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Common herbs with uncommon powers of healing and prevention. Learn the power of these herbs that you can easily incorporate into your diet and meals.

by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.

If you're trying to improve your health -- improve your life -- and looking for ways to improve your diet beyond some of the other strategies mentioned in some of our other articles, this article can help. Instead of talking about what foods to eliminate or what foods to add, we'll focus more on what you should use to enhance the foods you're cooking to make your meals more delicious and nutritious.

The herbs described here -- common herbs with uncommon powers of healing and prevention -- contain phytochemicals (including flavonoids, terpenoids, monophenols, saponins, and flavones), which are good for protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals, and are believed to help slow the aging process and reduce the risk of many diseases, including cancer, heart and cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cataracts, osteoporosis, and urinary tract infections. They are also useful in treating asthma and allergy symptoms.

When used in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle, these healthy herbs can improve overall health, be a first line of defense against cancer, and help increase cardiovascular wellness.

Furthermore, if you take it one more step and actually grow these herbs in your garden (of window sill), you'll get the added benefit of feeling good about growing some of the food you eat -- knowing that your herbs are safe and organic.

Common Herbs with Uncommon Powers of Healing and Prevention

Here's our list of the best herbs -- healthy herbs -- that should be in your meals and in your garden.

Basil. Part of the lamiaceae family, basil is rich in essential oils that contain the fatty acids of terpenes, a substance that essentially encourages cancer cells to kill themselves. In the past, basil has also been used as an aphrodisiac, and as a remedy for melancholy and depression.

Coriander. Part of the apiaceae family, coriander (also known more commonly as cilantro) is rich in phytonutrients and flavonoids, which produce anti-inflammatory properties as well as cholesterol-lowering abilities. It has been used for the relief of anxiety and insomnia, as well as a digestive aid.

Garlic. Part of the allium family, garlic (the super herb) has allicin, a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoid that has anti-hypertensive, anti-microbial, anti-biotic, anti-parasitic, and anti-viral characteristics that has been labeled "Mother Nature's defender." Garlic helps to lower hypertension, serum triglyceride, and cholesterol levels. More than 30 medicinal compounds have been identified in garlic.

Mint. Part of the lamiaceae family, mint was originally used as a medicinal herb to treat stomachaches and chest pains -- and today is still used to ease digestive discomfort. It has essential oils that contain perillyl alcohol, which has been shown in studies on animals to prevent the formation of many types of tumors and cancers.

Oregano. Part of the lamiaceae family, oregano is rich in essential oils, with a high content of phenolic acids and flavonoids, that help to get rid of cancer cells. Oregano oil and leaf are both strong herbal anti-bacterial agents due to the high thymol content.

Parsley. Part of the apiaceae family, parsley has high amounts of the flavonoids apigenin and quercetin, which like most flavonoids, have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties -- and can inhibit angiogenesis -- the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors with nutrients. They are also good for protecting damage from free radicals, improving cardiovascular and heart functions, as well as useful in dealing with allergies.

Red Onions. Part of the allium family, red onion has quercetin, a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoid. Studies have found that quercetin may help to prevent cancer, especially prostate cancer, as well as help minimize fatigue, depression and anxiety. Onions help to lower hypertension, serum triglyceride, and cholesterol levels.

Rosemary. Part of the lamiaceae family, rosemary s rich in essential oils that contain the fatty acids of terpenes, a substance that essentially encourages cancer cells to kill themselves. Rosemary also contains carnosol, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. In the past, rosemary was placed under beds so that the aroma could help keep away bad dreams.

Summer Savory. Part of the lamiaceae family, summer savory was used in the past as a digestive aid for flatulence and colic, as well as a general tonic and for the prevention of diarrhea. It has antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties -- and can inhibit angiogenesis -- the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors with nutrients.

Thyme. Part of the lamiaceae family, thyme is rich in essential oils that help to get rid of cancer cells. It has high amounts of the flavonoid apigenin, which like most flavonoids, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties -- and can inhibit angiogenesis -- the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors with nutrients.

Other Great Herbs to Use in Cooking

These herbs all also have amazing health benefits, but are a bit more difficult to grow or cultivate, so while you may not be able to grow these in your garden, you should definitely be buying them and adding them to your cooking.

Cayenne Pepper: amazing effects on the circulatory system, great for digestive health, and helps kill cancer cells in prostrate while also increasing heart health

Cumin: rich in iron and good for digestive system and keeping immune system healthy, and can boost the power of the liver's ability to detoxify the body

Ginger: the most potent anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory foods, playing a role in lowering LDL cholesterol and slowing -- or even preventing -- cancerous tumor growth

Hawthorn: with high amounts of bioflavonoids, has amazing benefits to cardiovascular system, improving blood flow through the heart arteries while preventing plaque buildup

Marjoram: helps in fighting asthma and headaches as well as soothing the stomach and digestive tract. Antioxidants may also promote healthy arteries and heart by preventing cholesterol buildup and improving blood circulation

Mustard Seeds: part of the cancer-fighting cruciferous plant family, containing phytonutrient compounds that protect against gastrointestinal cancer

Scallions: contains powerful antioxidants to help stimulate immune responses, inhibit blood clotting, fight heart disease, and battle cancer cells and viruses

Stevia: the sweetest herb in the world, and an extremely healthy replacement for sugar, that also acts as general tonic that increases energy levels and mental acuity while aiding digestion

Turmeric: has potent anti-inflammatory properties (more powerful than Vitamin E), helps in fighting Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease

Final Thoughts on Healthy Herbs

By adding new spices and flavorings to your cooking and meals, you can dramatically increase your health and give your body powerful weapons to fight internal diseases (such as cancer, heart disease) and invading diseases (such as viruses, flu).

Medicinal and Healing Herb Links and Resources

Medicinal Herbs: Properties and Uses Chart, from Anne's Remedy Organic Herbs Natural Healing

Herbs Information: Natural Herbs for Good Health, from VitmainsDiary.com

Herbs for Healthy Living, A Guide to Medicinal Herbs, inspired by the writings of Alfred Vogel, The Nature Doctor

Medicinal Herbs, from eMedicinal.com

Medicinal Herbs Plants Nursery

Crimson Sage: Organic Medicinal Herb Plants Nursery

Herb Research Foundation: Herbs and Herbal Medicine for Health

Herb News and Articles, from NaturalNews

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Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., is an avid bicyclist, adventurist, environmentalist, and student of wellness and photography, with a mission of empowering others to lead great lives. He is Founder and CEO of EmpoweringSites.com, a network of empowering and transformative Websites. Dr. Hansen is also the founder and caretaker of this site, EmpoweringRetreat.com, as well as founder of EmpoweringAdvice.com, MyCollegeSuccessStory.com, and EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is a published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Dr. Hansen is also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Learn more by visiting his personal Website, RandallSHansen.com or reach him by email at CEO(at)empoweringsites.com. You can also check out Dr. Hansen on GooglePlus.

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