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7 Surprising Herbs and Spices You Should Add to Your Diet—And Why

The conversation about food is changing. Now that the forks-over-knives, Green Kitchen set have become comfortable trading phrases like “I’m craving blueberries” for “I’m craving antioxidants,” or “Greek yogurt” for “good bacteria,” and the vegetarian diet has become nearly universal, the herbs and spices once used to distract omnivores from a meat-free experience are suddenly taking center stage with their own unique wellness benefits.

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Featured

 Eat These Herbs Everyday to Live Longer

While fruits and vegetables get the spotlight in helping people live a longer life, there is another major group of plants that is accredited for all sorts of health benefits. That group of plants is herbs.

 The Rise of Medicinal Herb Gardens: Growing Plants for Health and Wellness

In an era where natural remedies are regaining popularity, medicinal herb gardens are becoming a symbol of holistic wellness. Whether you’re looking to create a soothing tea, craft a natural salve, or simply enhance your living space with aromatic plants, cultivating your own herbs can be both rewarding and therapeutic.

Articles of Interest

A Guide to Common Medicinal Herbs

For thousands of years, people have used herbs as medicine all over the world. In the U.S., the FDA controls the safe use of herbal supplements. But they are not as strictly controlled as prescription medicines. It's important to understand the herbs you're using. The quality of herbs also matters. Some companies add fillers. This helps to make their herbal supplements cheaper. But they may not work as well. Or they may cause side effects. Even if something is natural, it may not be safe.

Americans Gamble On Herbs As Medicine

Herbal medicine, the mainstay of therapeutics for centuries before modern purified drugs relegated it to the status of near-quackery, has in the last five years emerged from the fringes of health care with an astonishing flourish and now shows clear signs of joining the medical mainstream.

From garlic to parsley, new research reveals the herbs and spices Australians love most

Taste, flavour, aroma and adding visual appeal to meals were the main reasons why 97% of people added them to their meals. Health benefits was noted as the second most frequent reason. Others simply used herbs and spices when recipes called for them. And of course people’s cultural backgrounds was another reason for using herbs and spices.

Health benefits of herbs and spices: the past, the present, the future

Herbs and spices have a traditional history of use, with strong roles in cultural heritage, and in the appreciation of food and its links to health. Demonstrating the benefits of foods by scientific means remains a challenge, particularly when compared with standards applied for assessing pharmaceutical agents. Pharmaceuticals are small-molecular-weight compounds consumed in a purified and concentrated form. Food is eaten in combinations, in relatively large, unmeasured quantities under highly socialised conditions. The real challenge lies not in proving whether foods, such as herbs and spices, have health benefits, but in defining what these benefits are and developing the methods to expose them by scientific means.

Herbs & Health

Herbs have been an integral part of traditional medicine in various cultures around the world for centuries. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients that offer a wide range of health benefits.

Herbs and Supplements: Are They Safe? Do They Work?

Herbs and supplements are considered safe till proven otherwise but reporting adverse effects is problematic. So, one major difference, and I can't stress this enough, is that dietary supplements are considered safe until proven unsafe. They don't have to go through any clinical trials. They aren't approved by the FDA. Whatever is in the bottle is considered safe unless someone has an adverse effect and reports it. There is nothing that requires a customer to report an unexpected side effect, unlike with prescription medications where the medical providers have to report all the adverse effects that occur.

Herbs for Body, Mind and Spirit in Challenging Times

Six categories of herbs — Nervines, Nutritives, Adaptogens, Microbial balancing, Immuno-supportives and Respiratory herbs — support healthy immune function by promoting proper nutrition, adequate sleep, a resilient nervous system and protection against unwanted bugs.

Herbs that enhance your health

Herbs are the green, leafy parts of a widespread group of plants that are fragrant or aromatic. Because different herbs have strong smells, tastes and/or therapeutic properties, they are often used for cooking, medicinal purposes, in fragrances and more.

How one divisive herb became an essential part of Thai cooking

Because coriander is so ubiquitous in Thailand today, it’s easy to forget it’s actually from the Mediterranean and Middle East. In Egypt, where it’s considered sacred, researchers have found evidence of its cultivation dating back to 5000 BCE. It was brought to Thailand via the ships of European traders, in the same way chillies arrived here.

How to Not Kill Your Supermarket Herbs Days After Buying Them

Overall, De Marco says it’s better to give herbs too little water rather than too much, since they usually have thin roots which rot easily. You should make sure the soil can drain properly and that it’s not soaked before you water it again. If the plant’s leaves are turning yellow and then wilting, that’s a sign you’re overwatering them.

Rosemary has been linked to better memory, lower anxiety and even protection from Alzheimer’s

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), the aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean, has long been treasured in kitchens around the world. But beyond its culinary charm, rosemary is also gaining recognition for its impressive health benefits, especially when it comes to brain health, inflammation and immune function.

What's The Difference Between A Spice And An Herb?

In broad terms both herbs and spices come from plants but herbs are the fresh part of the plant while spice is the dried root, dried stalk, seed or dried fruit of the plant and is almost always dried not fresh. Both herbs and spices add flavour to the dish, however herbs are more subtle while spices have stronger flavour. When it comes to usage during cooking, herbs are preferred to add a delicate, light flavour compared to spices. When using dried herbs, it’s best to add them towards the end of cooking to maximise flavour.

Resources

5 herbs and plants that can help improve your respiratory health

From breaking up phlegm to fighting off inflammation, there are many ways how these herbs can benefit the lungs

7 wild herbs you can forage in the UK

The UK’s green spaces are bursting with plants that add fascinating flavours to dishes. You just have to know what can be eaten — and where to look.

9 Best Herbs for Good Health to Support Your Well-Being

If you’re looking for an effective way to support balance for your body and mind, turn to herbs for good health that have a long history of use.

Five Unique Ways to Use Herbs (Fresh and Dried!)

I love herbs! They are full of flavor and nutrients. You already know how they can be used in cooking to season foods without adding salt and fat, but did you know fresh and dried herbs can be used for...