AMAZING FACT: Surprising Health Benefits Of Herbs, Spices

I am sure you guys already heard good news about curry's great benefit in one's health. I am also sure that it's all because of the herbs and spices it has but I don't think everyone knows the actions of the specific ingredients. It's a good thing that M. L. Kiser from foxreno.com elaborated these benefits. Happy curry eating!


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Some pretty powerful medicines are right in your herb or spice cabinet. Common every day herbs such as garlic, parsley, basil, oregano, turmeric, curry, rosemary and thyme, among others, also have medicinal properties, as well as vital nutrients.

One way to benefit the most from these herbs is to pick them and cook with the fresh herbs. The nutrients and healing properties are at their most potent with fresh herbs. If you can’t get fresh herbs, try to purchase the more recently dried forms. You can get these online, as well as at farmer’s markets or your local health food stores or co-ops. The dried herbs still have some nutritive and medicinal value, but many pre-packaged herbs are often left with hardly any nutritional or health value at all.

Curry, curcumin, turmeric, better known as, “Indian Spices,”can greatly help with the circulation, blood pressure and work to prevent heart disease, among other benefits. They contain a host of strong antioxidants that build up your immune system and fight “free radicals.” “Free radicals” are unstable organic molecules that bond with other molecules that cause aging, damage to your tissues and a host of diseases.

Antioxidants can prevent these “free radicals” from doing harm to your health. Most herbs have some powerful anti-oxidants, which is one of the reasons that more and more people are turning to the use of herbs for healing.

Circumin is an ingredient in turmeric that is not only an antioxidant, but has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well. It’s the ingredient that gives turmeric its yellow coloring.

Turmeric, the ground-up roots of a shrub from tropical areas like India and Asia, has been used in India for centuries as a whole body cleanser. It can help with digestion, treat fevers, infections, helps with gall bladder and liver problems, many types of arthritis pain, helps to burn fat and recently it has been discovered that it can help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and similar diseases.

It contains antiplatelet substances that can keep your blood from clotting easily, which is helpful for warding off heart disease. It has been found that it also lowers homocysteine levels, one of the signs of potential heart attack and helps to reduce oxidation of the plaque on the arterial walls.

Curry contains turmeric, but it also contains many other spices, so you may want to add turmeric to your diet along with curry for greater benefits. Do not use it if you are already on any blood-thinning medication, as it can increase the effects.

Garlic, considered both a vegetable and an herb, has powerful antioxidant, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral and anti-inflammant properties. It can ward off just about any ailment or disease including the common cold, many viruses and the flu. It has been shown to decrease the chances of many cancers, Parkinson’s and even Alzheimer’s disease. But its odor and flavor is every bit as powerful as its health benefits and for this reason many people shy away from this valuable little misunderstood gem of an herb.

The ancient Egyptians fed garlic to their slaves to keep them strong and healthy. It detoxifies the entire body, strengthens our blood vessels, helps our immune system functions and has even been shown to lower blood pressure.

Being antiparasitic, it can also be fed to your pets or the oil rubbed into their skin to ward off many pests like fleas. Used often in Italian, Indian and Asian cooking, this little wonder of the world is probably our body’s best friend.

Common basil, holy basil and sweet basil are super tasty herbs and very useful if you have pain such as arthritis pain, rheumatic pain and headaches, as well as disorders of the nervous system. It contains lots of iron and calcium and has been used to relieve the pain of bee stings, insect and snake bites. It can also calm an upset or nervous stomach and relieve nausea.

Garden sage is also known as salvia officianalis (this is not to be confused with the salvia divinorum that is used as a hallucinogenic; we are talking specifically about culinary sage). Although there are several types of edible sage, you should be certain of the variety that you are using.

Garden sages or culinary sages possess many vital nutrients such as vitamins and antioxidants like vitamins A, C, iron and calcium. Sometimes used to increase mental clarity, it can also relieve gas or bloat, help with indigestion and the circulation; it’s an anti-inflammant and can also be used to reduce any inflammation in the throat, mouth and tonsils. It can sooth the mucus membranes and even be used in a compress as it is also an anti-microbial.

