overall health.

• Ingredients: Carrot, apple, lemon balm, basil, lavender
• Benefits: Carrots and apples provide natural sweetness and Vitamin A. Lemon balm and basil promote relaxation and reduce stress, while lavender adds a calming touch.

• Ingredients: Carrot, cucumber, parsley, lemon, mint
• Benefits: Carrots and parsley are high in Vitamin A and antioxidants, which support skin health. Cucumber and mint are hydrating and soothing, and lemon helps detoxify and brighten the skin.

1. Fresh Herbs vs. Powdered Herbs: Fresh herbs provide the highest concentration of beneficial compounds. For powdered herbs like turmeric or ginger, use in moderation as they can be quite strong.
2. Start Small: Some herbs can have a strong flavor (like ginger or turmeric), so start with small amounts and adjust to taste.
3. Combine with Fresh Produce: Pair herbs with hydrating fruits and vegetables (like cucumber, watermelon, or citrus) for a balanced juice that's both flavorful and nutrient-dense.
4. Use Herbal Tea as a Base: Herbal teas, such as chamomile, peppermint, or rooibos, can be used as a base liquid for juicing. This adds flavor and additional health benefits.

Herbs are a natural powerhouse that can complement the nutrient-rich benefits of fresh juices. Whether you're looking to boost your immunity, improve digestion, manage stress, or detoxify, adding herbs to your juices is an easy and effective way to enhance your health and wellness. Experimenting with different combinations of herbs and fruits/vegetables will allow you to create juices tailored to your specific health goals.