Herbs for your health

    Herbs are probably one of the best things you am add to your meals. They are very nutrient dense, providing you with many vitamins and minerals. They are fantastic for detoxing the body, increase metabolism and have been used in medicine for thousands of years. Best of all, they are pretty easy to grow, even through the winter! If you can't grow them fresh, they are packed with benefits dried too and they keep for 6 months-1 year. Here are some easy to grow, easy to find herbs and the vitamins and minerals they provide. 

    BASIL- good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, fiber and B6. 

    

    CILANTRO- good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, B6, folic acid, riboflavin, niacin, beta carotene, potassium, calcium, iron and manganese 

    DILL- good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, manganese, fiber, iron, folic acid and riboflavin 

    OREGANO- good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, carotene B and antioxidants. 

    PARSLEY- good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, B vitamins, folate, iron, antioxidants, potassium, calcium, magnesium and manganese. 

    ROSEMARY- good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, riboflavin, potassium, calcium, iron, copper, and magnesium. 

    SAGE- good source of vitamin K, flavonoids, folate and calcium. 

    TARRAGON- good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, pyridoxine, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, potassium, calcium, iron, copper and zinc

    THYME- good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, B6, iron, manganese, calcium, fiber, potassium, selenium and folic acid. 

    We tend to add herbs and only think about the great flavored they add but they are so much more than just flavor enhancers. To actually go over the health benefits of each herb I think I would have to cover them one by one because they all have such amazing health benefits. Many herbs are very rich in calcium, iron and folic acid which is especially beneficial to pregnant women so if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant, try to throw some extra herbs in to your meals. Also they are very rich in vitamin K, you can up your intake postpartum and avoid a synthetic vitamin K shot for your newborn (that is if you're breast feeding as the vitamin K will pass right through to your baby and is a lot safer). 

    Try adding some fresh herbs to your salads. When you're feeling yourself getting sick you can juice some oregano and take it as a shot, it will be very helpful in speeding up your recovery. 

    

~ Janet ✌