Tired, Sore Muscles? Herbs To The Rescue!

Our bodies are rather amazing and complex vehicles which carry us through life. Like all vehicles, the body requires maintenance to perform at its best. If the body is a vehicle, then our muscles are most certainly the engines which keep us moving. Let’s take a moment to talk about how we fuel those engines.

While our engines may run on food and water, they also depend on vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in order to truly thrive. It can be easy to forget that our engines can become tired and sluggish when not properly cared for. Mother nature has given us some rather incredible healing herbs which can assist us as we care for our muscles.

The Relationship Between Healing Herbs and Muscles

Many herbs in nature have medicinal properties which we can use to enrich our lives. The herbs we will learn about today were chosen for their ability to assist our bodies with muscle healing and physical recovery. Each one of these herbs is native to the Southern Oregon area, and represents a small portion of over 40 medicinal herbs that are native to our bioregion. 

Our muscles require rest and healing after physical activity and there are some ways you can assist them simply by adding herbs to your daily routine. Some medicinal plants that promote relaxation can help us calm the body and allow muscles to loosen up as we rest, while others with anti-inflammatory properties may help assist our body’s natural recovery process. There are even herbs that may assist our bodies in lubricating joints and tendons.

Essentially, we should think of herbs as additives to our fuel which help keep our engines on the road, and may even help them to perform at their peak. As any mechanic will tell you, preventative maintenance is the key to a long lasting and happy engine. OK enough car metaphors, here are some examples of how herbs may assist your muscles.

Chamomile Found in wild areas of Southern Oregon, from dry hillsides to rocky shorelines, the Chamomile flower contains 36 flavonoids, which are compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile tea can also help relax sore muscles.*

Milky Oat Tops contain high levels of bioavailable nutrients such as silica, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B complex and vitamins A and C. Milky oat tops can be found within the Rogue valley, and thrive in the heat of the summer. The herb is high in neurorestorative compounds, which may help lubricate dry tissues including painful joints.*

White Willow Bark was known as the “toothache tree”, and was used to treat a variety of discomfort throughout history. The tree itself can grow up to 80 feet tall, while being found near water sources in Southern Oregon. Now, the herb has the natural compound salicin extracted, and allows for the production of drugs like aspirin. White willow bark works in a similar way, with  anti-inflammatory properties that may help with inflammation and to relieve mild pain.*

Ashwagandha has been referred to for 6,000 years as a “holy herb” that promotes physical and mental health. The herb is uncommon in the wild, but can be cultivated rather easily in the Southern Oregon climate. Ashwagandha may be helpful in working with the body to help minimize the impacts of stress (physical, emotional and mental). This herb may also be  useful in helping your body absorb the stress of a workout or to promote restful sleep.*

Adding Medicinal Herbs To Your Daily Routine

Many of these herbs can be enjoyed in a soothing and relaxing tea; or added to water, coffee and juices using an herbal tincture. Each of these medicinal herbs are available as convenient tinctures through our Ra Herbals line.

If you wish for something more hands on you might consider oils, lotions, and salves as a way of externally applying these herbs.

At Sun God Medicinals we have crafted many products to help get herbs into your daily regimen. We highly recommend our tinctures for convenience and portability, but nothing beats a good soothing salve or lotion when it comes to physical muscle massage. With this in mind, we invite you to experience our Hercules product line, designed specifically for those looking to support their muscles in healing or to assist in general muscle relaxation. Learn more about Hercules products.