Herbs are great to have around the house for inspiration when you are unsure of what to cook for dinner. Three, four, or five spices can turn a bland chicken breast dinner into a delicious succulent dish. What is even better is that you can completely avoid all the fat if you want to. Now, we're not saying that fat is bad, because it definitely isn't. Healthy fat is essential to any diet, but add less fat and MORE flavor, and learn about the medicinal powers these herbs have to offer!
Curly Parsley
Because parsley is so familiar to us and is used frequently as a table garnish, we often reach for more exotic herbs when cooking or treating medical ailments. In reality though, parsley is one of the most versatile medicinal foods and is a must have when stocking your pantry. Not only does this vibrant plant add loads of color and delicious flavor, but it acts to prevent gas and bloating while evidently aiding digestion at the simultaneously.
Parsley is extremely good for cleansing the body and ridding it of excess water. This herb is bursting with vitamin K, and has rich levels of vitamin A, B, and C. What is even more exciting, is that this favorite and most popular herb can be found in your supermarket ALL year long! :)
Parsley is extremely good for cleansing the body and ridding it of excess water. This herb is bursting with vitamin K, and has rich levels of vitamin A, B, and C. What is even more exciting, is that this favorite and most popular herb can be found in your supermarket ALL year long! :)
Fennel
Fennel seeds are often used in cooking as an anise-flavored spice, however, fennel should not be confused with anise. Though they look and taste similar, they are not the same. Fennel's dried seeds and its oil are used to make medicine. The medicine produced from the fennel plant is used to treat various digestive problems including heartburn, intestinal gas, bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, and colicky infants. Some women use fennel for increasing the flow of breast milk, promoting menstruation, easing the birth process, and increasing sex drive. Fennel powder is also used to treat poisoness snake bites. Now, how cool is that?!
In cooking, fennel is found quite often. Although this is true, it is found that people either LOVE the spice, or despise it with a fiery passion. Some believing this plant shouldn't even be labeled edible to eat! If you are still unsure of whether or not you like fennel, it is very comparable to the taste of black licorice, and most people either love, or hate this pungent candy!
In cooking, fennel is found quite often. Although this is true, it is found that people either LOVE the spice, or despise it with a fiery passion. Some believing this plant shouldn't even be labeled edible to eat! If you are still unsure of whether or not you like fennel, it is very comparable to the taste of black licorice, and most people either love, or hate this pungent candy!
Peppermint
The common cough and cold along with sinus and respiratory infections are all known to be treated in some way or another by the healing properties of peppermint. A very common use of peppermint is by treating digestive problems such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), cramps, of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract and bile ducts, upset stomach diarrhea, bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine, and of course, gas. Peppermint oil, a concentrated form of peppermint, is applied to skin for headaches, muscle pain, nerve pain, joint conditions, itchiness, viral infections and much more. In addition to helping with almost ALL types of pain, peppermint oil also repels mosquito's which is essential when you are adamant cottage goers like we are almost half of the year!
Mint is one of the most common flavoring agents, and one of my personal favorites among food and beverages such as mint tea, mint chocolate chip ice cream, mint candies.. the list is endless. Mint is also widely available among fragrances in soaps and cosmetics.
Mint is one of the most common flavoring agents, and one of my personal favorites among food and beverages such as mint tea, mint chocolate chip ice cream, mint candies.. the list is endless. Mint is also widely available among fragrances in soaps and cosmetics.
Basil
Closely related to the mint family, basil offers many medicinal uses and health benefits if consumed properly. In a study done by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, basil was shown to reduce swelling by up to 73%, 24 hours after treatment. In Manchester, the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) found that basil extract was effective in killing off harmful molecules in the skin, and preventing damage caused by some free radicals in the liver, brain and heart. It richness is antioxidants, as well as vitamins A, K, and C, and many other essential minerals.
In addition to all of basil's medicinal attributes, it is probably one of the most used spices in many Asian cultures (Thai Basil). Although this is true, it is more commonly known as the main ingredient in Pesto, a well known dish in Italian cuisine.
In addition to all of basil's medicinal attributes, it is probably one of the most used spices in many Asian cultures (Thai Basil). Although this is true, it is more commonly known as the main ingredient in Pesto, a well known dish in Italian cuisine.
Dill
Like many other herbs, dill is used for digestion problems including loss of appetite, intestinal gas, liver problems, and gallbladder complaints. Among women, dill is used for urinary tract infections or disorders that cause painful or difficult urination. Dill is also used for treatment of cold, fever, cough, and bronchitis, as well as hemorrhoids, infections, spasms, nerve pain, genital ulcers, menstrual cramps, and sleep disorders.
