10 Crucial Herbs & Spices For Good Health
What are the healthiest and best herbs and spices that you should be using in your food? Although numbering may be subject, here’s a list of the top ten, along with a few reasons why you should be taking them because of their amazing ability to maintain good health
#1. Turmeric - Known as the King of all Spices for its potent natural healing benefits (it's been proven to ease arthritis pain and can help prevent/treat Alzheimer’s disease and cancer), turmeric is a definite “must use” spice. Make sure you always have your turmeric with some ground up black pepper and a healthy fat such as coconut oil for absorbability.
#2. Ginger - This healing root has a strong bite, so it’s best to start off small. A ¼ inch piece is about 1 teaspoon grated and a ½ inch piece is about 2 teaspoons grated. Ginger helps with nausea/upset stomach, gas, and inflammation. We recommend using fresh ginger root in your smoothies. If not, ½ a teaspoon of ginger powder will suffice.
#3. Cinnamon - tastes great in smoothies and is a terrific immunity booster and blood sugar regulator (hence why it’s so good for diabetics). Its warming scent also has a very energizing effect on the mind. ½ to one teaspoon of Ceylon cinnamon (not cassia) daily is perfect.
#4. Cilantro - if you’re looking to add a refreshing citrusy flavor to your food or smoothie, try cilantro. This powerful detoxing herb is known for a variety of nutrients, but its ability to bind to harmful heavy metals and drag them out of the body is what makes it another “must have” herb.
#5. Cayenne Pepper or Ground Red Pepper - Ground red pepper or cayenne pepper is insanely potent and adds a spicy kick to a smoothie, so you might want to use it sparingly. It also boosts your circulation, revs up your metabolism, and curbs your appetite. The more you have red pepper the more you get used to its hot flavor. I have a teaspoon of cayenne pepper twice daily. Love it!
#6. Garlic - Garlic is definitely one of the best “cure all” foods on the planet. In fact, there’s not a health problem or illness that can’t be helped with a little garlic. For amazing flavour and to stay healthy, use it in your cooking as much as you can.
#7. Holy Basil (Tulsi) - Not to be confused with regular basil or Thai basil, holy basil is considered a sacred herb in India. This herb is terrific for improving immune function and inhibiting the growth of bacteria, yeasts and molds. Holy basil has a warm flavor and goes perfectly in green smoothies. If you can’t get a hold of it, drink refreshing holy basil tea instead.
#8. Mint: - helps with harmful toxin build-up, which can occur in the stomach and colon when improper digestion takes place. When you’re looking for soothing relief from cramping, bloating, or constipation, mint is the herb you want to add to your diet. Peppermint, in particular, is good for relieving the symptoms of IBS. Use it in smoothies and as a refreshing herbal tea.
#9. Sage - This herb gets its name from the Latin word Salvere, which means "to save." It had a reputation for its powerful healing benefits during the middle ages and was even used to prevent plague infection. Recent research has found that sage may be able to improve brain function and memory, especially in people with Alzheimer's disease. In a 4-month study of 42 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's, sage extract produced significant improvements in brain function in all 42 participants. Other studies have shown that sage can improve memory function in healthy people too, both young and old.
#10. Parsley - another herb with a distinctive flavor that can liven up any green salad or healthy vegetable (it’s also great as a garnish sprinkled in soups or on meat such as lamb). In addition to these, added to a smoothie gives your drink a fresh and light herbaceous taste. There are three main filters in the body — the bladder, kidneys, and liver — and parsley assists them all in the detoxification process. This herb specifically targets any build-ups in these organs and helps to flush them out of the body.