When it comes to pushing your wellness goals to the next level, the herbs and spices health benefits are worth checking out. It’s no secret that herbs and spices are good for you. Herbs and spices have been an integral part of traditional medicine and are revered as a cure-all in many countries. Herbs and spices health benefits have been used to improve health for centuries.

Herbs and spices health benefits go far beyond simply feeling better when you’re sick. Certain herbs and spices can help protect brain health, improve heart health, and may even prevent certain types of cancer. Here, we’ll show you all the herbs and spices health benefits so you can settle in with a few to use for your health.

Check out this video on Indian herbs and spices from a Healthy Hueman over at Home Cooked who believes in lower-cost food and more nutritious food options.

10 Indian Herbs And Spices Health Benefits

1. Protects Heart Health

Recent research including animal studies shows that certain herbs and spices may significantly lower the risk for serious heart disease including heart attack and blood clots. Herbs and spices contain anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe tissue in arteries. This helps to minimize the risk of inflammation that can restrict blood circulation and cause clotting. See: 7 Amazing Health Benefits of Fennel Seed

2. May Aid Weight Loss

Certain herbs and spices may help accelerate weight loss thanks to its chemical composition that signal the body to burn stored fat. See: 7 Reasons to Put Olive Oil in your Belly Button For Weight Loss

3. Supports Mental Health

Herbs and spices have been linked to lower risk of neurological disease and decreased stress levels. Some have also shown promise in preventing cognitive decline associated with brain disease such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. See: How To Develop Mindset Fitness

4. Aids Digestion

Herbs and spices help streamline digestion and can treat a host of issues ranging from nausea and upset stomach to diarrhea. Ginger is an herb that has long been used in China and India to treat upset stomachs. The ingredients gingerol and shogaol help to soothe the stomach lining to prevent vomiting. Peppermint also helps to soothe an upset stomach thanks to high levels of antioxidants and menthol. See: 7 Ways to Boost Digestion You Never Knew Existed + [Video]

4 Herbs And Spices Health Benefits To Consider

SAGE

Salvia officinalis

Sage has a rich past as a popular healing element. Used by ancient Egyptians to improve fertility, and by first-century Greek practitioners to dress sores, it also has a reputation for expanding the nervous system and sharpening memory.

An eight-week study of 71 menopausal women found that using fresh sage every day can, in several instances, prevent severe hot flushes completely. It can also help alleviate other physical and psychological menopause symptoms, such as insomnia, stress, and vaginal dryness. See: Benefits of Using Slippery Elm for Vaginal Dryness

TRY IT Combine dried sage leaves and honey in a clean jar. Cover tightly and let them infuse for at least five days.

EVENING PRIMROSE

Oenothera biennis

So named because its flowers open at the end of the day, evening primrose has long been prized for its purported healing characteristics. This fragile plant is believed to have originated in Mexico and Central America. Traditionally, the leaves have been utilized as a treatment for minor wounds and sore throats.

Now, we are more engaged in the evening primrose seeds. The oil extracted contains omega-6 fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which may help decrease inflammation. It also carries vitamin E, an antioxidant that’s essential for healthy cells. A novel clinical trial found that evening primrose oil may help decrease the severity of hot flushes, and, to a lesser extent, their frequency and duration.

TRY IT Evening primrose oil can be found in supplement form in most health food shops.

BLACK COHOSH

Actaea racemosa

Quaintly known as ‘fairy candle’ for its features in woodland shade, this tall, flowering herb was traditionally utilized to treat gynecological and kidney difficulties. Some researchers consider black cohosh to be a phytoestrogen (and mimic the effects of estrogen, levels of which fall during menopause). It is also thought to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities.

TRY IT Black cohosh can be taken daily in tablet form.

RED CLOVER

Trifolium pratense

Pertaining to the same legume family as peas and beans, red clover has historically been used to manage conditions ranging from whooping cough to gout. More recently, it has been proposed that the isoflavones (another phytoestrogen) extracted from this plant may help to redress hormonal imbalances during menopause.

TRY IT Red clover is most commonly available in tablets or capsules but is also found in a variety of herbal teas.