20 Herbs With Great Health And Medicinal Benefits ~ Health Priority

Herbs are those parts of the plants having aromatic and flavoring property.

Herbs are even used as natural medicines.

Whole plants or the part of the plants like dried bark, the roots, seeds, twigs, leaves, flower buds are used as medicine or as a flavor in a dish.

Single herb part that is leaf or a seed have more than one healing property that could cure one or more diseases. One part of the plant used as herb like leaf may have one healing property while the other part like seed may have property to treat other disease. They may be same in taste, odor and medicinal reactions.

Nowadays, there is huge importance of herbs that are widely used to both treat and prevent a wide variety of ailments and diseases.

Herbs can be used in powdered form in meals, fresh or dried herbs with boiling water, as oils (essential or aromatic) and even can be applied topically.

Herbs can be used as such or can be processed and added in food as flavoring agent.

MEDICINAL BENEFITS

Here are most common herbs used medicinally with best health benefits.

① Turmeric

Turmeric contains most active compound curcumin is helpful to prevent heart disease, cancer, arthritis and Alzheimer's. Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant. Turmeric helps to slow down aging as it reduces the oxidative damage and protects the against free radicals. It boosts the activity of own anti-oxidant enzyme. Curcumin improves brain function and is helpful in depression. It lowers LDL cholesterol and prevents heart disease and stroke. Boosts immune system. Turmeric helps to relieve ulcerative colitis remission.

② Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is considered to be an ancient medicinal herb which helps to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. It lowers the blood sugar level and has anti-cancer property. Withaferin present in ashwagandha reduce apoptosis, that is programmed death of cancer cells. Reduces cortisol level, boost testosterone and increases fertility in men. Your muscle mass and strength is improved, reduces inflammation. Improves brain function and memory. Has anti-inflammatory effects, lowers cholesterol level and this reduces blood fats and triglycerides.

③ Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice used for many medicinal properties. It has anti-oxidant compound polyphenols which protects the body from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Has anti-inflammatory action to fight against infections and repair tissue damage. Lowers the risk of heart disease by reducing level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides while maintains HDL. Reduce blood pressure. It is helpful in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease wherein protects neurons, normalize neurotransmitter levels and motor function. Extract of it protects against cancer, fights against cancer, fights bacterial, fungal and HIV virus infections. Have capacity to improve and regulate the metabolism and energy use. Well known for blood sugar lowering property.

④ Cardamom

Cardamom is very helpful for maintaining blood pressure. It has high anti-oxidant products. Helpful in lowering BP by promoting urination. Cardamom has ability to fight against cancer and enhance the natural killer cells to attack tumors. Cardamom protects the cells from damage and reduces inflammation. It is used to reduce discomfort, nausea, vomiting and heal stomach ulcers. Eating cardamom freshens your breath and prevent cavities. It has anti-bacterial property to treat various infection and is helpful in food poisoning. Cardamom has capability to enhance body's ability to deliver oxygen. Lowers blood sugar level. Reduces weight, anxiety and helpful in liver protection.

⑤ Holy Basil.

Basil contains Vitamin A, C, calcium, zinc, iron, chlorophyll which helps in providing medicinal value. Basil helps to relieve stress caused either by chemical, physical, infectious or emotional. It improves metabolism, cause less tissue damage. It has high anti-oxidants to detox and vitalize your body. Fights against infection and treat wounds. It has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory or analgesic property. It helps in acne, raised scars, mouth ulcers, lower blood sugar, lower cholesterol, relieve joint pain and inflammation.

⑥ Cumin

Cumin seed contain natural anti-oxidants apigenin and luteolin that protects body from free radical and keep your cells healthy. Cumin is helpful in colon cancer, treats diarrhea, control blood sugar. Cumin seeds are effective larvicide and anti-septic agent that kills bacterial strains and kills harmful bacteria. It improves your immune system. Cumin has anti-inflammatory property and reduces pain. Cumin has hypolipidemic property that lower cholesterol and aids in weight loss. Cumin has great ability to control your limbs, stimulates CNS and boosts memory.

