Synergy, Herbs, Minerals & Soil

I’ve been wrestling with how to articulate my thoughts on the desire to analyze herbs for specific nutrients especially minerals. To break down these complex plants into neat little lists of vitamins and minerals, to quantify their goodness in milligrams and percentages is not always best (extractive in nature). I get it. But, we live in a world that craves hard data, concrete facts to hang our beliefs hat upon.

After decades of working with herbs, of watching them nourish and heal both humans and soils, I’ve come to understand that this reductionist approach misses the mark entirely whether it is in the gardens or in the humanbeing. It’s like trying to understand a symphony by analyzing each note in isolation. You might learn something, sure, but you’ll miss the magic of the music of how things work together. And, in nature, all things work together.

The key to understanding the power of herbal infusions lies in one word: synergy. It’s a concept that’s both simple and mind-bogglingly complex. Synergy is the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That when elements come together, they create something more powerful, more effective, than they could ever be alone.

Take calcium, for instance. It’s not just one thing. In nature, calcium exists in a myriad of forms, each with its own properties and benefits. When we consume these various forms together, as we do in a nourishing herbal infusion, our bodies are able to absorb and utilize the calcium far more effectively than if we were to take a single-form supplement.

Let’s dig into this concept with a soil example. It’s a perfect analogy because, just like herbs, soil is a complex, living system full of intricate interactions.

Lets say we do a soil analysis for a garden plot. The report shows that this soil contains 100 parts per million (ppm) of available nitrogen, 50 ppm of phosphorus, and 150 ppm of potassium. Now, if we were to think like reductionists, we might assume that plants growing in this soil would only have access to these exact amounts of nutrients.

That is not true! In healthy soil, there’s a whole universe of microorganisms – bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes – all working together in a complex web of relationships. These microorganisms don’t just exist alongside the nutrients; they transform them, making them more available to plants.

For instance, mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, dramatically increasing the plant’s ability to absorb phosphorus. Some bacteria can fix atmospheric nitrogen, making it available to plants. Others break down organic matter, releasing a steady stream of nutrients.

Now, let’s say we introduce compost to this soil. Compost doesn’t just add more nutrients; it supercharges the entire system. It feeds the microorganisms, which in turn become more active in nutrient cycling. The fungi extend their networks, the bacteria multiply, and suddenly, the nutrient availability doesn’t just increase linearly – it explodes exponentially.

So while our soil test might show 50 ppm of phosphorus, the actual amount available to plants, thanks to this synergistic ecosystem, could be equivalent to 500 ppm or even 5000 ppm in a less biologically active soil.

This is similar to what happens with herbs like nettle for the human. The nutrients don’t just sit there in isolation. They interact with each other, with enzymes, with other compounds in the plant and in our body. They might form complexes that are more easily absorbed by our bodies, or work together to enhance each other’s effects.

Just as in soil, where the whole ecosystem makes nutrients far more available than a simple chemical analysis would suggest, in herbs, the synergistic interactions between compounds can make the nutrients far more potent than their measured amounts would indicate.

This is why focusing on isolated nutrients, whether in soil or in herbs, misses the bigger picture. It’s the interactions, the relationships, the synergy – that’s where the real magic happens. And that’s why a holistic, ecological approach to both agriculture and herbal medicine is so powerful. It’s not about the individual elements; it’s about nurturing the entire, interconnected system.

I think we underestimating the power of synergy in herbs like nettle. It could be ten to 100 times greater times due to synergistic effects.

This is because in herbs, we’re not just dealing with one nutrient in isolation. We’re dealing with a complex interplay of minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, catechins, tannins, and countless other compounds. Each of these elements doesn’t just exist side by side – they interact, enhance each other, create new properties and effects that we’re only beginning to understand.

It’s like a forest ecosystem. We can count the trees, measure their height and girth, analyze the soil composition. But that won’t tell us about the intricate web of relationships between the trees, the fungi, the insects, the birds, the mammals – all the millions of interactions that make a forest a living, breathing entity.

This is why I’m skeptical of attempts to reduce herbs to their constituent parts. It’s not that the information is wrong – it’s just woefully incomplete. It’s like trying to understand a person by listing their physical characteristics. Yes, they have brown hair and are 5’8″ tall, but that tells you nothing about their personality, their experiences, their soul.

