Windowsill Herbs

We tend to eat WAY too much salt. This only increases our probability of dehydration.  Replacing table salt with sea salt helps, but herbs are a wonderful way of helping you reduce your salt intake.  These windowsill herbs - easy to grow inside or out, very fragrant, easy to harvest, easy to dry - should be standard in your daily cooking, menu planning. 

Cilantro - Cilantro is now one of my most favorite herbs.  For most you will either LOVE it, or HATE it.  When I first tasted it, I was one of those that HATED it.  We were in Hawaii, and I was being introduced to Vietnamese food (Yumm!!) and we ordered Cha Gio (tiny spring rolls) and received the full platter of herbs and vegetables.  We also ordered Pho (soup) and this too came with lots of herbs and vegetables.  I kept tasting this one STRONG flavor that I was unfamiliar with and started picking at the herbs until I found what it was that I kept tasting - Cilantro.  We find Cilantro in lots of things - but it isn't as strong, if it isn't fresh.  Salsa, Mexican foods, Thai, Vietnamese, etc.... It is a very versatile herb and once your palate is used to its strong flavor, you too may learn to love it in many things.  I season my quesadillas and salads with lots of cilantro.  As a medicinal, it helps to remove heavy metals and toxins from the body. It is an anti-inflammatory antiseptic, and an antifungal.  The oils in Cilantro are beneficial to our digestive tract, aids in normalizing hormone levels, balances sugar levels, among others.

Recommended reading: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/cilantro.html

Oregano - Most of us are familiar with Oregano - heavily used in cooking Italian food.  Oregano has a wonderful aroma and can be grown indoors or out.  There are many varieties, you may find more to your liking than others.  Oregano is an antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparacitic.  Like Cilantro, it is very high in antioxidants - strengthening the immune system.  The oil in Oregano also helps to strengthen and increase flexibility of muscles and joints.  Fresh Oregano, like most of your green leafy vegetables / herbs are high in vitamins and minerals.  Aids in digestion, stimulates menstrual flow, relieves muscle spasms when given as an infusion, may slow aging, and reduces cancer risk.

Recommended reading: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=73

Basil - Did you know there are MANY different types of Basil?  And all of them have a very different taste?  Thai Basil - spicy, Sweet Basil - obviously sweet, Lemon Basil - lemony, etc.... Basil is another "windowsill" herb.   Many people grow it in their kitchens as it is frequently used in many dishes and is easy to grow.  Basil has powerful flavonoids to help protect cell structure and growth - meaning it is a natural cancer fighter.  it is an anti-inflammatory and an antibacterial.  It has been shown to fight ecoli and staph infections successfully.  It also fights heart disease, and helps to normalize cholesterol levels.  Play around with the different types of Basil in your dishes for a variety of flavors. 

Recommended reading: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=85

Dill - While not quite a windowsill herb... it is very fragrant and easy to grow.  Dill is another of my favorites... I regularly get a mix of herbs and leaf lettuces and mix for a salad rather than traditional head lettuce.  The more you mix your colors and types, the better flavor and better nutrition you gain from your salads.  Dill has been long known for its digestive calming.  The flavonoids in Dill also are cancer fighters.  Dill also aids in normalizing menses and fights insomnia.  It is a relaxant, antispasmodic, and a diuretic. 

Recommended reading: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=71

This is just a short list.. the point I am trying to make is that your fresh herbs are very, very beneficial to day to day health and if you grow your own - fairly inexpensive.  Keeping them in pots in your house will give your home a warm fragrant scent, and will provide you with lasting health!  E

SUPER foods - Herbs / Spices

The best way to a healthier you... is to add a little "spice" to your meals.  Get creative with what herbs and spices you add to your meals.  It doesn't have to be complicated or hard... my favorite use... add as many fresh herbs as I can find to my salad... mmmm... a little balsamic vinegar.

http://www.herbcompanion.com/ is a great site.  Lots of good info.  Recipes - how to grow herbs - where to find organic farms in your area.
http://www.whfoods.com/ is another great site for information.

Mint - Peppermint has the highest concentration of menthol of any in the mint family.  It is commonly used to settle stomach indigestion, soothes nausea, protects the body against the formation of cancer cells, cleanses the body, and clears congestion.  Peppermint oil is known to aid in relieving the pain of a migraine by rubbing a drop of oil on the temples and at the base of the neck.  Boiling water and adding both peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil and breathing in the vapor helps to relieve congestion (both sinus and chest) and helps to heal lung infections.

Ginger - We use the tuber root / rhizome of the beautiful tropical ginger plant.  The Asians have used ginger for thousands of years as a healing herb.  When taken internally, it helps prevent motion sickness, reduces morning sickness during pregnancy, reduces inflammation and the effects of arthritis, fights colon cancer, and fights tumors.  When used in the bath it is an anti-inflammatory, a stress reliever, and helps reduce the affects of cold/flu. 
Turmeric - Turmeric is an active ingredient in mustard and curry.  It has a very distinctive taste and color.  Turmeric is known for it's great anti-inflammatory characteristics and for its relief for arthritic joints.  It is a powerful antioxidant that helps prevent cataracts, colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dill - I absolutely love fresh dill in my salads.  I grow it in my garden, because I eat so much of it... it gets too expensive! :)  Dill helps with digestion, has cancer fighting properties, helps regulate menstrual cycle, fights insomnia, and promotes good oral hygiene.

Thyme - I was surprised to find how many health benefits Thyme has.  Thyme when drank as a tea (fresh thyme, honey, lemon) has a variety of benefits - expels parasites, soothes and relaxes the mind and eases sleep, eases menstrual cramps and the effects of PMS.  Insects do not like thyme so plant some in your garden or around your favorite roses to deter them.  Thyme increases brain function and cell regeneration.  There are too many benefits to list here.  Thyme can be used fresh, dried, as a tincture, and as an essential oil.  It can be used to aid in healing almost any ailment.

Cinnamon - my favorite spice is also my favorite scent.  The most common benefits of cinnamon is a healthy heart and lower cholesterol. Just 1/2 t. of cinnamon has been known to reduce the LDL and triglycerides.  It has also been shown to reduce blood sugar levels.  There are also studies showing that cinnamon helps fight cancer.  Specifically slowing the growth of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.  It helps clear sinuses and reduce coughing.  Cinnamon reduces nervous tension and increases alertness, memory, and concentration.  Many women use it to ease menstrual pain and cramping.  Cinnamon aids in digestion, reduces urinary infections, and boosts immune system functions.

Garlic - one of the oldest medicinal herbs known, many consider it a wonder drug because of its many benefits.  There are so many benefits I can't name them all here... Garlic is a natural mosquito repellent.  It helps normalize cholesterol levels, strengthens the natural ability for the body heal itself, fights cancer, strengthens the body against allergies, helps regulate blood pressure, helps the body maintain a healthy weight, helps fight strokes, and promotes a healthy heart.

Hot Peppers - spicy food has long been known to aid in heart health, breaks up congestion, and as an analgesic (pain killer).  It also helps reduces the symptoms of Asthma, fights free radicals that cause cancer, boosts immunity, helps one maintain a healthy weight, and fights ulcers. 

Aloe Vera - aloe has long been known to help heal skin rashes, burns, and other skin ailments.  It also has been shown to regenerate skin cells.  An anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune stimulant herb with wonderful benefits. 

This is only a start... every herb and spice out there has some healthy benefit... the more herbs you use in your food - the less salt you need.- obviously your heart will than you there!  Try using one of the many Mrs. Dash products more and salt less... I know!  this is a work in progress.. we take baby steps!  Just giving you some great alternatives.  :)