Whether they’re fresh, frozen or ground down into a mixture, herbs have multiple uses in our lives. They provide much needed taste and flavour in our cooking, act as medicines, and are widely used ingredients in perfume.
For thousands of years, they’ve been a constant part of our lives.
Herbs are the green and leafy part of a plant which has fragrant and aromatic properties.
Fresh herbs, once washed and dried, should be wrapped in a paper towel, placed in a zip plastic bag and stored in the refrigerator. Dried herbs should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark cupboard. Preferably in a sealed jar.
But what health benefits do they have?
Sage
his wonderful herb has been named after the Latin word ‘salvere’ which means to save. Sage extract has been shown to improve memory and brain function in healthy people and in people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. It is rich in antioxidants, can ease menopause symptoms and help reduce blood sugar levels.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil helps with pain relief when suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. It can also help with digestion, abdominal bloating, and when used in aromatherapy it can help with nausea. Peppermint can freshen your breath.
Holy Basil
Holy basil is different from normal basil and has shown to help prevent the growth of bacteria. Holy basil can help fight infections by promoting the number of immune cells in the blood.
Fenugreek
This herb is great for helping control blood sugar levels by improving the function of insulin. It helps increase breast milk, lowers cholesterol levels and can increase testosterone levels.
Rosemary
This herb has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body. It can help reduce nasal congestion and suppress allergy responses of the body. Rosemary can help improve blood circulation and improve the immune system.
Parsley
Parsley is abundant in folic acid and vitamin C. It is great for the heart, can help with the clotting mechanism of blood and is good for optimum bone health.
Dill
Dill is a strong anti-inflammatory and can help the body reduce the risk of heart problems, especially strokes. Dill is great at reducing cholesterol levels. Dill is a good source of vitamin C, A and magnesium. Dill can help with digestion and excess gas in the body.
Mint
This herb can help combat that bloating feeling, cramps and indigestion problems. It has been shown to improve brain function, help with bad breath, and help get cold symptoms better.
Oregano
Oregano is a powerful antioxidant and has antibacterial properties. Oregano is excellent in helping the body fight infection. It has been shown to help with yeast infections, help with pain, and aids in improving your gut health.
Coriander
Coriander (called cilantro in America) is a strong antioxidant and great for the immune system. Coriander is good for heart and brain health also. Coriander is known to improve gut health and helps with digestion.
If you know any more interesting things about herbs, let us know on our forum and social media! Share some of your thoughts with others and start a conversation.
DISCLAIMER
Before you start any new diet, health programme, exercise routine, and ingest or topically use any oil, vitamin, mineral, product or compound, it is very important to consult your doctor, therapist or do a patch test to make sure you do not have any adverse reactions.
We do not offer any form of medical or psychological advice. The information in our wellbeing articles are offered for educational purposes only. Our wellbeing articles are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Thank you.
