Gaia Herbs is my most trusted herbal supplement company, so I’m thrilled to say that I’ve entered into a partnership with them as an herbal ambassador. This means that they will send me products occasionally and I will be posting reels about some of them. The first product that I will be posting about is Extra Strength Turmeric Supreme which has been a daily staple of mine for many years.
Background
I started having pain in my feet, mainly my toes, after having babies, which is quite common due to the softening of ligaments during pregnancy. In fact, many women’s feet grow a half or even a full size during pregnancy! As a runner, I wasn’t going to just accept the pain so I visited a podiatrist who gave me a cortisone shot but said that it’d only help for a year and then I’d need another one. Right on cue, a year later the pain was back and I found myself in that same office, wondering if I’d have to be there every year for the rest of my days. That wasn’t an appealing thought, and luckily by then my pregnancy brain fog had worn off enough to allow for some clear thinking. I remembered that turmeric has a long reputation as an anti-inflammatory with an impressive amount of research to back up the traditional use literature. I started taking it right away, and have never been back to a podiatrist nor had any need for any more cortisone shots.
The Product
I didn’t start out with Gaia Herb’s Extra Strength Turmeric Supreme. I tried all the turmeric products I could find, but when I stumbled onto this one, with the black pepper included in the formula to help move the turmeric all the way out to the extremities, I was impressed… and hooked. It works incredibly well and in fact, it was the first herbal supplement I ever signed up for a subscription to have at all times, because there have been periods when I’ve run out and been lazy about getting more and I’ve felt the difference. No one has time for that! I’ve since added a couple of other Gaia Herbs products to my subscription, but it remains the only subscription I have to any herbal or supplement company.
Gaia Herbs
With Gaia Herbs, you know the product contains the herbs that the outside of the bottle says it contains. Unfortunately, with herbal supplements, that’s not always the case, so I stick with a few companies that I trust, and Gaia Herbs grows many of their own herbs so they really know their plants. Their formulations are smart and thoughtful, using herbs synergistically together to create products that are potent and reliable. Their website has a ‘learn’ section so you can educate yourself about the herbs you are taking, safety precautions, and side effects (which, with herbs, are generally beneficial things.) Here’s a link to their turmeric information.
Side Effects as Added Benefits
What I mean by that is that herbs generally have a reputation for one main thing, such as ‘anti-inflammatory’ or ‘adaptogen’ or ‘anti-depressant’, and while that label is true, they also do more than just what they are known for. For example, St. John’s Wort is known pretty much only known for its reputation as an antidepressant, but it also has been traditionally used for its antiviral properties and it has long been used topically for aches and pains as well. While pharmaceuticals have lists of scary side effects, with herbs the side effects are usually things you want, such as improved digestion or enhances skin texture. You can see some of turmeric’s added benefits on Gaia Herbs’ page dedicated to turmeric.
Longevity
It is widely known now that inflammation plays a huge role in how well, or not well, we age. Our modern lifestyles and western diets tend to promote inflammation, so it is up to us to thoughtfully counterbalance this fact with any way that we know how. Healthy food, moderate exercise, relaxation techniques such as meditation, and herbs such as turmeric can all help keep inflammation within healthy parameters. My own knees and feet do a lot for me, as I’ve been a runner for almost 35 years, do a lot of dance cardio, and recently started West Coast Swing Dancing, and I have no intention of giving up any of my beloved activities as I get older. This excellent turmeric supplement is my favorite way to support my active lifestyle.
Conclusion
If you have any questions about Gaia Herbs, Extra Strength Turmeric Supreme, or turmeric in general, please let me know. I’m always happy to talk herbs with anyone, but if you want specific advise about a health issue, please find an herbalist through the AHG website or talk to a naturopath who knows about herbs. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see how my first ever reel turns out. I’m a little nervous since I’ve never used the reels tool on either platform, so if you have any suggestions for me, I’d love to hear them.
Cheers to health and longevity! 🥂🌱🌷