Medicinal Benefits

⑦ Neem

Various parts of the neem like bark, leaves, seeds, roots, flower, fruit are used medicinally. Neem leaf is beneficial for stomach upset, ulcers, eye disorders, cardiovascular diseases, gum diseases, liver problems, loss of appetite. Bark is used for stomach and intestinal ulcers, malaria, pain and fever. Flowers are used for treating intestinal worms. Fruits are used in bloody nose, wounds, intestinal worms, Urinary Tract Infection, hemorrhoids, diabetes. Neem twigs are beneficial for asthma and cough. Seeds are used for leprosy, birth control to cause abortion. While stem, root bark and fruits are also used as astringent and tonic. Neem is also used in various skin diseases and is a potent insecticide.

⑧ Saffron.

Saffron is a powerful anti-oxidant that protects your cells against free radicals and oxidative stress, improving mood thus treating depression symptoms. Having high anti-oxidant properties, neutralizes free radicals and fight against cancer. Saffron is helpful in treating premenstrual syndrome which cause physical, emotional and psychological symptoms. Saffron helps to boost libido, hence acts as aphrodisiac. Saffron reduce appetite and aid in weight loss. Reduce risk of heart disease, lowers blood sugar level and improves eyesight.

⑨ Amla

Amla is a nutritive tonic, widely used for purifying blood, with six tastes (sour, bitter, pungent, astringent, sweet). It is used to improve brain function, relieve constipation, anxiety, urinary problems. Amla can relieve excess heat and inflammation from the body. Helps to support normal ranges of blood sugar, build blood and improves liver function. Amla has ability to control the body constituents (vata, kapha, pitta). Amla cures the internal organs especially gastrointestinal tract and liver. Polyphenols and Vitamin C helps in healthy growth of tissue integrity and cellular growth. Normal the cholesterol level.

Medicinal Benefits

⑩ Brahmi

Brahmi is considered to be a great memory enhancer. It is used as brain tonic that improves brain function and memory. It has a cooling property which keeps the mind calm and free from anxiety. Brahmi reduces the level of cortisol, a stress hormone thereby decreases stress. Brahmi has excellent effect on the hippocampus part of the brain responsible for concentration nd memory.

Brahmi is also an anti-oxidant that removes free radicals. Consuming Brahmi regularly strengthens the immune system and fight against various diseases and ailments. Brahmi is helpful in arthritis, gout, soothes gastric ulcers and treat irritable bowel syndrome. It regulates the blood sugar level. Brahmi oil is used to treat dry scalp and prevent hair fall. It helps in promoting regeneration of healthy hair. It also helps to treat dandruff, itchiness and formation of split ends. Massaging with Brahmi oil is helpful to keep you calm and relieve anxiety and stress.

⑪ Moringa

Moringa is highly rich in vitamins (especially Vitamin C)and minerals. It contains potassium, calcium, protein, iron and amino acids. Moringa helps to boost immune system, reduces fat in the blood and body, lowers blood pressure. It acts as an anti-oxidants to protect the cells from damaging. Moringa helps to relieve swelling, reduces pain and redness in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Anti-Oxidant present helps to heal stress and inflammation. Lowes blood sugar level. Also beneficial to lower cholesterol, aid in weight loss, prevent asthma attack, stomach ulcers, aid in wound healing.

⑫ Licorice Root

Popularly known as sweet root, licorice root contains glycyrrhizin or deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is added mostly as a sweetener in beverages and candies. It helps to relieve gastrointestinal problems, stomach ulcers, heart burn and helpful in food poisoning. It improves the symptoms of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Licorice is helpful in cleaning respiratory system, thus prevents clogging due to sticky mucus secretion. Licorice give stimulation to adrenal gland and hence relieve from stress by producing adrenaline and cortisol. Licorice is helpful in cancer treatment. Applying topically is beneficial in treating eczema and tooth decay by killing bacteria. It has an anti-bacterial properties.

⑬ Shatavari

Shatavari is known as apoptogenic herb, which helps to manage physical and emotional stress. Anti-Oxidant, saponin in Shatavari helps to prevent free radicals cell damage. Racemofuran, a chemical found in Shatavari acts as an anti-inflammatory. Shatavari helps to boost immune system. It relieves cough, treats diarrhea, in people with congestive heart failure it helps to remove excess fluid from around the heart by acting as diuretic. Shatavari is helpful in treating gastric ulcers and complications like bleeding or perforation of stomach. Kidney stones are formed due to oxalates. Shatavari helps to prevent the formation of oxalate, thus prevents kidney stone. Helpful in reducing anxiety and depression. Acts as anti-aging and reduces wrinkles. Maintains blood sugar level.