Dill is used as a flavoring agent in many manufactured snack foods such as dill pickle chips, as well as widely used in a variety of cultures from all over the worst.
Dill is used as a flavoring agent in many manufactured snack foods such as dill pickle chips, as well as widely used in a variety of cultures from all over the worst.
Thyme
Although thyme is an herb, it also has flowers, leaves and oil that are used as medicine. Thyme is also used in combination with other herbs to relieve pain or illness. Like many other herbs used for medicinal purposes, thyme is taken by mouth for illnesses relating to the throat and stomach. Stomach pain, diarrhea, bed-wetting and skin disorders. It is also used as a diuretic to increase urine flow, and disinfects urine simultaneously.
Thyme oil is used as a germ killer in ointments and mouth washes. It is also applied to the scalp to treat baldness, to the ears to fight bacterial and fungal infections (like an ear ache), and to teeth to prevent tooth decay. All in all, a pretty good essential oil to have around the house for a variety of purposes.
Red thyme, rather than normal thyme is used in products some of us may use everyday such as, perfumes, soaps cosmetics and toothpastes.
Thyme oil is used as a germ killer in ointments and mouth washes. It is also applied to the scalp to treat baldness, to the ears to fight bacterial and fungal infections (like an ear ache), and to teeth to prevent tooth decay. All in all, a pretty good essential oil to have around the house for a variety of purposes.
Red thyme, rather than normal thyme is used in products some of us may use everyday such as, perfumes, soaps cosmetics and toothpastes.
Lavender
When a lot of people think of lavender, they think of relaxation and sleep and that is exactly right! Lavender is widely used for restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, and depression. Some people use lavender for chronic pain conditions such as migraines, headaches, sprains, nerve pain, sores, and joint pain. Lavender is used to promote menstruation, to treat acne, and ease the pain of ruthless skin conditions.
Lavender oil is often used in baths, candles, soaps, perfumes and potpourri. It is a very pleasant, popular smell that helps people unwind and relax.
Lavender oil is often used in baths, candles, soaps, perfumes and potpourri. It is a very pleasant, popular smell that helps people unwind and relax.
Oregano
Oregano oil is often used when we feel a cough or cold coming on. This oil has a very strong pungent taste, but really helps prevent or eliminate coughs, asthma, and bronchitis while also aiding heartburn and bloating. The oil of oregano is taken by mouth for all sorts of ailments from swine-flu to dandruff. Luckily, the scent of this strong oil actually respells insects, making summertime by the lake a lot more enjoyable!
Whenever I think of oregano, I think Italian. Pasta, pizza, tomatoey, cheesy goodness... How could you ever go wrong?
Whenever I think of oregano, I think Italian. Pasta, pizza, tomatoey, cheesy goodness... How could you ever go wrong?
Rosemary
With a lot of people having digestive issues lately, it is very helpful to learn about herbs, essentially plants, that can aid in these problems. Rosemary helps with digestive issues, including heartburn, intestinal gas, liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite. In high doses, some women use rosemary to increase menstrual flow and even cause abortions.
Rosemary is great with food, it is a very strong herb, so be careful not to overdo it (or you may be eating flowers for dinner...). A little secret: The best thing to pair rosemary with is potatoes!
Rosemary is great with food, it is a very strong herb, so be careful not to overdo it (or you may be eating flowers for dinner...). A little secret: The best thing to pair rosemary with is potatoes!
Sage
Sage is commonly used for digestive problems, including loss of appetite, gas, stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, and heartburn. It is also used to reduce perspiration in people that sweat a lot, and to reduce saliva in people who produce too much. Women use sage for painful menstrual periods, to correct excessive milk flow during nursing, and to reduce hot flashes during menopause. Some people even use Sage to manage depression more effectively, while other people who suffer from memory loss or Alzheimer's disease have also benefited from the medicinal properties of Sage. For most all mouth and skin sores, sage has been applied directly to the skin for cold sores, gum disease, sore throat, mouth and tongue, and swollen or painful nasal passages.
Because of Sages pleasant aroma and taste, it is often used as a fragrance component in soaps and cosmetics, and is a commonly used spice in almost any cuisine.
Because of Sages pleasant aroma and taste, it is often used as a fragrance component in soaps and cosmetics, and is a commonly used spice in almost any cuisine.