6 Herbs & Spices That Are Good For Your Health

By: Laura Peill – (Check out her blog Chronicles of Passion & Facebook) 

You probably have a lot of these herbs and spices sitting in your cupboard right now.   In fact, many of them you probably cook with on a regular basis. But did you know that they are good for more than just cooking? Many herbs and spices are natural remedies for common issues such as colds, dry skin, irritated digestive systems and inflammation. To achieve the best results and get the most from the herbs, choose fresh over dried, and store properly so they are able to maintain their nutrient profile.

Here’s 6 for you to start with:

Rosemary – I bet you didn’t know that rosemary is very good for your hair and scalp. Infuse it into an oil, by submerging 3-4 stocks in olive oil for 3 weeks, (here’s the directions), and then rub it all over your scalp and split ends of your hair. You can use this same oil to rub over aching, sore muscles and rosemary can also be used as a memory aid, as it increases blood flow to the brain. 

Sage – Sage does wonders at healing mouth ailments, including sore throat, canker sores and laryngitis. Steep it into a tea, or gargle with warm sage infused water. You can also use it as a digestive aid, and drink sage tea when you have an upset stomach or food indigestion.

Cinnamon – Recent studies on cinnamon show it plays a role in regulating blood glucose levels and lipid levels, both in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Sweeten foods with cinnamon instead of excess sugar and it will help you regulate your blood sugar and prevent a spike as occurs from typical sugar. 

Parsley – Parsley is actually a very nutrient dense herb, offering calcium, vitamin C, iron, magnesium and chlorophyll. It is a good breath freshener, and chewing on some after meals can help reduce gas and bloating. It is also beneficial to the urinary system and aids in bladder and kidney complaints.

Thyme – Thyme has great antioxidant properties, and it is useful in treating respiratory difficulties such as bronchitis, asthma, coughs and helping to relieve congestion. It is useful in helping reduce gastrointestinal discomfort such as gas and indigestion and can also be used to treat stomach ulcers.

Turmeric – An anti-inflammatory, turmeric is excellent for helping aid in reducing swelling in arthritic joints.  It’s potent yellow colour helps distinguish it as an antioxidant and it is also acts as a form of preventative treatment for cancer and heart disease. Use it in your cooking, or make turmeric tea using half hot water, half coconut milk, a teaspoon of coconut oil, a tablespoon of turmeric, and honey and cinnamon to taste. 

This is just six of the many herbs and spices that can have health and healing benefits and can be used to help improve your every day wellness. Do some research and look into what other ones you may already have in your cupboard!