Never underestimate the power of herbs and spices. Packed with health benefits – but not calories – herbs are Mother Nature’s remedy for getting flavorful food without the calories.
Here are some of my favourite herbs and spices to consider:
- Peppermint: While this might evoke holiday memories, peppermint’s benefits stretch throughout the year. Besides freshening breath, it does wonders for your insides, working its soothing properties on gas, indigestion, menstrual cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome. It also includes menthol, which clears phlegm and mucus from the bronchial tract to ease breathing. Try a hot mug of peppermint tea next time you have a cold.
- Basil: This antioxidant-rich leafy plant works hard to rid your body of damaging free radicals. It also helps prevent health problems like high cholesterol, arthritis, and osteoporosis, and the oils in basil prevent inflammation and bacteria growth. Simple and flavorful, basil is delicious served sliced atop fresh tomatoes or blended with nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil in a pesto.
- Oregano: Blueberries, stand aside. When it comes to being filled with antioxidants, oregano has four times the free radical-fighting power of blueberries (when adjusted for weight). It’s also a major source of thymol and carvacol, two antibacterial agents known to fight infection. A staple in Mexican and Italian cuisines, oregano can also add delicious flavor by infusing olive oil with it.
- Turmeric – Hailing from the same family as ginger, this bright orange spice shares its cousin’s ability to reduce inflammation for arthritis patients and may block some forms of cancer. Try turmeric in a chicken curry. Be sure to pair turmeric with black pepper, which is believed to help the body maximize its absorption of turmeric.
- Thyme: This tiny herb packs a punch in helping your body transport oxygen, thanks to being rich in iron. One teaspoon of it contains 10 percent of your daily requirement for iron. Also, thyme’s oil is antiseptic and antibacterial, helping keep bacteria at bay and preventing contamination. Recent studies show it can even kill MRSA infections, which resist other antibiotics. This versatile herb is great in everything from warm soup or a pot roast to scrambled eggs to pasta sauce.
- Sage: Wise people aren’t called “sage” for nothing. This herb is known for its memory-boosting properties. Similar to rosemary, sage has rosemerinic acid that protects cells from oxidative damage and also relieves the effects of arthritis and asthma.
- Cilantro: A longtime staple in Mexican cooking, cilantro has been shown to play a part in stimulating the pancreas to increase its insulin production, helping the body better manage the conversion of glucose into fat storage and energy. Cilantro is also a powerful chelator for heavy metals in the body. Toss a handful of chopped cilantro leaves in tacos for a flavourful boost.
- Parsley: There’s more to that garnish than meets the eye. Parsley is packed with luteolin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties. According to researchers at the University of Illinois, luteolin decreases inflammation in the brain, thereby helping prevent a decline in cognitive functions. Parsley is also believed to help battle deafness, pass kidney stones, and prevent arterial buildup. Its bright flavor does wonders to freshen breath at the end of a meal.
Enjoy herbs and spices - not only for their delicious flavour, but also for their power-packed health benefits! Life is always better when you add some spice!
