Nutritional Herbology

The integration of proper functional nutrition and systemic holistic application of whole herbal formulas are the core ideas in Nutritional Herbology. You've heard how good turmeric is, you've heard to add black pepper to turmeric to increase uptake of its healing properties...well...how about incorporate a hardboiled egg in the morning that has salt, black pepper and turmeric on it. You've heard how amazing Apple Cider Vinegar is for you...how cayenne as a herb is used to stop bleeding and improve circulation...honey is anti bacterial, antifungal, anti inflammatory...how about incorporate all these in a shot glass for a potent overall supportive or because it stops heartburn almost immediately? These are just 2 examples of nutrition and herbology integrated for better overall health as well as getting you to the homeostatic balance we all need.

A vibrant kitchen scene showcases an array of fresh vegetables, herbs, and homemade soups, highlighting the essence of nutrition and herbology

The use of medicinal herbals is just one part of returning your body to its natural healthy state. Herbs can be utilized to have specific effects on the body's systems. Everything from adrenal function to digestion improvement to nervous system nourishment and relaxation. There are thousands of different herbal effects on the body and they can be used as both a daily tonic to gently assist or as a powerful agent in an acute crisis. Herbs can also be used to cleanse and assist your body systems. The eliminative pathways of your body can be utilized to remove toxins and waste. These eliminative pathways are the digestive, urinary, respiratory and your skin. It takes a lot of energy for your body to properly cleanse itself of the toxins and wastes that have built up over the years. Your body is an amazing creation that adapts and balances itself to keep functioning all the while we are ingesting and being exposed to things that are harmful. When you've reached the point that you seriously want to clean up your act so to speak you need to nourish the body as you are cleansing it.

A sound nutritional plan is probably the most important aspect of your health. Our modern intake of highly processed products is increasingly being shown to have a detrimental effect on our health. Your body's natural state is one of balance and health, known as homeostasis. It is not a state of adapting to toxic intake and constant battle to minimize the damage of various system. Unfortunately our modern intake of processed products has helped to take us out of this natural state and into one where we are constantly trying to mitigate the effects of our damaged systems. Heart disease, autoimmune issues, arthritis, diabetes, chronic digestion issues and obesity are all on the rise, in part due to our modern eating habits. Science has finally started showing direct evidence and causal relationships that the major health issues of the day are directly related to the consumption of highly processed foods. This, along with the absence of clean healthy meats, fruits, leafy greens, legumes and whole grains leaves your body out of balance, constantly struggling and ultimately breaking down.

The study "Ultra-processed foods and human health: the main thesis and the evidence" states:

"The totality of the evidence supports the thesis that displacement of long-established dietary patterns by ultra-processed foods is a key driver of the escalating global burden of multiple diet-related chronic diseases."

(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41270766/) for the abstract and possible links, or search for open-access versions on platforms like ResearchGate/Sci-Hub (use responsibly and legally). For the broader Series overview: https://www.thelancet.com/series-do/ultra-processed-food

All of this decline may be reduced/eliminated by the simple act of creating a eating plan of whole, clean, balanced, real food that incorporates traditional culinary and medicinal herbals into your daily routine. Balanced, clean meals and a simple cup of the correct herbal tea can give your body what it needs to get back to a balanced healthy state. Traditionally, daily and seasonal herbal practices combined with foods were done with intention, mindfully and purposefully; spring tonics, infused oils, flavored vinegars, herbal teas, fortified honeys are just a few examples. This is Nutritional Herbology at its core. You may notice I use the words diet and food very selectively. That's because nowadays the term diet is meant as a temporary plan to try to loose weight and the processed items people eat is not really food. Don't look to the latest fad diets, cleanses or other gimmicks. Learn how to eat in a clean, whole, balanced way that you can actually enjoy and be consistent with. You wont lose 30 lbs in 30 days but you will notice over time that you will continuously feel improvements and may shed unwanted pounds, reduce systemic inflammation, have more energy and actually feel good. As you nourish your body with herbs and clean whole foods you can come back to the balanced state your body was created to be in. Peace.

