Benefits of Herbs (Mint, Parsley, Garlic)

 I have been doing tons of research into herbs and I think I stumbled onto something I really enjoy. Making a garden or even growing them indoors is something I can find myself doing. Since I have been doing this research I'm finding tons of benefits of consuming and using herbs. 

Today I am going to focus on three, Mint, Parsley, and Garlic. All three of these are easy to find in grocery stores and are easy to incorporate into everyday foods. 

Mint

Mint is widely used in gums and candy, but using fresh mint is where the bang for healing is. Mint is very easy to grow (or so I've heard) and is considered a low-maintenance plant. There are 25 different types of mint in the world, ranging from spearmint to peppermint. Mint is rich in anti-oxidants, can freshen breath, relieve sinus congestion, alleviate indigestion and gastrointestinal concerns. Mint can also improve breathing, treat gallstones, and combat viruses. Mint makes a delicious tea on its own. 

🌱Cold Killer- Dominion Herbal College in Burnaby, BC, recommends a strong mint and elderberry tea to promote perspiration and fend off cold and flu. To make this steep 1 teaspoon of peppermint leaves and elderflowers in hot water. Drink a cup every 30-45 mins at the first sign of a cold or flu, until you start perspiring. Then take 2 tablespoons every hour or two until fever breaks, or symptoms improve. 

🌱Sinus aid- Peppermint relieves sinusitis. Drink a cup of peppermint tea  2-3 times a day.

🌱Gallstone Savior- Thanks to Borneol found in many types of mint, Botanists James Duke, recommends "stone tea" as an aid to eliminate gallstones. He suggests mixing many different types of mint, but especially peppermint and spearmint with a teaspoon of cardamon, brewing, and drinking frequently. 

🌱Upset tummy- Cup of peppermint tea is to alleviate vomiting, nausea, and digestive upset stomachs. It can also help with motion sickness. 

🌱Colic- in small doses, peppermint water can help with colic symptoms. this needs to be extremely diluted and the use of fresh peppermint rather than the use of essential oils (which are very strong). Peppermint water can also help cracked nipples. 

🌱Herpes, chickenpox, and shingles- According to Dr. John Heinerman (Medical Anthropology and author of Healing Herbs and spices) Peppermint is protective against viruses, making it a good choice in dealing with the herpes virus. It also is good at helping chickenpox and shingles. 2 cups of Hot peppermint tea daily to alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of outbreaks. It can also help reduce the chance of an outbreak. 

🌱Good for anxiety and stress- Researcher Bryan Raudenbush (professor of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University) found that inhaling the scent of peppermint or cinnamon decreases stress, anxiety, and fatigue associated with frustration or anger. Peppermint also increases alertness. 

🌱IBS- Essential oils capsules can also treat IBS symptoms. 

* Note: Do not use Peppermint oil on children younger than the age of five.

Parsely

You know that greenery they stick on the side of food as a garnish. This plant is far more than just a garnish. Parsley is packed with nutrition. It can help with diabetes, kidney stones, and a powerful anti-cancer herb.

🌱Nutritional booster- Parsely is high in vitamin A and C as well as iron and sulfur. 

🌱Anticancer- A new study in the Journals of Science of Food and Agriculture found that parsley may have anti-cancer properties. Antioxidants destroy free radicals before they damage cells that cause cancer. It protects DNA from damage that can lead to cancer or other diseases. 

🌱Diabetes prevention- Journal of Nutrition found that eating foods high in the nutrient Myricetin can decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 26%.

🌱Kidney stone preventer- Kidney stones form due to calcium oxalite. A published study in Urology Journal found ingesting parsley leaves and roots reduced the number of calcium oxalate deposits in animals and ingesting them also helped break down the kidney stones in animals. 

Garlic 

Garlic is one of my favorite things to add to food. I think this is one thing I add to most of my cooking. Garlic is one of the world's superfoods. Garlic can help fend off flu viruses, lower blood pressure, lessen cholesterol build-up, and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Garlic has higher beneficial properties raw than it is cooked. 

Eating at least 1 clove a day will help you reap the most benefits of this superfood. 

🌱Germ buster- According to Jame Duke ( botanist and author of The Green Pharmacy) The common cold is caused by any of 200 viruses. Garlic contains several compounds that can battle colds, including allicin (a powerful broad-spectrum antibiotic) 

🌱Cancer- Allicin isn't just a natural antibiotic, but it also is an antioxidant that prevents cell damage that can cause cancer. Researchers conclude that garlic has the ability to inhibit tumors and lower the risk of esophageal, stomach, and prostate cancers. It can also slow human gastric cancer cells. 

I have found this awesome recipe from Pro Home Cooks website Here

I add this to a wide range of foods, to my morning eggs, tacos, on top of meats, many things to add a punch of flavor and reap the benefits of all these herbs together. 

All-Purpose Dressing Recipe

Ingredients 

1/2 cup of fresh mint

1/2 cup of fresh parsley

3 cloves of garlic

1/3 cup of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

3/4 cup of olive oil ( i used avocado oil)

1/2 cup of yogurt ( i use plain yogurt)

Instructions

In a food processor combine mint, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blitz until it gets broken down. Slowly drizzle in the oil to emulsify. Next, add in your yogurt and blitz to combine again. Pour into a jar and store in the fridge until ready to use. 

*Sourced information from the book "Be your Own Herbalist" by Michelle Schoffro Cook, PhD,DNM

**Disclaimer: I am not a Doctor or professional Herbalist. The info given here isn't to prevent, treat, heal any disease or sickness, Please seek your doctor before beginning any diet changes or using herbs.