13 Anti-Aging Herbs & Spices

Herbs and Spices add flavor and additional health benefits to our meals.

1.Basil: contains flavonoids that boost our longevity and immune system. (best benefits when raw as in pesto, on top of eggplant/zucchini- after  it’s cooked,  with drizzle of balsamic and olive oil on tomatoes and fresh mozzarella)

2.Cardamom relieves indigestion and detoxifies the body. Especially helpful in winter after a meal, usually found in Chai tea.

3.Cinnamon keeps blood sugar steady, preventing insulin spikes that may lead to wrinkles and blemishes. Tasty on yams, in morning coffee and oatmeal.

4.Cumin is a good source of iron and boosts digestion. Great in lentil soup and  as a topper to avocado toast.

5.Fennel seeds boost digestion as a tea and to chew a few after a meal.

6.Ginger benefits digestion  when cooked with fish. a few fresh slices steeped with lemon and honey are helpful for cold/flu prevention and as an anti-inflammatory/expectorant for cough, and relieves muscular aches and pains brought on by exercise.

7.Mint eases digestion, promotes detoxification, clears sinus and headaches from colds/flu and moves qi/energy when we’re feeling a bit stuck.

8.Oregano has antimicrobial properties as does Olive leaf both can be found in capsules for cold/flu prevention.

9.Parsley is a diuretic used as a tea, and found in Bieler Broth:2- Zucchini, 3 stalks-Celery, handful- String beans and handful-parsley, steamed then blended as a soup for liver and blood detoxification and helpful during colds and flu. It is also packed with iron.

10. Rosemary boosts mood and memory. A few sprigs in a baggie kept at your desk to inhale especially in the afternoon for focus.

11. Sage helps regulate bile flow to benefit digestion.

12. Thyme an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, relaxes the muscles of the trachea and bronchi opening up the airways. Cough Recipe: 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/3 tsp thyme 2 tsp honey, juice of 1/2 lemon. Let herbs steep in boiling water for 5 min then strain and add honey and lemon. Potent combination to relieve lung congestion and  inflammation.

13.Tumeric reduces pain and speeds healing. Tasty on butternut/acorn squash and yams.