7 Top Healing Herbs
Although experts do not always agree on the value of food in the prevention and cure of diseases through what we eat; when it comes to the beneficial effects of herbs, spices and medicinal plants on the metabolic syndrome, brain and cognitive function, the evidence is piling up.
Herbs and spices have been used since ancient times to not only increase the taste of food but also to prevent and treat chronic health conditions. While the scientific data for the use of such common herbs and medicinal plants then had been scarce or lacking, the beneficial effects witnessed from such use were generally encouraging. It is, therefore, not unexpected that the practice of using such herbs, has continued. In recent times, due to an increased interest in understanding the nutritional effects of herbs/spices more comprehensively, several studies have examined the cellular and molecular modes of action of the active chemical components in herbs and their biological properties.
Valuable properties of herbs/spices include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, gluco-regulatory, and anti-thrombotic effects. One key component of herbs and spices is the polyphenols. Some of the abovementioned properties are credited to the polyphenols and they are related to decreasing the metabolic syndrome. Detrimental changes associated with the metabolic syndrome over time, affect brain and cognitive function. Metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes are also risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. In addition, the neuro-protective effects of herbs and spices have been demonstrated and, whether directly or indirectly, such beneficial effects may also contribute to an improvement in cognitive function. The following list of 7 superheros in the herbs/ spices realm evaluates the current evidence available that points to the potential improvement of the metabolic syndrome, as well as their neuro-protective effects on the brain, and cognitive function in animal and human studies.

7 superheroes you’ll want to add to your Kitchen regimen right away.

Turmeric: Ease arthritis- Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory that works similarly to Cox-2 inhibitors, drugs that reduce the Cox-2 enzyme that causes the pain and swelling of arthritis. There are many ways to use Turmeric. From Smoothies to Warm Savory Dishes and cooling Tuna Salads, Tumeric is a simple add to your everyday eating. Try these recipes on for size.
More encouraging buzz on Turmeric “Turmeric, a common Indian spice, may one day join the cancer treatment tool kit.”-this from John Hopkins read more here http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/publications/johns_hopkins_health/summer_2013/a_simple_spice_that_may_battle_cancer

Cinnamon for healing[/caption]Cinnamon: For Taming blood sugar-
Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savory foods. While Cinnamomum verum is sometimes considered to be “true cinnamon”, most cinnamon in international commerce is derived from related species, which are also referred to as “cassia” to distinguish them from “true cinnamon”
Some research has found that a particular type of cinnamon, cassia cinnamon, may lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. However, other studies have not found a benefit. Studies of cinnamon for lowering cholesterol and treating yeast infections in people with HIV have been inconclusive.
Lab studies have found that cinnamon may reduce inflammation, have antioxidant effects, and fight bacteria. But it’s unclear what the implications are for people.
Other notables-To tame blood sugar, study subjects took 1 g capsules of standardized cinnamon extract daily, while those in the cholesterol study took 1 to 6 g. But keep in mind that a large amount of the actual spice can be dangerous, so stick with a water-soluble extract.

Rosemary: Word from the herb garden and the researchers at Kansas State University is that when rosemary extract (a common powder) is mixed into beef before cooking, it assists in minimizing the effects of HCA levels.
“Rosemary contains carnosol and rosemarinic acid, two powerful antioxidants that destroy the HCAs,” explains lead researcher J. Scott Smith, PhD.
Other potential benefits include affects on tumors, breast cancer, and shows a whole lot of cancer-protective potential.
Other notables- To reduce HCAs, Smith recommends marinating foods in any supermarket spice mix that contains rosemary as well as one or more of the spices thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, onion, or parsley.

Ginger: Ward off tummy upset
I know this one from my own experience, Ginger does prevent stomach upset. Some of my friends swear by it for motion sickness and nausea due to stress or pregnancy. My acupuncturist recommends it to me for improving the quality of digestion, especially during colder months, when eating raw foods, and/or in my winter smoothies as colder temps reduce the body’s ability to digest raw or spicy foods. Try this smoothie for a tasty tummy pleasing adventure. http://www.mysagegourmet.com/?p=1069
Other notables-Ginger is linked to a decrease your blood pressure, arthritis pain, and cancer risk. Maximize the benefits: For travel tummy, ginger is best taken before symptoms start, at least 30 minutes before departure. Experts suggest capsules containing 500 to 1,000 mg of dried ginger every four hours, up to a maximum of 4g daily. I toss a pinky size piece of peeled raw ginger into my morning smoothie.

Holy Basil: A chill pill for stress
Several animal studies back holy basil, a special variety of the plant you use in your pesto sauce, as effective at reducing stress by increasing adrenaline and noradrenaline and decreasing serotonin. This is no surprise to Pratima Nangia-Makker, PhD, a researcher at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, whose mother and grandmother relied on a tea made from the leaves of holy basil to relieve indigestion and headaches.
Other notables-For stress relief, try holy basil extract from New Chapter or Om Organics, widely available in health food stores. To aid in breast cancer treatment, Nangia-Makker advises drinking this tea daily: Pour 2 cups boiling water over 10 to 15 fresh holy basil leaves (other varieties of basil won’t work) and steep 5 minutes. Remove the leaves before consuming. If you are being treated for breast cancer, be sure to check with your doctor. You’re unlikely to find the plants at your local nursery, but you can order them and organic holy basil seeds from Horizon Herbs.

[/caption]Marjoram- You probably recognize it as a common cooking spice. But it also has an interesting place in early Greek mythology. As the story goes, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, grew marjoram, and, as a result, marjoram has been used ever since in various love potions.
I use marjoram in my essential oils blends for clients suffering from muscle pain after workouts, stressed out necks, shoulders and for cramps-my clients swear by it as do I-Definitely a regular ingredient in my household!
Tea made from the leaves or flowers is used for runny nose and colds in infants and toddlers, dry and irritating coughs, swollen nose and throat, and ear pain.
Marjoram tea is also used for various digestion problems including poor appetite, liver disease, gallstones, intestinal gas, and stomach cramps.
Some women use marjoram tea for relieving symptoms of menopause, treating mood swings related to menstrual periods, starting menstruation, and promoting the flow of breast milk.
Other notables may include treating diabetes, sleep problems, muscle spasms, headaches, sprains, bruises and back pain. It is also used as a “nerve tonic” and a “heart tonic,” and to promote better blood circulation.
In foods, marjoram is a culinary spice. The oil and oleoresin are used as flavor ingredients in foods and beverages. You can find this little baby in my Mediterranean herb salt blend. http://www.mysagegourmet.com/shop/

Garlic: High consumption of garlic lowered rates of ovarian, colorectal, and other cancers, says a research review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A Japanese clinical trial also found that after a year of taking aged garlic extract supplements, people with a history of colon polyps saw a reduction in the size and number of the precancerous growths detected by their doctors.
Other notables: Garlic contains more than 70 active phytochemicals, including allicin, which many studies have shown drops high blood pressure by as much as 30 points. Garlic may help prevent strokes as well by slowing arterial blockages, according to a yearlong clinical study at UCLA. In addition, patients’ levels of homocysteine, a chemical that leads to plaque buildup, dropped by 12%.

Disclaimer: All health content on MySageGourmet.com and by Carol Takakura, is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider.
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Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23092406
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/healing-power-herbs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon