Spices and herbs are great for flavoring food, but did you know that they can also be beneficial for your health as well? Here are 12 super herbs and spices said to have some marvelous uses for health.
1. Turmeric
I first grew curious about this spice from listening to a knowledgeable man talk about it in a tea shop. There are reasons why this yellow-orange spice is all the rage. Not only is it considered one of the most nutritional spices, it is also said to have numerous health benefits for the entire body. Turmeric is a popular Ayurvedic medicine in Indian culture because it is said to be an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, an antibacterial, and even a major preventative against cancer. It has also been known to prevent, as well as treat, numerous types of illnesses, diseases, and more. I often use turmeric whenever my son develops a cough and can’t sleep. It has yet to fail me.
2. Ginger
You won’t ever mistake the strong taste of this spice. Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for many different aliments such as cancer, inflammation, motion sickness, nausea, heartburn, aches, pains, headaches, cold or flu symptoms and more. Wow!
3. Cayenne Pepper
The spice that’s really hot and really healthy! Cayenne is a pepper usually used to help boost the immune system, fight headaches, promote circulation, relieve nerve and joint pain, prevent allergies, detox the body, help prevent cancer, support weight loss, prevent blood clots, lower high cholesterol, and for many other things involving health.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon comes from the bark of cinnamon trees. This wonderful smelling spice is often used for both savory and sweet foods, but that’s not all. It has been used for its nutrients, cancer prevention, blood clot prevention, brain health, arthritis relief, as an e-coli fighter, for fighting harmful bacteria, blood sugar regulation, stomach flu symptoms, and more. Cinnamon is one nice spice!
5. Cloves
This pleasant smelling spice comes from the aromatic flower buds of a tree in the family Myrtaceae, Syzygium aromaticum. Not only does it come from a tree with a really long name, it also has a long list of benefits too. Some of its known uses include anti-inflammation, dental ache treatment, digestive health, anti-bacterial, liver protection, cancer-prevention, immune system support, diabetes control, and bone preservation. And those are only a few, my friends!
6. Coriander
If you didn’t know already, coriander comes from the seeds of cilantro. This spice has a pretty cool name as well as some pretty cool health benefits. It is not only said to be an antioxidant, but also a fungicide, a bactericide, high in iron, an analgesic, stimulating, a stress-reliever, a liver improver, and more. Pretty beneficial, if you ask me.
7. Garlic
A strong herb that has been known for its health benefits for centuries. Garlic is used for more than just keeping vampires away. This herb is said to combat sickness, prevent illness, reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol, prevent alchemizes, prevent liver disease, remove heavy metals, and the list goes on. I’m impressed. Are you?
8. Nutmeg
Interesting fact: nutmeg actually is one form of two spices. There is one form known as mace, but most people are familiar with its common, commercial spice form. The common spice form has been used for benefits such as preventing harmful bacteria, heart health, cavity prevention, depression treatment, nausea, nervous system support, hair health, and so much more. Bonus: it tastes excellent in a Chai.
9. Rosemary
The fragrance of this perennial herb is heavenly and invigorating. In regards to health, it is commonly used to prevent illnesses, increase energy, prevent cancer, improve memory, sooth migraines, relieve pain, boost the immune system, improve circulation, improve respiratory health, and more. Just the smell alone can make me feel better.
10. Cumin
This yellowish-brown spice has a peppery taste mostly used in Mexican dishes. I was not too familiar with its health uses at first, but when I researched them, I was pretty amazed. It is known to be high in iron, manganese, calcium, fiber and many other vitamins. Some of its health uses include fever reducer, illness prevention, digestion health, cancer prevention, insomnia treatment, skin health, and many other health uses. Yep, it’s amazing.
11. Thyme
Now it is time to talk about the incredible health benefits of thyme. Let’s look beyond this herb’s great flavor. This culinary, evergreen herb has been used for lowering blood pressure, boosting the immune system, and also as a disinfectant, cough reliever, and bactericide. I think it’s about time to get some thyme if you don’t have any.
12. Oregano
This flavorful herb is one of my favorite herbs to use when I start to feel under the weather because it is known to work better than probiotics! Say what!?! Along with that, oregano can also be used as an antioxidant, bactericide, anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, allergy reducer, immune booster, and so much more. This is another herb you can keep in both your culinary cabinet and your medicine cabinet.
There are numerous beneficial herbs and spices out there, but I decided I would pick twelve of my favorite common ones, research them, and share some of their amazing health uses with you. So, if you want to add some flare to your food and health, try using some of these twelve super spices and herbs.
