Part one
Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years for their medicinal properties and healing powers.
Chinese medicine relies heavily on natural ingredients for health and vitality—with good reason.
Herbs and spices are commonly used to add flavor to food, but many people don’t realize that adding these tiny touches of flavor also boosts the nutritional value of your favorite dishes.
Certain herbs and spices have been researched and proven effective in their inflammation-reducing, cancer-preventing, immune-boosting and antiaging properties. These 10 little powerhouses of healthy goodness may already be sitting in your pantry or your fridge, so start spicing up your food for better health!
- Turmeric. Turmeric contains a powerful compound called curcumin, which has incredible anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties, according to studies. It has shown positive results in improving symptoms of several types of chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and autoimmune diseases.
Curcumin is so effective that it is even sold as capsules for supplementation. Thousands of studies were conducted to determine the health benefits of curcumin with the same results—curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. It reduces oxidative stress and fights cancer.
- Oregano. Oregano is a popular herb used in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine. In the United States, it is primarily used as pizza seasoning in its dried form.
Oregano is full of important nutrients, including vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as fiber, folate, iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium. Even though it’s packed with vitamins, oregano’s potency can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Oregano possesses two antimicrobial phytochemicals called carvacrol and thymol.
Oregano essential oil has been researched extensively for its antimicrobial effects and is proven effective against many kinds of bacteria, including E. coli,S. aureus, Salmonella, Listeria, and others.
Due to its antiviral activity, oregano is also useful in relieving symptoms related to upper respiratory infections. Because of its high concentration of antioxidants, oregano is also a powerful anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting herb.
- Garlic. Raw garlic is one of the most popular and most powerful foods out there. The number of health benefits it provides is simply astounding, and it has become a fundamental ingredient in every type of cuisine, including Asian, European, African, Latin American and North American foods.
Garlic is not quite an herb or a spice—yet it’s rarely eaten on its own. This special vegetable deserves its own category.
Garlic contains a ridiculous amount of antioxidant activity. One of the compounds garlic contains, called allicin, is celebrated for its vast health benefits. Allicin is only released from the garlic when it is finely chopped, chewed or crushed in its raw form.
Garlic has been known to treat and prevent cardiovascular and heart problems, including atherosclerosis, elevated cholesterol levels, thrombosis and hypertension (high blood pressure). Eating raw garlic regularly can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
In addition, garlic is known for the following health benefits:
- Wards off the common cold and viral and bacterial infections;
- Prevents cognitive decline and improves symptoms of dementia;
- Treats diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels;
- Fights cancer; and
- Lowers inflammation.
- Ginger. Powerful herbs and spices are effective because of the potent compounds and antioxidants they contain. In this case, we’re focusing our attention on the main compound in ginger root called gingerol, which has powerful medicinal properties.
Gingerol acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in the body, reducing oxidative stress and lowering the risk of chronic disease and cancer.
One of ginger’s most powerful and effective benefits, however, is its ability to reduce nausea and vomiting. Since ginger is perfectly safe, it can be used to treat nausea in pregnant women and in people who are immunocompromised, including cancer and AIDS patients.
In addition, ginger may be effective in treating menstrual pains, stomach ulcers, menopause symptoms, fungal infections, muscle pain, cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation and cancer. On top of all that, it may even improve brain function and treat symptoms of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
- CBD. Once a taboo issue, medical marijuana and cannabis products are emerging from the shadows and are slowly becoming legalized across the US.
One of the compounds found in marijuana or cannabis—called CBD, or cannabidiol—is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, antiemetic and anxiolytic properties. It has shown powerful results in pain relief and with treatment of inflammation, anxiety, depression, cancer and nausea, as well as in psychiatric, seizure and neurological disorders.
(To be continued)
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