Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month. It was started in 1990 and is time to honor the
historical legacy of Native accomplishments and contributions. We are respecting the rich living
cultures of Indigenous people and reflecting on the history of medicinal plants which
communities used for healing. Here are some of the traditional herbs Indigenous tribes worked
with that are now used in modern practices and can be found in Ned products.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

This psychedelic looking purple and white flower will be cooling and drying in your body and will taste sweet but also slightly sour. Passionflower can work as a nervine, sedative, diaphoretic, and antispasmodic!

Passionflower is known to help release spiraling and obsessive thought. It can calm an overactive mind and release tension in the body. Although it is a sedative, it will not put you to sleep in normal amounts and can be consumed during the day to help release anxiety. You can find passion flower in Sleep Blend.

Echinacea (Echinacea sup.)

This beautiful purple coneflower can present as drying and warming when consumed. It will taste bitter yet sweet, and don't be shocked by the tingling/numbing sensation that can come, this is normal! Echinacea has so many wonderful and helpful actions to assist in our bodies. It is an antibacterial, astringent, immune stimulant, and a vulnerary.

Echinacea is in the daisy family and was traditionally used to treat venomous snake bites (such as rattlesnakes) and infections by Indigenous tribes. It is now used for upper respiratory infections and to help drain the mucous membranes. It should only be taken for short term uses and use with caution if you have autoimmune or immune deficient conditions. Echinacea can be found in Immunity Hero.

Arnica (Arnica Cordifolia)

Arnica is warming and drying, which is beneficial for musculoskeletal issues that need blood drawn to a specific area. It works as a relaxant, a circulatory stimulant and as an anti-inflammatory.

When massaged into the skin, arnica increases circulation, which has a pain reliving effect. This can penetrate deep into the muscle tissues and relieve inflammation. It is best to be used topically and never on open wounds. You can find arnica in the Relief Balm and Daily Balm.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Nettles are our favorite multimineral friend! When working with nettles, they will present as cooling and drying in your body. They can taste somewhat salty and earthy on their own and work as a diuretic and nutritive.

Nettle leaves have a high mineral content, are a natural source of iron and have an affinity to the kidneys. It works to release fluids from the body, while at the same time adding minerals! Nettles are antihistaminic, meaning they are great to work with for seasonal allergies. You can find stinging nettle in Balance Blend.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)

Chaga has an earthy and bitter taste. Its action properties are endless, but has been confirmed to be an immunomodulator, hepatoprotective, antitumor, antioxidant, adaptogen, and digestive ally.

Chaga has been used for centuries, cooked down into soups and teas. It is not actually a mushroom, but a ‘canker sore’ that grows on trees due to a parasitic infection. Due to its high polysaccharides and antioxidant content, it is able to fight free radicals in the body. It is still being studied for all of its amazing properties, but it shows promising results in fighting against UV radiation, lowering inflammation, reducing stress in the body and modulating the immune system. You can find chaga in Shuteye Chai.