The Healing Power of Herbs
Healing Herbs
Throughout the ages, herbs, and spices have enhanced food flavor. But ancient civilizations did not distinguish between the flavor benefits and medicinal benefits of plants.
Modern science has now shown that many of them do indeed carry remarkable health benefits. Herbs not only have the ability to heal and boost physical health but also mental well-being.
For one, herbs add a burst of flavor to food, allowing you to cut back on salt without sacrificing taste. And several herbs, have significant amounts of the essential vitamins A, C and K. Hence inclusion of herbs in the diet can be an excellent addition to one’s wellness regime.
In fact, at the beginning of the 21st century, 11 percent of the 252 drugs considered “basic and essential” by the World Health Organization were “exclusively of flowering plant origin.” Drugs like codeine, quinine, and morphine all contain plant-derived ingredients.
While these manufactured drugs have certainly become paramount in our lives, it can be comforting to know that the power of nature is on our side, and these herbal choices are available to complement our health practices.
But the extent of the power they hold is also still being explored. These alternatives are not cure-alls, and they are not perfect. Many carry the same risks and side effects as manufactured medicines. Many of them are sold with unfounded promises.
However, many herbs and teas offer harmless subtle ways to improve your health. Consider looking at the 100% organic herbal infusions from Tezahn. Made purely from herbs and spices, Tezahn is carefully crafted with ingredients that have natural antioxidants and can help support build a strong immunity with their inherent wellness-promoting properties.
Buying & Storing Herbs
The true power of herbs lies in their wealth of protective polyphenols — plant compounds with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. A number of studies show that polyphenols in herbs help combat such diseases as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and more. Polyphenols are anti-microbial, so they can help protect us from harmful bacteria as well.
Although many of the studies on herbs’ effects have involved concentrated solutions of the leaves’ active components, there is evidence that their benefits still apply when they are cooked and eaten as part of a regular meal, too.
The best way to have fresh herbs at your fingertips is to grow them yourself, in your garden or in pots on your windowsill. This way, all you need to do is snip as desired, and the beauty and scent of the plants will be a natural reminder to use them.
When buying cut herbs, make sure the leaves are not wilted or yellowing — they should be bright or deep green, depending on the variety, and perky looking. To store them, wash and pat or spin dry in a salad spinner, then wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag or an airtight container.
Regardless of how carefully you select or refrigerate them, fresh-cut herbs are highly perishable. The tenderest leaves, such as basil and cilantro, will usually not last more than a week in the refrigerator. Firmer types such as parsley and oregano will keep a bit longer, and hearty rosemary and thyme will last a couple of weeks. Hence to preserve them longer, chop them and place them in ice cube trays with stock or water. Freeze: then transfer the herb cubes into a plastic bag and keep frozen to add to soups, stews, and sauces.
Although fresh herbs offer a clean, bright flavor and spring-like appeal, do not write off dried, which have upsides of their own. Dried herbs are easy to keep on hand, and they are at least as beneficial as fresh, if not more so, because the drying process actually concentrates the polyphenols and flavors. When buying dried herbs, get them in small quantities that you can use up in less than a year, because their flavor fades with time. And keep in mind that, as a rule, if a recipe calls for one tablespoon of a fresh chopped herb, you can generally substitute one teaspoon dried.
Dried Tulsi (Holy Basil) and dried Mint are two of the key ingredients that are used in Tezahn. The infusions are made in small batches and stored at a controlled temperature, to ensure the freshness of the herbs and their benefits are intact for long periods of time.
Use the real thing
Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, it is best to eat the herb or spice instead of taking it in pill form. Both plants and supplements, are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration for safety or quality and can have questionable dosage which might have a risk of contamination. Keep this in mind before choosing supplements from the shelf.
Food is an army. Compounds from herbs and spices as well as the other foods you are eating work together to provide health benefits. We don’t know if you get the same result from taking a single ingredient as a supplement.”
Listed below are a few key herbs and spices that are used in Tezahn. They are also some of the most popular and healthy herbs and spices as supported by research.
Holy Basil: Helps Fight Infections and Boosts Immunity
Not to be confused with regular basil or Thai basil, holy basil is considered a sacred herb in India. Studies show that holy basil can inhibit the growth of a range of bacteria, yeasts, and molds. One small study also found that it can boost the function of the immune system by increasing certain immune cells in the blood. Holy basil is also linked to reduced blood sugar levels before and after meals, as well as treating anxiety and anxiety-related depression.
Mint: Promotes digestion, weight loss and provides relief from fatigue
Aside from adding a refreshing kick to any meal or beverage, mint boasts many impressive benefits such as promoting digestion and weight loss as well as providing relief from nausea, depression, fatigue, and headache. The Mentha, or mint, the family includes around 20 different plant species such as peppermint, spearmint, or apple mint.
Cinnamon: Lowers Blood Sugar Levels and Has a Powerful Anti-Diabetic Effect
Cinnamon is a popular spice, found in all sorts of recipes and baked goods. Cinnamon has potent antioxidant activity, helps fight inflammation, and has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. But where cinnamon really shines is in its effects on blood sugar levels.
Cinnamon can lower blood sugar by several mechanisms, including by slowing the breakdown of carbs in the digestive tract and improving insulin sensitivity. Studies have shown that cinnamon can lower fasting blood sugars by 10–29% in diabetic patients, which is a significant amount.
Turmeric: Contains Curcumin, a Substance With Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. It contains several compounds with medicinal properties, the most important of which is curcumin. Curcumin is a remarkably powerful antioxidant, helping to fight oxidative damage and boosting the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. This is important because oxidative damage is believed to be one of the key mechanisms behind aging and many diseases.
Curcumin is also strongly anti-inflammatory, to the point where it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs. Given that long-term, low-level inflammation plays a major role in almost every chronic Western disease, it is not surprising to see that curcumin is linked to a variety of health benefits.
Studies suggest that it can improve brain function, fight Alzheimer’s, reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and relieve arthritis, to name a few.
Ginger: Can Treat Nausea and Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Ginger is a popular spice used in several forms of alternative medicine. Studies have consistently shown that 1 gram or more of ginger can successfully treat nausea. This includes nausea caused by morning sickness, chemotherapy, and seasickness.
Ginger also appears to have strong anti-inflammatory properties and can help with pain management.
Cardamom: Helps manage diabetes and digestive problems
Cardamom is one of the most valued spices in the world with an intense aromatic flavor used to bring out the best in both savory and sweet dishes. Its eloquence, culinary magic, and healing powers have earned it the title “Queen of Spices”.
It has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in protecting your heart from elevated cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. It also helps manage diabetes and lowers the risk of cancer and liver toxicity. It is used as a carminative for digestive problems as well. It helps alleviate oral health problems like cavities and bad breath.
Cardamom is a spice found in the form of a small pod with black seeds inside. It belongs to the ginger family. Cardamom has been traditionally used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine for many years.
Conclusion
Herbs & spices meet at the perfect sweet spot where delicious and healthful meet. We hope this guide will act as a starting point for those who wish to integrate herbal remedies into their lives and arrive armed with knowledge. So, get out your spice rack, and your pestle and mortar, or an easy alternative is to quickly drop an herbal bag of Tezahn in your water and enjoy the nutritional benefits all day while you stay hydrated!
