Wellness Review: Herbal Healing with Anima Mundi
Written by Michelle Manis
I’m a strong believer that the Earth has presented us with all that we need to heal, replenish, and thrive–we just need to harness the herbal gifts and discover their properties to unlock their healing power. Herbs and supplements are truly magical tools that, when used in alignment with what your body needs, can balance hormones, improve your mood, immune system, and overall emotional and physical wellbeing–all naturally! While herbs and supplements usually have less side effects than traditional medicine, it’s still important to check in with your doctor before incorporating them- especially, if you’re taking daily medications or high doses of supplements, to ensure that the herbs are working in tandem with your meds, not against.
Whether you call it herb magic, a “kitchen/green witch,” or simply practicing plant medicine or herbal healing, the notion of using plants as a way to heal our bodies and minds has been practiced all throughout ancient history. In fact, there’s archaeological evidence that the use of medicinal plants dates back to the Paleolithic age–about 60,000 years ago! Herbal medicine is much more prominent in eastern medicine than western, yet herbs and supplements continue to prove to dramatically improve medical conditions and the general quality of life for all of us.
My philosophy is that herbs can be used as a preventive medicine, as well as an aid, and can give wonderful results when combined with traditional medicine as well–as long as there’s no known negative interactions between the two. Before we get into the types of herbs I personally use to enhance my health, here’s a pro-tip for mixing herbs and medicine correctly to experience the full benefits of each: always research to see if there’s an effect documented before you use a new herb while on medication. When I visited Anima Mundi Herbals in Soho, I learned that St John’s Wort may interfere and compete with SSRI’s and anti-anxiety medicine, because it naturally increases serotonin in the brain. To me, that all the more proves that plant medicine is a powerful tool and can naturally affect the brain! So read along, do your research, and see how you can adopt a bit of ancient healing into your wellness routine!
So, what is this Anima Mundi that I just referenced? Anima Mundi is a one-stop shop for all things herbal medicine in NYC, Brooklyn, and LA. With a floor to ceiling display of a variety of herbs complete with a rolling ladder, Anima Mundi Apothecary is an impressive herbal library. I got the chance to visit their Soho location, learn more about herbs, and left with a tote full of herbal goodies and zero buyer's remorse. Here’s some of what I got:
Blue Lotus Flower of Intuition
I was recommended Blue Lotus because of its calming properties that can help reset the nervous system to a baseline of serenity. These loose dried flowers sourced from Thailand can also aid in promoting sleep, reducing stress and anxiety, opening the third eye, and increasing awareness. It’s so easy to pop in a flower or two while you’re steeping your tea to help relax in the evenings. Learn more about Blue Lotus here.
Perhaps my favorite so far, Anima Mundi’s Happiness Tonic helps support a balanced mood with a blend of adaptogens (Ashwagandha and Rhodiola) with “happy herbs” known to increase neurotransmitters, like serotonin and dopamine, in the brain to promote a happy mood (St. John’s Wort, Mucuna and Albizia). I like to add a syringe of the tonic to my water whenever I feel like I can benefit from a mood lift, but many enjoy it in matcha or other beverages. Overall, I’ve noticed that my usual negative thoughts, catastrophizing, and tendency to assume the worst case scenario, all lessen when I use the happiness tonic.
Designed with herbs that promote hormone balance, every woman could use a little Womb Tea in her life. Trying to find ways to balance hormones naturally has always been unnecessarily, mysteriously hard. Womb Tea makes it easy to care for our uterus and hormone health–something that’s often neglected in modern medicine. It blends antioxidants Raspberry Leaf, Red Clover Leaf, Vitex Berry, Nettle Leaf, Marshmallow Root, Moringa Leaf, and Lemon Balm for a tea your hormones will love! It may reduce premenstrual and menopausal symptoms, and has anti-inflammatory properties, nourishing the uterus in any stage of life. For more ways to regulate your hormones, check out our most recent blog: Ways to Support Your Hormone Health in 2024.
Relax Tonic | Nervous System Support
This one is for all my anxious overthinkers with an overactive mind at night, and in return struggle with sleeping–I see you and I’m with you. Anima Mundi’s Relax Tonic is not only a powerful sleep aid, but also useful whenever you need a bit of chill in your life. Combining natural relaxants such as Lemon Balm, Passionflower, Chamomile, Ashwagandha, and Lavender, Relax Tonic is herbal calm in a bottle.
A note from our founder Tonia Berry on her experience using Anima Mundi:
“Anima Mundi's products are essential components of my holistic wellness journey. They have seamlessly integrated into my daily routine over the past year, particularly with their tonics. The Happiness Tonic, one of my favorites, is infused with a blend of adaptogens like Rhodiola and Ashwagandha, alongside mood-boosting herbs such as St. John's Wort and Mucuna. This tonic has become my go-to for stabilizing hormone function and uplifting my spirits. Its soothing effect on the nervous system is unparalleled, offering relief from stress, anxiety, and mood slumps.
Additionally, Anima Mundi's herbal teas each cater to specific wellness needs of mine. The Breathe Tea, designed to alleviate stress and anxiety by relaxing the nervous system, has become a cherished part of my daily routine. Similarly, the Calm Tea , aimed at supporting lung health and emotional processing, is so comforting!”
There’s truly so many ways you can implement medicinal herbs into your lifestyle–whether that be adding a syringe of Anima Mundi’s tonics to your water, cooking with herbal powders (amazing butterfly pea croissant recipe here), infusing your teas, or making a D.I.Y. wellness shot, implementing herbs into your lifestyle is more accessible than you may think.
Here’s to a naturally healthier you!
Be Well,
Michelle
