The Top 5 Herbs for Overall Health and Wellness
There are many herbs out there with various benefits, and some of them can be grown in your own backyard! If you’re looking to get healthy, these are the top 5 herbs that will help you get started on the right foot. They’re great for boosting the health of your body, mind, and even your hair! If you want to know more about what each herb does, keep reading!
1) Basil
Basil is a common herb found in both cooking and herbalism. It has a tangy, minty flavor, as well as health benefits like lowering blood pressure, reducing stress levels, relieving menstrual cramps, and even boosting the immune system. Basil is full of antioxidants which are great for your skin. Add basil to your salad or use it instead of lettuce on your sandwich to add some extra flavor without adding more calories! Herbs can help with our food habits too! One study showed that those who ate five sprigs of fresh basil every day lost 40% more weight than those who didn’t eat any at all. There are many other herbs with anti-inflammatory properties that help combat inflammation caused by poor eating habits. And don’t forget about thyme! One tablespoon of this potent herb contains roughly 4 grams of calcium, making it an excellent choice for bone health, not to mention its antiseptic properties and ability to help relieve coughs and sore throats.
2) Garlic
Garlic, a member of the allium family, is a robust-flavored herb that has been used as a food flavoring and cooking ingredient throughout history. It has also been used medicinally since ancient times. Garlic has been touted to have many health benefits including: fighting bacteria, lowering blood pressure, reducing risk of prostate cancer, boosting immunity and more. Garlic can be eaten raw or cooked but it tastes better when roasted or sautéed. A few cloves are typically minced and added into dishes at the beginning of cooking. Garlic is great on pasta, in soups, on pizza or with grilled meats. Garlic is usually sold pre-chopped in jars or bottles making it easier to use fresh garlic in recipes instead of dried garlic powder which doesn’t have much flavor. To store fresh garlic, keep peeled cloves in an airtight container away from heat and light.
3) Ginger
Ginger is a versatile herb that can be used in the kitchen, your home, and even your lifestyle. It is best known as a key ingredient in Asian cuisine, but it also has many health benefits. Ginger helps to relieve nausea due to motion sickness or pregnancy by stimulating the digestive system. It’s also great as an afternoon pick-me-up with a cup of tea or some ginger ale. If you’re feeling under the weather, ginger may help to alleviate muscle soreness after a hard workout too! Ginger can be easily incorporated into your life by adding it to foods like stir fries or curries, using it in place of salt in cooking, drinking ginger tea before bedtime, or using it as part of a traditional Chinese remedy for upset stomachs. The list of benefits continues to grow as research continues on this wonderful herb.
4) Turmeric
Turmeric is a powerful herb that has been used in Indian cooking and traditional medicine since the time of ancient China. It is the root of the Curcuma longa plant. The bright yellow-orange color of turmeric comes from its main ingredient, curcumin, which has antioxidant properties that can help prevent heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. Turmeric also helps reduce inflammation in joints caused by arthritis or other conditions. Studies show that turmeric may even be able to slow or stop the growth of certain types of cancer cells. There are many benefits to this spice, but it is best consumed as part of an overall healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and exercise routine. If you want to start incorporating turmeric into your life, try adding a teaspoon of fresh grated turmeric to your next stir fry!
5) Mint
Mint is a refreshing and fragrant herb that is perfect to add to any dish or recipe. Mint can be used fresh or dried, with the flavor being more intense when it’s dry. Mint is also a calming herb that can help ease indigestion, nausea, upset stomach, headaches, colds, fevers, sore muscles, acne and more. For those who are pregnant or breastfeeding it should not be consumed in large amounts due to its potential effect on hormones. Mint is an easy plant to grow and will thrive just about anywhere as long as it receives plenty of sun. A member of the mint family, spearmint has leaves that smell sweeter than peppermint. It can be used similarly but requires less time to dry before use because of its delicate nature. Thyme is a Mediterranean native but has since spread across the world into every climate zone possible because of how hardy this herb actually is! It’s commonly found in sweet tea blends such as Lemon Verbena and Chamomile Tea because thyme has natural antiseptic properties making it good for respiratory problems like coughs, congestion or bronchitis.