Fresh herbs not only offer taste without adding calories to your diet, but they may also provide health advantages as healing foods.
Herbal medicine has been used in kitchens for thousands of years, and our body’s reactions to natural treatments have not changed.
There is no replacement for quality medical treatment and regular examinations. However, on the other hand, a good diet and sensible eating are essential for avoiding disease and living a long and healthy life.
General knowledge of how food and herbs can help you with whatever ails you is essential to a healthy eating plan.
We have listed ten vital medicinal herbs and how to use them so that you can use them in the best way possible. (Also check – 20 Life Saving Medicinal Herbs You Can Grow)
Table of Contents
1. Rosemary
| Scientific name | Salvia Rosmarinus |
| Found on | Southern Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa |
| Traits | Aid with dyspepsia, memory function, and muscular and joint pain |
| Used in | Culinary and aromatic use, as well as traditional herbal and Ayurvedic medical applications. |
Rosemary has a long past of culinary and aromatic use, as well as traditional herbal and Ayurvedic medical applications.
The rosemary bush (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a Mediterranean and South American native. Along with mint, oregano, lemon balm, and basil, it belongs to the Lamiaceae family of plants.
The therapeutic herb may aid with dyspepsia, memory function, and muscular and joint pain when applied topically.
According to a research paper published in Cancer Treatment Reviews, the active element in rosemary, carnosic acid, or carnosol, may also help to inhibit cancer spread.
Rosemary is a strong-flavored herb that pairs well with substantial meals like meat and potatoes. An excellent meal for adding rosemary to your diet is butterflied rosemary chicken with pan juices.
2. Parsley
| Scientific name | Petroselinum crispum |
| Found on | Eastern Mediterranean |
| Traits | Contains vitamins A and C and antioxidants. |
| Used in | Enhancing the flavor of soups, salads, and fish dishes |
Parsley is substantial in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, which have been shown in many studies to help extinguish the formation of cancer cells.
The herb parsley is widely utilized in American, European, and Middle Eastern cuisines. It’s frequently used to enhance the flavor of soups, salads, and fish dishes.
It has also been demonstrated to have heart-healthy properties, such as lowering blood pressure.
As a chopped garnish, this healthy herb can be added to your diet quickly, but it can also take center stage and give tremendous flavor to dishes like this chicken creole recipe, which takes only minutes to prepare.
3. Ginger
| Scientific name | Zingiber officinale |
| Found on | Southeastern Asia |
| Traits | Cure for nausea, stomach pain, and other health problems, as well as vomiting following surgery or chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients. |
| Used in | Sushi in the kitchen |
Since the old days, people have used ginger in cooking and medicine. It’s a popular home cure for nausea, stomach pain, and other health problems, as well as chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients.
Ginger, a potent anti-inflammatory, has also been proved to alleviate joint discomfort. Ginger doesn’t have to be limited to sushi in the kitchen; try incorporating it into your dessert, like these berry ginger shortcakes.
4. Cinnamon
| Scientific name | Cinnamomum Verum |
| Found on | Southeast asia, South America and the West Indies |
| Traits | Helps in the treatment of gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and indigestion |
| Used in | Aromatic condiments and flavoring additives in several cuisines |
Cinnamon is formed from the inner bark of various Cinnamomum trees species.
Cinnamon is mainly used as an aromatic condiment and flavoring addition in several cuisines, including sweet and savory dishes, breakfast cereals, snack foods, tea, and traditional foods.
This therapeutic food may also aid in the treatment of gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and indigestion.
Cinnamon also appears to have antioxidant properties. Cinnamon bark is a spice that is used in cooking. It’s primarily used in cooking as a condiment and flavoring agent.
It’s a common ingredient in chocolate making, especially in Mexico. Cinnamon is commonly used in savory chicken and lamb meals.
Cereals, bread-based foods, such as toast, and fruits, particularly apples, are frequently flavored with cinnamon and sugar.
