Herbs are some of the healthiest food ingredients with the best preventive properties against different diseases. These are often used for their distinct flavor and scent but have also been traditionally valued for their medicinal applications. Below is a list of eight of the healthiest herbs that can actually do wonders to your overall health.

1. Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is considered to be one of the most widely used medicinal herb in the world. Studies found that the herb has various health benefits ranging from the promotion of a healthier blood flow to the promotion of a healthier brain function. Claudication is a health condition that causes pain in the leg area when a person is standing or sitting due to constricted blood flow. Ginkgo Biloba helps in promoting a healthier flow of blood in the body and prevents the constriction of the blood vessels through its antioxidant content.

The primary health benefit of Ginkgo Biloba lies in its nootropic properties or its ability to stimulate various brain functions and in preventing the development of different cognitive conditions. According to a study published in Psychopharmacology, Ginkgo Biloba has the ability to improve the attention of healthy individuals and that the effects of the herb to this specific cognitive function can be observed only after a few hours of consumption. Other studies show that Ginkgo Biloba also has the potential to be an anti-vertigo agent, as well as a concentration and memory enhancer.

A study published in Newswise revealed that the supplementation of Ginkgo Biloba in mice can help reduce the symptoms of dementia. Other studies suggest that the herb has the ability to prevent oxidative cell damage caused by free radicals and harmful blood clotting, and reduce the risk of renal, cognitive and cardiovascular disorders. Gingko Biloba is also being recommended to relieve the symptoms of tinnitus or the unpleasant ringing in the ears. Its most active components are terpene lactones and flavonoids.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric has a bitter and peppery flavor and is popularly used to make curry. It has also been used by the Indian and Chinese systems of medicine in treating different health conditions including flatulence, menstrual difficulties, jaundice, hemorrhage, bloody urine, bruises, toothache and chest pains. Recent studies show that turmeric also has the ability to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer by protecting the cells from damage caused by free radicals. It also being studied for its ability to eliminate cancer cells and inhibit the growth of tumors by reducing the synthesis of a specific protein that is needed for tumor formation and by constricting blood flow which is needed by cancer cells to grow.

The antioxidant content of turmeric gives it a few other health benefits. Studies show that the herb's powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help in giving relief to patients with rheumatoid arthritis and cystic fibrosis. A study published in the Science journal showed that the yellow agent in turmeric can prevent the formation of a genetic disorder responsible for the development of cystic fibrosis. The condition occurs when too much mucus accumulates in the lungs resulting to constricted breathing. Other studies suggest that turmeric can serve as an effective treatment for IBD or inflammatory bowel disease also through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory disease.

3. Garlic

Garlic is widely used to add taste and aroma to most dishes. It is highly recommended to use raw, pressed or chopped garlic in dishes in order to get most of what garlic has to offer. The most abundant nutrients in garlic are manganese, vitamin C, vitamin B6, selenium, copper, protein, vitamin B1, phosphorous and calcium. Countless studies have been conducted and numerous books have been written about garlic. The most important health benefits of garlic lies in its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardio-protective properties.

Studies on garlic had been primarily conducted to investigate its benefits in promoting cardiovascular health. Researchers often used garlic oil, garlic powder and aged garlic in their study. But despite this limitation, studies are consistent in observing that the allium plant has the ability to protect the cardiovascular system from damage caused by high blood cholesterol levels, oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus, garlic proves to be a potent food ingredient in promoting a healthier blood flow and in keeping the heart strong.

Garlic has also been found to protect the body from viral and bacterial infection and reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers. Although the evidence supporting garlic's anti-cancer properties are very limited to provide a definite conclusion, most studies show that the consumption of garlic in its most potent form can reduce the risk of colorectal, breast and prostate cancer due to its allyl sulfide content.

4. Echinacea

Echinacea is an herb that's endemic to North America. It was traditionally used by Indians as an herbal medicine for flu, colds and other infections. Generally, echinacea has been traditionally used by different cultures in promoting better health and longevity. Studies show that echinacea has the ability to improve and stimulate the function of immune system cells in attacking bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing materials. The herb has been the subject of different studies in treating diseases involving the immune system. In addition, echinacea has also been found to treat respiratory problems like colds and fungal and viral skin infections.

5. Calendula

Calendula has been traditionally used to treat different skin health conditions like eczema and skin ulcerations. It has also been used to sooth inflammation and relieve the symptoms of stomach ulcers. Calendula's health benefits lie on its high flavonoid content. The herb also contains carotenoids and triterpene which had been observed by different studies to play an important role in calendula's various medicinal applications. The known health benefits of the herbs include treatment for burns, minor injuries, sore throat, ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer, gastritis and conjunctivitis.

6. Peppermint

Peppermints can be bought fresh throughout the year. The herb bearing greenish-purple leaves is popular for its minty and refreshing flavor. The perillyl alcohol in peppermints is a phytonutrient which has been found by various animal studies to inhibit the growth of different tumors including that of the liver, breast and pancreas. Peppermint also contains rosmarinic acid that is beneficial for people with asthma, block the inflammatory compounds called leukotrienes, and neutralize the action of free radicals. It has also been found to give relief for the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

7. Cinnamon

The important healing properties of cinnamon lies in its three active components namely cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamyl acetate and cinnamaldehyde. These compounds had been found by countless clinical and animal studies to inhibit the untoward clotting of blood, fight microbial activities, lower blood sugar levels and improve brain function. These health benefits result to a significant reduction of risk in developing certain diseases including diabetes, cognitive disorders and other diseases caused by bacterial infection.

8. Licorice Root

Licorice root can serve as a healthier alternative to sugar due to it being 50 times sweeter than white sugar. It has also been traditionally used to treat sore throats, cough, stomach and liver disorders and even food poisoning. Licorice root can also be used as an expectorant through its glycyrrhizin content and help treat cough symptoms like the formation of mucus and phlegm. The herb also helps in boosting the immune system and in fighting fungal, bacterial and viral infection.

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