Health Benefits of Herbs, Spices
and Other Seasonings

When we add small amounts of herbs, spices and other seasonings to our foods, we are usually just interested in improving the taste. What we may not know is that we are adding powerful health benefits as well as taste.

Many of our favorite herbs and spices have powerful health properties, such as being :

antibiotic and antiseptic, thus protecting us from bacteria, fungi, and parasites

anti-inflammatory thus guarding heart health and relieving arthritis.

antioxidant, protecting us from the ravages of free radicals.

Let's make a pot of healthy chili: Use ground turkey, kidney beans and add these super seasonings.

Chili powder The active ingredient in chili peppers is capsaicin. Chili powder in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It is claimed to be an appetite suppressant (hint, hint) and a cancer fighter.

Garlic contains organosulfer compounds and the antibiotic, allicin. It is antioxidant and antibiotic. It reduces cholesterol, thins blood. It may fight cancer when combined with tomatoes. (Lots of good recipe ideas there.)

Onions protect against infection, builds immune system health, normalizes cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Rosemary contains camosol and rosarinic acid. It may fight cancer of breast, lungs, and skin. Use it when grilling meat to reduce the forming of carcinogens, heterocyclic amines. (Rosemary’s pine-like flavor is good in stuffing.)

Turmeric contains a potent phytochemical, curcimin. It is a cancer fighter, switching off proteins that causes cells to grow, inducing cancer cells to self-destruct. It may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, psoriasis, and arthritis. (If you like Indian food, curry powder contains turmeric.)

The active ingredients in Oregano are quercertin and rosmarinic acids, powerful antioxidants protecting against breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Cumin is an antioxidant which lowers blood cholesterol levels. It may protect against stomach ulcers and gastric cancer by killing H. pylori bacteria. (Add it to Mexican foods, meats, scrambled eggs.)

Cinnamon is antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.. It relieves arthritis, improves blood glucose levels, lowers cholesterol, is a blood thinner, and helps digestion. Wow! (Add cinnamon to coffee grounds for a morning treat. Add it to oatmeal along with blueberries and skim or soy milk for a power breakfast.)

Nutmeg lowers cholesterol, increases circulation, joint pain, gout, and indigestion.

Cloves are anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant, helping to relieve asthma, bronchitis, and muscle pain, and eliminates parasites, fungi, and bacteria.

Ginger relieves intestinal gas, morning sickness and boosts the immune system.

Peppermint soothes the digestive tract, relieves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and protects against cancer.

For a more comprhensive look and herbs and spices go tohttp://www.natures-health-foods.com/herbs.html


Herbs and Spices---Superfoods!
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