5. Garlic
| Scientific name | Allium sativum |
| Found on | Mainly Central Asia |
| Traits | Anti-cancer properties and halt the progression of other disorders |
| Used in | Adds flavor to stews and soups |
Garlic is one of a member of the Allium family of plants. It has a lot of similarities with onions, shallots, and leeks. Clove is a name given to each section of a garlic bulb. A single bulb has roughly 10–20 cloves, give or take.
Garlic is grown in many places globally and is a popular cooking ingredient due to its strong aroma and flavor. Garlic is most known for its possible anti-cancer properties, as well as its ability to halt the progression of other disorders such as hypertension and even the common cold.
Garlic, one of the most often used therapeutic herbs, provides a lot of flavor to food.
6. Stinging Nettle
| Scientific name | Urtica dioica |
| Found on | the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America |
| Traits | Utilize stinging nettle as an alternative cure for a variety of ailments |
| Used in | Traditionally used to make tea, soup, pesto, and creamy polenta |
People utilize stinging nettle as an alternative cure for various ailments, including arthritis pain and seasonal allergies.
Stinging nettle is a type of nettle that stings when Managing diabetes and reducing seasonal allergies are two of the most common problems that people face.
Some people believe that nettle can aid with inflammation, discomfort, and gout. Stinging nettle is traditionally used to make tea, soup, pesto, and creamy polenta recipes.
7. Chives
| Scientific name | Allium schoenoprasum |
| Found on | Europe, Asia, and North America |
| Traits | Vitamins A and C |
| Used in | Culinary herb and are ideal for salads |
Vitamins A and C are abundant in the lovely green garnish on your baked potato, which is known for its antioxidant benefits. Cooking with chives is as enjoyable as putting it on salads and noodles.
8. Coriander
| Scientific name | Coriandrum sativum |
| Found on | Commonly grown in the Netherlands, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe North Africa, China, India, and Bangladesh |
| Traits | Assists in lowering blood sugar levels benefit heart health |
| Used in | Soups and salsas, as well as curries and masalas from India, the Middle East, and Asia |
Coriander is a flavoring herb that is extensively used in world cuisine. It is related to parsley, carrots, and celery and comes from the Coriandrum sativum plant.
Coriander is commonly used in soups and salsas, and curries and masalas from India, the Middle East, and Asia.
The coriander leaves are frequently utilized intact, while the seeds are dried or crushed. It also assists in lowering blood sugar levels. Benefits heart health by being high in immune-boosting antioxidants.
9. Bay Leaves
| Scientific name | Laurus nobilis |
| Found on | Indigenous to countries bordering the Mediterranean. |
| Traits | Contain cineole, an oil that relieves sinusitis discomfort |
| Used in | Rice dishes such as biryani and garam masala, Menudo, beef pares, and adobo, among other Filipino foods |
Bay leaves are a fragrant leaf that is frequently used in cooking. It’s available whole, dried, or ground.
Bay leaves contain cineole, an oil that relieves sinusitis discomfort. Although they have different flavors, bay laurel leaves are occasionally substituted for Indian bay leaf in Indian cuisine.
They are commonly used in rice dishes such as biryani and garam masala. Dried bay laurel leaves are used in Menudo, beef pares, and adobo, among other Filipino foods.
10. Dandelion
| Scientific name | Taraxacum |
| Found on | Mainly Temperate North America |
| Traits | Highly nutritious contains powerful antioxidants and aids in reducing inflammation |
| Used in | Tea, an infusion, a meal, vinegar, medicine, or honey |
Although it’s sometimes dismissed as nothing more than a tenacious lawn pest, dandelion has been utilized in traditional medicine for millennia in a variety of ways.
It is highly nutritious, contains powerful antioxidants, and aids in reducing inflammation. You can choose it whenever you want. You can make a tea, an infusion, a meal, vinegar, a medicine, or honey out of it.
Conclusion
Despite their numerous potential benefits, medicinal herbs and supplements should not be used as a substitute for a well-balanced diet and active lifestyle.
Even yet, this root vegetable offers a distinctive and nutritious addition to your diet if you eat its greens, roots, and blooms in their entirety — in salads, baked meals, sides, and snacks.
(Last Updated on April 25, 2022 by Sadrish Dabadi)
