We at TabooJive support natural healing over pharmaceutical based “conventional” western medicine in all instances where this is possible, especially when it comes to overall health and wellness. Accordingly, we have come to collectively love the following relatively obscure natural herbs and supplements as a great way to support general well-being without having to pop synthetic/chemical pills. We definitely do not claim to be doctors or naturopaths, but we have been around the block a few times, and we’ve certainly picked up some great natural healing tips along the way. Feel free to take it or leave it! We are not prescribing anything, but rather providing some suggestions based on what has helped us. But if any of these fantastic natural remedies resonate with you, as they do for us, go ahead and try it! You don’t need a prescription, and you just may feel better than you already do because of it. There are many different plants and mushrooms out there that are beneficial for us, but the ones discussed below happen to be some of our favorites.
Many of these plants are considered adaptogens. In order to be considered at adaptogen, an herb must be completely non-toxic and safe to consume, it must have diverse usage for overall health, and it must help the body deal with mental and physical strength. In a nutshell, adaptogens help our bodies adapt to their current scenario and re-balance for optimal health. How exactly these plants do this remains somewhat of a mystery, but one thing is for sure: they were put here on this planet for a reason, and they are here to help. Enjoy!
— Allicin is the major biologically active component of garlic, and is the key compound in it responsible 
for a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. Allicin exists in garlic as a defense mechanism to protect the plant against pests and certain bacteria while it’s growing, by disabling enzymes that trigger damage. By extension of this natural defense mechanism, garlic has been found to be an effective natural antibiotic that kills certain pathogens within other organisms, including humans. To make a long story short, obtaining the allicin from garlic is a very specific scientific process and cannot be done outside a laboratory. Cooking garlic, for instance, while tasty, does not provide allicin to our bodies, since it’s long gone by the time we eat it. Even most of the “garlic pills” on the market do not contain significant quantities of allicin. Eating raw cloves is the best you can do naturally to try to capture some of this allicin, but if you really want to experience the healing potential of allicin, we recommend a company called Allimax, as this is the ONLY company currently on the market that is doing the process thoroughly and comprehensively. Research has shown that allicin is responsible for lipid-lowering, anti-blood coagulation, anti-hypertension, anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti-microbial effects. It has been demonstrated to be effective against Lyme disease, cancer, candida, bladder infections, and acne.
BUY HERE —> Allimax 100% Allicin
— Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional healing modality from India that has been in place for thousands of years. Ashwagandha has been used since ancient times for many reasons, most commonly for its adaptogenic qualities and restorative benefits. Belonging to the same family as the tomato, Ashwagandha is a short shrub with oval leaves and yellow flowers. It produces red fruit about the size of a small raisin, and within each fruit are many seeds. The herb is native to the dry regions of India, the Middle East, and northern Africa, and today is also grown in more temperate climates across the world, including the United States. It is known to stabilize blood sugar, reduce brain cell degradation and improve brain function, fight the effects of stress, protect the immune system, lower cholesterol, combat malaria, enhance sexual potency, and reduce depression and anxiety.
BUY HERE —> Ashwagandha
–Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus) has a rich history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and in other Asian cultures, and it grows natively in China, Mongolia and North Korea, where it is considered an adaptogen and “Qi tonifier.” It has a vast variety of uses: immune support; anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, helps prevent cancer, combats stress, helps with respiratory problems, improves kidney function, increases male fertility, helps prevent infections, and protects the kidney, liver, heart and intestines, among other possible uses. The one thing to be aware of is possible negative effects on those with auto-immune diseases, so you may want to stay away from it if you have one of these conditions.
