Growing high quality healthy herbal kitchen ingredients in your own garden is not as difficult as we think. Nowadays, everywhere we look there’s someone telling us to buy their products through advertisements, television shows and kitchen websites. Despite of all readymade variety of foods easily available in stores and making our lives easier, it’s better to find the ways to select and grow your own quality herbal ingredients. If you have only indulged in store-bought herbs till date, switching to self-grown ones will be a night and day difference.
When you start your cooking journey with no knowledge, the learning curve is immense. But, gradually you learn how to plan your meals and make them healthy adding few healthy herbs. Talking about various herbs, here is the list of kitchen essentials that are healthy to incorporate. Find what you need to grow right away?
Aloe Vera
Loaded with antioxidants and antibacterial properties, aloe contains healthful plant compounds. It reduces dental plaque, lowers blood sugar levels, helps combat constipation, accelerates the healing of burns, treats canker sores and improves skin and hair quality. It is probably the best thing that you can reach to nourish scalp and hair and prevent wrinkles.
Rosemary
It is a powerful source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. This perennial woody evergreen herb is good for hair growth, brain function, neurological protection, liver detoxification, balancing hormones, preventing cancer, healing blemishes, increasing natural shine of the skin, reducing cough, controlling weight, boosting immunity, preventing blood clot and so on.
Lavender
Having many medicinal properties, this herb is highly considered for skin, beauty and fragrances. Its major benefits include its ability to relieve stress, elevate mood, promote sound sleep, lower skin irritation, prevent infections, reduce inflammation, eliminate dandruff and soothe stomach blocking.
Holy Basil
This aromatic herb is known for its immunity-boosting properties. It is an important medicinal plant that acts as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-stress herb. It is used to reduce fever and pain. Basil has cancer-fighting properties. Diabetics can also benefit out of regular consumption of basil leaves. The herb is also considered as liver and blood vessel protector.
Clove
Clove is a herb that contains anti-mutagenic and anti-microbial properties. It combats oral diseases, cancer and headaches. Many of its health benefits include aiding digestion, protecting liver, boosting immune system, preserving bones and controlling diabetes. Loaded with an array of nutrients, it boosts brain function and prevents blood clotting. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of cloves work well in treating acne and improving skin health.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great herb that is sweet in taste but sugar-free. This very-low calorie herb may help with inflammation, fend off free radicals, fight off bacteria and protect against conditions that affect your brain and nervous system like Alzheimer’s disease. It is beneficial for people suffering from diabetes as it may help lower blood sugar. It can surely be a part of healthy diet.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most popular herbs in the world. It helps control blood pressure, enhance body immunity, reduce levels of LDL cholesterol, prevents neurological-degenerative diseases, removes heavy metal toxins from the body, benefits bones tissues and optimises micro-flora cultures. It may also prevent blood clots, treat yeast infections, reduce asthma episodes and supports eye, liver and heart health. It also helps in treating eczema.
Turmeric
It contains bioactive compounds with powerful medicinal properties. It is a natural anti-inflammatory compound that increases the antioxidant capacity of the body. It may lower the risk of heart disease, prevent and even treat cancer, prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease, treat symptoms of arthritis, treat depression, delay ageing and fight age-related chronic diseases.
Chilli- Pepper
Known for their hot flavours, chilli doesn’t just offer only culinary and health benefits, it can also be used for self-defence. It helps fight inflammation, boosts immunity, helps reduce insulin levels and protects the heart. Prevents sinusitis and relieves congestion, protects against diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Green chillies have also shown to help maintain and improve eye health.
Peppermint
Peppermint is not only a medicinal herb but it is also rich in a variety of nutrients. It offers benefits to the respiratory system, combats coughs and colds, asthma, allergies and tuberculosis. Inhaling its aroma can boost memory and relieve stress. Its essential oil can help relieve pain. It is good for hair, skin and fresh breath. The therapeutic uses also include a reduction in irritable bowel syndrome, gastric disorders, indigestion and allergic rhinitis. Peppermint contains menthol which may inhibit prostate cancer growth.
Since you can use these herbs in cooking various healthy dishes, growing them at your place will serve your health more effectively and economically for years to come. Purchasing quality seeds or plants is the great first step. Learn how to grow and take care of them so that they last a long time. Herbs are your best friends when it comes to your health and beauty. They are the superfoods rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants having natural healing powers. Make these fresh energy tonics and natural healing medicines an indispensable part of your daily lifestyle.
Consumption of fresh herbs can take your wellness to the next level!