13 POWERFUL Herbs & Spices That Will Boost Your Health

Hey there, viewers! Looking to revamp your diet? You probably want to eat more veggies and fruits. But there are two things in your pantry you might be overlooking. Spices and herbs. They have some amazing nutrients. In today's video, we're going to talk about 13 herbs and spices with the most powerful health benefits. Besides turmeric and cinnamon, what other spices are good for you? Why is saffron so well-liked? What about ginger and onion? Have you heard about echinacea? We'll be talking about all of these AND more... Cinnamon Cinnamon is widely used in a number of recipes and baked goods. This spice has a compound called cinnamaldehyde, which is responsible for the medical benefits that cinnamon provides. For instance, cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and reduces inflammation. Even one spoon of cinnamon a day can give you a healthy boost. It can also reduce the cholesterol levels in your blood. The main benefit of cinnamon is its ability to lower your blood sugar levels. Research has shown that cinnamon can bring down fasting blood sugar levels anywhere between 10 and 30 percent among people suffering with diabetes. Cinnamon can also fight neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The spice can help protect the neurons in your brain and reduce bad proteins. It can even improve your motor function. Do you like cinnamon? Have you tried adding this spice to your tea or coffee? Share your preferences with the Bestie community in the comments below. Turmeric Turmeric is a spice responsible for giving your curry that yellow color. Although turmeric has compounds that give it its medicinal properties, the main compound is curcumin. Curcumin works as a powerful antioxidant, ensuring there is no oxidative stress in your body. Along with being a powerful antioxidant, curcumin also has anti-inflammatory properties. It's almost as powerful as anti-inflammatory drugs. Because of this, it can fight off diseases such as Alzheimer's. Its antibacterial properties can also reduce the chances of heart disease and cancer. Looking for answers on all the latest health and wellness news? Hit that button and join our millions of followers. Stay up to date on all our great Bestie content… Peppermint Peppermint has long been used in aromatherapy and traditional medicine. Just like every other herb, peppermint's medicinal properties are contained mostly in the oily component. Research has shown that peppermint oil can help improve pain management among people suffering with irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint helps relax the muscles in your colon so you don't experience too much pain during bowel movements. There's also evidence to suggest using peppermint as part of aromatherapy can help reduce the effects of nausea. In one study of more than 8,000 women in labor, peppermint aromatherapy reduced nausea by a significant amount. Sage The name sage comes from the Latin word salvera, which means to save. As the name suggests, sage has many healing properties. It has been a mainstay in traditional medicine, being traced back to the middle ages. More recent research suggests sage can improve your memory as well as your brain functions, especially among people suffering with Alzheimer's. When you have Alzheimer's, there's a fall in the brain's chemical messenger acetylcholine. Sage helps make sure this doesn't happen. In one study among 42 participants with mild to moderate Alzheimer's, it was seen that over a period of 4 weeks, sage extract helped significantly improve brain function. It was also shown to improve memory among healthy people. Holy basil There are many types of basil, including regular and Thai. But the one with the most health benefits is holy basil. It's treated as a sacred herb in India. Holy basil has properties that can help reduce the growth of various bacteria as well as yeast and mold. It can also increase your body's immunity levels. In one study, it was seen that holy basil can improve immunity levels by increasing the amount of immune cells in your blood. There are other health benefits of consuming holy basil. For instance, it's been linked to bringing down your blood sugar levels around your meals. It can also help treat anxiety and depression. Ginger Ginger is a very popular spice that has been part of traditional and alternative medicine. Even a gram of ginger has been known to help treat nausea, especially among people who are suffering with morning sickness or the after effects of chemotherapy. Ginger also has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which are useful when it comes to pain management. An upset is usually caused by inflammation, which can be soothed by consuming ginger. It can also prevent stomach ulcers and help soothe menstrual cramps. Before we move ahead, here's another video you might like. Interested in learning more about the natural ways to strengthen your immune system? Check out this video! Rosemary Rosemary is an herb with many health-related benefits. While it can be consumed fresh, ground or as an essential oil, rosemary is at its best when it's fresh. When fresh, rosemary has important nutrients such as vitamins A, B6 and C, as well as other B vitamins like folate and thiamine. Rosemary is also high in fiber and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a great herb for people suffering with gut health and digestion issues. When you consume rosemary, it can increase the bile flow. This improves your digestion. In one study, it was seen that rosemaryanic acid in rosemary, given in doses of 50-200 mg, can help reduce allergy symptoms. Chili Spicy foods have many health benefits, and chili is one of them. Chili is taken from pepper, so you're also getting benefits from the veggie as well. Peppers have more vitamin C than oranges, so consuming chili can help boost your immune system. Along with vitamin C, chili also has vitamins A and E. It has the compound capsaicin, which can help constrain neuropeptides that are linked with inflammation in your body. It can also help reduce pain among people suffering with sensory nerve disorders. Parsley Parsley is considered a superfood, as it is packed with important nutrients and antioxidants. Just one cup of parsley can give you as much as 500% of your body's daily requirement of vitamin K. It also has other important vitamins, such as A, C and B. The antioxidants in parsley ensure there is no oxidative stress from free radicals in your body. It is also a natural diuretic, which can help stimulate your kidneys and reduce bloating, as well as remove some of the water weight. Cumin Cumin is used in many recipes because of the flavor it provides your food. Along with the flavor, it is great for your digestion. Cumin has a compound called thymol, which is key in the production of bile, as well as stomach acid and digestive enzymes. This in turn improves your digestion. Cumin also has vitamin E, which can improve the health and glow of your skin. It is also packed with vitamin C, making it a great immunity booster. Garlic Garlic has been known for a long time to have medicinal properties, and has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It has a compound called allicin, which not only gives it a distinctive smell, but also has several health benefits. In one study, it was seen that garlic reduced blood pressure levels in the same effectiveness as meditation. Garlic can also bring down your cholesterol levels by up to 15%. Echinacea Echinacea is taken from the coneflower plant, and is an herb widely known for its positive impact on your immune system. If you're looking to include an herb in your diet that helps prevent colds, echinacea is the way to go. In several traditional medicines, this herb is used to treat upper respiratory tract infections, influenza, bronchitis and inflammation. It is also believed to be very effective against ear and yeast infections. Saffron Saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and understandably so. Its harvesting method makes the production of saffron costly. This aromatic spice not only adds a unique flavor to your food, but has several positive health impacts too. Saffron contains an impressive variety of antioxidants that protect your cells from damage. Saffronol is one of these antioxidants. It gives saffron its unique taste and aroma. Not just that, saffronol helps improve your mood, memory and learning ability. It protects your brain cells against oxidative stress. One of the most widely known health benefits of saffron is its aphrodisiac properties. Studies have shown it may help people taking antidepressants. If you're looking to lose weight, saffron may be one of the spices you want to add to your daily diet. Experts believe it may help prevent snacking by curbing your appetite. An 8-week study proved this by giving saffron supplements to overweight women. It was found that they felt significantly more full, snacked less and lost a lot of weight. Other potential health benefits of saffron include its role in reducing your risk of heart disease, anti-cancer properties, reduction of blood sugar and a positive impact on eyesight in adults. Herbs and spices are a great way to start your health journey. Interested in learning more about other healthy foods? Let's keep the conversation going with a couple more diet-related videos, shall we? Check out 8 powerful seeds that benefit your health. You can also try 10 health benefits of moringa powder. Go ahead, click one. Or better yet, watch both, and learn more about health and nutrition. Are you planning on including any of these spices and herbs into your daily diet? Let us know in the comments below!