There are many herbs that we use everyday whether or not we realize it. Things like basil and oregano can be found in all sorts of sauces. Parsley is often added as a garnish to many meals. Thyme, rosemary, tarragon, and more are most likely hiding away in your pantry right now.
Besides their obvious delicious qualities, these kitchen herbs have surprising medicinal qualities as well. Today we’re going to take a close look at some of these common herbs and how they may help you support and maintain your health.
Before increasing the intake of any herb or supplement, please contact your primary care provider to talk about any possible drug interactions or side effects. Some herbs should not be take in high amounts during pregnancy or while on certain medications.
Oregano
This kitchen staple is actually cousin to mint and is one of the few herbs that gets more potent in smell and taste after being dried. It’s easy to find, easy to cook with, and easy to grow yourself.
Health Benefits:
Antibacterial Properties - thanks to thymol and carvacrol
Stimulating Agent - slightly increases the production of white blood cells and boost metabolism for faster recovery from certain illnesses
Boost Immunity - thanks to the antioxidants rosmarinic acid and thymol
Aids Digestion - oregano is high in fiber with a half gram per teaspoon
Improves Heart Health - thanks to it being a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids
Basil
This is probably one of the easiest herbs to grow yourself and is a wonderful addition to any kitchen window. Snip off the leaves and toss it into salads and sauces and be amazed at the difference in taste and smell when compared to dried basil.
Health Benefits:
Antimicrobial Agent - inhibits the growth of bacteria like E. coli, staph, and cholera
Anti-Inflammatory - thanks to eugenol, basil can help reduce swelling, pain, and help reduce fevers
Improves Heart Health - thanks to its high levels of beta-carotene
Improves Sleep - its high levels of magnesium increase blood flow and may aid in sleep issues
Can Aid Diabetes Care - its high antioxidant properties can help lower blood sugar levels and aid in managing diabetes
Parsley
Parsley has long been offered as a garnish rather than an ingredient, but don’t be so quick to push that piece of green off your plate. Parsley should be a main player in your herbal arsenal.
Health Benefits:
Rich in Antioxidants - parsley contains luteolin, apigenin, lycopene, beta-carotene, and alpha-carotene which help prevent free radical damage to cells (free radical damage can increase the risk of many chronic diseases)
Cleanses the Kidneys - the vitamins and antioxidants in parsley help prevent kidney stones, bladder infections, and urinary tract infections
Anti-Inflammatory - parsley can reduce internal inflammation and cleanse the liver
Can Aid Diabetes Care - thanks to myricetin, parsley can reduce blood sugar levels and decrease insulin resistance
Reduces Risk of Osteoporosis - thanks to its high levels of vitamin C, vitamin K, B-vitamins, and calcium
Improves Brain Health - the flavone apigenin boosts memory and learning
Pain Relief - thanks to its vitamins and the antioxidant, quercetin, parsley can help reduce the pain from bruises, joint pain, fatigue, stiff muscles, arthritis, toothaches, earaches, and even breast tenderness during lactation
Rosemary
Rosemary is often paired with red meat, which should be a limited part of any healthy diet. Even so, there are plenty of other ways to add more rosemary into your culinary creations and reap the many medicinal benefits.
Health Benefits:
Aids in Digestion - rosemary can relax the intestinal muscles which can help reduce upset stomach, constipation, and bloating
Anti-Inflammatory - thanks to carnosol and carnosic acids, rosemary can help treat and prevent things like gout and arthritis and help maintain healthy blood pressure
Improves Brain Health - rosemary can help improve memory performance and quality as well as increase your ability to focus
May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s - rosemary prevents beta-amyloid plaques and suppresses AChE activities, both of which are associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia
Reduces Liver Damage - its antioxidants help reduce liver cirrhosis
Helps Prevent Macular Degeneration - thanks to carnosic acid
Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Microbial - rosemary is one of the best when it comes to preventing bacterial infections like staph and H. pylori (associated with things like stomach ulcers and cancers)
thyme
Thyme is an evergreen shrub that has been used since the ancient Egyptian empires. It’s a common kitchen herb that is used in a wide array of dishes. It thrives in hot, dry conditions so it’s a good fit for our summers here in Eastern Washington.
Health Benefits:
Anti-Fungal - thanks to the most active ingredient in thyme, thymol
Respiratory Agent - perhaps the most common usage (and the earliest) has been to help bronchitis, chronic asthma, congestion, colds, flu, and allergies
Antioxidants - thyme has one of the highest concentration of antioxidants which promote overall health and reduce free radical damage
Improves Circulation - thanks to its high levels of iron that help promote red blood cell production
Protects Your Eyes - the carotenoids and vitamin A in thyme help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts