5 Herbs To Add To Your Regular Cooking Routine
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If you’re looking to expand your culinary repertoire to include more super-foods, herbs are a great place to start. They can easily be added to existing recipes to boost your gut health, immune system, and overall well-being. Unlike a lot of other popular superfoods, they are also simple and inexpensive to acquire. Whether you’re swinging by the grocery store or growing them yourself, herbs are readily available all year round and can make a big impact on both the flavour and the health value of your meals. With that in mind, here are five herbs to add to your regular cooking routine.
Oregano
Oregano is a classic kitchen staple that is easy to incorporate into any number of recipes, particularly Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta, or grilled meats. In fact, adding oregano to meat has been shown to reduce the toxicity of the cooking process. Oregano is a powerful antioxidant which can support the health of your immune system. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which can improve conditions such as osteoporosis. Oregano is antifungal and antibacterial which can boost gut health, combat food-born pathogens, and fight off candida.
Fennel
Fennel can be consumed in a number of ways since the leaves, seeds, and bulbs are all edible. Fresh fennel leaves make a great addition to a salad or a meat marinade and the seeds add a big boost of flavour to Indian and Middle Eastern style sauces. Fennel is full of potassium, calcium, and vitamins which can improve bone health and lower blood pressure. It’s also high in fiber which improves gut health by preventing constipation and promoting regularity. The components of fennel seeds stimulate digestion, reduce intestinal inflammation, and help your body better absorb the nutrients in the rest of your food. The presence of iron and amino acids are also helpful in the treatment and prevention of anemia.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a delicious savoury herb that can be cooked with anything from lamb, beef, and chicken to root vegetables like potatoes and yams. Whether you grow it fresh or keep your cupboards stocked with the dried leaves, rosemary is easy to get your hands on all year round. Rosemary is full of rosmarinic acid and essential oils which are anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory. Many recent studies have also found that rosemary can stimulate brain function and improve your memory. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are particularly beneficial at preventing stomach and staph infections. It has also been traditionally used to remedy stomach aches, bloating, and irregular bowel movements thanks to its anti-inflammatory nature.
Mint
Mint is perhaps one of the best-known herbs for improving gut health, and with good reason! Incorporate it into a dessert to help your stomach digest a heavy meal or add some fresh leaves to a salad to pump up the flavour while healing everything from colic to cramping and gas. Mint is from the carminative family of herbs which are all great at helping to clear gas and trapped wind from the digestive tract. The aroma of mint alone activates your salivary glands and stimulates digestive enzymes which makes it a great herb to include in an appetizer to prepare the body for healthy digestion. The aroma can also help treat nausea and headaches naturally.
Sage
Incorporating sage into your diet can lower inflammation, boost your immune system, and regulate your digestion. The herb’s peppery flavour makes it ideal for use in savoury dishes and with meat. It pairs particularly well with poultry so try adding a healthy dose to your next roast chicken or turkey. A sage tea is particularly beneficial if you suffer from gastrointestinal inflammation and its antimicrobial elements can strengthen your immune system. In addition, there is also emerging research which suggests that sage is great for your cognitive health and can stave off diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
If you’re looking for a natural way to increase your overall well-being or your gut health in particular, consider incorporating these herbs into your regular cooking routine. With a few small additions, your usual recipes can easily and affordably be transformed into delicious and healthy meals your body will thank you for.
