Health benefits of Herbs and Spices

As our lifestyle is now getting  towards allopathic medicines and technology, so we are moving away from nature. We all now that we cannot escape from nature as we are a part of nature. As herbs are free from side effects, they are comparatively safe, eco-friendly, and locally available. The herbal products are today referred as “symbol of safety” in contrast to the synthetic drugs. the golden fact is that, use of herbal treatment is independent of any age groups and the sexes.

Importance of some herbs with their medicinal values

  • Herbs such as black pepper, cinnamon, myrrh, aloe, sandalwood, ginseng, red clover, burdock, bayberry, and safflower are used to heal wounds, sores and boils.
  • Basil, Fennel, Chives, Cilantro, Apple Mint, Thyme, Golden Oregano, Variegated Lemon Balm, Rosemary, Variegated Sage are some important medicinal herbs and can be planted in kitchen garden. These herbs are easy to grow, look good, taste and smell amazing and many of them are magnets for bees and butterflies.
  • Many herbs are used as blood purifiers to alter or change a long-standing condition by eliminating the metabolic toxins. These are also known as ‘blood cleansers’. Certain herbs improve the immunity of the person, thereby reducing conditions such as fever.
  • Some herbs are also having antibiotic properties. Turmeric is useful in inhibiting the growth of germs, harmful microbes and bacteria. Turmeric is widely used as a home remedy to heal cut and wounds.
  • To reduce fever and the production of heat caused by the condition, certain antipyretic herbs such as Chirayta, black pepper, sandal wood and safflower are recommended by traditional Indian medicine practitioners.
  • Sandalwood and Cinnamon are great astringents apart from being aromatic. Sandalwood is especially used in arresting the discharge of blood, mucus etc.
  • Some herbs are used to neutralize the acid produced by the stomach. Herbs such as marshmallow root and leaf. They serve as antacids. The healthy gastric acid needed for proper digestion is retained by such herbs.
  • Indian sages were known to have remedies from plants which act against poisons from animals and snake bites.
  • Herbs like Cardamom and Coriander are renowned for their appetizing qualities. Other aromatic herbs such as peppermint, cloves and turmeric add a pleasant aroma to the food, thereby increasing the taste of the meal.
  • Some herbs like aloe, sandalwood, and turmeric are commonly used as antiseptic and are very high in their medicinal values.
  • Ginger and cloves are used in certain cough syrups. They are known for their expectorant property, which promotes the thinning and ejection of mucus from the lungs, trachea and bronchi. Eucalyptus, Cardamom, Wild cherry and cloves are also expectorants.
  • Herbs such as Chamomile, Ajwain, Basil, Cardamom, Coriander, Fennel, Peppermint and, Cinnamon, Ginger and Turmeric are helpful in promoting good blood circulation. Therefore, they are used as cardiac stimulants.
  • Certain medicinal herbs have disinfectant property, which destroys disease causing germs. They also inhibit the growth of pathogenic microbes that cause communicable diseases.
  • Herbal medicine practitioners recommend calmative herbs, which provide a soothing effect to the body. They are often used as sedatives.
  • Certain aromatic plants such as Aloe, Golden seal, Barberry and are used as mild tonics. The bitter taste of such plants reduces toxins in blood. They are helpful in destroying infection as well.
  • Certain herbs are used as stimulants to increase the activity of a system or an organ, for example herbs like Cayenne (Lal Mirch), Myrrh, Camphor and Guggul.
  •  A wide variety of herbs including Giloe, Golden seal, Aloe and Barberry are used as tonics. They can also be nutritive and rejuvenate a healthy as well as diseased individual.
  • Honey, turmeric, marshmallow  can effectively treat a fresh cut and wound. They are termed as vulnerary herbs.

                       Health benefits of  some herbs and spices.

Benefits of Oregano (Ajavaayan ki paati)

  • fights cold and flu
  • aids in relieving sore throats
  • help kills intestinal  overgrowth of bacteria
  • improve skin conditions
  • relief for insect bites
  • support oral health
  • help fight inflammation
  • reduce risk of heart attacks and strokes
  • help to energise and rejuvenate body
  • aids in digestion
  • antioxidant
  • help soothe stomach muscles.

