Healthy herbs nutrition facts

Healthy herbs have long held an important place in our wellness. Prized since ancient times, and today we even more depend on them to purify our body, mind, and soul!

Of course, we all use herbal parts in our daily lives, one way or the other, whether for their fragrance, for their healing power, or in lovely recipes.

Herbal benefits are many; be it for spiritual reasons or to spice up your taste buds, or as a home remedy for your sore throat... herbs are handy for every need! Although, the herbs been in use in our diet since antiquity, only recently have taken the center-stage of nutrition scientific world for their potential health benefiting and detoxification properties.


mediterranian basilaloe-vera plant
Mediterranean sweet basil
Aloe vera plant

healthy herbs
Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
Photo courtesy: NatalieMaynor


Why herbs in our diet...?  Health benefits of herbs

  • Herbs contain unique anti-oxidants, essential oils, vitamins, phyto-sterols and many other plants derived nutrient substances, which help equip our body to fight against germs, toxins and to boost immunity level. Herbs are, in fact, medicines in smaller dosages.

  • Essential oils in herbs have been found to have anti-inflammatory function by inhibiting the enzymecyclooxygenase (COX), which mediates inflammatory cascade reactions in the body. The enzyme-inhibiting effect of essential oils in herbs makes it an important remedy for symptomatic relief in individuals with inflammatory health problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteo-arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions like ulcerative colitis.

  • Many unique compounds in the herbs have been found to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics.

  • Controlled-epidemiological studies have shown that certain compounds in garlic like those that thiosulfinates (allicin) can bring significant reduction in total cholesterol and in blood pressure and thereby helps prevent coronary artery disease and stroke risk.

  • Curcumin, together with other antioxidants in the turmeric, has been found to have anti-amyloid and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it is thought to be effective in preventing or at-least delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

  • The volatile oils, vitamins, and antioxidants in the herbs have cytotoxicity action against prostate, pancreatic, colon, endometrial etc., cancer cells.

  • The chemical compounds in the herbs have been found to be anti-spasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, analgesic, aphrodisiac, deodorant, digestive, antiseptic, lipolytic (fat and weight loss action), stimulant and stomachic actions when taken in appropriate dosage.


Here is the complete list of healthy herbs with their
health benefits, nutrition value, culinary and medicinal uses:

 basil  
     Basil herb
     borage
      Borage
     burdock root 
  Burdock root
celery
      Celery
       chives
     Chives
   cilantro
Cilantro (coriander)
     dandelion   
   Dandelion
    dill
    Dill weed
     epazote
     Epazote
  garlic 
        Garlic
   ginger 
      Ginger
  lemongrass 
  
   Lemongrass
   oregano herb 
    Oregano
  parsley 
     Parsley
   peppermint
   Peppermint
    rosemary 
  Rosemary herb
  garden sage or common sage 
     Sage
  summer savory
     Savory
     spearmint-herb 
   Spearmint
   stevia rebaudiana plant 
     Stevia
   sweet-marjoram
Sweet marjoram
   tarragon  
    Tarragon
     thyme 
   Thyme herb
     turmeric 
     Turmeric

Culinary herbs

Herbs are a great addition to food, not just because, they add special flavor and spicy taste to our food, but also they contain many anti-microbial substances that help keep our food protected from these agents. Healthy herbs are used in small amounts while preparing recipes; actually, they provide flavor rather than substance to food.


Here are some serving tips:
  • Fresh leaves are being used in the preparation of soups and herbal sauces.

  • Chopped, fresh herb leaves can impart richness to vegetable as well as fruit salads.

  • Along with other spicy items, selective healthy herbs are being used to enhance the flavor and taste of vegetable, chicken, fish and lean meat dishes.

  • Some herbal leaves and plant parts are increasingly been used as popular flavor drinks.

 

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