There are many herbs and spices that are not only beneficial to your body’s health but can also treat a number of ailments.
Listed below are just a select few herbs and spices that have powerful medicinal properties.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a plant that comes from the ginger family. It is ground into a bright orange powder. Use turmeric especially as an anti-inflammatory agent equivalent to over the counter pain-killers. You can also eat it to help with digestion and liver ailments.
Turmeric is being investigated in the US today for its importance in treating rheumatoid arthritis. The powder is also known to have Vitamin A and have a significant effect on treating colds and coughs. Take a teaspoon of turmeric up to three times a day diluted in warm milk.
Basil
Basil is an herb that is a member of the Mint family. Try making a tea with the herb or use it to season your italian dishes. You can also eat basil to alleviate digestive ailments, gas, bloating, stomachaches, and diarrhea. Boil the herbs in tea to experience relaxation.
Also when boiled in tea, basil can act as a powerful expectorant, removing phlegm from the body. Because of this, it is excellent for colds, coughs, sore throat and influenza. Basil can also act as a blood purifier and thus could help in reducing cholesterol levels.
Aloe Vera
The Aloe Vera plant is known as the “healer” of all plants. Its leaves can be eaten, applied on the skin, ground or made into lotions and gels, or consumed as a beverage. Aloe Vera contains water, vitamins, minerals, and proteins.
It can help to aid in arthritis, insomnia, infections, stomachaches such as indigestion, constipation and heartburn.
Apply the gel directly on your skin to cure pains burns, sunburns, blemishes, bruises, and sore muscles.
Oregano
Oregano, like basil, is an herb you can use either in cooking or can be boiled in tea. Oregano works to cure indigestion and stomachaches, gas and bloating.
It also eases coughs, headaches, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. Grind the oregano into a paste and apply it directly to sore muscles and bruises. It can also help to relieve itching.
You can also the oil and apply it to a toothache.
Cumin
The cumin seed is a spice that you can grind into a powder, roast, or boil in water. You can use cumin to cure ailments affecting the bladder, urinary tract, and kidneys. Try eating cumin as a painkiller or for insomnia.
If boiled in tea, cumin can help alleviate the symptoms of colds, coughs and sore throats. It helps to remove phlegm from the body. Lastly, you can use cumin can help to aid the digestion system and cure upset stomachs.
Chili Powder
You can also create a chili powder paste and apply it to your skin for pain – apply with caution for sensitive skin. It can help to relieve arthritis and headaches. Chili powder is currently being tested to kill cancer cells in rats. It also aids in weight loss, as it is an active thermogenic (where hot foods speed up metabolism). Chili powder also contains phytochemicals which can act as powerful antioxidants for the body.
Mustard Seeds
The mustard plant is a powerfully healthy plant for the body. The seeds that come from mustard have a mulititude of phytochemicals, which act as antioxidants. You can use mustard oil to treat rheumatoid arthritis, colds, coughs, and bronchitis.
It can also help to treat the common stomachache. Grind mustard seeds into a wet paste and apply it on the chest to help relieve chest congestion, the tooth to relieve toothaches, and on the back for pain.
Fenugreek Leaves
Fenugreek is an herb that can help aid in both weight loss and indigestion. It is also full of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, B Vitamins, Vitamin C, iron and phosphorous.
It also helps with liver function and treats ailments such as jaundice.
The leaves of Fenugreek can help clean out the digestive tract, removing toxins from the body. Boil the herbs into soup or simply saute the leaves and add it to potatoes or other vegetables. You can also simply eat the dry leaves. Fenugreek is an overall body cleanser.
Rosemary
Rosemary is another herb that is excellent for the digestive system; however, rosemary has a number of other beneficial properties. Rosemary can help to kill bacteria and also act as an anti-inflammatory agent. When eaten, it can also help to improve circulation.
Rosemary can also help to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis. Eat this herb as dry leaves, boiled, or cooked in foods. Try using rosemary oil to relax the mind and improve sinus ailments and congestion.
This herb is also good for the skin and scalp. Lastly, this herb has powerful antioxidants.
Celery Seeds
Though celery is mostly made of water and is extremely healthy, its seeds contain medicinal properties as well. Celery seeds have a large amount of calcium in them.
They can also help to reduce bad levels of cholesterol and if eaten regularly, can lower risks of heart attacks.
Celery seeds can also aid with rheumatoid arthritis, insomnia, and anxiety. Because celery seeds have a slightly salty taste to it, try substituting it for salt. This makes a meal much healthier because it cuts out sodium without removing flavor.
Toss celery seeds into salad or baked bread, or roast them and sprinkle onto your dishes for flavor.
Try sprinkling herbs on your everyday dishes and adding a little spice when cooking. These elements, when added in small amounts to your routine foods can make a difference in your health and well-being.
After all, the real medicine is putting the right foods into our bodies.