The Earth Type: Warming and Nourishing the Tissues
Earth types are steady, thoughtful, and generous. In traditional herbalism, strain may show up as coolness, tiredness, or tension — dryness that feels more constricted than hot.
How stress affects the earth pattern
Low mood, muscular tension, and sluggish digestion can all appear in this pattern. Circulation may feel slower, contributing to a sense of depletion.
Food and drink that build warmth
Warm meals and gentle spices help restore comfort:
- ginger, cinnamon, turmeric
- healthy fats from nuts, seeds, olive oil, oily fish
- iron-rich foods like lentils and greens
Avoid very long fasting windows or consistently cold meals.
Movement and mind
Warm, steady movement — brisk walking, dancing, gardening — helps ease tension. Light journalling supports emotional balance.
Herbal allies (traditional use)
Traditional Western uses include:
- Ginger — warming, used to encourage circulation
- Rosemary — historically used to lift dullness or fogginess
- Liquorice root — moistening and supportive, used with care
- Oat straw — nourishing and gentle
A simple tea blend
Ginger, rosemary, a little liquorice root. Marshmallow root can replace liquorice if needed.
Safety and sourcing
Liquorice may raise blood pressure and counteract blood pressure medications. Oat straw, ginger and rosemary are widely tolerated.
Choose high-quality, organic herbs. The Sustainable Herbs Initiative has advice on buying responsibly.