Herbs and Spices

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You can spend years studying all the wonderful healthful properties of herbs and spices, and then many more years all of the amazing culinary uses of them. Not only are they delicious but they can reduce inflammation, prevent cancer, increase the absorption of other nutrients, and treat many specific disease states. Garlic, onions, and ginger, though not strictly herbs or spices, are incredibly flavourful along with having a whole host of other benefits such as being anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and ginger is a REALLY powerful anti-inflammatory. Turmeric deserves special mention for its amazing and very well documented anti-inflammatory benefits. One of the most well documented therapeutic compounds in turmeric, curcumin, is fat-soluble so it is great to have it with fats (no wonder it is so great in curries with their delicious coconut cream and oil). It is also great for liver detoxification and taking it with another great spice, black pepper, will enhance its absorption. As I said, you could go on forever about all the great things that herbs and spices can do, but most importantly get them into your food because they make food taste truly spectacular. Grow herbs in your garden or kitchen, have fresh spices on hand and grind them yourself in a simple coffee grinder and every meal will be delicious.

Here is just a tiny sample of herbs and spices with just a couple of their very many potential benefits:

  • Basil: heart, antioxidant, antibacterial

  • Black pepper: helps the absorption of nutrients

  • Cayenne and all hot peppers: boosts metabolism, increases circulation

  • Cinnamon: improves circulation, antimicrobial

  • Cloves: protects from environmental toxins, anticancer

  • Coriander: lowers BP, detoxifying

  • Cumin: immune boosting, anticancer

  • Ginger: digestive and anti-inflammatory

  • Oregano: Antimicrobial (bacterial and fungus) and antioxidant

  • Parsley: promotes good breath, antioxidant and anti-tumour

  • Rosemary: immune boosting, digestive

  • Sage: brain, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

  • Thyme: lung, antioxidant, antibacterial

  • Turmeric: heart, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer

How often to you use herbs and spices?

How long have the herbs and spices been in your cupboard? Do you need to get new ones?

What is one new herb or spice that you are going to try using?

Further Information:

GreenMedInfo: greenmedinfo.health


Much Love,

Sophia Englezos