Herbs add flavour and enhance the blandest of meals but how many of you are aware that they have contain health and medicinal properties that can contribute a great deal to your daily wellness levels. Dried or fresh ! They are easy to add to EVERY meal whether in smoothies, salads, soups or sprinkled onto raw or cooked meals.
It is time to develop your own medicine cabinet in your own back yard with a highly nutritional herb garden to alleviate a wide range of symptoms.
So here are five herbs (out of a list of hundreds) but use this list as a basis to start or even start growing some in the garden. These ones I have selected are particularly easy to incorporate into your daily meals.
OREGANO
This herb is familiar to nearly everyone but actually has MORE flavour dried than fresh. So a great store cupboard essentials. Very easy to grow in a pot in your garden.
BENEFITS
Antibacterial defending the body against bacteria in the gut and the skin. A high content of manganese, calcium, vitamin k and fibre therefore an ideal herb to detoxify the body by assisting the liver function. Also excellent for bone health very useful in later life for protection against osteoporosis. A natural form of Omega 3 fatty acids can rebalance cholesterol and help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
DIET
Great with pasta particularly good with tomato based sauces in its dried form. Or incorporate into homemade burgers including vegan ones.
ASHWAGANDA
This ancient herb I take in the form of a powder EVERY morning in my smoothie. It has very powerful properties and is an important herb in Ayurvedic medIcine.
BENEFITS
There have been many studies that have proven that this herb substantially reduces anxiety and depression and is great for menopause symptoms. reduces cortisol levels if over stressed. Also reduces inflammation. I credit Ashwaganda to significantly alleviating my arthritis. Many studies also link this powerful herb with reducing cancerous tumours when taken regularly. Although I cannot personally lay claim to this it is worth adding this to your diet to see if it is of benefit to you.
DIET
I buy this in powder form and add to my smoothies and green juice every single day. Or add it to your soups.
MINT
This is so easy to grow even I can grow it . Right now I have an abundance of mint in my garden for my daily use.
BENEFITS
The benefits of mint are widely documented. It is uplifting and a fantastic aid to digestion and bloating. Can really help with IBS symptoms. Relieve congestion from colds and bronchitis. Mental clarity and of course mask bad breath.
DIET
Great with boiling water as a mint tea. Fresh leaves incorporated into salads both savoury or fruit salads. Try to introduce after meals. This leaf is more potent fresh and unbruised as opposed to dried but easily picked fresh straight from your herb garden you are now cultivating !
NUTMEG
Known as the sexy spice. Although considered a spice it actually is a seed from a herb the nutmeg tree that bears two fruit mace and nutmeg. Although a word of warning can be dangerous in large quantities as can be hallucinogenic and is actually banned in Saudi Arabia ! so we are just talking about a sprinkle here definitely no more than a teaspoonful. Great in a dried powder form and keeps for many months in the store cupboard.
BENEFITS
A nerve relaxant therefore excellent for inducing sleep and relaxation. Raises sexual libido and improves memory. swap the nightly glass of wine out for a sprinkle of nutmeg.
DIET
Perfect with spinach as an accompaniment to your evening meal. In a glass of hot milk before bed . Commonly used in the Ayurvedic ‘golden milk’. Sprinkle on coffee. Would tend to use this later in the day because of its relaxant properties.
PARSLEY
Native to the mediterranean light scented and fresh taste makes it very versatile and pretty much can be added to most dishes for maximum benefit raw or cooked. Also it is easy to grow in your own backyard. I have included it on this list for its ease of use and availability and its impressive nutritional value.
BENEFITS
Great source of vitamin A and C therefore making it high in anti oxidants so good for the blood and the skin. Helps protect the eyes and help prevent age related macular degeneration . Reduces water retention and neutralises bad breath.
DIET
Add to almost any food dried or fresh, raw or cooked. Add to green juice if suffering from puffiness or water retention or simmer with water then strain to make a tea. Or just chew on a fresh sprig for fresh breath and to neutralise odours such as garlic. This wonderful herb is often not given credit for its amazing nutritional value and is often overlook as just a piece of green garnish so do not push it to one side consume it.
WARNING: DUE TO THE HIGH POTENCY OF HERBS AND THEIR GENUINE EFFECTIVENESS DO NOT CONSUME IN LARGE QUANTITIES. LITTLE AND OFTEN IS THE KEY FOR MAXIMUM HEALTH BENEFITS.
MWAH MWAH XXXXXX
JOJO X
JOJOS STYLIST TIP: THERE ARE MANY MORE HERBS AND SPICES WITH INCREDIBLE HEALTH BENEFITS YOU HAVE TO SELECT WHAT YOUR BODY NEEDS RIGHT NOW. INSTEAD OF REACHING FOR THE MEDICINAL CABINET IN YOUR BATHROOM WHY NOT TRY THE ONE IN YOUR GARDEN AND SEE IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE !