Throughout history, herbs have been wonderfully used. They have been indispensable in their inherent therapeutic nature of healing purposes, while a lot of them have been employed in the use of medicine, and most importantly, for culinary purposes. While there are depths of wonders embedded in herbs, unraveling them to their very bits is what leaves us awe-stricken. This article, as you will find, brings to the fore, herbs that have amazing healing effects, most of which we do not even pay much attention to. If gardening has been a pastime of yours, I’m sure you will be very appreciative of this piece; and if you are looking towards spicing up the food that comes out of your kitchen, you have even more surprises up in stock for you. Finally, if you want to learn something new, to add value to your health and lifestyle, then this is just for you. Basically, the healing herbs, which powerful effects are far-reaching, offers something valuable to everyone, and so I enjoin you to take your time on this exciting learning experience…
- Parsley
Botanical name- Petroselinum crispum
Parsley is a widely cultivated herb which has been discovered to be useful for people who have high arterial blood pressure. Excellent for culinary purposes, it is used to garnish salads, while it doubles as a flavor. It possesses antioxidants and vitamins which help to prevent carcinogenic growths and helps to maintain the health of the heart.
- Bay Leaves
Botanical name- Laurus nobilis
Bay leaf is a must-have in soups, sauces and stews. It contains what is known as cineole, a pain reliever, while it helps to inhibit diseases like heart diseases and reduces inflammations. Bay leaf adds an outstanding flavor to foods and helps to strengthen the white blood cells to fight impurities in the body system.
- Cilantro
Botanical name- Coriandrum sativum
Cilantro is an annual herb which thrives in cool-season and is quite indispensable as a spice in foods. In its spice form, it is known as coriander. It functions in balancing the sugar levels in the blood, while also fighting fungal and bacterial infections. It is great for the purposes of providing the body with the proper kind of cholesterol.
- Mint
Botanical name- Mentha
Mint is a unique species of herbs. One of its functions is to give and maintain the freshness of breath. Adding it as a spice to foods means you are making a choice to relax stressed muscles, eliminate nausea, depression and headache. Available in different flavors such as peppermint, applemint, etc. it performs restorative and therapeutic functions of weight loss. This is the reason why it is an active ingredient of green teas, herbal drinks, & toothpaste. While mint leaves may also be eaten in salads, it helps to maintain the freshness of foods.
- Garlic
Botanical name- Allium sativum
Garlic has survived times and seasons in health maintenance. It is interesting to note its medicinal and culinary values. For one, it is instrumental in boosting the immune system, maintain balanced blood pressure, prevention of stroke and heart diseases. Garlic may be used in its raw form in food dressings, while it may be used as flavors in meat, soups and sauces.
- Rosemary
Botanical name- Salvia rosmarinus
Rosemary herb is a perennial herb which essentially good for the heart, enhances digestion and reduces pain. It contains what is known as carnosol, a substance which greatly prevents cancer, while it is a very fine flavor for potatoes, chicken and meats.
- Chaga Mushrooms
Botanical name- Inonotus obliquus
If you’ve ever seen a birch tree, you only have to look out for the herb that grows on its bark to find the Chaga mushroom. However, being a fungus, it is amazing how medicinal it is. It gained popularity in Russia and North Europe and is now on high demand in western countries due to its medicinal health benefits. For one, it may be ground and brewed into tea. Chaga mushroom is a great anti-inflammatory herb which boosts the immune system. Studies have also shown it to be effective in fighting cancer, lower blood sugar and cholesterol. Are you interested in how to make Chaga tea? Simply grind Chaga into powder, pour your boiled water over the Chaga, steep for about 10 minutes. Remove steeper, and your Chaga tea is ready.
- Tumeric
Botanical name- Curcuma longa
Turmeric is a fine spice used in cuisines. It has gained recognition in the medicinal and healing effects it has on the body. Medically, turmeric has been proven to prevent diseases which are quite degenerative, such as cancer and Alzheimer’s, to treat skin problems such as acne and eczema, and wonderful for its digestive functions, such as fat digestion. All in all, it fights toxins, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
- Ginger
Botanical name- Zingiber officinale
Ginger is a spice which has been used over the years, most especially exclusive to the Asian continent. It has proven to be a fine spice and flavor to teas, sauces, and soups. Either freshly picked or dried, it is potent in its healing powers. It helps in balancing the digestive system and gastrointestinal functions, eliminates nausea, inflammation, joint pains, etc.
- Water Hyssop
Botanical name- Bacopa monnieri
Also known as moneywort, it has lived true to its name as a ‘wonder herb’. Composing active compounds and alkaloids responsible for its expansive functions such as anthraquinones, phytosterol, brahmine, herpestine, bacogenins, bacopasides, etc, it is indeed a herb worth having. Now to Bacopa monnieri benefits, one cannot but mention that it is useful in nervous repair, normal functioning of the body’s response to stimuli, improves mental health, and ultimately fights diseases that bring about a nervous disorder such as dementia. In its therapeutic effect, it is worthy of mention that Bacopa monnieri is a natural tranquilizer which helps in the cognitive functions and enhanced memory of both children and adults alike. Studies have shown that it acts against neurotoxins and may control the aging of the brain, while more wonders are continually explored by botanists, nutritionists and pharmacists alike.
Flowing from the above, it is not difficult to see how these herbs enhance a healthy immune system, which naturally and biologically has a healing function. Hence, you will do yourself a lot of good by including it in your food intake.