Overlooked Sources of Amazing Benefits

Are you looking for ways to step your healthy living game up or are you wanting to add a little bit more pizzazz to your meals? Then honey you have come to the right place! Herbs and spices are my go-to’s when flavoring foods. Most of us don’t consume herbs and spices in large quantities. Therefore, consuming them in small quantities can provide your body with so many nutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, cancer fighting constituents, vitamins, minerals, and many more.

Have you ever watched someone in a restaurant when the waiter brings out their food and notice that before the person even tastes their food they add more salt? Talk about sodium OVERLOAD! Do me a favor the next time you go to a restaurant just people-watch and see them do exactly what I just said, it may even be the person at your table!

Here you will find my top 5 herbs and spices that offer the most amazing health benefits.

1.Ginger

Ginger is such a versatile spice and very easy to use. You can get benefits from both fresh and ground ginger so no worries there. My favorite way to use ginger is in brewed teas. Most use it for an aching belly, nausea, or because of bloating, but ginger’s powerful benefits extend far beyond that.

Raw ginger is high in minerals like potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, niacin, and iron. As a vitamin you can get vitamin B6 and vitamin C from ginger and this makes it good for your immune system. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory and this is why it can help bring comfort to an upset stomach. Ginger can decrease inflammation which is associated with bloating. Additionally, it can help menstrual cramps. Ladies let’s all say Amen!!! Being that flu season is upon us, ginger tea is great for relieving symptoms that are associated with the flu.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another one that is super easy to use. Luckily, it’s slightly sweet, but so good for you! Because cinnamon is so versatile I use it in sweet and savory dishes. I especially love sprinkling cinnamon on a baked sweet potato and having some in a warm herbal tea blend before bed just to add in some extra benefits. Ground cinnamon tastes the best, but cinnamon sticks provide the same benefits. One of my favorite tricks to make my home smell good is to put together some cinnamon and citrus on the stove top on low. It will have your home smelling just like Fall.

Adding just one tablespoon of cinnamon a day to your healthy eating regimen can give your health a boost.

3. Parsley

As you may already know, most leafy greens are good for you. Parsley definitely runs with that group. Parsley is considered a super food because it is a source of antioxidants, vitamin A, C, K, folate (B vitamin) and iron. Parsley is also high in minerals such as calcium. Just like ginger parsley can help if you are feeling bloated because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, parsley acts as a natural diuretic and stimulates the kidney which can help you shed some water weight and reduce bloating. Finally, it is both antibacterial and anti-fungal.

My favorite way to use parsley in my meals is on roasted vegetables and in a chicken marinade. So yummy!

4. Rosemary

Once I am a home owner my plan is to have an herb garden and rosemary will definitely be on my list of herbs to grow. Rosemary looks beautiful, smells amazing, and tastes even better. How could you not love this green herb? Fresh rosemary will give you the most benefits, but you can still use it ground, or even as an essential oil.

Rosemary is high in vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and other B vitamins like folate and thiamin. The properties of rosemary make it great for gut health and digestion.

As an essential oil it is great for the skin, hair, and also sore spots. Not only is it soothing internally be also externally. It can help sooth dryness, dandruff, and most importantly healing. It is important for you to know that it is a good idea to dilute the oil when using it as a treatment. I also want to point out that rosemary has been used for a long time as a cognitive booster. Maybe adding a little into your diet can help you focus and give you overall mental clarity. Catch just a small whiff and watch your energy increase a little.

5. Cumin

Cumin is a staple spice in so many recipes that I prepare! Just the other day I made a Mexican brown rice and bean casserole and threw some cumin in just because I wanted to. It has a warm and earthy flavor that is perfect for many dishes. If you love tacos you know exactly what cumin tastes like. Especially if you make your own taco seasoning. If you are a taco enthusiast like me, you know exactly what I am talking about (who doesn’t like tacos?) Cumin tastes BOMB, and it’s GREAT for you.

Cumin is great for digestion like many other herbs and spices. Thymol is one of cumin’s main compounds and helps aid in bile, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes. Overall, this can improve effectiveness of digestion, naturally treat hemorrhoids, or even help prevent them.

Like my other favorite herbs and spices cumin acts as an antioxidant and contains vitamin E. Vitamin E is particularly good for healthy, glowing skin. Cumin is also pretty high in vitamin C, so like many spices on my list today, it can be a powerful immune booster. Lastly, cumin is anti-congestive, antiviral, and antibacterial. This means it is great for getting rid of infections and clearing up your airways if under respiratory stress.

Of course, there are so many herbs and spices out there that have many benefits to your health. I just wanted to share the ones I use on a regular basis and tell you a little bit about them. I hope in this post you found out more about the amazing benefits of my five favorite overlooked spices.

Herbs and spices bring meals to life!

Thank you for stopping by!