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Posts Tagged ‘nutrition herbs’

You may not realize it, but you are using sage every day. It is the ingredient in deodorant products! What is sage? What are other health benefits of sage? Here are some answers.

Sage is a plant with leaves which leave a lasting impression. Surely you have seen food TV shows extolling the virtues and the exquisite aroma of sage. Well, it happens to be true. Used mostly in cuisine, sage does have medicinal qualities. It has been used to aid in swelling; sprains; ulcers, and bleeding.

Utilized in tea, sage helps with sore throats and coughs. Sage has been promoted by herbalists in the treatment of rheumatism, menstrual bleeding, improving the nervous system, and honing one’s senses. Used for thousands of years, this is considered to be one effective herb.

Medicinally, sage treats inflammation of the mouth and gums. Studies also reveal that the ingredient in sage oil may act as antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral treatments. Most notably, however, sage does reduce perspiration. Thus, its efficacy has been utilized in most deodorants. Known to have compounds which help kill bacteria, sage can function in the treatment of gingivitis; canker sores; bleeding gums; tonsillitis and, laryngitis.

Recommendations to soothe sore throats and laryngitis include gargling with sage by boiling it in water; strain after ten minutes, and let it become tepid. Tea sage can also be used as a mouthwash. To make sage tea, use one to two teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of boiling water; steep for ten minutes; then strain.

Sage also increased brain function. A combination of sage, rosemary and ginkgo biloba may also prevent or slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Sage has long been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. It relaxes muscle spasms in the digestive tract, and has been used in the treatment of indigestion. It also reduces blood sugar levels in individuals who have diabetes.

Although sage is available in liquid form, you can easily grow it in your herbal garden.
Because it is a perennial, you will have the luxury of using this plant’s medicinal properties year after year. Very few side effects have been reported from the consumption of sage leaves; however, sage should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.

For culinary benefits, use sage to stuff chicken and turkey. Sage also pairs well with cheese. Freshly chopped sage complements potato dishes as well as split-pea and bean soups, and should be added near the end of cooking so as not to give too strong a taste.

Just take a look in kitchen cabinet and you’ll probably find a bottle of thyme. Or, you may have your own herb garden filled with herbs including thyme. Used for centuries, thyme traditionally flavors stews and is mixed in with roasted vegetables. It is a widely used and a popular herb. It is easy to obtain and relatively inexpensive to purchase fresh or dried. This wonderfully fragrant herb has many uses in the kitchen, but for purposes of this article, the health benefits of thyme will be discussed.

Derived from the Greek word meaning courage, it is said that Roman soldiers took thyme baths to energize and prepare for battle. Conversely, women would sew sprigs of thyme into the vests of their knights as good luck tokens. More notably, the Egyptians used it as embalming fluid. It stands to reason since thyme is known to be both a preservative and an antifungal agent. Thyme also has antiseptic qualities. Surely one time or another it has been used as a tea bag and placed on the eyes to cure sties, and aid in treating pink eye or conjunctivitis.

Externally applied, thyme has been used to help treat tumors, dental decay, plaque, thrush, tonsillitis, halitosis, deep wounds, and bruises. It is said to be effective for destroying skin parasites, such as scabies, crabs and lice.  Used internally, thyme properties work to rid parasites in the gastrointestinal tract.

If you happen to have a herbal garden, thyme can be crushed and used to clean cuts and scrapes, offering an immediate antiseptic remedy. Studies have shown that the innate qualities in thyme destroy many forms of fungus and bacteria. As a tea, thyme has beneficial results in gastrointestinal problems. In addition, it can relieve both hangovers and act as a digestive aid or tonic.

Especially helpful to women, because of its antispasmodic qualities, it offers relief from cramps associated with monthly periods. This herb is said to be effective in the treatment of chest infections for which phlegm can be expelled from the lungs.  It has been used effectively for sore throats, coughs, croup, whooping cough, acute bronchitis, laryngitis and asthma.

Thyme oil has been used to treat topical fungal infections and is also used in toothpastes to prevent gingivitis. It is also considered an excellent expectorant.  It is said to relax the muscle of the stomach, relieving a variety of stomach upsets.

Thyme is also used to alleviate chronic gastritis, lack of appetite, indigestion, irritable bowel and colic. In addition, it is also used to ease convulsions, epilepsy, menstrual cramps and spasm-induced coughing and diarrhea. As a tonic, thyme is believed to stimulate the nervous system, alleviating such nervous disorders as depression, nightmares, nervous exhaustion, insomnia and melancholy.

With all that said, thyme is one efficient and effective herb!

Certainly, if you have been watching the Food Channel, you no doubt have seen chefs use garlic in abundance. Let’s explore garlic; its history and health benefits.

Garlic is a member of the lily family and, as a dried root, is native to central Asia. However it should be interesting to note it was widely used more than 5000 years ago. This herb was fed to workers who built the Great Pyramid at Giza. In addition, Greek athletes ate it to build their strength.

In the United States, it was first cultivated in New Orleans by French settlers and, subsequently, missionaries brought it to California where it is grown today. In addition, garlic cloves have been used for thousands of years and their use has been recorded in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, Japan, India, Russia and Europe. Known as Russian penicillin, garlic has been used to treat ear infections, cholera and typhus. As a natural antibiotic, garlic was used during both world wars as a disinfectant.

What are the health benefits of garlic?

Not only does it strengthens the immune system; helps prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and lowering cholesterol; fights infections; digestive aid; alleviates gas, but is an anti-inflammatory herb as well. Studies have shown garlic can suppress the growth of tumors, and is a potent antioxidant good for cardiovascular conditions.

It is an antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, lowers high blood pressure, and lowers cholesterol and fat in the bloodstream. It is also generally regarded as a preventive measure for colds, flu and other infectious diseases. Its antibacterial properties help to fight infections, its cancer-inhibiting properties help to prevent cancer, and its anticoagulant properties help contribute to good cardiovascular health. It also works as a digestive aid and relieves gas.

At least nine studies show that garlic decreases the incidence of cancer, especially cancers of the gastrointestinal tract among those who consume it regularly. Garlic has also been used to treat for intestinal worms and other intestinal parasites. Today, garlic cloves are being used for infections, specifically chest infections, digestive disorders, and thrush.

Additionally, the allicin in fresh garlic is said to aid in lowering blood sugar levels. Allicin is produced when garlic is finely chopped or crushed. The finer the chopping and the more intensive the crushing, the more Allicin is generated and the stronger the medicinal effect.

While there is a myth that one can ward off evil spirits by wearing garlic around one’s neck or hanging it in windows, you can be assured that it is more useful when consumed. Fresh garlic bulbs are preferred. Next time you visit your local supermarket, pick up two or three cloves and keep them on hand. While it may have a pungent odor, roasting a garlic bulb will afford a sweet and savory taste.