With all the different wonderful herbs out there, how is one able to get them in their body? I am not a pill popper, so taking a pill for every conditions is not an option. So now what?
Food!
Herbs right in your cupboard!
Yep, it all starts right in your spice cabinet. Many of the everyday spices we use are essential to a healthy diet. Not only do these herbs add taste to dishes, but they all have properties to improve your health and body work to its fullest potential.
With fall here, this is a very easy way to get herbs in your body and your families bodies that will help fend off colds and the flu. Thyme is an expectorant, which helps clear the lungs of mucas and other unwanted materials. Garlic is a must for this time of year. It helps boost the immune system to help fight viruses, like the flu. It is best taken raw with a little honey, but is still pretty strong, so garlic supplements will do. Cooked garlic doesn’t have the same drive as in the raw form, but can still be used to help.
Another herb commonly found in kitchen pantries is ginger. This herb has many healthy benefits, but is great for colds as well. Like Thyme, it is also an expectorant. It also works great for coughs because of its antimicrobial and pain relieving properties. Here is a great Ginger Candy recipe that I found on LearningHerbs.com that helps with coughs and is very easy to make. But remember, this “candy” is medicine and should be taken as such.
Parsley is an herb that is often thought of as an ornament on your plate. I remember being told by someone a long time ago that it was for looks only and I wasn’t supposed to eat it. Boy, were they wrong! Parsley is very beneficial in so many ways. It is great for your immune system, fights inflammation, contains anti-oxidants and is a good detox. Parsley is also good for your blood vessels and heart because it contains folic acid, which helps monitor homocysteine, a naturally occurring amino acid in our body, which too much of it can harm blood vessels and the heart.
My latest batch of tabbouleh
This year I had an abundance of parsley and was wondering how to use it in large quantities. I found this delicious recipe, called Parsley Tabbouleh (also from LearningHerbs.com). It makes a great side dish and lasts for a few days in the refrigerator. I personally thought it tasted better the next day after letting all the ingredients work together.
As you can see, you don’t have to empty your food cabinet and re-fill with healthy herbs. They are all ready there. Just start incorporating them in your everyday cooking, and you’ll be on your way to a healthier life.