Benefits of Mint (Pudina)

  • can ease hiccups
  • treats asthma
  • aids in digestion
  • ensures oral hygiene
  • prevents from depression and memory loss
  • strengthens the liver
  • aids in weight loss
  • treats nausea and headache
  • prevents cancer
  • alleviates allergies  and hay fever
  • good for your skin health
  • protects against radiation-induced DNA damage
  • improves sterility

benefits of Ginger (Adarak)

  • anti-nausea remedy
  • ovarian cancer treatment
  • colon cancer treatment
  • morning sickness relief
  • motion sickness remedy
  • reduces pain and inflammation
  • menstrual cramp relief
  • cold and flu prevention
  • migraine relief
  • boost immunity
  • improves diabetes
  • heal ulcers
  • anti fungal
  • normalizes heart rate
  • lower blood pressure
  • burns fat
  • good source for amino acid—cystiene
  • detoxifier aids in digestion
  • lowers LDL ”bad” cholesterol

benefits of Garlic (Lahasun)

  • natural anti-septic
  • help stop hair loss
  • control diabetes
  • boost immune system
  • help in cold
  • help in weight loss
  • reduce fat store
  • detoxifier
  • antioxidant
  • help to heal sore throat
  • reduce sweeling
  • great for psoriasis(skin disease)
  • lower blood pressure
  • control blood sugar levels
  • lower cholesterol
  • banish athletes  foot pain by soaking feet in warm water with garlic
  • kills urinary tract and kidney infections
  • remove heavy metals from the body
  • inhibits leukemia
  • soothes psoriasis
  • reduce and regulates high blood pressure
  • prevents cancer

benefits of Fenugreek seeds (Methi)

  • beneficial for diabetic patients
  • increases milk production
  • can relive menstrual and menopause symptoms
  • can lower cholesterol
  • help with skin inflammation
  • good for kidney trouble
  • treats constipation and diarrhea
  • treats heart disease
  • prevents colon cancer
  • help in weight loss
  • arthritis treatment
  • akin and hair health
  • help in acid reflux

benefits of Fennel (Saumph or Sauf)

  • chewing on fennel seeds help increase  the nitrite content in saliva
  • very rich in potassium
  • control heart rate
  • controls blood pressure
  • works as a diuretic ( removes toxins and reduce risk of urinary tract problems )
  • fennel tea- helps in indigestion, bloating, and constipation
  • anti-inflammatory properties
  • promote the production of gastric enzymes
  • reduce asthma
  • helps purify blood
  • improves eyesight
  • have cooling effect on body
  • keep cancer away
  • reduce bad breath and body odor
  • great for acne

benefits of Clove (Laung)

  • anti- microbial
  • sinusitis
  • reduce labor pain
  • contains fibre, vitamins, and minerals
  • low in calories
  • rich in magnesium and maintain brain function and build strong bones
  • rich in antioxidants
  • reduce oxidative stress
  • reduce cancer cell growth
  • promote cancer cell death
  • promote oral health
  • prevent toothaches
  • protect the liver against infections
  • promote insulin production and lowers sugar level
  • prevent diabetes
  • increase production of gastric mucus
  • treat stomach ulcers
  • aids in digeation
  • relief from inflammation
  • lowers high cholesterol
  • weight loss
  • cure gum diseases like gingiuitis and periodontitis.

Benefits of Sage (Saadhoo)

  • contains magnesium, zinc, copper, and vitamins A, C, K and E
  • lowers total and LDL cholesterol and raises good HDL cholesterol
  • loaded with antioxidants
  • improve brain functions
  • lowers cancer risk
  • kill the growth of dental plaque
  • ease menstrual symptoms, such as hot flashes and irritability
  • lowers blood sugar levels
  • improves memory
  • fight against mouth, colon, liver, cervix, breast, skin, and kidney caner
  • alleviate diarrhea
  • support bone health
  • antiseptic and antibiotic
  • fights signs of aging such as wrinkles

benefits of Thyme (Ajavaayan ke phool)

  • relaxes respiratory muscles
  • help in bronchitis—coughing, fever, production of sputum in adults
    • movement disorders(dyspraxia)—thyme oil + evening promise oil + fish oils + vitamin E
  • treat colic infections
  • ear infections
  • swelling of tonsils
  • preventing bedwetting
  • help in sore throat
  • prevent bad breath
  • swelling of lungs and mouth
  • improves eyesight
  • treats muscle cramps
  • treats acne
  • promote hair growth
  • slow blood clotting
  • prevent breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer

benefits of Turmeric (Haldi)

