It’s true that herbs and spices are not at the top of everyone’s list when it comes to a healthy diet but a naturally grown spice garden can offer some great health benefits. Many herbs and spices have antioxidants that help fight disease and have real medicinal value. Your entire family can enjoy the health benefits offered through these natural products by growing your own indoor garden full of the herbs and spices.
Utilizing fresh herbs and spices in your daily diet as compared to buying them off the shelves from the market is essential when cooking healthy meals. Let us look at a few herbs and spices that you can grow at home while learning how they can improve your health in more ways than one.
1 – Antioxidants
* Thyme – This has the capacity to enhance your immune system as well as a great source of antioxidant. Aside from this, it is also a rich source for antibacterial and antispasmodic properties.
* Oregano – This is one of the highest sources of antioxidants. It has been shown that one tablespoon of fresh oregano would contain just about the same antioxidant level as that of an entire apple.
2 – Anti-inflammatory
* Basil – This has an anti-inflammatory activity that works the same way that aspirin and ibuprofen do. An oil of basil has an active component that will inhibit the same enzyme to prevent inflammation. Along with this benefit, you will also enjoy cardiovascular health benefits since it contains a lot of nutrients such as Vitamin A, magnesium and beta-carotene.
* Ginger – This spice has been well-known for its anti-inflammatory component as well as its ability to boost your circulation. Ginger been known to treat RA (rheumatoid arthritis), muscle and joint pains as well as osteoarthritis. Ginger is also high in potassium that will actually help in settling down an upset stomach, alleviate diarrhea, nausea and stomachaches.
* Turmeric – Another natural product that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which will greatly enhance your body’s defenses.
3 – Illness Fighter
* Garlic – We all know how great garlic is. In history, it is called as a poor man’s penicillin because it has been used for fighting illnesses for centuries. Garlic is also one of the common dietary supplements that fight off high cholesterol levels, heart diseases, stomach and colon cancers as well as alleviating high blood pressure.
4 – Facilitates Digestion
* Peppermint – This is best known as the stomach soother because it contains a lot of menthol that relaxes the muscles in your stomach. This plant has also shown some effects to reduce cough, headache, gas, abdominal cramping and sore throat.
* Fennel – This is believed to facilitate digestion as it is reported to lessen colic as well as enhancing milk production for those mothers who are nursing their babies. It may also help in the reduction of flatulence and is known to be a mild diuretic that will cleanse the renal system particularly the kidneys.
As you can see, growing a spice garden can be much more than a fun hobby, it can help enhance your family’s diet and improve your health. Keep in mind, I haven’t even mentioned how using healthy herbs and spices can easily replace many unwanted foods such as salts and sugars. That in it’s self should send you running to the store to buy a spice garden kit.
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