Herbal infusions work because they provide optimum nourishment in a form that our bodies recognize and know how to use. They’re not a collection of isolated nutrients; they’re a symphony of elements working in harmony. They nourish us on a deeper level than any supplement ever could because they align with the subtle, complex, synergistic nature of our own bodies.

Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room: mineral deficiencies. Many common health conditions, today, are linked not just to one missing mineral, but to a whole cocktail of them. It’s like trying to build a house with half the materials missing – it’s just not going to work right. And here’s where conventional medicine or using supplements often misses the mark. We’re so focused on treating symptoms that we forget to look at the foundation.

This is where it gets interesting. Those popular supplemental therapy of vitamins and minerals and herbal remedies like echinacea or St. John’s Wort, they might make you feel better for a bit, but they’re not addressing the root cause. They’re like putting a fresh coat of paint on a crumbling wall. What we really need are herbs that can replenish these missing minerals. And not just replenish them, but do so in a way that our bodies can actually use.

Now, let’s talk about some specific herbs and their mineral content. Mark Pedersen’s “Nutritional Herbology” provides some fascinating data on this. We also need to consider that the mineral content can vary widely depending on where the herbs are grown. Soil quality matters, big time. Wildcrafted herbs from stable ecosystems are the gold standard, packed with more minerals than their farmed counterparts.

Some of our most common beverage teas, when prepared as strong decoctions or infusions, can provide significant mineral nutrition. We’re talking about herbs like burdock, nettles, red raspberry, and catnip. These aren’t just tasty drinks – they’re powerhouses of nourishment.

This information solves a long-standing mystery in herbalism. Those alterative herbs like burdock and nettles? They’re not just doing some vague “restoration of metabolism” – they’re actually providing significant amounts of calcium, magnesium, and potassium, all working in synergy. These minerals are crucial for proper metabolic function. And those sedative herbs? They’re not just pharmacologically active – they’re mineral nerve tonics.

To really extract these minerals and harness their synergistic effects, we need to go old school. I’m talking Chinese-style decoctions – long, slow cooking of about an ounce of herb in a quart of water. The exact method might need tweaking depending on the herb, but it’s worth the effort for long-term health building.

Many of us do not have time for this. Second best option is to use a drip coffee maker. Put the herbs in the bottom (not the basket), add water to the back, and let it drip onto the herbs. Then let it sit on the hot plate for an hour or more. It’s an easy way to make decoctions without the risk of overheating.

Here’s the data on the mineral content of herbs:

Note: All values are per ounce of dried herb. Source: Pedersen (1994)

Herb	Calcium (mg)	Chromium (mcg)	Iron (mg)	Magnesium (mg)	Potassium (mg)	Selenium (mcg)
Alfalfa	299	30	0.87	76	400	0
Burdock	244	10	4.9	179	560	50
Catnip	205	90	4.6	69	783	410
Chickweed	403	40	8.4	176	280	140
Comfrey leaf	600	60	0.4	23	566	40
Horsetail	630	10	4.1	145	520	40
Kelp	1013	20	0.5	289	703	60
Licorice	292	60	2.9	321	380	0
Marshmallow	272	50	3.8	172	403	110
Nettle Leaf	966	130	1.4	286	583	70
Oatstraw	476	130	0.4	400	90	40
Peppermint	540	0	2.0	220	753	40
Red Clover	436	110	0.0	116	666	30
Red Raspberry	403	40	3.3	106	446	80
Skullcap	151	20	0.8	37	726	30

Below is an outline that provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between common health conditions, associated mineral deficiencies, and the herbal sources that can address these deficiencies. It combines data on nutrient content in herbs with the concept of nutritional synergy, illustrating how whole herbs can be more effective than isolated nutrients. The chart covers seven prevalent conditions, from allergies to insomnia, and links them to specific mineral deficiencies and corresponding herb-based solutions. It’s designed to offer a practical reference for understanding the potential of herbal nutrition in addressing these health issues.

