February 2, 2015
I firmly believe that a healthy lifestyle includes using fresh ingredients. Cooking can become challenging if you're not familiar with spices and herbs that are available and beneficial. Many people use the terms herbs and spices interchangeably to mean any product of plant origin used primarily for seasoning food. A spice is a pungent or aromatic seasoning obtained from the bark, buds, fruit, roots, seeds or stem of various plants and trees. An herb is the fragrant leaves of any of various annual or perennial plants that grow in temperate zones and do not have woody stems. Here are just a few of my favorites.
Spices
Sage is rich in antioxidants (apigenin, diosmetin, and luteolin) and in important nutrients, such as vitamin K. Throughout history, because of its wide range of uses in cooking and medicine, sage has been considered a spice that cures many things. Taking sage may help improve memory and information processing among people who suffer from mild Alzheimer's Disease. Research strongly suggests that sage is good at lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with diabetes type 2.
Ground Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the branches of wild trees native to the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia. A chemical found in Cassia cinnamon can help fight against bacterial and fungal infections. A study of Indian medicinal plants revealed that cinnamon may potentially be effective against HIV. Cinnamon also may help stop the destructive process of multiple sclerosis (MS) according to a neurological scientist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.
HoweverPeople who are sensitive to cinnamon may be at an increased risk of liver damage this is because it contains coumarin which has bee linked to liver damage. Ceylan cinnamon contains less coumarin than Cassia cinnamon.
This herb contains many notable phyto-nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for optimum health and wellness. The herb parts contain terpinolene, linalool, cis-sabinene which are compounds that have been know to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It also contains high levels of vitamin C which is a powerful anti-oxidant that helps remove harmful free radicals from the body. The Ascorbic acid is an immune booster,wound healer and has anti-viral effects. Marjoram herb contains exceptionally high levels of beta-carotene which is vitamin A.
Herbs
There are times when it might be smarter to use an herbal remedy than a pharmaceutical. Sometimes an herb offers a safer alternative, like chamomile. The flowers have been used for centuries as a gentle calmative for young and old alike. It's non-habit-forming and well tolerated, and a study sponsored by the University of Michigan found that chamomile extract had roughly the same efficacy as many prescription sleeping medications when given to adults with insomnia. Peppermint oil has been shown to be as effective as pharmaceutical drugs for relieving irritable bowl syndrome, without the any dangerous side effects. Clinical studies have shown that ginger relieves morning sickness, sage can soothe a sore throat, and hibiscus tea gently lowers blood pressure.
Garlic
Is there anything garlic can't do? Well, freshen your breath but that's about it! Garlic is often used to combat colds, ease sinus congestion, and stave off traveler's diarrhea. Studies show that regular use can help gently lower blood pressure. If you're on the anticoagulant drug warfarin, garlic is known to interact with it. Warfarin may interact with several foods like cranberry juice, ginger, fish oils, and borage.
Eat: Eat 1–2 cloves fresh daily.
Capsules: Take 4–8 mg allicin per day; enteric-coated products may be superior if specifically treating diarrhea.
Echinacea
Echinacea is commonly used for its antiviral and immune enhancing properties. Other uses include relieving colds and upper respiratory infections. It's my favorite during winter to help fight off colds and flu. As a tea, simmer 1 tsp dried and sliced root in 1 cup water for 10 minutes. Strain.
Drink: 1-3 cups per day.
Tincture: take 5 ml 3-6 times per day at onset of cold symptoms.
Cranberry
A glass of unsweetened cranberry juice a day increases your good HDL cholesterol by about 10 percent. Their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds may protect your brain from age-related memory. Cranberry's nutrients soothe your skin and it's been well-established for treatment of reducing the risk of bladder infection and chronic prostatitis.
Drink: ½-¾ cup twice per day.
Capsules: take 300–500 mg capsules of concentrated juice extract 2 times per day.
Calendula
Calendulais has been used for thousands of years to relieve inflammation of the mouth, throat, and stomach. It is often used as a topical cream or ointment to relieve rashes and irritation and to help heal wounds. Some people are allergic to calendula so it's best to test it first if you haven't used it before. And it's not recommended for women who are pregnant.
Drink: pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of petals. Steep for 10 minutes. Strain. Use as needed as a mouthwash, gargle, or tea.
Ointment: apply to the skin 2 or 3 times per day as needed.
Ashwagandha
Sometimes called Indian ginseng, the tuber root of the ashwagandha plant is a used to make preparations that can treat insomnia, act as an anti-inflammatory, reduce anxiety and boost immune health. This is one of those natural remedies that you should check with your doctor first, especially if you're on medications as ashwagandha can possible interact with them. One of the typical ways of preparing it is as a tea.
Drink: simmer 1 teaspoon of dried and sliced root in 1 cup water or milk for 10 minutes and strain.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is often referred to as a woman's remedy because it is used mainly to relieve premenstrual problems, menstrual cramps, and symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes. Black cohosh is also a source of vitamin A and pantothenic acid. Because some types of cancer, such as breast, uterine, ovarian, and endometrial cancer, may be stimulated by estrogen, some herbalists state that black cohosh reduces the risk of these diseases. Other reported uses of black cohosh include arthritis pain relief, lowering blood pressure, sedation, treatment of bronchial infections, treatment for spasms associated with whooping cough, and treatment of diarrhea. But again, check with your doctor before starting in.