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9 Healing Herbs to Cook With




By Sara Novak, Planet Green

We’ve been told time and time again to eat our veggies but more often than not we tend to forget that  herbs   can be just as crucial for adding nutritional density to the foods we eat and even better, they add tons of flavor to all our favorite recipes.

If you’re a big fan of herbs then you know that they can be pricey so it’s best to  grow your own  whenever possible and it’s pretty simple.

Here are some of nature’s most healthy herbs. They make us feel good from the inside out from calming our nerves to settling our stomachs. If you’re not sure how to cook with them, we’ve got that covered too, with delicious recipes and techniques for putting your favorite herbs to good use.

9 Healing Herbs (Recipes Included)




1. Basil
Chefs the world over love basil and nutritionists agree. Basil is rich in  flavonoids  which prevent cell damage from both  radiation  and oxygen. Two of the main flavonoids are orientin and vicenin. Basil also provides vitamin K, iron, calcium, vitamin A, manganese, magnesium, vitamin C, and potassium.
Recipes: Heirloom, Mozzarella, and Fresh Pesto Stacks 
Homemade Spinac 


2. Ginger
Historically, ginger is known for being very effective for an upset stomach as well as nausea. Its antiviral components make it good for prevention and treatment of the common cold.
h Fettuccini with Pesto and Goat Cheese

3. Garlic
Studies have shown that garlic’s powerful antioxidants are great for preventing damaging free radicals as well as protecting against heart disease. It’s known to powerfully reduce  high blood pressure  as well.
4. Flat Leaf Parsley
Parsley is rich in vitamins, minerals, and  dietary fiber . These components are good for controlling blood cholesterol levels and preventing constipation. It’s also rich in antioxidants, specifically apiin, apigenin, crisoeriol, and luteolin. In fact, it’s known for having some of the highest levels of antioxidants.
5. Cilantro
Cilantro is known for its ability to pull toxins from the body. Often times when you’re doing a fast, you use cilantro atop your kitchari to remove pesticides and insectides from your system consumed from the non-organic foods that you eat.
6. Turmeric
A study reported on the  BBC found that turmeric kills cancer cells. Tests released by a team at the Cork Cancer Research Centre show  turmeric can destroy gullet cancer cells  in the lab within 24 hours. That’s no small deal. Now the question is, are you getting your fill?
The strong aroma of mint is very effective at providing relief in respiratory disorders resulting from asthma and colds. Mint is also good for promoting digestion so it’s ideal to eat before a meal.
Recipes:
8. Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an herb that is commonly used in the Mediterranean region of the world. It’s a good herb to reduce menstrual cramps, cholesterol, menopause symptoms, and help control diabetes.

9. Lavender
Lavender can calm your nerves and help with insomnia. It’s effective on bruises, insect bites, and is a disinfectant. The scent relaxes the body and mind so it’s great to enjoy if your nerves are frazzled or you’re having trouble getting to sleep.

source: care2.com
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