3 Healing Herbs and Spices

Are you looking for a great way to spice up your foods? I want to share with you three healing herbs and spices that do more than add flavor to your meals; they offer many health benefits you may not be aware of.

Unlike vegetables and fruit, we don’t often think of herbs and spices when considering healthy foods. Seasoning with herbs is an easy and healthy way to add flavor and variety to your meals.

The 3 herbs I want to tell you about are rosemary, thyme, and spearmint. They are all part of the Lamiaceae family or mint family.

Rosemary

Rosemary is native to the Middle East and Asia. However, some varieties are native to parts of the United States as well. It’s a popular and prolific herb, easily recognized by its delightful fragrance. Rosemary has been praised for its medicinal properties since ancient times.

Some of rosemary’s healing qualities come from its antioxidant properties. This healing herb is a rich source of antioxidants. Antioxidants play a key role in neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals can cause aging and illness.

Rosemary also contains anti-inflammatory properties that fight inflammation in the body. Additionally, rosemary supports the digestive system by regulating gut contractions, relieving cramping, and reducing gas.  Rosemary is good for your brain, too. Its been found to improve cognitive performance, such as speed and accuracy.

Many more healthful benefits of this herb are being studied. Rosemary may be found to be beneficial in protecting against macular degeneration and brain aging. It may also be found to be an anti-tumor agent.

Rosemary is used to add an enticing fragrance and flavorful taste to a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, and grains.  It’s also a popular seasoning for poultry, game, lamb, pork, and steak.

Thyme

Thyme is also a Mediterranean herb which is now grown in many regions of the world.

This fragrant spice is often an ingredient in Italian dishes, soups, and stews. Vegetables, fish, poultry, and meats are often seasoned with thyme as well.

Thyme also contains several important health benefits. Thyme has biological properties that can be antibacterial, insecticidal, and antifungal.

What’s more, thyme contains the chemical carvacrol. Research has found that the chemical carvacrol can suppress inflammation in the body. Carvacrol does this by inhibiting an enzyme in the body that causes inflammation.

Spearmint

Spearmint is native to Europe and Asia and has been acclimated to North America and parts of Africa.

Similar to peppermint, spearmint is a refreshing and energizing herb that’s flavor and fragrance are more subtle than that of peppermint.

One of spearmint’s healing properties is its effect on the brain. This herb has been found to improve working memory in both men and women with age-related memory decline.

In addition, spearmint is associated with enhanced cognition such as increased focus and attention in people not experiencing memory deterioration.

Some people find spearmint to help alleviate symptoms of nausea, indigestion, gas, headache, muscle pain, toothache, cramps, and sore throat.

Spearmint is typically used to flavor sweets and beverages, especially tea. It’s a great pick-me-up. Popular in Middle Eastern dishes, it’s a treasured ingredient in sauces, salads, soups, cheeses, meats, and fish.

Rosemary, thyme, and spearmint are versatile healing herbs that can easily become staples in your kitchen.

Growing these herbs in a pot or garden is a great way to enjoy fresh herbs.  They are also conveniently available fresh and dried, but for the best quality and flavor, choose fresh over dried.

Learn more ways to achieve optimal wellness, explore the TelMD Upstream Blog!

Let’s Make Wellness Contagious!™