Complete Guide To Herbs For Health

Welcome to the fantastical world of herbs and they many uses. For the latest articles on the health benefits of herbs, see are Herb Guide. Also See are LIST OF HERBS for detailed information on the most commonly available herbs and their medicinal uses. 

Everyone accepts that eating plenty of fruit and vegetables brings health benefits – yet the powerful healing and protective properties of another class of plants – herbs – are often overlooked. Many herbs, some of which are found in many kitchens and can be easily grown in your garden, can be of great benefit in keeping your body in good shape and helping you to ward off the effects of many unpleasant conditions.

Protecting Your Body With Herbs For Health

Herbs have been used for many centuries as natural remedies, but far from being replaced by conventional medicine, many are increasingly being recognised for their remarkable powers in fighting against illness and disease. Some examples are:

• Arthritis symptoms – the terrible pain that arthritis can cause is a result of inflammation in your joints. Essential oils found in many herbs help to counteract the effects of the enzyme responsible for this, bringing significant relief. These oils also help with other inflammatory conditions.
• High blood pressure and cholesterol – it’s well-known that these are major risk factors for strokes and coronary heart disease. One good way of reducing them is by using herbs, such as garlic, which contain the compound allicin. Thankfully for your loved ones, odourless garlic capsules are now available!
• Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease – while this condition cannot yet be cured, there is evidence to suggest that its onset can be delayed by the use of herbs which contain high levels of antioxidants. A particularly strong candidate is curcumin, which is contained in turmeric.
• Preventing infection – some people believe that certain herbs can act as natural antiseptics, as well as helping to preserve food. Both sage and thyme were used in this way before homes had fridges to keep meat fresh, and the herbs were considered to avoid sickness when that meat was consumed.

This is only a small selection of the huge range of ways in which herbs can be used. It’s not usually necessary to go searching for rare and expensive herbal remedies, either: the most effective herbs include some of the most common, in many cases, you can easily grow yourself.

Common Herbs With Health Giving Powers

• Basil, which has been used in Mediterranean cooking for centuries, is a wonderfully versatile herb. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help protect against conditions like osteoarthritis, while it is also commonly used to calm the digestive system. There is even a possibility, still being investigated, that it may help protect against some forms of cancer. Oh, and it tastes wonderful in just about any dish!
• Cinnamon has extremely high levels of oxidants, which can help in reducing blood sugar levels while making insulin more effective. This makes it a particularly good option for diabetic people. It also has a calming influence on the digestive system, which can reduce feelings of sickness and nausea, while its calcium, iron and manganese help fortify your blood.
• Dill is another excellent choice for settling your stomach, as well as containing a rich mixture of nutrients. It does have to be treated carefully, because many of its advantages are lost if it’s cooked at too hot a temperature. It therefore works best on salads, or added after cooking to fish and chicken dishes.
• Mint isn’t only good for brewing up a cup of peppermint tea, refreshing as that is!. This herb – one of the easiest to grow yourself – is another that eases digestive problems and brings a general feeling of cleanliness to go with its distinctive, fresh smell. Of course, peppermint oil is also an excellent breath freshener, which is why most toothpaste are mint-flavoured!

And they taste great, too!

This article concentrates on the herbs for health benefits that herbs can bring, but you can’t overlook their sheer versatility in the kitchen. After all, eating well is a large part of staying healthy, and it’s easier to eat well if the food you prepare is tasty! Best of all, you can enjoy delicious meals while helping your body to stay in good shape. Here are a few tips:

• Soups and sauces can be given an extra touch by adding whole herb leaves to add a tangy edge to their flavour. Mint, parsley and basil all work very well as garnishes, though don’t be afraid to experiment a little until you find the perfect blend.
• Tea there’s also many type’s of tea that can be prepared with herbs. One of the most popular herbal teas is ginger tea.
• Salads, whether of the fruit or savoury variety, can sometimes be a tad on the bland side if served plain. Adding a sprinkling of finely chopped herbs will give extra depth and richness to the taste. Try a handful of chives on a potato salad to balance out the vegetables’ naturally good.
• Meat and fish dishes can be made into something memorable by the careful addition of a few herbs. A beef stew is all the better for a few sprigs of rosemary or a few bay leaves mixed in. With salmon, use a gentle herb like dill or thyme to avoid overwhelming the natural flavour.

