Posts Tagged ‘Rosemary’

What are different health benefits of having Rosemary in your diet?

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis meaning sea dew) is a Mediterranean herb. It is known since ancient times for its health benefits because of which it has found its way into various recipes and many medical and health practices.
Rosemary is not a seasonal plant, it is found throughout the year. Belonging to the laminaceae family it is pleasantly flavored with small spiny leaves with flowers varying in colors; blue being the most common. In optimal conditions, this shrub can grow up to a height of 150cm.
The list of health benefits of Rosemary is quite long; however, all of these benefits are based on clinical experiences rather than experimental evidence. Some of the popular health benefits of rosemary are discussed below.

Preservative
One of the primary health benefits of rosemary is its use as a preservative. Rosemary is used in a number of dishes mainly due to its antibacterial properties that slows the decay of food, mainly meat, thus retaining its flavor and nutrients for a longer period.
Anticarcinogen
Rosemary is believed to prevent breast cancer in women by stimulating the enzymes controlling the estrogen levels in the human body. Rosemary is rich in antioxidants, which helps in clearing the human system from the toxic free radicals, which if not controlled may lead to cancerous growth in the body.
Memory improvement
A daily intake of rosemary is believed to enhance memory and increase the concentration levels. A chemical carnosic acid found in Rosemary is said to avoid Alzheimer’s disease.
Digestive stimulant
One very well known health benefit of rosemary is its effect on the digestive system, probably the reason why rosemary has found its way to so many dishes. Rosemary is believed to prevent most digestion related ailments by enhancing the secretion of bile by the liver. This herb is said to avoid constipation, gas, and dyspepsia, thus maintaining the overall health of the digestive system.
Antioxidant
The antioxidant property of Rosemary not only helps in warding off cancer but also helps in clearing the body off toxins and retaining the health and beauty of the skin. Rosemary is also rich in vitamin C, which helps in increasing body immunity against infection and diseases.
Antidepressant
Rosemary is also known for its calming effects on the nervous system, because of which it is widely used in aromatherapy to ward off anxiety, hypertension, depression and headaches.
Improves menstrual cycle
This herb is also used to stimulate menstruation incase of any delay. It’s anti spasmodic properties helps in reducing abdominal cramps related with the menstrual cycle.
Prevents body odor and Stimulate hair growth
Rosemary is also believed to prevent body odor and stimulate the growth of hair. Hence, adding a few drops of rosemary oil to the bathing water can help you not only to stay fresh but also to keep your hair healthy and shining.
Improves Blood Circulation
Rosemary also helps in stimulating blood circulation and avoid condition like gout and icterus.

Rosemary is rich in minerals and vitamins like vitamins B and C, hence its consumption helps in nourishment of the body as a whole. Adding this little herb to your every day nourishment list will not only add flavor to your food but will help you improve in your overall health.
Rosemary has been used since ancient times for stimulating abortions in pregnant women. Rosemary should be avoided by women who are pregnant or intending to be.

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Some common herbs and spices that not only add flavor to food but also helps preserve brain health and boost cognition.

Herbs and spices are natural products made from leaves, roots, flowers, and seeds of plants. They have been used to preserve foods and add flavor and also for medicinal qualities. Many herbs and spices are excellent sources of antioxidants, vitamins and molecules that can help protect brain cells from aging and damage caused by toxins.
GARLIC
- Garlic may protect neurons against cell death.
- Garlic promotes the growth of neurons.
- Garlic increases learning and memory capacity.
- Garlic lowers the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Garlic increases internal antioxidants.
- Garlic inhibits inflammation.
- Garlic reduces cholesterol and platelet aggregation.
- Garlic lowers blood pressure.
- Garlic prevents brain injury associated with stroke.

ROSEMARY
- Rosemary contains a powerful antioxidant carnosic acid protects brain cells from oxidative stress and promote dilation of cerebral arteries.
- Rosemary may lower blood glucose and increase serum insulin levels in diabetic animals.
- Rosemary odor lowers pulse rates and anxiety levels.
- Rosemary scent may help in improving memory performance.

SAGE
- Sage may help protect against some of the injurious effects on brain cells of toxic beta- amyloid plaque.
- Sage appears to alleviate some Alzheimer’s disease symptoms by improving communication among various regions of brain.
- Sage is a powerful source of antioxidants.
- Sage helps in fighting inflammation.
- Sage is thought to have anti-anxiety effects.

Health benefits of various natural spices

Spice is the corner stone of life, even if it is about food, love, relationships or career. Nobody loves a bland, monotonous taste in life. Spices add the much needed zing to the ultimate product. It gives the color, flavor and taste to you daily dose of health. Apart from all this spices give you the boost much needed to combat those evil predators who wreak havoc with your immune system. Spices include a wide variety of herbs, roots, flowers and fruits. It has the humble ubiquitous cumin to the rare and costly Saffron, but ultimately all of them do the one thing, add the much needed zest to your taste buds and body.
Spices have antioxidant properties which helps you to combat Alzheimer, aging and heart disease. It has antimicrobial properties which helps to keep food safe and also kills many pathogens which cling to it. The anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce the clumping of blood platelets and boost the circulatory system. Spices are also said to improve brain function. There are a great variety of spice which are the integral part of Indian, Chinese and Mediterranean cooking. The use of spice varies with respect to Indian, Chinese or Mediterranean cuisines.
To examine the health benefits of certain spices, we can begin with,

Cumin: It is one of the best sources of Iron and is used to improve digestion. Water boiled with cumin is used to control dysentery in infants.
Cardamom: The amazing cardamom tea is the best thing to lift your spirits. It is a breathe freshener and is used to cope with diabetics.
Coriander: Water boiled with coriander is a good kidney cleanser. It is good to combat rheumatism, sore throat, indigestion, allergies etc.
Curry Leaves: These are the friends of the diabetics. Curry leaves are chewed early in the morning to reduce blood sugar. It is used cleansing the body and also is a part of a host of herbal medicines.
Cinnamon: cholesterol can be considerably reduced by cinnamon. It also reduces the blood sugar levels and encourages the production of natural insulin.
Chilly: It contains Capsaicin which has antioxidant and anti-microbial properties which gives a boost to the immune system.
Clove: this humble flower was used from time immemorial to combat tooth and gum problems. It also fights digestive disorders, cough and cold.
Garlic: Reams of paper can be used to illustrate the uses of this wonder spice. It has strong antioxidant properties and is said to combat a simple cold to life threatening cancer.
Mustard: It contains omega three fatty acids an dis a wonderful source of Iron, calcium and Zinc. It is a great massage oil as it reduces aches and pains.
Pepper: Need to combat common cold then pepper is your answer. It also deals with muscle pains and digestive disorders.
Nutmeg: It is said to be a antidote for Asthma, digestive tract problems and even cancer.
Oregano: This Mediterranean spice calms digestive disorders and helps in curing respiratory illness.
Thyme: Just use it to counter you respiratory disorders and it also stimulates your immune system.
Rosemary: This was an air-freshener before the arrival of synthetic products. It is also soothes and improves the digestive system.
Saffron: This is one of the costliest spice in the world. Saffron is said to combat aging and reduce wrinkles. Continuous use is said to increase the skin tone. Saffron helps to cure a humble headache to the terrible tumors.
The list of the spices are endless and the continuous and judicious use helps in fighting diseases. Everything has a flip side and excessive use of the spices can play havoc with your digestion and circulatory systems. So go for the spice in your life but keep it under your thumb.