BUY HERE —> Astragalus Root
— Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a tropical vine with sharp curved thorns that is native to the South and Central American tropical
rain forests. It is known as simply una de gato in the Spanish speaking world. It has been used in Peru for ages for the treatment of a wide variety of health issues, including arthritis, a myriad of digestive issues including leaky gut syndrome and Crohn’s disease, cancer, wounds and more. It caught the attention of western herbalists and researchers in the 1970s, and has had many scientific studies performed on it since then. Typically prepared as a tincture, it is also now known to be anti-inflammatory; boost the immune system; protect red blood cells; fight the Herpes virus and Lyme disease bacteria; reduce high blood pressure; and protect against Type 1 diabetes.
BUY HERE —> Cat’s Claw
— Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) grows as a parasite mostly on birch trees, and a few other hardwood trees, in the cold forest regions of the northern hemisphere. It has thus far been found in wooded areas in at least the following countries: US, Canada, Japan, Russia, Korea, and the Scandinavian nations. It looks like a dark clump of dirt more so than a mushroom, but can be deciphered from other tree growths by its orange tissue. Chaga has been consumed for centuries in the East, normally as a tea, where its health benefits are well accepted. More recently, chaga has been gaining popularity in the West, where its varied health benefits are now being recognized by many natural health enthusiasts.
Chaga is a nutrient-dense superfood containing a myriad of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins B (full complex) and D, amino acids, calcium, cesium, copper, fiber, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, rubidium, and selenium. Chaga has demonstrated its ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, slow the aging process, prevent and fight cancer, fight inflammation, support the immune system, and lower blood pressure. We recommend making a tea with chaga powder, or combining it with a weak coffee brew if you’re a coffee addict wishing to cut back. It’s color and consistency make it a healthy and effective way to trick your brain into getting your fix! (PS. We love coffee too, obviously. Not trying to demonize our favorite writing tool!).
BUY HERE —> Chaga Mushroom Powder
— Chlorella (Chlorophyta) is a single-celled fresh water algae (whereas its cousin Spirulina, discussed further below, is multi-celled) that has 
the unique ability to reproduce 8 times a day, making it a highly sustainable source of nutrition. It has a super hard outer shell, making it almost completely indigestible to humans in its natural form. Therefore, to prepare it for us humans, it undergoes a special “cracking” process before being distributed for sale, so that it may be easily digested and assimilated by our bodies. It is one of the most popular supplements in Japan, which is a society world-renowned for longevity. It is high in Vitamins A and B (2 & 3), as well as protein, magnesium, iron, and zinc. It is known for its superb detoxifying properties, especially related to its ability to bind to and eliminate heavy metals from the body.
BUY HERE —> Chlorella
— Colloidal Silver is an ancient and natural all-purpose healing agent. The precious metal has a long history as an antimicrobial in folk medicine, with claims from times of old that people who ate from silver dishes and cutlery were less likely to get sick. Today, even conventional medicine recognizes the antimicrobial action of silver, as can be evidenced by the fact that many medical implement companies coat their devices with silver to prevent bacterial biofilms. Like many ancient medicines, there is not strong scientific evidence supporting some of the beneficial claims about it, which can explain its continued controversiality in western medicine. However, it is making a huge comeback due to the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria – an indication to the conventional medical community that antibiotics are not the answer to humanity’s battles with bacteria. Silver can wipe out bacterial infections in a safe and efficient manner, without compromising our immune system like antibiotics do. It is even known to be effective against the extremely difficult to eliminate Lyme disease bacteria and other parasitic nuisances, and to be toxic to cancer cells. It is an excellent wash for wounds and other skin conditions, as well as eye and ear infections. Aside from its antibacterial properties, it is likewise antiviral and known to be effective against pneumonia, sinusitis, the common cold, and influenza.
BUY HERE —> Colloidal Silver
— Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also known as Siberian ginseng, is an increasingly popular 
adaptogenic root that has been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It was also used in Korean, Japanese, and Russian folk medicine, for not only increasing stamina but for promoting overall health. Russian researchers brought international attention to this root in the 1960s when it was discovered they were routinely giving it to Soviet athletes, known worldwide for their great strength and endurance, at which point its fame spread to the West. Eleuthero is known to improve brain function, reduce fatigue, protect the heart, control diabetes, improve lung health, reduce inflammation, relieve stress, reduce neurological disorders, and boost the immune system.
