We all use herbs for the amazing effect they have on our food’s taste, but there’s more than just flavour in these delicious plants.
Herbs are not only the perfect natural solution for seasoning, but they also provide us with a full range of nutrients and minerals that can have positive effects on our health.
Here are five herbs to improve your meals and help you get more benefits from your eating habits:
- Rosemary. We use it to flavour meat and vegetables, but besides its distinctive flavour, this plant has a series of health benefits. It improves digestion and is also good for your immune system, being rich in anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants. As it contains carnosic acid, rosemary helps to fight against brain damage, prevent brain aging and can even improve memory. Studies have revealed that this plant can also help against some types of cancer, thanks to its anti-tumour properties.
- Fennel.
Used frequently in Mediterranean cuisine, you can eat this plant cooked and fresh, in salads. It has almost no calories and is rich in minerals. One bulb has 0.5 grams of fat, no cholesterol, about 28% of your daily dietary fibre intake, and important amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, and Vitamin A. It’s also good for your bones and blood pressure and, thanks to the potassium content, fennel consumption can reduce the risk of heart disease. Estrogen is also found naturally in fennel, which has positive effects over fertility and weight control for women. - Ginger. Often associated with Asian food, ginger is a great source of overall nutrition. This spicy plant is good for digestion, and eliminates intestinal gas by relaxing the intestinal tract. It has anti-inflammatory effects and can reduce pain, often used by people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Ginger also contains substances that reduce nausea, so it’s recommended during pregnancy, thanks to its lack of side effects. Ginger tea is a good source of energy for adults.
- Thyme.
This seasoning is good to flavour your meals (eggs, pasta, and fish) and to boost your immunity. Thyme is an excellent source of Vitamin C and contains significant amounts of Vitamin A. It also provides iron, magnesium, copper and fibre. Its antioxidant capacity makes it good for your brain, kidneys, and heart. Thyme has antimicrobial properties, so you can even add it in your salads to make sure your fresh food is safe to eat. Thyme is also used in treatments for bronchitis, sore throat, cough, and colic. - Mint. This plant contains rosmarinic acid, an antioxidant with positive effects on seasonal allergy symptoms. Mint is rich in calcium, potassium, iron and magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. It helps fight indigestion by improving the flow of bile through the stomach and is a natural stimulant for your brain, as well as a good remedy for depression and exhaustion. Mint tea is good if you have sore throat or a headache, and its anti-microbial agent helps refresh your breath.
All these herbs can improve your meals and healthy lifestyle when eaten in moderate quantities. Excess consumption can cause a series of side effects, depending on your health conditions and predisposition. If you follow any treatment, you should always ask a doctor before using any herb for therapeutic purposes, as they can interfere with your original treatment.
