6 Everyday Herbs for Health and Wellness
The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where we cook the food that sustains us, gather with friends and loved ones, the place we decorate with postcards, fridge magnets and mementoes from our lives. But did you know that your kitchen is also a veritable treasure trove of health-enhancing, wellness-boosting goodness? We’re not talking about fruits or vegetables — we already know they’re amazing for us. No, we’re talking about those humble, everyday herbs.
Herbs have been used for their medicinal properties for thousands of years. They feature in almost all ancient remedies and have long been praised for their healing, soothing and strengthening properties. Rich in nutritional value and bursting with flavour, herbs are the true superfoods.
In this post, we take a look at six everyday herbs that will boost your health and enhance your wellness.
1. Heart-Strengthening Rosemary
This spiky evergreen herb may be a common addition to the Sunday roast, but rosemary also has some serious health and wellness benefits. Rosemary packed full of rosmarinic acid — a substance proven to suppress nasal congestion and allergic reactions. It’s also known to boost your heart health. Rosemary contains an active ingredient called carnosic acid or carnosol — a powerful anti-inflammatory that helps with circulation and your cardiovascular system. So it keeps your heart happy!
How to incorporate into your diet or lifestyle:
Rosemary is one of the easiest herbs to incorporate into dishes. With a rich, fragrant aroma it matches perfectly with lamb, chicken and bean dishes.
Pro-tip: to take your standard french fries to the next level, sprinkle with rosemary, salt and parmesan!
2. Immunity Boosting Thyme
Do you constantly suffer from coughs and colds? Do you fall unwell at the merest hint of dreary, wet weather? It may be time to invest in some thyme. Thyme is loaded with cough-and-cold busting vitamin C and vitamin A, so it’s a great first line of defence against the common cold. Thyme is also known for its antibacterial properties and is often used to treat acne and skin inflammations.
How to incorporate into your diet or lifestyle:
This fragrant Mediterranean herb is a staple of French, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine. A great match with lamb and potatoes, our favourite is mix with rich olive oil to create a delectable flavoured oil.
3. Digestive Easing Mint
From freshening bad breath to easing digestion, mint has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years. And there are hundreds of varieties of mint out there.
Mint crops up in everything from toothpaste, tea, oils and balms — and for good reason. If you suffer from IBS, get regularly bloated, or experience frequent constipation, mint can help. Mint activates the salivary glands in your mouth, which secrete digestive enzymes that help to break down food and ease digestion. Mint is also said to help ease respiratory problems such as asthma. So get to chomping — mojito anyone?
How to incorporate into your diet or lifestyle:
Mint is delicious with everything from cheese to aubergine, fruit salads to cocktails. But our favourite way of incorporating more mint into your diet is through mint tea — especially when it’s homemade.
4. Cancer Fighting Parsley
The bright green leaves of parsley just look health-enhancing. Packed full of antioxidants and vitamins A and C, parsley is as good for you as it tastes. From boosting your immunity to keeping your skin glowing, there are dozens of reasons to incorporate more parsley into your diet.
Perhaps none are so appealing as its cancer-fighting properties. Parsley contains apigenin — a chemical said to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the body. Several studies even suggest it can reduce the size of tumours in breast cancer sufferers.
How to incorporate into your diet or lifestyle:
Parsley can be used as a garnish on a pasta dish or stew or part of a salad. Tabbouleh is a delicious middle eastern salad that uses parsley as its key ingredient. Parsley-based green smoothies will also deliver an intense health punch!
5. Memory-Enhancing Sage
Sage has enjoyed a far-reaching and long-held reputation as a health-enhancing, life-saving herb. The name “sage” derives from the Latin word Salvere, which means “to save.”
This super herb certainly lives up to the hype. Once used in the middle ages to prevent the spread of the Black Death, sage is now best known for its memory-enhancing and brain-boosting benefits. Several studies have proven sage can improve brain function and memory clarity in a range of people, particularly for those suffering from Altzheimers disease.
How to incorporate into your diet or lifestyle:
With its earthy flavour and strong aroma, sage is an easy herb to incorporate into hearty stews and sauces. Add a few leaves to roasted butternut squash, white bean soup or even your pasta sauce for an instant flavour and healthy boost. Or, why not try deep frying the leaves for an incredible garnish. You can also brew sage as a tea, using boiling water, sage leaves, and an optional dollop of honey.
6. Glowing Skin Giver Coriander
The origins of the name coriander may come from the Greek word “Koris” meaning “bed bug.” But don’t let that put you off. Coriander, or cilantro as its also known, is well and truly a super-herb! Packed full of vitamins and minerals, a small bunch contains all of your daily vitamin A, K and a healthy dose of vitamin C, potassium and manganese. Coriander is said to lower blood sugar levels and control cholesterol. It also has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which help to keep your skin glowing!
How to incorporate into your diet or lifestyle:
Coriander is fresh, citrusy and you can use it as a flavour-boosting garnish or a delicious additive to a whole host of meals. Often associated with Asian and Latin American cuisines, coriander matches perfectly with big, bold flavours and works a treat with acidic lime and creamy avocado! Don’t forget — the leaves and stalks are both edible, so there’s nothing to waste.
Herbs are nature’s remedies and there are hundreds of holistic therapies and treatments that incorporate the potent power of herbs. From Ayurveda to homoeopathy, browse our range of therapies and embrace health-enhancing, life-improving herbs into your wellness regime.