| The standard American diet is nothing short of a death | | | | * Ginger is one of the best-known nausea |
| trap. More Americans are overweight today than at | | | | preventatives. It is also antibacterial and is commonly |
| any other time in history. And, as obesity soars, so do | | | | used to support the immune system, cardiovascular |
| many other sickness and diseases. Many of which | | | | health and arthritis. |
| could be eliminated or at least greatly diminished if we | | | | * Tumeric is well known for treating both diabetes and |
| took responsibility for our own well-being. | | | | arthritis. |
| Herbs have been a source of medicine for thousands | | | | * Cloves have proven pain-relieving properties. It is also |
| of years. There are now stores in almost all mid to | | | | a natural antiseptic. |
| large size cities that cater to the natural and organic | | | | * Red pepper also is well known for its pain-relieving |
| foods market. The concept is easy to embrace; yet | | | | properties. If you suffer from migraines or cluster |
| some people just don't seem to understand the | | | | headaches, try adding red pepper or cayenne to your |
| simplicity of it. By simply adding herbs to our everyday | | | | meals. |
| cooking we can dramatically stabilize and see radical | | | | * Thyme is beneficial for its natural anti-aging |
| improvements in our health. The problem is that we | | | | chemicals. It is also used for relieving muscle pain and |
| have to get more families in the kitchen and out of the | | | | tension headaches. |
| fast food restaurants. | | | | And of course this is just a good starting point. Pick up |
| Herbs come in several forms: fresh, dried, chopped | | | | a book such as the Green Pharmacy, or any good |
| and powdered. You will have to get familiar with the | | | | herbal cookbook and you will be amazed at what you |
| herbs to figure out which form you like to use. Some | | | | can do to live a healthier life just by simply |
| herbs work better in a fresh form than others, but it is | | | | incorporating herbs in your foods. |
| ultimately a matter of taste. | | | | As far as how to incorporate them into your foods, I |
| With such an array of herbs on the market today, it | | | | dare not go into that arena. Adding herbs to your food |
| would be impossible to go through the benefits of each | | | | is a matter of taste. However, here are some basic |
| one. However, most people have several very | | | | tips. |
| beneficial herbs right in their cupboards. Let's take one | | | | * If you are using a fresh herb, you will need double the |
| of the basics, garlic. Garlic has been called natural | | | | amount as the dried form. |
| penicillin for centuries. Garlic is known to prevent both | | | | * Start out adding small amounts and suit to taste. |
| heart disease and cancer. It is very wise to ingest as | | | | * To determine the best flavor combinations for your |
| much garlic as you can, especially during cold and flu | | | | foods, try taking the herbs and rubbing them between |
| season. Although it does not leave the most pleasant | | | | your fingers. Then smell them and see what you think. |
| aroma in its wake, garlic is one of the best natural | | | | When it comes down to it, your sense of smell is |
| medicines you can have in your diet. | | | | much more important than your sense of taste. Before |
| Here is a list of many other common pantry herbs and | | | | long you will know exactly the right combinations for |
| spices that are very beneficial to your health. | | | | your families tastes. |
| * Cinnamon is a potent antimicrobial agent and is very | | | | And as Hippocrates supposedly said, "Let your food |
| useful in settling an upset stomach. | | | | be your medicine, and let your medicine be your food. |