There is a reason herbs have been in use for both cuisine and health throughout the course of history, across countless different cultures. Herbs were used as treatments before even modern medicine! Herbs aren’t just a wonderful ingredient that adds both flavor and color to dishes, baked goods, and drinks, but they’re also chock full of nutrients that make a world of difference in keeping your body healthy! Here are a few of the many, many healthy herbs you can integrate into your diet to keep your body in top shape:
1. Sage
Often used in holiday dishes as well as poultry, sausage, butter, sweet potatoes, and gnocchi, sage is a versatile herb in the kitchen. It also comes with a bevy of health benefits!
According to studies, sage can help with improving one’s memory and brain function, making it great for those with Alzheimer’s disease. This is because sage impedes the breaking down of acetylcholine, a drop in the level of which is associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s also handy for improving memory function in just about everyone else!
It’s not for nothing that its name comes from the Latin word for, “to save”: Salvere.
2. Peppermint
Most synonymous with the holidays as well as delicious drinks, peppermint adds a very unique and distinct cool flavor to consumables. It doesn’t just taste cool, either: it actually does cool! No wonder people have used it for its digestive-helping, antibacterial properties.
Peppermint is perfect for boosting your heart (cardiovascular) and lung (pulmonary) health thanks to its status as a bronchodilator. This means it works to widen the air passages in your lungs. Even just smelling peppermint will allow you to strengthen the air force in the nasal cavities and get your lungs more air. It’s also a great muscle relaxer, making it perfect for relieving IBS pain and reducing nausea.
Consider popping a peppermint in your mouth or ordering a peppermint latte next time!
3. Rosemary
Often used in conjunction with poultry and bread, rosemary is a highly fragrant and distinctly tasty herb. It is also chock full of antioxidants that stop your cells from getting damaged. Even just smelling rosemary, such as rosemary oil, could prove to be good for both your body as well as your cognitive functions!
A study shows that people who sniffed rosemary were able to do better on memory tests and other kinds of mental tasks compared to those who did not.
Try using rosemary essential oils in diffusers or adding rosemary to your next succulent dish to start receiving its amazing health benefits!
4. Fenugreek
Something of a less conventional herb, the fenugreek is an herb that is fantastic for usage with curries, sauces, veggie dishes, and soups as well as yogurts and creams.
But did you know that it is also great for its benefits with blood sugar control? A plant protein called 4-hydroxyisoleucine can be found in fenugreek. 4-hydroxyisoleucine improves how the insulin hormone functions. In fact, numerous studies have shown that taking at least 1 gram of fenugreek extract a day lowers blood sugar levels, especially for diabetics.
Sources:
10 Delicious Herbs and Spices With Powerful Health Benefits
10 of the healthiest herbs and spices and their health benefits
Spices and Herbs That Can Help You Stay Healthy