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Try them if you want to improve your mood, lower your cholesterol, calm an upset stomach, or get rid of a cough.
While some herbs only serve to enhance the flavor of the food you cook, some have additional health-improving properties. The New Healing Herbs author Michael Castleman claims that “the term ‘herb’ has a dubious definition. “What we refer to as medicinal herbs contain chemical constituents that have effects similar to those of drugs.” Be cautious when taking these herbs as supplements in tablet form because some of them have been associated with negative side effects and drug interactions. Always consult your doctor before using any dietary supplements. We’ll explain how to use some of these fresh and dried herbs in this section.
1. Basil
Think again if you believed that basil was just used to season pesto or sprinkled on pizza. There are more than 100 distinct species whose family name is basil. Sweet basil and holy basil are two of its most popular varieties. Researchers that looked into sweet basil discovered that it could help regulate blood pressure and that the scent of it reduced stress and anxiety. Participants in clinical research looking into holy basil reported less stress, anxiety, sex issues, and sadness. However, as both studies were conducted in laboratories, the advantages might not apply to use at home.
Basil loses flavor if cooked for too long, like other fresh herbs, so add it at the end of the cooking process.
2. Dill
The seeds and feathery foliage of dill are used in pickling and cooking, respectively. The seeds provide flavor to fish, borscht, and pickles. Dill, however, offers far more advantages. 71 men and women with heart disease risk factors were selected by Penn State University researchers, who then gave them daily meals that were spiced with around a teaspoon of additional herbs and spices, including dill. The individuals’ systolic (higher number) and diastolic (lower number) blood pressures were both lower after 12 weeks.
Chew a handful of dill seeds if you want to get rid of bad breath.
3. Onion
Garlic, a plant that belongs to the lily family and is frequently used as both a herb and a spice, is technically a vegetable. It has been praised for its capacity to stave against the common cold thanks to its pale yellow skin. (However, research still lags behind grandmother’s counsel.) According to some study, garlic lowers blood pressure and guards against artery hardening.
Crush or chop garlic five to ten minutes before cooking or adding it to other ingredients to activate the health-promoting chemicals.
4. Ginger
Whether you refer to ginger as a spice or a herb, it has a number of remarkable health advantages. According to studies, ginger helps lessen the discomfort caused by osteoarthritis in the knees, calm seasickness and motion sickness, speed up muscle recovery after exercise, and lower cholesterol. Even at the dentist’s office, ginger may be beneficial. After having an impacted molar removed, patients reported that ginger powder was just as efficient in reducing pain as ibuprofen.
Ginger juice that remains after grating it is very flavorful.
5. Lavender
Although lavender is a herb that may be eaten, much research on it is focused on its smell. According to numerous studies, the aroma of lavender, a member of the mint family, can reduce anxiety, enhance sleep, and ease tension and irritation. Trying to get some sleep? By reducing blood pressure and pulse rate, a tiny bag of lavender blossoms placed under your head at night will calm the nervous system and help you fall asleep.
Make sure the lavender is marked as culinary grade if you want to use it for baking or cooking. If you use too much lavender, it might overshadow a meal, so start with a modest amount.
6. Lemon balm
This perennial herb’s wrinkled heart-shaped leaves have been used since the Middle Ages to ease tension, anxiety, and offer a good night’s sleep. It appears to work just as well now as it did back then. According to a study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, lemon balm can induce feelings of calm and lift feelings of negativity. It can encourage relaxation when combined with other calming herbs such as valerian and chamomile.
This minty herb can aid in the healing of cold sores and the relief of itching bug bites. For 10 minutes, soak 2-4 tablespoons crushed leaves in a cup of hot water. Cool. Throughout the day, dab the tea on the sores using cotton balls.
7. Oregano
Oregano’s minty flavor and scent make it a favorite for seasoning everything from tomatoes to potatoes. Oregano has several health benefits in addition to bringing out the best in food. Carvac rol, a chemical found in the leaves, has been shown to be beneficial against norovirus, a highly contagious stomach disease. Furthermore, oregano tea can assist improve the immune system and aid the body in fighting infections.
To create oregano tea, mash the leaves of one oregano sprig in a mug, add a cup of boiling water, steep for five minutes, remove the leaves, and season with lemon juice and honey to taste. Enjoy!
8. Rosemary
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant chemicals found in abundance in rosemary may strengthen the immune system and enhance circulation. Additionally, the piney herb has naturally occurring compounds that can help regulate blood sugar, which is crucial for managing diabetes. According to Chris D’Adamo, director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Maryland, carnosic acid, an antioxidant that is abundant in rosemary, helps shield brain cells against age-related changes including declining verbal skills and making it harder to learn new knowledge. He continues by saying that additional substances found in rosemary may also help with memory.
When adding rosemary to meals, use caution because of its strong flavor.
9. Sage
The mint family includes the evergreen shrub known as sage. Its characteristic velvety leaves have a refreshing, minty scent. A study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that sage tea has traditionally been used to treat bronchitis, cough, asthma, and other conditions. Sage can improve mood, alertness, and memory, according to one study. As if that weren’t enough, some research has shown that consuming sage tea lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Use carefully when seasoning meals because a little sage goes a long way.
10. Thyme
This hardy member of the mint family has been used as a herbal remedy to treat bronchitis and soothe coughs since the Middle Ages. It is a staple in the kitchen since it gives dishes an earthy flavor. Studies reveal that thyme still has medicinal properties; it still serves to calm coughs and soothe irritated bronchial passages, claim experts at Mount Sinai Health in New York.
Make a cup of thyme tea to help soothe a persistent cough. If fresh thyme is not available, steep two or three sprigs of dried thyme in boiling water for a few minutes. After straining, add a squeeze of lemon juice and some honey.
Your Own Herbs to Grow
Herb cultivation is simpler than you would imagine. Here are some tips from the professionals:
- Herbs require a lot of room. Typically, they are packaged in little 3- to 4-inch pots. They will require a larger container in order to flourish at home so that the root system can develop and support the plant’s growth.
- Bring the correct light to them. Parsley, chives, and mint are wonderful choices if there is just dim lighting inside. Although certain herbs, such as parsley, mint, lemon balm, and tarragon, prefer midday shade in the garden, most herbs prefer a sunny setting with good drainage.
- Mint may be obnoxious. If given the chance, the many different types of mints have a tendency to overtake the garden, so put them in a sizable plastic container that you bury in the ground with the rim just above the dirt. For around three years, this creates a barrier to their propensity for rapid growth.
- Give them a little slack. The general rule for most herbs is that they grow more effectively the more you neglect them. Many people overwater and overfeed their herbs, which causes them to die.
- how you can feed them. Just at the start of the growing season, fertilize your herbs with an organic granular fertilizer. Fertilize container-grown herbs once every month. Every two weeks, Basil wants to be boosted.
- Embrace the pinch. Herbs are encouraged to branch by being pinched back, so the more you harvest them, the better they’ll grow.
- beginning with a seed. Basil seeds should be sown inside five to six weeks prior to the last frost date to begin your own seedlings. The germination of seeds takes a few days. When the temperature rises and the seedlings have three pairs of leaves on each, transplant them into the garden bed approximately a foot apart after gradually acclimating them to being outside over the course of several days.
- winter prudence. Consider potting up your garden herbs and bringing them inside for the winter as the cooler fall weather limits their growth. If they become drowsy and lose their vigor, don’t be shocked.
- Limit your indoor watering. A rosemary plant that is kept indoors during the winter is at the mercy of forced air heating and wet feet (roots). The bane of herbs sitting on saucers that guard the furniture is actually damp feet. Make sure to remove any standing water from saucers to keep your herbs happy.
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