Herbs for Health and Wellbeing

Herbs used for healing and wellbeing purposes have been around for thousands of years. Are ancestors discovered by trail and error which herbs had the best medicinal properties. Lots of these herbs and the phytochemicals they contain have many beneficial effects on long-term human health. They can be used very effectively to treat many human conditions. Over 12,000 compounds have been isolated by scientists, not all these compounds are useful for medicinal purposes.

This however is just scratching the surface of plant herbs as these 12,000 compounds are only 10% of what has been researched so far. Meaning the scientific community still has no knowledge of the other 90% of useful compounds found in herbs.Herbs such as sage and peppermint provide long for a special flavor and its healing effect has been well-studied.

Around 600 medicinal herbs are processed into powders and even pills, but there’s nothing like the fresh herbs. Many recent studies show that it is precisely the mixture of phyto-chemicals, essential oils and vitamins which makes the bio-availability. And that is, an extract can not be used in the same manner as the whole plant body. The varied herbs kitchen scores with the total care that keeps us healthy. But it’s worth it, even for special complaints, increased to spice up with special herbs or infuse a medicinal tea. All culinary herbs you can now buy fresh at the supermarket or in horticulture. Herbs even have Natural Antibiotic qualities.

Below you will find a list of wildly available herbs for health: For full information on the herbs visit the accompanying articles…

List of Herbs That Are Good For You:

• Basil, Only use fresh basil and not cooked, then it helps in stomach problems and constipation.
• Dill, know for many of cucumber salad. It helps against indigestion. Even more than drinking tea against insomnia.
• Tarragon, A classic of French cuisine, a typical spice about the bearnaise sauce. The bitter substances contained in it stimulate digestion and the mixture of ingredients helps keep your metabolism going.
• Cress, The seedlings of garden cress you get in a bowl in the produce department. They should also be used fresh. Its high content of vitamin C, iron, calcium and folic acid are good for us. It;s stimulating, if you feel tired.
• Oregano, Both are much too valuable as a pure pizza seasoning. The healing effect already know to Hippocrates and put the herb for birth acceleration. It acts as an excellent tea against stomach and intestinal cramps.
• Parsley, Meanwhile, the version with the popular smooth leaves, when it loses its flavor cooked. The high vitamin C content strengthens the immune system, has a calming effect on the stomach and intestines.
• Peppermint, is used both fresh and dried. As a tea, it knows every child, but also goes well with lamb dishes. Effect: relieves nausea, antispasmodic.
• Rosemary, is good cooked and also dried usable. As tea: calms the nerves with headaches, stress and depression, also good for circulatory disorders. The essential oils are also used in Aromatherapy, are antispasmodic and expectorant.
• Sage, tolerates heat. As a medicinal herb, it is diverse in its effect: as a tea for sore throat, calms the stomach with antibiotic therapy and helps fight excessive sweating. The study’s show it even fights cancer, according to research at by scientists.
• Chives, best always fresh consume. You can freely eat the flowers. In addition to vitamin C, it contains much of the “eyes” Vitamin A. It looks like all leek varieties antibacterial, diuretic and helps prevent hardening of the arteries.
• Thyme, can be used fresh or dried and pour the tea. Special ingredient: essential oils. Has a beneficial effect on the respiratory organs, such as cough, asthma and colds. lemon – use fresh leaves. As tea well in falling asleep and generally to calm, different ingredients help prevent infections.

A brief note of caution

Although many herbs can have remarkably powerful health-giving effects, it’s always wise to be careful. It’s important to consult a professional if you are considering using a new herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant or if you are intending on using it to combat a chronic medical condition.

On this site you will find all the information you need on finding and using herbs for health, ENJOY.