Synergistic Herbal Nutrition Chart

1. Allergies

• Deficiencies: Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Essential Fatty Acids
• Herbal Sources: Nettle Leaf, Burdock, Alfalfa

1. Anxiety

• Deficiencies: Calcium, Magnesium
• Herbal Sources: Oatstraw, Skullcap, Catnip

1. Depression

• Deficiencies: Calcium, Copper, Iron, Lithium, Magnesium, Potassium, Rubidium
• Herbal Sources: Nettle Leaf, Red Clover, Peppermint

1. Fatigue

• Deficiencies: Iron, Magnesium, Potassium
• Herbal Sources: Burdock, Kelp, Licorice

1. Hyperactivity

• Deficiencies: Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc
• Herbal Sources: Comfrey Leaf, Marshmallow, Red Raspberry

1. Immunodepression

• Deficiencies: Germanium, Iodine, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Selenium, Zinc
• Herbal Sources: Kelp, Chickweed, Nettle Leaf

1. Insomnia

• Deficiencies: Calcium, Iron, Magnesium
• Herbal Sources: Catnip, Skullcap, Oatstraw

Alright, let’s dive into this practical application of this data for someone dealing with insomnia. Here’s how we might approach it:

1. Identify associated mineral deficiencies:
   From our earlier data, we know that insomnia is often associated with deficiencies in calcium, iron, and magnesium.
2. Select potential herbs:
   Looking at our mineral content chart, we’ll focus on herbs high in these specific minerals. Good candidates include:

• Nettle Leaf: High in calcium (966 mg) and magnesium (286 mg)
• Oatstraw: High in calcium (476 mg) and magnesium (400 mg)
• Catnip: Good source of iron (4.6 mg) and traditionally used for sleep
• Red Raspberry: Contains all three minerals in decent amounts

1. Consider synergistic effects:
   Remember, we’re not just adding up milligrams. The synergistic effect means these nutrients may be up to 100 times more potent when consumed in whole herb form.
2. Create a blend:
   We might suggest a blend of:

• 1 part Nettle Leaf
• 1 part Oatstraw
• 1/2 part Catnip
• 1/2 part Red Raspberry

1. Preparation method:For maximum mineral extraction, we’d recommend preparing this as a strong infusion. Use about 1 ounce of the herb blend per quart of water, steep for 4-8 hours or overnight.
2. We’d also want to address lifestyle factors that might be contributing to the mineral deficiencies, such as high caffeine or alcohol intake, which can deplete magnesium
3. While addressing the mineral deficiencies, we’d also consider other herbs known for supporting sleep that might not be high in these specific minerals, like Skullcap, which has traditional use for insomnia

Remember, this isn’t about quick fixes or isolated nutrients. It’s about understanding that our bodies are complex, synergistic systems that need proper nourishment, not just symptom management. By incorporating these mineral-rich, synergistically powerful herbal decoctions into our daily routines, we’re not just treating illness – we’re cultivating health from the ground up.

It’s like tending a garden instead of just pulling weeds. We’re nurturing our bodies with the complex, interrelated nutrients they need to thrive. And that, my friends, is the true power of herbal medicine. It’s not about isolated compounds or quick fixes. It’s about working with the intricate, beautiful complexity of nature to support our equally complex and beautiful bodies.

So the next time someone asks you about the nutrient content of an herbal infusion, smile and tell them about synergy. Tell them about the dance of elements that happens when we brew these herbs, about the symphony of nourishment that our bodies recognize and rejoice in. Because that’s where the true magic lies – not in the individual notes, but in the beautiful, complex, life-giving melody they create together.

So when we talk about the power of herbs, we need to shift our perspective. We need to stop looking at the individual trees and start appreciating the forest. We need to understand that while we can measure certain aspects of an herb’s composition, we can’t quantify the millions of interactions that make it truly effective.

It’s like trying to understand time by taking apart a watch. You might learn about gears and springs, but you’ll lose sight of the essence of time itself. Similarly, by fixating on individual nutrients, we risk losing sight of the true healing power of herbs.

In the end, working with herbs is more of a journey than a destination. It’s about developing a relationship with these plants, learning to listen to what our bodies need, and trusting in the wisdom of nature. It’s about embracing the complexity and mystery of life, rather than trying to reduce it to a set of numbers.

This information is shared in our Human Microbiome & Kitchen Alchemy Course