  • anti-inflammatory properties
  • highly antioxidant
  • antiseptic and antibiotic
  • stimulates body’s own antioxidant enzymes
  • boosts level of brain hormones BDNF—Brain Derived  Neurotrophic  Factor, which increase the growth of new neurons and fights various degenerative processes in brain
  • role in heart disease
  • prevent and treat cancer
  • role in Alzheimer’s disease
  • treat joint inflammation
  • treat diabetes
  • treat acne
  • heals wound
  • control blood pressure
  • anti-allergy
  • reduce cholesterol
  • immunity booster
  • improves memory
  • role in depression
  • use as facepack
  • tightens skin
  • prevent skin damage
  • lightens facial hair
  • natural painkiller

benefits of Basil (Tulsi)

  • can relive gas and soothe stomach upsets
  • good for digestion
  • anti-inflammatory
  • good for headaches and insomnia
  • soothe—fever, sore throat, cold, cough and flu
  • good antioxidant
  • strengthen immune system
  • protects cellular structure, DNA, and delay effects of skin aging
  • excellent skin cleanser
  • prevent acne
  • fights depression and anxiety
  • lower cholesterol
  • diabetes management
  • support your liver
  • detoxifier

benefits of Black pepper (Kaalee mirch)

  • help relieve indigestion
  • contains good amount of minerals—potassium, calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, magnease, zinc
  • culinary for cooking
  • treats cold
  • nasal congestion
  • treat diarrhea
  • treats anemia
  • improve blood circulation
  • heart and lung tonic
  • relieves toothaches
  • hair growth
  • indigestion
  • anti-inflammatory
  • treats sore throat
  • treat hearing problems
  • wounds
  • help to prevent or delay food spoilage
  • rich source of vitamins A, E and K
  • fights depression
  • treat ulcers
  • support breast tissue in women
  • fights feeling of faintness
  • promote stamina
  • treats asthma

benefits of Cayenne pepper (Laal mirch)

  • can stop a heart attack
  • improve circulation
  • relieve constipation
  • lpwer blood pressure
  • treat ulcers
  • reduce inflammation
  • kill garden pests
  • detoxification
  • fights flu and cold
  • lower blood sugar
  • sinus relief
  • digestive aid
  • relieve pain
  • toothaches
  • arthritis
  • treat wounds
  • prevent fever
  • help in weight loss
  • prevent psoriasis
  • treat congestion
  • help in gas and cramps
  • cure headaches
  • source of vitamin-A and E
  • prevent blood clot
  • prevent allergies
  • anti-cancer
  • anti-fungal
  • decrease the cravings for junk food

benefits of Cinnamon (Daalcheene)

  • helps lower blood pressure
  • blood sugar control
  • fights yeast infections
  • treat arthritis
  • anti-bacterial /anti-fungal /anti-microbial
  • prevent cancer
  • prevent flu
  • aids weight loss
  • odor neutralizer
  • alertness, memory development
  • lowers LDL cholesterol and triglycerides
  • prevent tooth decay and gum diseases
  • insect repellant
  • purify blood
  • treat cough, cold, sore throat
  • effects on neurogenerative diseases
  • virus fighter
  • HIV fighter
  • Beneficial for eyes
  • Relive from menstrual cramps
  • Cinnamon tea—reliefs faster

Benefits of Dill (Savaa or Lao coriender)

  • Promotes digestion
  • Treats heartburn, colic and gas
  • Prevents insomnia
  • Maintains bone health
  • Manage diabetes
  • Boosts immunity
  • Calms hiccups
  • Cures diarrhea
  • Stimulates menstruation
  • Relieve stomach cramps
  • Large amount of vitamin C AND Mn

Benefits of Rosemary (Mehandi)

  • Antioxidant
  • Anti-cancer
  • Keeps brain healthy
  • Relives irritated, dry, flaky, dandruff ridden scalps
  • Hair growth
  • Cleanses hair
  • Prevent  blood clot
  • Pain relief
  • Helps in digestion
  • Fresh breath
  • Anti-aging
  • improved memory
  • improved circulation
  • prevent ulcers, leukemia, DNA damage, kidney stones
  • reduce swelling and puffiness of the skin
  • heal burns
  • soothe the skin
  • increase shine in hair