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SPICE UP YOUR MEALS AND YOUR HEALTH: 10 SPICES AND HERBS AND A LOOK BEYOND THE FLAVOUR


Experimenting with various herbs and spices will no doubt add some savoury and interesting flavours to your meals but there are some important facts beyond the flavour that you may want to consider. The addition of herbs and spices can also provide us with some important health related benefits as well, read below to find out what herbs and spices you may want to consider for your next meal.

BASIL

  • Helps relieve digestive upset

  • Can be used as a disinfectant

  • Immune stimulant

  • Contains Vitamins A, C, B1, B3, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc

  • Sweet and pungent, minty taste

BAY LEAVES

  • Antibacterial properties

  • Can help to aid relaxation and lower stress

  • Can provide migraine relief

  • Beneficial effect on the stomach and intestinal tract

  • Contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, manganese, folate and fiber, Vitamins A, C, B2, B3, B6, E

  • Has a woody flavour with a slight mint aroma

  • Be sure to remove the leaf after cooking, they are quite tough and very strong tasting

CAYENNE PEPPER

  • Member of the nightshade family

  • Powerful antioxidant

  • Anti-inflammatory properties

  • Expectorant and decongestant

  • When used topically is helpful in relieving arthritic pain and may be helpful with psoriasis

  • Contains Vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, E, calcium, iron, folate, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, zinc and fiber

  • Adds a spicy “zip” to meals

CINNAMON

  • A powerful antioxidant

  • Contains anti-inflammatory properties

  • Contains anti-microbial properties

  • Has antiseptic qualities and can be used topically on cuts and scrapes

  • Helpful for digestive upset

  • Among others it contains Vitamins A, E, K, dietary fibre, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, lysine, tryptophan and thereonine

  • Heart health benefits

  • Can help lower blood sugar levels

  • Has a sweet spicy taste

  • You should not ingest cinnamon oil or use topically as it is very strong and can be irritating

GARLIC

  • Belongs to the lily family and related to leeks, onions, chives, shallots

  • Contains vital nutrients, flavonoids, selenium, sulphur

  • Anti-oxidant

  • Anti-fungal properties

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Anti-viral properties

  • Immune booster

  • One of the most popular natural remedies of all time

GINGER

  • Helpful for the digestive system

  • Contains anti-inflammatory properties

  • Has natural pain fighting qualities

  • Antiseptic qualities

  • Antioxidant

  • When used as aromatherapy it can help relieve anxiety

  • Has a strong, spicy yet sweet taste

  • Avoid large amounts if taking anticoagulant medications

OREGANO

  • Powerful antioxidant

  • Anti-microbial properties

  • Anti-bacterial properties

  • Helpful for digestive upset

  • Helpful for loosening, expelling mucous

  • Has been shown to double the potency of insulin (less required to process sugar)

  • Used as an oil for bathing can help relieve aches and stiff joints

  • Contains calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, selenium, Vitamins a, C, B6, E

  • Has a peppery flavour with a slight hint of sage and thyme

  • Is widely used as an oil for it’s anti-bacterial properties and may destroy bacteria associated with pneumonia

PARSLEY

  • Strong diuretic properties; can stimulate the kidneys and can be beneficial for kidney stones and other kidney disorders

  • Helps ease digestion

  • Beneficial for the adrenal and thyroid glands

  • Contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, manganese, selenium, copper, zinc, folate and fiber

  • Has a mild, pleasant taster

  • Not recommended for use in large quantities in juices due to it’s powerful diuretic properties

SAGE

  • Antioxidant

  • Has been shown to double the potency of insulin (less is required to process sugar)

  • Can help to retard food spoilage

  • Sage tea can be gargled to soothe sore throats and help with canker sores and sore gums

  • Contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, manganese, selenium, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, E

TURMERIC

  • Powerful antioxidant

  • Anti-inflammatory properties

  • Anti-bacterial properties

  • Useful as a digestive aid and liver stimulant, to reduce swelling associated with arthritis

  • Good for people with arteriosclerosis, carpel tunnel syndrome, gallstones, cataracts, tendonitis, eczema, endometriosis, bursitis

  • Contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, C

  • It is a close relative to ginger and has a slight peppery taste

  • Not recommended for people with clotting disorders or on anticoagulant medications

Generally spices and herbs are safe for most everyone when used in small quantities as savoury additions to our meals; caution is advised however for those who may be pregnant, nursing, ill or on certain medications (especially when being used in a therapeutic manner)

Sending A Wish Your Way For A Well BALANCED Day

Jenny

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