National Herbs and Spices Day

Ginger root

June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day, and, to celebrate, I wanted to take a look at the health benefits of about a dozen of them. This is just general information, and you should always look into them further and consult your physician before using them.

Aniseed - improves digestion; relieves nausea; helps with breast feeding, especially in increasing milk production; can ease nervousness; soothes coughs and sore throats; clears up congestion; and some think it's an aphrodisiac.

Cayenne Pepper - cleanses the body and detoxifies; stimulates circulation; improves digestion; clears congestion, as with colds and flu; eases sore throats and coughs; dulls the appetite and helps with weight loss; boosts metabolism; helps maintain normal levels blood pressure and cholesterol.

Cinnamon - stimulates appetite; aids with digestion; relieves indigestion; helps with diarrhea; balances blood sugar; helps circulation; high in antioxidants.

Cloves - soothes upset stomach and aids in digestion; eases coughs and loosens phlegm; helps get rid of harmful bacteria and parasites; use topically for toothaches.

Fresh cilantro or coriander

Coriander (cilantro) seeds - stimulates insulin and thereby lowers blood sugar levels; lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and raises HDL (good); natural antibiotic and especially helps fight samonella.

Cumin - high in iron and vitamin C; strengthens immune system; improves digestion; fights fungi; helps liver detoxify; relieves insomnia; high in anti-oxidants; may help fight cancer.

Ginger - (also see my blog of November 19, 2014) eases joint stiffness and arthritis pain; good for digestion; fights inflammation; contains anti-oxidants; eases nausea and can be used during pregnancy; protects against colon cancer; boosts immune system; may kill ovarian cancer cells.

Oregano - Rich in vitamin K and anti-oxidants; improves bone density; helps fight infection; useful in respiratory disorders; used for urinary tract problems; eases menstrual cramps; used topically for acne, dandruff, and to repel insects.

Rosemary - boosts memory and concentration; relieves stress; improves circulation; helps heartburn and indigestion; high in anti-oxidants; used topically to stimulate hair growth.

Sage - enhances memory; reduces inflammation; lowers cholesterol; eases hot flashes.

Thyme bundle

Thyme - fights bacteria, especially in respiratory infections; helps acne and candida; may help reduce blood pressure; may help fight breast and colon cancers.

As you can see, all these spices and herbs have multiple benefits, and many of them help with digestion. So, you may want to consider spicing up your foods.

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