⑭ Coriander

Coriander is considered to be a wonderful dietary fiber rich in manganese, iron and magnesium. Also rich in Vitamin C, K and Protein. It increases HDL and lowers bad cholesterol. Helpful in stimulation of the insulin secretion and lower the blood sugar levels. It has an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Helpful in eye disease especially conjunctivitis. Beneficial in anemic patients as it has high amount of iron.

⑮ Shikakai

Shikakai is considered as ayurvedic remedy for healthy long hair. It helps to promote hair growth, reduces hair fall, control dandruff and relieves skin diseases. It helps to clean the scalp, remove itching, dryness, dirt, grease and scaling of the scalp. It is also beneficial for treating abdominal distension, jaundice, intestinal worm infection, piles, fever, skin diseases. It provides soothing effect to the scalp, strengthen the hair from roots, prevents split ends, breakage and hair fall.

⑯ Ajwain

It is said that all parts of this plant has medicinal properties. It helps to maintain good digestive health, release stomach discomfort, pain, burning sensation. Increases appetite. Ajwain is rich in fiber, minerals, vitamin and anti-oxidants. Helps to get relief from acidity and indigestion (especially in pregnant women), avoid nasal blockage by discharging mucus, helpful in relieving ear and tooth ache. Thymol present in Ajwain acts as fungicide and germicide to clean wound. Helps in slowing down the premature graying of hair. Acts as mosquito repellant, cleanses skin, relieve pain due to arthritis.

Medicinal Benefits

⑰ Manjistha

Manjistha is basically linked in blood purification and promoting smooth functioning of the lymphatic system. It treats skin disorder, speedy healing of wound and makes skin look brighter. Manjistha oil is helpful to reduce pain and swelling in arthritis. It flushes out toxins from the body, maintain good digestion, promotes boosting of immunity. It helps to relieve acidity, improves poor vision, maintains pitta and dosha, maintains blood pressure kevel and irregular menstruation as well.

⑱ Bibhitaki

Bibhitaki containing tannins, ellagic acid, gallic acid, flavonoids and other powerful plant compound, is helpful in treating common bacterial and viral infections. It has an anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to treat diabetes and blood sugar dysregulation. Helps to reduce high blood sugar, improve insulin resistance, help promote insulin secretion from the pancreas. Helpful in gout, to reduce inflammation caused by accumulation of uric acid in the body. Aid in weight loss. Improves bowel movement, repair intestinal damage and reduces inflammation

⑲ Guduchi

Helps to boost immunity, acts as an anti-oxidants to keep you healthy and fight against diseases. Treats chronic fever. Removes toxins, purifies blood, treats Urinary tract infection and liver diseases. Improves digestion and treat bowel disorder. Reduce high blood sugar level. Reduces stress and anxiety. As an anti-inflammatory benefits, reduces cough, cold and respiratory problems. Reduces symptoms of arthritis, asthma, chest tightness, shortness of breath and wheezing. Has anti-aging properties, treats dark spots, pimples, fine lines and wrinkles. Keeps your skin glowing and flawless. It helps to improve eye vision, relieve constipation and maintains blood sugar level.

⑳ Haritaki

Haritaki is considered to be the king of medicines, used mainly to treat heart disease, asthma, ulcers, stomach disease. Treats scalp infection, dandruff, hair fall, itching and promotes growth of hair. Contains phytochemicals, terpenes, polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids which acta as potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. It helps to treat constipation by increasing intestinal transit time, fight against cancer especially stomach and pancreas cancer. Protects against dental cavities, aid in weight loss. Prevents diabetes, improves cognitive functioning and boosts stamina and sexual health. Beneficial in wound healing and infections. Has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal properties. Helpful for eye disorder and skin disorder like acne, scars and dark circles. Helpful in respiratory problems like cough, asthma and bronchitis. Boosts immunity. Prevents the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, blood clots, heart blocks. Lowers cholesterol level. Keeps body and mind calm, hence beneficial for arrhythmias and palpitation.