People have been practicing the art of herbal remedies for thousands of years.  Herbs offer numerous health benefits and remedies to illness.  But what herbs are good to use and why?  Lets look at some of the most popular herbs today and their benefits.

Echinacea

• Traditionally echinacea root is brewed into tea, not eaten as a food.
• One of the well known more popular herbs
• Bolsters the immune system by stimulating the production of T cells that play a critical role in immunity.
• Stimulates white cells in their battle against unwanted toxins

Holy Basil

• Tastes similar to cloves
• Popular in Thai cuisine mixed with meats in stir-fry
• Considered a sacred herb in India
• Supports the immune system
• Digestive health aid
• Has positive effect on blood sugar and cardiovascular health
• Supports healthy mood/emotions

Oregano

• Most common everyday kitchen herb
• Strong assertive flavor commonly used in Mediterranean cooking
• Real health benefits come from the essential oils that are packed inside
• Supports immune system
• Supports digestive health
• Unique in its support to the respiratory system

Turmeric

• Peppery, warm, and full of flavor
• Used as a dried spice that comes from the rhizome root of a plant
• Many cultures use the leaves to wrap food in before cooking
• Curcumin which gives turmeric its yellowish-orange color is thought to be responsible for many of the health benefits associated with turmeric
• Digestive aid
• High antimicrobial activity
• High antioxidant capacity making it ideal to support cellular health
• Supports health inflammation levels
• Aids in weight management

Ginger

• Can be used raw to flavor a salad, pickled to make a side dish, dried and ground to spice up a dish
• Essential ingredient in Indian and Thai curries.
• Most versatile herb
• Benefits the digestive system.  It is an intestinal spasmolytic which relaxes and soothes the digestive system.
• Eases the symptoms of motion sickness and nausea- especially in pregnant women
• Contains gingerol, a compound which supports healthy inflammation levels in the body.

Milk Thistle

• The leaves are used in salads and the root can be boiled, roasted or even consumed raw
• For thousands of years used as a detoxifier, most noted for the liver, kidneys, and gallbladder
• Supportive effect on inflammation
• Potent in antioxidants from silymarin, a group of antioxidant flavonoids that work to prevent free radicals from effecting liver cells and inhibit toxins from entering liver cells
• Aids in the cell regeneration process

Peppermint

• Used as a flavoring agent for a wide range of popular foods and personal care products
• Soothes a wide range of abdominal problems including occasional abdominal cramping, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
• Peppermint oil is commonly used to support healthy urinary tract function

Try to incorporate some of these traditional and beneficial herbs into your daily diet and you will begin to see the health benefits they offer.  The easiest way to begin is to drink them in tea’s and next would be using them more often in your cooking!  My favorite way to be sure I am getting in these powerful organic botanicals is through Beyond Organics TERRAIN.  Terrain is a raw/living liquid herbal supplement infused with ancient symbiotic microorganisms providing a wide array of bioavailable phytocompounds full of organic acids, B vitamins, enzymes, probiotics, and antioxidants.

Source:Beyond Organic Living Mag Volume 2-2013