Periodically, for the sake of variety, we like to pick out a letter from the alphabet and discuss supplements beginning with that letter which should be of interest to healthcare providers and anyone else interested in maintaining or achieving great health. This time we feature the letter “W” in hopes that you will be better informed on what’s out there and what health benefits might be awaiting you that you hadn’t thought about before.
7 ‘W’ Supplements that Might Pique Your Interest
If you have never used any of these herbs, vitamins, or supplements and are considering adding any to your supplemental regimen, you are advised to discuss your use of them with your personal physician or other licensed healthcare professional. Take note that in some cases like this, where we feature a group of supplements, some of them might not be “standalone” supplements but are instead among ingredients used in products with a different brand name:
Wheat Grass. Although studies of almost all supplemental products are typically ongoing, there’s no question that wheat grass deserves a spot high on this list. This stuff packs antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory wallops that make it a go-to choice for many health-related conditions. The list of its benefits is long, but here’s a few just to get you started: it can reduce cholesterol, bolster immunity, diminish the negative type of inflammation, regulate blood-sugar levels, and stabilize red blood cells.
White Chia Seeds. These seeds are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, the latter ingredient taking longer than most foods to digest, which means it can play a part in weight loss. But there’s more to how chia seeds can be beneficial. They have also shown success in helping to reduce cholesterol levels while also enhancing intestinal health as well as heart health.
White Willow Bark. Sourced from a variety of types of willow trees found in many parts of the world, this bark has been used for centuries to relieve pain such as that experienced in headaches and back pain. Its main active medicinal constituent is salicin. Willow bark has also been used as an element in some weight-loss products.
Wild Yam. This plant has been used for centuries in alternative medicine treatments, its reputation buoyed by its ability to treat a variety of conditions ranging from rheumatoid arthritis and muscular cramps to menopause symptoms and diabetes.
Wintergreen extract. Wintergreen, a shrub found mainly in the U.S. and Canada, has leaves that are a source of methyl salicylate, a substance that mimics aspirin and has been shown effective for treating various types of pain (back pain, joint pain, etc.) as well as quelling swelling and fever. One sidenote: the wintergreen described here is not to be confused with periwinkle or pipsissewa, both of which have sometimes been referred to as “wintergreen.”
Witch Hazel. Pay no heed to its name and any scary connotations that might have for you. Witch hazel is an herb that is actually quite beneficial to your health, and dare we say, pleasing. It contains an assortment of ingredients that between them provide robust anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. That helps explain why witch hazel has been used to treat skin irritation, diminish inflammation, and even treat hemorrhoids, shall we say, leaving nothing behind.
Wormwood Herb. This bitter-tasting herb has been used as an ingredient in absinthe, an alcohol drink that was popular more than 100 years ago, but that’s all we’ll say about that. Wormwood herb has been used most notably in Asia and Europe for treating gastrointestinal disorders, to even include removing worms and parasites. More common health conditions that merit consideration of wormwood use include treating inflammatory conditions and immune disorders, to include the kind of inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease.
There are other supplements, herbs, nutrients that begin with the letter ‘W,” but we assume this list will be enough to get you started on further research to verify if there is suitability between you, your state of health, and any or all of these supplements. Once again, be sure to discuss your possible use of any of them with your personal physician or other healthcare professions to make sure they would be suitable and safe for you.