I guess you are here because you are looking for medicinal herbs and spices to help boost your health naturally.
As a natural health and wellness enthusiast, I’m always looking for effective natural remedies.
So today, we are going to take a look at 10 healing herbs and spices you should always keep in your home.
As anyone who cooks knows, adding herbs and spices to food gives it much more flavor. Using the right herbs and spices can turn an ordinary tasting dish into something extraordinary.
However, there is more to using those herbs and spices than simply enhancing the taste of the meals you cook.
Many herbs and spices have medicinal properties that can actually improve your health.
You can use these herbs as herbal remedies (teas, syrups, etc.) or for cooking.
Here are 10 herbs and spices that may have unexpected health benefits for you and your family.
Thyme is a very fragrant herb with respected medicinal history. It is widely used for cold and cough remedies.
Studies show that thyme helps to strengthen the thymus gland, thereby boosting the immune system and your body’s ability to fight infections and diseases.
It is also rich in anti-oxidants that help support normal body functions.
You can use thyme (as tea or syrup) to fight off colds and as a rinse to treat sore throat and other oral infections.
Ginger is one of my favorite medicinal herbs (I’m in love with ginger tea). I enjoy its warming and decongesting effects.
It is regarded as an effective natural remedy for several health issues including nausea, gastrointestinal infections, cramps, motion sickness, poor circulation and morning sickness.
Ginger is rich in proteolytic enzyme, which is known to reduce inflammation and help repair damaged joints and cartilage tissue. This is why it has been found useful in treating arthritis and joint pain.
Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean and is grown all over the world. It’s botanical name Rosmarinus, which means “dew of the sea”. This is a pointer to its natural habitat – warm, sunny hillsides near the sea.
Rosemary is referred to as a “brain tonic” because of its ability to improve concentration and memory.
It also contains a high amount of rosmaricine, which has analgesic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This makes rosemary helpful for treating arthritis and joint inflammation as well as relieving headaches and migraines.
Other health benefits of rosemary include increased blood circulation and cardiovascular support. It also aids in digestion.
Cayenne pepper is used in a number of savory dishes from that firehouse chilli to BBQ sauces, to a number of meat dishes.
It contains Capsaicin, which is what puts the heat in the pepper.
Capsaicin is known to help increase metabolic rate which can help maintain your weight or even help you diet more successfully.
In addition, cayenne pepper is believed to lower your risk for certain types of cancer, specifically skin and colon cancer.
Cumin also known as Jeera is a Mediterranean spice that adds an earthy taste to a number of dishes.
This spice tastes wonderful both as a rub on meats and in desserts and other baked foods.
Cumin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties, which make it an ideal spice to include as a part of healthy diet.
Cumin helps to boost the immune system and helps people fight colds and flu.
It also helps to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help reduce your risk for such diseases as diabetes, heart disease, and even certain types of cancer.
Turmeric is a spice used in a lot of Asian and Middle Eastern cooking, a member of the ginger family. The active component of this spice is curcumin.
Studies of Turmeric show that curcumin may help to prevent certain cancer cells from spreading.
In addition, this spice has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which means that it may help prevent cancer and reduce the risks of inflammatory related diseases.
Just ¼ to ½ teaspoon of turmeric a day can lower blood glucose, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which will reduce the risks for diabetes, and heart disease as well.
Sage is a savory spice that adds flavor to soups, stews, and casseroles. It has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.
Sage is a great medicinal herb for boosting vitality and immune system. It also acts as an amazing liver tonic and helps to lower cholesterol levels.
Sage also has a mild hormonal stimulant effect. This makes it effective for regulating menstruation as well as relieving hot flashes and night sweats. It regulates fluid in the body and helps reduce sweating
Sage also contains calcium, which can help to keep your bones healthy.
Garlic is a well-known spice that can add flavor to any dish. Used in salads, meats and even vegetables.
Garlic also has the ability to improve your health in a number of significant ways. Since garlic has both antibacterial and antiviral properties, it helps to reduce your risk of infections, colds and even the flu.
In addition, garlic can help prevent food poisoning caused by E- coli. Garlic has also been shown to be effective in reducing high blood pressure, increasing the release of insulin.
It helps to fight anemia by increasing iron metabolism. Garlic is also helpful in reducing the risk of heart attack, lowering bad cholesterol levels and combating allergies.
Oregano is used in a number of Italian dishes. This spice adds flavor when used either fresh or dried.
It has ant-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties that help to fight infections and diseases. Little wonder it has been found to be helpful for respiratory infections such as the flu and colds.
It also contains a lot of vitamins and minerals your body need to ensure optimum health. Oregano contains Vitamins, A, C, and K and essential minerals such as Iron, Manganese, and calcium.
It is a good source of fiber and omega 3 fatty acids, which can help control cholesterol levels.
Commonly used to add an earthy sweet flavor to desserts, cinnamon also has a number of health benefits as well.
Cinnamon helps to regulate blood glucose levels, which is important in helping to control and prevent diabetes.
It also helps to protect you from heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol levels. And it has also proven effective against H. pylori bacteria, which cause ulcers.
There are many other medicinal herbs and spices that can be beneficial to your health and wellness. But, you can start with the 10 mentioned above!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. It is always recommended that you seek the advise of your private medical doctor.
Comments
The use of herbs and spices has been incredibly important throughout history. Many were celebrated for their medicinal properties, well before culinary use.