COVER FEATURE
GET PLANTING WITH HERBS
Herbs and spices, which can also be easily grown in your home garden, have been a staple of the human diet for many years. Earlier generations discovered that ingredients like cinnamon, basil, oregano, and garlic could enhance the flavor and taste of meats and veggies, but our ancestors didn’t stop there. Herbs and spices have been used in traditional medicine for years, too, and for good reason. Science is now validating what we’ve known for centuries—that herbs are one of the most potent tools 38
WELLSPRING / JUNE 2023
at our disposal for boosting the immune system. Let’s dive into some of the health benefits of using herbs in our dishes, daily. 1. Boosts Digestion The body naturally produces enzymes, bile, and acid, among other things, to break down your food and extract the nutrients. However, stress, poor sleep, and poor diet can knock your system out of whack. As
many of us know all too well, this can lead to digestive issues like constipation, bloating, and indigestion. Herbs and spices, such as ginger, peppermint, and fennel have been traditionally used to remedy these issues and aid in digestion. Research has begun to back up these practices with data. One study involving lab rats found that feeding them a spice mix that included turmeric, black pepper, and cumin benefited the digestive system. The data to date suggests that spices like these aid digestion in two ways:
