A pinch here and a pinch there. What would meals be like without herbs and spices. Bland. That’s exactly what they would be.
But no matter how those sumptuous spices and herbs magically turn your favorite dishes from flat to flavorful, they do more than just tantalize your taste buds. They also bring a boatload of health benefits.
That’s right, those brightly colored powders and dried green flakes sprinkled into your foods have major medicinal qualities. Who knew herbs and spices were actually good for your health.
Here are 5 health benefits of spices and herbs formerly only thought to put a little pizazz in your provisions.
- Cinnamon – Actually the inner bark of a tree indigenous to Asia, cinnamon does much more than flavor hot cocoa. Regulating blood sugar, reducing cholesterol and reducing arthritis pain are only a few of its medicinal properties. Cinnamon is also a food preservative and helps control hormone levels.
- Anise – Just like the shining star it resembles, this powerful herb offers a constellation of positive health benefits. Not only does anise aid gastrointestinal problems, it helps alleviate respiratory illnesses and hormonal imbalances.
- Basil – One of the healthiest herbs known to man, just a handful of basil gives you 25% of the Vitamin K you need for a day. Basil also calms the stomach, alleviates colds, relieves headaches and helps level out blood sugar levels.
- Fennel – Known for its licorice-like taste, fennel is a host to countless antioxidants that help fight diseases of all kinds. In addition, fennel also helps reduce inflammation and can help prevent cancer.
- Dill – Before it was lightly sprinkled on foods as a pretty garnish, dill was relied on for thousands of years to be a strong pain reliever, aid in digestion and help with breathing conditions.
Next time you reach for that little shaker to sprinkle some life into your food, think about how it can improve your health. With more than 350 herbs and spices available – each with a variety of health benefits – investigate how your favorite flavor enhancer may also be enhancing your wellness.
Sources
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-surprising-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-anise.htm
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=23
http://wellnessmama.com/5505/10-uses-for-basil-leaf/
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