BUY HERE —> Eleuthero
— Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is one of the herbs used in the Tai-Chi tradition for longevity. Not only does Gotu Kola increase the potency of THC, caffeine, and sex hormones, it lowers inflammation, improves long-term memory, and promotes healing. It is known to help wounds heal, prevent hair loss, help heal stomach ulcers, reduce anxiety, prevent free radical damage, reduce inflammation, increase serotonin and dopamine and lower cortisol, help with depression and mood disorders, help cure Herpes, kill cancer cells, and possibly treat Alzheimer’s disease.
BUY HERE —> Gotu Kola
— Host Defense® Mycommunity™ Multi Mushroom Complex Comprehensive Immune Support is a combination formula of 17 different 
mushroom species created by Paul Stamets, who is regarded as the world’s foremost mushroom expert. It is literally the most comprehensive and, in our opinion, most effective immune support formula on the market today. This formula uses freeze-dried, activated mushroom fruitbodies and mycelium that are certified organic and Non-GMO Project verified. It contains a full spectrum of constituents: ergosterols, glycoproteins, polysaccharides (beta glucans, arabinoxylane, glucose, xylose, galactose and cordycepic acid), triterpenoids and other myco-nutrients, which are essential for supporting the immune system. The formula contains the following different mushroom species: Agarikon, Amadou, Artist’s Conk, Birch Polypore, Chaga, Cordyceps, Enokitake, Lion’s Mane, Maitake, Mesima, Oregon Reishi, Oyster, Reishi, Royal Sun Blazei, Shiitake, Split Gill Polypore, and Turkey Tail. We highly recommend this product for full spectrum immune system support in the winter, when you’re sick, when you think you may be getting sick, and really any and all the time if you feel like you have a somewhat weak or compromised immune system. Since this company – Host Defense Mushrooms, a product of Fungi Perfecti LLC – is founded by the world’s leading mushroom guru Paul Stamets himself, we recommend all of their products if you are looking for medicinal mushroom support in any way.
BUY HERE —> Host Defense Mushrooms, MyCommunity Comprehensive Immune Support
Iodine is an essential trace element, and is crucial for normal growth and development of the body. 
About 60% of the iodine in the human body is stored in the thyroid gland. Its health benefits play a very integral role in the normal functioning of the thyroid gland, which is responsible for secreting hormones that control the base metabolic rate of the body. In fact, without iodine, thyroid hormones could not even be synthesized at all. It helps in the optimal utilization of calories, thereby preventing excess fat storage, which is of course related to weight gain. Other functions of iodine include helping the body remove toxins and utilizing minerals such as silicon, calcium and magnesium.
While it’s great that many of us now use salt sourced from the oceans and the Himalayan Mountains, this allows for the potential for our bodies to be deficient in iodine. The body needs 100-200 mcg of iodine per day, and if you don’t eat iodized salt, you very well may not be getting that amount! Symptoms of iodine deficiency include fatigue, depression, frustration, mental disorders, poor perception, abnormal weight gain, decreased fertility, constipation, and rough skin. We recommend Lugol’s brand.
BUY HERE —> Lugol’s Iodine
— Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), also known as “sweet root,” is an adaptogenic herb found natively in Europe, the Mediterranean
and Asia. Medicinally, it’s been used for thousands of years and dozens of purposes, most notably for digestive health, as it is known as a leaky gut and stomach ulcer remedy, and to calm acid reflux. It has antibacterial properties as well, and can be an effective cough remedy since it acts as an expectorant, helping to loosen and then help the body expel phlegm. Licorice root is anti-inflammatory and supportive of the immune system, can relieve constipation, fight viral infections, and provide soothing effects for PMS and menopause. If you like the taste of licorice, especially, this may be a very beneficial herb for you! Making a tea from licorice root is super delicious and naturally sweet tasting.