Below is just a sampling of recent studies of health effects due to dietary intake; demonstrating causal links to major health issues

Study Title-Ultra-processed foods and human health: the main thesis and the evidence-2025

Major Health Issue(s)-Obesity, CVD, T2D, cancer, mental health (depression), chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), all-cause mortality

Key Causal Finding-UPFs causally drive weight gain, cardiometabolic risks, cancer incidence, and mortality by displacing nutrient-dense foods, promoting overeating, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis. RCTs show ~500 kcal/day excess intake and 0.9 kg weight gain over 14 days on UPF diets vs. unprocessed equivalents.

Source-The Lancetthelancet.com

Study Title-Ultra processed or minimally processed diets following healthy dietary guidelines on weight and cardiometabolic health: a randomized, crossover trial (UPDATE trial)-2025

Major Health Issue(s)-Obesity, cardiometabolic health (e.g., triglycerides, LDL cholesterol)

Key Causal Finding-Minimally processed food (MPF) diets cause greater weight loss (−2.06% vs. −1.05%) and triglyceride reductions (−0.25 mmol/L) than UPF diets, even when both align with healthy guidelines, due to better satiety and lower energy intake.

Source-Nature Medicinenature.com

Study Title-Nutrition interventions in the first 1000 days and long-term health outcomes: a systematic review-2025

Major Health Issue(s)-Metabolic syndrome, obesity, CVD risk factors (e.g., lipids, blood pressure)

Key Causal Finding-Early-life low-saturated fat/cholesterol diets causally reduce metabolic syndrome risk (RR 0.59) and improve lipid profiles/HDL-C into adulthood (up to 26 years follow-up). Other interventions enhance vegetable intake and reduce discretionary foods.

Source-PMC (The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Study Title-A diet-wide Mendelian randomization analysis: causal effects of macronutrients and food items on type 2 diabetes-2024

Major Health Issue(s)-Type 2 diabetes

Key Causal Finding-Higher intake of fiber-rich foods (e.g., whole grains) and polyunsaturated fats causally lowers T2D risk (OR 0.85–0.92 per SD increase), while refined carbs/sugary drinks increase it (OR 1.08–1.15); no causal effect for total protein/fat.

Source-Frontiers in Nutritionfrontiersin.org

Study Title-Dissecting Causal Relationships Between Dietary Habits and Stroke: A Comprehensive Mendelian Randomization Analysis-2024

Major Health Issue(s)-Stroke (all subtypes, including ischemic)

Key Causal Finding-Poultry intake causally protects against any stroke (OR 0.92) and large artery stroke (OR 0.89), while cheese intake increases small vessel stroke risk (OR 1.07); nuts/legumes show protective effects (OR 0.94–0.96)

Source- mdpi.com

Study Title-Mendelian randomization identifies genetically predicted calorie dietary liking as a risk factor for multiple cancers-2025

Major Health Issue(s)-Multiple cancers (e.g., breast, colorectal, lung)

Key Causal Finding-Genetically higher linking for calorie-dense foods (e.g., high-fat/sweet items) causally increases risk of 8 cancer types (OR 1.05–1.12 per SD), via obesity/inflammation pathways.

Source- Discover Oncologylink.springer.com

Study Title-Mendelian Randomization Studies on Nutritional Factors and Health Outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma-2023

Major Health Issue(s)-Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)

Key Causal Finding-Dried fruit intake causally slows COPD/asthma progression (OR 0.82–0.88), while pork intake promotes IPF risk (OR 1.11); no effect on obstructive sleep apnea.

Source- Scientific Reports (Nature)nature.com

Note: Re-published with studies table removed/revised

*All information herein is intended for general information purposes only. It is in no way intended to diagnose, treat or prescribe any medical conditions. Individuals should always seek their health care provide before administering any suggestions stated above. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from use of any of the suggestions or preparations listed herein. Any application of the material herein is at the readers discretion and is his or her sole responsibility.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.