Rosemary, an antiparasitic, antiseptic, antidepressant herb with vitamins A, C and iron, soothes the digestive system, helps to relieve headaches and stress related depression. It can also be used to treat muscle pain, neuralgia and sciatica. It helps with memory problems, fight fluid retention; is used to stimulate hair growth even promotes shinier hair. Those with medical conditions like seizure disorders should also be aware of the fact that rosemary and sage can increase seizure activity if used to often or in great amounts.

Wild marjoram oregano, an antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiseptic, antifungal and anti-parasitic herb can help to boost the immune system. It’s full of vitamins such as A, C, calcium and iron. It can be used to treat infections of the tooth, gum, mouth, sinuses, respiratory tract, helps with digestion and can increase the appetite. Used often in Italian recipes, this herb has a strong odor and flavor that can, if not used carefully, overpower the taste of just about any food. Just ½ of a teaspoon of fresh oregano daily has as many antioxidants as you would get in about 3 cups of spinach!

Dill -- it’s not just for pickles! It can relieve colic, gas, indigestion and actually increases the production of breast milk.

Thyme, an antiparasitic, antiseptic herb with vitamins A, C, and Iron, not only enhances the immune system's functioning, it also treats respiratory ailments, sore throats, bronchial problems, infections, whooping cough, asthma and many digestive problems. It also can relieve muscle tension and pain. Not only that, but you can also use it as an astringent!

One of the best diuretics in the world is parsley. Also loaded with antioxidants, calcium and iron, this common herb used in many soups, salads and casseroles can help to relieve water weight. It also helps with indigestion, colic, gas, is antiparasitic and helps with thyroid functioning.

It’s sometimes used to treat cancer, can be used to treat kidney problems and gall stones and sometimes used by women to aid with menstruation.

As for lemon balm, while it’s great for planting around patios and decks, because of its lemony scent, it also attracts beneficial bees and keeps away the nastier insects. It’s also a powerful herb for reducing anxiety, stress and it can help you to sleep.

Lemon balm can be used to lower blood pressure, treat fevers, infections and calms the digestive system.

Peppermint and spearmint are not only great tasting and great smelling herbs, but they will aid with digestive problems, calm heartburn and help relieve nausea. Plant them with your lemon balm around the patio, deck or porch for some great downwind aroma.

They can help to relieve chills, fevers, hives, headaches, colic, nausea and heartburn. Drinking these in tea form regularly will help to promote better digestion and stave off many digestive disorders. They are fantastic for baking and use in many candies.

Another spice that helps with digestive problems is ginger. This spice, used regularly, can strengthen the adrenal glands, promotes better lung functioning and can help with lowering the blood pressure. It’s tasty in baked goods and candies or even with oatmeal.

Cinnamon, like ginger, aids with digestive problems and helps to lower the blood pressure. Added to ginger on plain oatmeal with a little cane sugar or honey, this spice can really be of great health benefit. Just one teaspoon of cinnamon has the same amount of antioxidants that you would get in about 1 cup of pomegranate juice.

This wonderful tree bark, ground and eaten daily, according to studies, can help to reduce your blood sugar, lower triglycerides, balance your cholesterols, can reduce the chances of stomach ulcers and yeast infections and it can thin the blood, so if you are on a blood thinner already, you may want to check with your doctor before using therapeutic levels of cinnamon.

A great antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant, it’s much healthier if you don’t take it with sugar, but use stevia, cane sugar or honey instead for even more health benefits.

The bay leaf, used commonly in Mediterranean and Cajun dishes, can actually help you to fend off many cancers. A great source of vitamins A and C, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium and manganese, this slightly bitter-tasting plant is a powerful medicine for building the immune system.

Also an anti-inflammant, it can help relieve the pain of arthritis, rheumatism and more. An antifungal and antibacterial, it can also help diabetics by helping the body to process insulin in a more efficient manner. It’s helpful for digestive problems, warding of heart disease, digestive problems, for treating headaches and migraines, for urinary problems and helps with menstruation.In the past it was used to treat bee stings, insect bites, bruises, cuts and snake bites.

These are just a few of the common herbs and spices that are used in cooking every day. Used in small amounts daily, they can be of great benefit, and provide some extremely tasty dishes, but they do come with some warnings if you are already on medications (they can potentially interfere in the larger doses), so before you chock all of that cinnamon on your oatmeal or toast, make sure that it won’t interfere with medication that you are already taking.

Be safe and enjoy your meals.

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