BUY HERE —> Licorice Root
— Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root native to the Peruvian Andes, where it is a food staple made into cookies, flan, smoothies, syrups, and liquor. It has a long history of traditional use dating back to the Incan Empire, where it was regarded as a panacea. It is sometimes referred to as “Peruvian ginseng.” Specifically, it is prized for its adaptogenic and nutritive qualities. It was introduced to North America, Europe, and Japan in the late 1990s, and has since gained wild popularity among superfood enthusiasts. The Inca were thought to have started cultivating this root 2,000 years ago, as it was considered by them to be not only a highly valuable food source, but also a sacred gift from the gods. It has traditionally been used to enhance fertility and sex drive, as well as energy and stamina. The root is very nutritious, and is a great source of several important vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins B6 and C, copper, iron, potassium, manganese, fiber, and protein. It is known to help regulate hormone levels, especially in women. We highly recommend adding it to smoothies!
BUY HERE —> Maca Root Powder
— Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is relatively new on the “superfood” scene in the western countries, but 
has been used for generations in nations such as Nepal, India, Pakistan and Guatemala due to its highly nutritious vitamin profile and potent antioxidant, tissue-supporting, and anti-inflammatory properties, among other benefits. Moringa is actually a small tree with tiny green leaves. It has been used to treat and prevent the following diseases in native societies: liver disease, anemia, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and multiple skin, respiratory and digestive disorders. It is high in vitamins A, C, and E; amino acids, calcium; potassium; and protein. It is known to help heal wounds, and has antibacterial/antimicrobial properties.
BUY HERE —> Moringa
— Olive Leaf Extract. The Mediterranean diet is known to reduce the risk of practically every condition associated with aging. Olive oil is a major component of that diet. Olive leaves contain a very high amount of oleuropein, a polyphenol with unique health-improving attributes. Extracts of these leaves have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to improve age-related diseases. More recently, scientific evidence has shown that these extracts have a markedly beneficial impact on blood pressure and heart disease, and they can help protect against other age-related chronic conditions as well. Scientific evidence now shows that oleuropein-rich olive leaf extracts help prevent many of the underlying factors leading to diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, and arthritis. It is also known to be antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, antioxidant, beneficial for preventing osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, and to help preserve brain function.
BUY HERE —> Olive Leaf Extract
— Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is an edible species of medicinal mushroom that is known to boost 
immunity, fight cancer, improve brain function, and improve liver detoxification. It has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, where it is known as the “king of mushrooms.” Like many of the herbs discussed on this page, reishi is considered to have adaptogenic properties, naturally helping the body deal with the many negative effects of stress. Over the past several decades, numerous studies in Japan, China, the US and the UK have demonstrated reishi’s ability to help the body with the following diseases and disorders: viruses, tumors, liver disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, liver disease, heart disease, depression and anxiety, sleep disorders and insomnia, auto-immune diseases, asthma, food allergies, frequent infections, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypertension, and skin issues.
BUY HERE —> Reishi
— Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), also known as “golden root,” is an adaptogenic herb with tremendous fat burning, energy enhancing and brain boosting power. This herb grows only at high altitudes in Asia and Eastern Europe, and was historically used by the Vikings and the Russians to enhance their physical strength. it is said that many master chess players, Olympic athletes, Chinese emperors, and political leaders from its native region have used it to stay sharp. It is commonly used in high altitude areas to combat the ill effects of altitude sickness. It is known to help combat depression, insomnia, and fatigue, and to increase athletic and physical endurance.
BUY HERE —> Rhodiola
— Shilajit is a thick, sticky tar-like blackish brown substance found predominantly in the Himalayan and 
Tibetan mountains. Approximately 50 million years ago, the Indian subcontinent collided into Asia and formed the Himalayan Mountains. As the mountains rose, tropical forests were compressed between massive boulders. The crushed forests gradually transformed into a nutrient and mineral-rich biomass loaded with medicinal humic and fulvic acids, and thus was born Shiliajit. Now, every summer as the mountains warm, this nutrient-rich tar oozes out of the high mountain crevasses.
