7 healthiest herbs and spices

Herbs and spices not only make the taste of food better, but they have a health benefits too. Some of them are used thousands of years ago, and modern scientific studies prove that the positive effects of spices and herbs on our health are not just empty stories.

Cinnamon

The biggest benefits: it regulates blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Put half a teaspoon of cinnamon in oatmeal or spice up your milk and coffee with a little cinnamon. Cinnamon is so delicious that you probably never used it for its healing properties, but just for the taste and scent.

Besides regulating the blood sugar levels in diabetics, using half or a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day will reduce the cholesterol levels by around 30%.

Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is believed to effectively fight E. coli and other bacteria. For some people, the cinnamon reduces the unpleasant symptoms of heartburn.

Ginger

The biggest benefits: it helps against nausea and abdominal pain, and can relieve the symptoms of arthritis.

Several studies have shown that ginger reduces pain and swelling in people who suffer from arthritis.

Ginger is especially useful for reducing nausea and controlling the impulses that makes you to vomit, so it is great for travelling. It can eliminate the stomach problems, and in some people it might reduce headaches caused by migraine.

Sage

The biggest benefits: it helps against sore throat, great for preserving the memory.

Make yourself a sage tea if you have problems with upset stomach or if you have dry and sore throat. Sage tea reduces the pain in the throat.

Preliminary studies indicate that sage can facilitate some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. In another study students who received sage extract before an exam scored significantly better on memory tests, and also their mood was improved.

Rosemary

The biggest benefits: it improves concentration and brain function.

Rosemary is a powerful antioxidant that increase blood flow to the brain and protects the brain from free radicals, thereby reducing the risk of stroke and diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

This herb increases alertness and concentration leading to the effective finishing of tasks related to memory.

Rosemary is often used for marinating meat and there is a good reason why. It contains acids and substances that fight bacteria and prevent spoilage of meat and also make the cooked meat healthier, and tastier of course.

It is believed that rosemary stimulates the immune system, improves circulation and enhances the digestion of food.

Mint

The biggest benefits: it relieves pain in the stomach, improving digestion.

Traditional mint tea is used to relieve pain in the abdomen area, but it also improves the digestion of food. Mint helps with diarrhea, stomach gas and irritable bowel syndrome.

Great mint effect is also that it reduces the vomiting urges.

Often used to treat common cold, sore throat, sinus problems and respiratory infections.

Mint oil can help you to reduce headache, muscle pain or toothache.

Parsley

The biggest benefits: strengthens the immunity, helps in prevention of heart attack.

Parsley is incredibly rich source of vitamins A and C, which help to boost the immunity system and it is particularly useful in protecting the cardiovascular system too.

Parsley tea is used for symptoms relief in case of urinary infections.

Chewing parsley removes the bad breath and fresh parsley paste is used in external bruising.

Turmeric

The biggest benefits: it has anticancer properties.

Turmeric is a spice that gives the yellow color of the curry and it is mostly used in Indian cuisine and medicine. In the recent years, the researches confirm its power to fight cancer. It has substances that reduce the tumor growth.

Studies show that this spice protects against colon cancer and melanoma (skin cancer).