Herbs Everyone Should Have On Hand
Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash
Are you familiar with herbs? I mean, sure, everyone knows about herbs in the kitchen. We love oregano on our pizza, basil in our pesto, and cumin in our tacos, but what about chamomile? or lavender? or even the lesser-known herbs like lemon balm and cat’s claw? Do you also know about the benefits of those same herbs you use in your cooking and how they make some of the most powerful herbs to have in your at-home apothecary? We’re going to talk about that in this post today. I’m excited to share with you some of the amazing benefits of a way to deal with minor, and technically major (another topic for another day), illnesses and help your body fight them better. The disclaimer: this is in no way medical advice, definitely check with your practitioner before proceeding. This information is meant to empower you to understand better what’s in your kitchen, and what you could add to help your family stay healthy.
One of the first herbs I reach for when someone is under the weather is actually that good old oregano. Did you know that oregano is an amazing antibacterial herb? It has phytonutrients (thymol and carvacrol), which fight infections such as staph. It's loaded with antioxidants that help prevent cell damage, and it's an excellent source of fiber, vitamin K, manganese, iron, vitamin E, tryptophan, and calcium. There are several ways you can use oregano from a simple tea to using an oregano oil (not to be confused with oregano essential oil - they are different). To make a quick and simple tea using the dried herbs right from your pantry, use 1 tsp to 1 cup of water, heat the water, and steep the tea for several minutes using a stainless mesh ball for loose leaf tea, or something similar. Add some raw honey if you so desire, and sip.
Another herb that I love that you likely have in your pantry is thyme. It’s another antibacterial, and even antifungal, herb. It works amazing for laryngitis, steep like the above directions, and drink it all day. You’ll restore your voice so quickly. Thyme also contains a variety of minerals and vitamins that promote good health. Thyme is full of vitamin C for immune support, potassium for healthy cells, and manganese for bone development and blood clotting. I will often mix oregano and thyme together to make a pretty powerful tea.
Lemon Balm is one that most people don’t just have lying around, but maybe you should? It’s probably one of my favorite herbs. It tastes good, it has amazing properties, and it’s easy to grow in a garden or pot. I recommend having this one on hand as it’s an amazing nervine or nervous system tonic. It can be used to promote a sense of calm. It’s also a phenomenal antiviral that’s been shown to be effective against several common viruses. It also helps with digestive issues, reduces inflammation from pathogens, detoxifies the liver, and it’s high in silica and trace minerals. I love Traditional Medicinals for bagged teas, or buy loose leaf and make sure it’s organic. Or you can always grab a tincture from Vimergy. Alternatively, grow your own!
Another favorite of mine is Chamomile. This one should just be a staple, really, I promise. It’s also safe for littles, even babies. Chamomile can actually improve the quality of your sleep. It contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in your brain that may promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia, or the chronic inability to sleep. It also promotes digestive health, it’s used to protect against diarrhea and can even stop it (though the evidence is anecdotal here - I must say that anecdotal evidence is pretty powerful, in my opinion.) It can potentially protect against cancer, lower blood sugar levels, and because chamomile is abundant in flavones, a class of antioxidants, it has the potential to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
The last one I’ll talk about today is Cat’s Claw. This one is another amazing and incredibly powerful antiviral. Cat's claw is a woody vine native to the Amazon and Central American rainforests. Cat’s claw bark and root, often made into tea, have been used for centuries by South Americans as a remedy for a wide range of ailments, including stomach ulcers and fevers. Cat’s Claw also contains compounds that are incredibly promising for diseases such as Lyme’s Disease, arthritis, and even cancer. It helps stimulate the immune system, so it’s really beneficial when you’re coming down with a cold or flu or another virus. My favorite form is the tincture from Vimergy. Definitely grab some to have on hand for your family!
What herbs do you love to have around?