Culinary herbs are used not only to add flavour to the food we eat, but also to enhance the health properties of our nutrition. Many of the culinary herbs, as you will see below, have many nutrients such as antioxidants or oils with antibacterial and antiseptic properties. So if you consume these herbs on a regular basis, they can work together with other foods to enhance your health in many aspects, such as improving digestion, diuretic aid, helping to lower the risk of heart diseases and more. So start now to add a variety of culinary herbs for your health!
Below you can find the top 10 culinary herbs for your health and how to use them in your daily diet:
1. Parsley
Parsley is rich in antioxidants that helps to relieve congestion and inflammation in the kidneys and bladder. It has a diuretic effect, and is also an effective remedy for constipation. It also serves as a general tonic for the body and helps digestion. It is rich in vitamin K that supports healthy bones. You can add parsley to your daily diet by adding it to omelets, mashed potatoes, vegetable, fish and rice dishes, or meat patties. You can chew it at the end of a meat to prevent bad breath and help digestion.
2. Oregano
Oregano contain oils that have antioxidant effect. These oils also have antibacterial and anti fungal properties. Oregano helps to ease menstrual cramps and abdominal pain. It’s also diuretic and helps clear mucus, so it can be helpful in cases of colds, flu, headaches and respiratory problems. Use oregano in pasta sauces and salad dressings, in vegetable, fish or chicken dishes, use it with eggs or cheese. You can add it to stews but add it at the end of cooking to keep its health benefits.
3. Coriander
Coriander seeds have been used in some parts of the world to treat insomnia and anxiety because of its sedative effects. Coriander is also known to promote good memory and is also effective in reducing allergic reactions such as hay fever. It has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties and is a powerful detoxifying agent of harmful substances such as lead and mercury. Other benefits include regulating insulin levels, reducing cholesterol and relieving headaches. Coriander is best added to dishes just before serving, as heat can reduce its potency. Add it to meat and fish dishes, salsas, salads, dips, sauces, rice and bean dishes.
4. Thyme
Thyme helps to clear mucus, hence is useful in cases of asthma, bronchitis, cold, cough, flu and sinus infection. It helps digestion, a general tonic and antioxidant. You can make a tea from it to treat sore throat and gum disease as it has anti bacterial effect. Thyme is also helpful to treat colic in babies, and excess wind in kids and adults. Use fresh thyme in sauces, marinades, stocks, stuffing, stews and casseroles. Add to meat dishes to ease digestion, or use is vinegars and herb oils. Drink a tea made of 1 tsp of dried thyme (or 2 fresh thyme) steeped in 3/4 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes.
5. Tarragon
Tarragon has a long history of use as a temporary remedy for a toothache and sore gums.It may help to calm an upset stomach caused by stress and improve digestion. It has antioxidant properties, as well as antibacterial and anti fungal properties. Tarragon is used to treat digestion problems, poor appetite, water retention and to promote sleep. Tarragon is used in French cooking and is delicious in salad dressings and in sauces. When using tarragon in cooked dishes, it is best to add it at the end, as heat tends to decrease its flavour. Tarragon is particularly suitable for chicken, fish and egg dishes.
6. Dill
Dill has diuretic and antibacterial effects that are helpful to treat bladder infections. It has calming anti inflammatory effect on the digestive tract, and helps to treat colic and upset stomach. Some studies suggest it may also help to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels. You can use both the seeds and fresh herb. The herb goes well with seafood, or make a tea, scatter on salads, potatoes and steamed vegetables. You can add the seeds to soups, casseroles or scatter on vegetables and rice.
7. Rosemary
Rosemary contains antioxidants, anti inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It helps to reduce inflammation, lower the risk of asthma, liver disease and heart disease. You can use it in a tea or gargle to heal gum disease and sore throat. Rosemary also contain oils that calm the nerves and ease upset stomach. Use rosemary to infuse meats before or while they cook, add to potatoes when roasting them, to vegetables, or in infused oil and vinegars. If you want to prepare a tea, brew 1 tsp of dried rosemary (or 2 tsp fresh herb) in 3/4 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes.
8. Basil
Basil eases digestion and can be a good remedy for headaches and insomnia. The oil in the leaves has an anti inflammatory effect on the digestive tract and the joints. It’s also a mild diuretic and contains antioxidants. Use fresh basil to scatter on dishes, tomato salads, soups, eggs, rice and pasta or make a pesto sauce.
9. Mint
The oil in mint has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that relieve indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and soothing upset stomach. It also strengthen the nervous system and helps to relieve headaches. You can use mint by mixing it into dressings, chutney or yogurt to serve with spicy foods like curries. You can scatter it on salads, potatoes and peas. For tea, steep 1 tsp dried mint (or 2 tsp fresh mint) in 3/4 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes.
10. Sage
Sage is used in women’s health to treat heavy or irregular periods and relieving menopausal symptoms (see the great recipe for sage and raspberry leaf tea for hot flashes). It is also effective to treat rheumatism, catarrh, excessive sweating and upset stomach. It also has a mild diuretic effect. Its antioxidants may help to improve memory and concentration levels. Use sage in herbal teas, add to salads, soups and stuffing for meats. You can also season many dishes with dry sage leaves combined with sea salt dishes.
If you are interested in the health benefits of herbs, as well as natural and herbal remedies, you can find more useful information in the Herbal Remedies Guide. This guide will teach you how to treat common ailments using herbs:
Herbal Remedies Guide
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