Herbs and spices have served important culinary and medical purposes from time immemorial. Even before the revelation of their true benefits by modern science, ancient humans made use of herbs in their meals or used directly for their remarkable health benefits.
Thanks to research and advances in science today, we have a deeper understanding of the potential benefits of these herbs and spices. You can try Lazarus Naturals for amazing products.
Here are ten herbs with powerful health benefits that will make an excellent addition to your meals.
- Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a spice commonly used in baked goods and other recipes. It contains the compound cinnamaldehyde, which gives it its medicinal prowess. With an effective dosage of 1 to 6 grams per day, cinnamon is well known for its effects in lowering blood sugar, which is quite useful in treating diabetes. It aids the breakdown of carbohydrates and improves insulin sensitivity. This spice also has antioxidant properties, which can help in fighting inflammation and lower blood cholesterol levels.
- Kratom: Kratom is a herb that comes from the leaves of the Kratom tree. It is commonly used as a recreational drug but offers several medicinal benefits as well. You may chew Kratom directly or brew it as tea. This herb has shown prospects for mood enhancement and for boosting physical endurance.
It has also found application in the treatment of anxiety and depression and is applicable in the treatment of diarrhea, pain, and high blood pressure. Kratom is legal in the US and several other countries. Many people are starting to see why they should order Bulk Kratom now due to its wide range of medical uses.
- Peppermint: This is another spice that has long been prescribed for a wide range of health conditions in folk medicine. Peppermint oil contains an agent that can help in pain management in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. It also finds application in aromatherapy for treating nausea.
- Turmeric: The yellow color of curry is a result of turmeric present in it. This spice has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, and this is one of its main medicinal benefits. Curcumin is the primary chemical compound in turmeric. This compound is a powerful antioxidant, and this property helps in slowing down aging effects and preventing a host of other diseases associated with oxidative damage.
- Holy Basil: Holy basil is not the same as Thai basil or regular basil. It is a herb that is considered sacred in India. Studies have shown the potentials of this herb in treating infections and boosting the body’s immunity. Holy basil inhibits the growth of disease-causing bacteria, yeasts, and molds. It also helps the growth of some special immune cells in the body like the T-helper cells, NK-cells, and B-cells.
- Sage: The medicinal benefits of sage are evident in its name. Sage is a Latin word that means “to save.” The name is the evidence that ancient humans have always believed in the potency of this spice. Sage is best known for its ability to help in improving brain functioning and boosting memory. Recent research has shown that sage helps in blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine. There is a connection between the reduction in acetylcholine level and Alzheimer’s disease in the aged. Consequently, sage has shown potential in the treatment of Alzheimer’s and also helps to improve the proper functioning of the brain.
- Ginger: Ginger is one of the most popular spices used in cooking. This herb has found varied applications in alternative medicine mainly because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Hence it can be useful in pain management. It is widely used in combination with other herbs and spices to decrease pain in patients suffering from conditions like osteoarthritis, which can deliver the same results as conventional pain medication. Ginger can also help treat nausea associated with morning sickness, seasickness, and chemotherapy.
- Fenugreek: In ancient times, fenugreek was popularly used to enhance libido. Although its effectiveness as a sex enhancement herb is inconclusive based on today’s science, fenugreek has other beneficial applications, especially with its effects on blood sugar level. 4-hydroxy isoleucine, a plant protein, and one of the main components of fenugreek can help improve the function of insulin, resulting in significantly lower sugar levels.
- Cayenne pepper: This is a type of chili pepper used to make dishes spicy. It is also a common ingredient in weight loss supplements. The spice contains a compound known as Capsaicin, which can help users burn fat faster and reduce appetite, especially in users who have not built a tolerance for spicy food. There is also some evidence from animal studies that demonstrate the potential use of Capsaicin in treating some forms of cancer. However, there is no evidence of this yet in human trials.
- Cannabis: Although more commonly known for its psychoactive effects (which is due to the chemical compound THC), marijuana has several health benefits that we are just starting to unravel. Asides the popular “high” one gets from taking cannabis and the mind-altering potentials which can be leverage in the treatment of a wide range of psychological disorders, there is emerging evidence that cannabis can help treat chronic pain, nausea, sleep disturbances, muscle spasticity, and so on.
Cannabis contains Cannabidiol (CBD) and more than 65 other Cannabinoid compounds with several health benefits currently under study. Apart from the potential for multiple applications, one of the unique properties of cannabis is that you can process it into various forms. You may smoke it, inhale it as vapor, brew it like tea, eat it, or even apply it like a balm.
Conclusion
Perhaps the most exciting thing about the various herbs and spices mentioned above is how easily you can add them to your regular meals. No matter your daily diet or favorite meal, several recipes allow you to add these herbs based on your preferences. This way, you get to enjoy their culinary benefits while doing your body a lot of good. For more health-related advice visit medicalisland.