Shilajit has been used in Ayurveda for millennia as an aid for energy, brain function, mood, nutrient absorption, and oxygenation. Shilajit is known for its ability to rejuvenate cells by pumping oxygen and nutrients into a cell and supporting the body’s natural antioxidant activity. It has been reported to contain at least 85 minerals in ionic form, as well as triterpenes and both fulvic and humic acids. It is known to help remedy the following issues and conditions: obesity, liver cancer, altitude sickness, anemia, chronic fatigue, and obesity. It is also known to have beneficial effects on male fertility and testosterone, heart health, brain function, and the negative effects that come along with aging.
BUY HERE —> Shilajit
— Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis & Arthrospira maxima) is a multi-celled freshwater algae (ie.cyanobacteria) found in ponds and 
other water bodies. It is often associated with chlorella, another blue-green algae discussed above. It is super high in protein and a great natural source of multiple antioxidants, B vitamins, amino acids, iron, and other essential and recommended nutrients. When properly harvested from non-contaminated water sources, it is one of the most nutrient-dense materials found on Earth. It supports abundant energy and a fully-functioning immune system, brain function, eye health, and heart function. It is available in both powder and tablet form.
BUY HERE —> Spirulina
— Triphala is a specific combination of three herbs that has been used for thousands of years in 
Ayurveda. The name triphala means literally “the three fruits,” and it is accordingly comprised of the Indian fruits amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki. Traditionally used as a bowel tonic for regular movements and overall digestive system health, it can be considered a mild laxative. While its laxative qualities are most widely known, the other benefits of this herb cocktail are perhaps even more important. The combination of the three fruits has a synergistic effect to bolster many other bodily systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, reproductive, and nervous systems. It is regarded as a powerful antioxidant and to help with weight loss.
BUY HERE —> Triphala
— Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), more commonly known as ‘Holy Basil,’ is one of the most sacred plants in India and is regarded as “Queen of the Herbs” for both its spiritual and restorative properties. It is very common for people in India to grow it in pots in their homes, so that they have access to fresh leaves every day. It has been used for millennia in Ayurvedic medicine to support a healthy response to detoxification, stress, and to restore harmony and balance. Of the three types of Tulsi, Krishna Tulsi is often considered to be the most beneficial to human health, followed closely by Rama Tulsi. Vana Tulsi has less potency, and preference should therefore be given to the other two varieties.
Scientific studies in recent years have confirmed that Tulsi is: high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, helpful in alleviating asthma attacks, a powerful adaptogen, able to modulate the immune system to optimal function, capable of lowering fertility, and protecting of the liver. In Ayurveda, Tulsi is used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol; alleviate headaches, eye issues, and earaches; help with skin diseases and bug bites; relieve many digestive issues; regulate diabetes and blood sugar levels; soothe joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis; and to help rid the body of cancer, kidney stones, and malaria.
BUY HERE —> Tulsi
— Turmeric is a powerful bright orange-colored spice that comes from a rhizome of a plant in the same 
family as ginger, and has a long list of uses and benefits beyond culinary. It is known primarily for its antioxidant content and ability to work as a potent anti-inflammatory. The medicinal component of turmeric is the compound called curcumin. Isolated curcumin can be extracted from the whole root, and some people take this as a remedy since it is technically more medicinally potent than turmeric powder itself. Aside from its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, turmeric/curcumin is known to soothe arthritis, improve cognitive function, protect the heart, and is considered helpful for fighting cancer and diabetes. Combining black pepper with turmeric greatly increases the body’s absorption, and thus the medicinal benefits, of the curcumin.
BUY HERE —> Turmeric
Natural Health,