There are a number of delicious foods you can eat for the sake of your health — but still, all too often, we hear complaints that healthful food just doesn’t taste good.
Enter herbs and spices. The aromatic flavorings can transform a dish without adding calories or fat (for the most part). But many of the roots and seeds and leaves and flowers pack surprising additional health benefits of their own. From promoting longevity to fighting pain and more, here are 10 of the healthiest herbs and spices of all time.
1. Black Tea leaves-reduces heart problems
Black tea as a way to reduce the risk of heart-related problems has been studied although more thorough testing is needed.
How to use it: A couple cups of black tea a day is a good amount, and the caffeine will help you stay alert throughout your day.
2. Mint – To soothe an upset stomach
Mint seems to be a powerful cure for stomachaches, as well as being used for relaxation and as a diuretic.
How to use it: Mint tea is the most common and popular way to ingest the herb.
3. Eucalyptus – Relieves lung Congestion
Perhaps best known for being the food of choice for koalas, eucalyptus is also used as a cleaning agent and to treat lung problems. It appears to have an mucolytic (mucus-clearing) and anti-inflammatory component that works particularly well in this area.
How to use it: Eucalyptus essential oil is a good option to keep by your bed or, if you can find it, use a vapor rub with eucalyptus as one of the primary ingredients.
4. Parsley – Fights halitosis
Parsley is packed full of vitamins and has some more specific uses, such as treating bad breath. This may be due in large part to the plant’s high concentration of chlorophyll, which has some evidence in treating bad breath.
How to use it: Consuming it in your food, by itself, or in a blended drink are all good ways of using parsley for this particular ailment.
5. Ginger Prevents Nausea
Significant results have been found in ginger’s ability to ease nausea, even for motion sickness.
How to use it: Some specialists recommend taking ginger before the nausea sets in; for example, if you know you get airsick, you can chew ginger gum before takeoff. If taking ginger when nausea is already present, there are a variety of products including teas and candies that contain the roo
6. Licorice – Soothes a sore Throat
There has been some scientific examination of licorice root’s anti-inflammatory effects on sore throats, with promising results.
How to use it: You can find teas and lozenges with licorice root at a variety of grocery and health food stores, as well as online.
7. Ginseng – Boosts energy levels
Ginseng root has been tested in a number of studies for its effectiveness in fighting fatigue, with significant (though few) results.
How to use it: Ginseng can be found in a number of products including “natural” energy drinks, though as with all energy drinks these should be used with caution. You can also get ginseng in capsule form, often grouped with other herb and vitamin capsules at regular grocery stores, as well as health food and supplement stores.
8. Chamomile – promotes sleep
There have been very few scientific studies on chamomile’s ability to encourage sleep, but it remains a popular herb for this purpose.
How to use it: Chamomile as a sleep aid is typically taken as a warm tea, with many brands specifically marketing it as a “nighttime” or “sleepytime” tea.
9. Lavander – eases tension
Evidence from scientific trials suggests that lavender works well to relieve tension and stress.
How to use it: Aromatherapy products such as oils, lotions, and herb pouches are all good ways of using the scent to relieve stress.
10. Nettle – treats dandruff
espite the name, stinging nettle has a number of recognised medical properties including as an anti-inflammatory. It has also been used as a natural treatment for dandruff.
How to use it: There are a few commercial shampoo products containing stinging nettle, though you may have better luck on sites like Etsy.
BDST: 1845 HRS, Oct-12, 2014
