If you’re anything like us then you love herbs. (Not those herbs.) But you’re always looking for the specialty cocktail that’s garnished with a sprig of rosemary or includes basil and you look forward to the moment you can begin adding herbs to whatever delicious dish you’re cooking for dinner. But did you know herbs do a lot more than just look good in a cocktail, taste great, and smell divine? We’ve put together a quick-read guide about herbs and their powerful health benefits. Let’s dive in!
Cinnamon
(image via: istock)
Ahh, cinnamon. We love it in a number of baked goods from pies to coffee cakes, we love it in a number of our favorite drinks we order at our local coffee shop, and the slightest whiff takes us to a pumpkin patch on a cool fall day, but did you know that cinnamon is particularly effective at lowering blood sugar? That’s right, cinnamon can slow down the breaking down of carbohydrates in the digestive tract and improve insulin sensitivity.
Turmeric
If you’re someone that struggles with inflammation, then we have some great news for you regarding turmeric. Research tells us that turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic benefits, but the great of these? Anti-inflammatory.
Peppermint
(image via: istock)
If you’re a hot person, then you probably struggle with IBS and that’s okay because peppermint is here to help with that as well as nausea. You can opt for peppermint tea or even peppermint oil a la aromatherapy to relieve any symptoms you may be having.
Echinacea
This supplement is great to have on hand for cold and flu season since it’s best known for combatting the common cold and making that immune system extra strong. Echinacea is great for a number of conditions including upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, the flu, inflammation, ear infections, and yeast infections.
Rosemary
(image via: wikimedia)
A personal favorite of ours around here, rosemary has been proven to prevent allergies, perfect for this time of year, and helps our noses be less ~congested~. For what it’s worth, rosemary is also really aromatic and easy to grow and tastes great on pretty much everything, so growing a small amount in your kitchen is never a bad idea.
Parsley
Parsley is chock full of antioxidants that support both a healthy body and immune system. So the next time you’re adding fresh parsley to your pasta, go ahead and add a little (or a lot) extra. It’s good for you. We said so.