The acid-base balance in balance - how you can increase your well-being with alkaline herbs.
Anyone who deals a lot with nutrition and choosing the right foods will sooner or later come across the keyword acid-base balance. In particular, diet advisors often warn with half-truths about acidification of the body through improper nutrition and acidic foods. These are said to lead to fatigue, headaches and the accumulation of "slag" in the body. In fact, it is extremely rare for the body to become acidic without a previous illness (e.g. in the case of chronic kidney disease), because the body has a sophisticated buffer system to regulate its pH value. However, scientific findings suggest that a diet rich in alkalines has a positive effect on the body in the long term and can reduce the risk of various diseases such as kidney stones, high blood pressure or gout. While short-term "alkaline cures" therefore hardly have any effect on well-being, the consumption of alkaline herbal teas and other alkaline-rich foods can actually have a positive effect on he alth in the long term.
Tip: A balanced diet with lots of water and vegetables but few animal products can generally be regarded as alkaline-oriented. A he althy diet supports your body most effectively.
What are alkaline herbs and how do they work?
Basic herbs or generally basic foods are foods that are characterized by a high proportion of base-forming components. This has nothing to do with the taste of the plants: alkaline spices can also taste sour or hot and still have a positive effect on the acid-base balance.
The decisive factor in whether herbs are classified as alkaline or acidic is the distribution of cations and anions in food, which is also given as PRAL (Potential Renal Acid Load). Alkaline herbs have a high proportion of cations, including sodium, potassium, calcium andbelong to magnesium. They also have a low PRAL, which helps the body neutralize acids and restore its natural buffering capacity.
The ideal diet should be two-thirds alkaline food (mainly plant foods) and one-third acidifiers (primarily animal foods). However, since this is not always possible, this is where alkaline herbal teas come into play: Due to their high alkaline-forming capacity, they help to balance out acid-forming foods and thus contribute to a he althy diet.
Tip: If you want to brew fresh alkaline herbal tea, you should always pay attention to the organic quality of your herbs to avoid contamination with pesticides or mineral fertilizers. It is even better to grow your herbs in your own garden. So you know exactly with which means the plants were treated. Growing herbs at home is child's play: with our Plantura herb growing set, even beginners can grow their own alkaline herbs on the windowsill or in the garden.
Basic herbs at a glance
Anyone who wants to eat a particularly he althy diet can cover their basic food requirements with herbal tea, because the use of herbs as basic spices has a positive effect on the body. We have put together the best alkaline wild and household herbs for you here:
1. Stinging nettle (Urtica): With a PRAL of -12.6, stinging nettle is one of the front runners among alkaline herbs. It can be drunk as a tea or eaten fresh and also stimulates kidney activity.
2. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): Parsley is also one of the alkaline herbs. With a PRAL of -12.5, the herb can have an excellent alkaline effect as a spice. But tea made from parsley is also suitable for a he althy diet.
3. Dill (Anethum graveolens): Dill is not only known for its appetizing and anti-inflammatory effects, but also has a positive effect on the acid-base balance - with a PRAL of -12.3, the spice has a basic effect.
4. Oregano (Origanum vulgare): Oregano is not only popular as a Mediterranean herb, the plant is also a basic spicea PRAL of -9.8 popular. What many people don't know: oregano can also be used as a basic herbal tea.
5. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Whether as a tea or fresh in a salad - as a basic wild herb with a PRAL of -9.7, dandelion is an enrichment for every menu. In addition, the alkaline wild herb is characterized by positive effects on digestion.
6. Sage (Salvia officinalis): As an alkaline herbal tea, the effect of sage is undisputed: With a PRAL of -7.5, sage relieves the acid-base balance and is effective also has a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. The plant can also be perfectly combined as a basic spice.
7. Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Basil lovers can rejoice: With a PRAL of -7.3, the plant is a perfect addition to the menu and can be used both as a spice, but also beneficial to he alth as an alkaline herbal tea.
8. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): Rosemary has long been known as a spice for hearty dishes. But not only its beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, but also its PRAL of -6.1 make the alkaline herb a welcome guest on the table.
9. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Fresh thyme tea helps with colds and can also be beneficial for the acid-base balance. Whether as a basic herbal tea or as a spice - thyme is one of the basic herbs with a PRAL of -5.8.
10. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): With its fresh taste, chives are a popular accompaniment to numerous dishes. Thanks to its PRAL of -5.3, it is also a good basic spice.
Tip: If you are looking for a he althy diet with alkaline herbs, it is best to leave them as untreated as possible. In addition to not using pesticides and mineral fertilizers, this also includes using organic soil. Our Plantura organic herb and seed soil, for example, convinces with 100% natural raw materials and is therefore ideal for growing herbs.
Alkaline herbs can be a real treat for our bodies. If you want to learn more about the he althy power of herbs, you can find out more about herbs that strengthen the immune system.