The Benefits of Herbs – Lovage, Parsely & Celery

Today I would like to share my secret ingredient and the benefits of herbs to you, but don’t tell anyone, ok?

My secret ingredient is Lovage! Ever hear of it? I didn’t until I started growing my own herbs and I was very curious to how it would taste. I have been growing it for about 6 years now and each year it is the first thing to grow after our long winters and it now grows to a height of 6-7 feet. It is a gorgeous plant and the flavor is fantastic. I just grew it for its culinary uses, but when I read the benefits of herbs, I was stunned to find that is wonderfully healthy for you, too. So, after reading this, I encourage you to use Lovage along with her sisters, Celery and Parsley for a tastefully, healthier, happier life.

LOVAGE belongs to the Parsley family. This perennial plant is native to the Mediterranean and is also found all over Europe and North America. Lovage flourishes where it is sunny and the soil is rich and moist. The roots are about 6 inches long and are carrot shaped and fleshy. The plant has a hollow stem and it can grow up to a height of 6 feet. The leaves are dark green and the aromatic flowers are greenish yellow in color. It is an aromatic plant and both in terms of aroma and flavor it is similar to celery.

The health benefits  of herbs, Lovage in this case, include its use as an aid to digestion, as a preparation which eases flatulence, as a breath sweetener, and as a diuretic for urinary conditions. The most popular health benefit of the herb, Lovage, is its use as a diuretic which encourages the flow of urine. It is used in the treatment of urinary conditions, water retention, removal of kidney stones and cystitis.

Other health benefits of herbs (Lovage in this case) include its use in improving appetite, treating indigestion, treating flatulence, treating gastric inflammation and in treating colic. Other health benefits of Lovage include its use in the treatment of pleurisy, its use for expelling phlegm (expectorant), its ability to give comfort during painful menstruation, its ability to stimulate menstruation, its use in regulating menstrual flow, its use as a mouth gargle for sore throat and canker sores in the mouth, its use for cleaning skin, and its use for producing perspiration which cools the body and expels toxins.

In addition to the health benefits of  herbs (Lovage in this case), it is also used for culinary purposes. It adds flavor to soups, stews, chilies, see food and stir fried vegetables. Lovage seeds and roots and leaves are used for making my Souper Spices blends, meat recipes, bread, biscuits, pickles, etc.

However…important note: Individuals who suffer from kidney ailments or edema caused by heart or kidney disease, should not eat Lovage. Excessive intake of Lovage can lead to kidney failure. Pregnant and nursing mothers too should not eat Lovage.

To enjoy the benefis of herbs, add lovage to your meals – try one of these blends: Poultry Blend and Beef Blend

The Benefits of Herbs – Parsely

Though traditionally overlooked as just a garnish, parsley is a giant regarding the benefits of herbs, and in such small amounts too. Here are reasons why a sprinkle of parsley can not only make your meals tastier, but also your body healthier.

The essential oil of parsley, not only inhibits tumor formation (especially in the lungs), but also fights against oxidized molecules, neutralize carcinogens and fights against colon and prostate cancer.

Parsley is rich with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agent. Furthermore, two tablespoons of parsley contain 16% of the RDA of vitamin C and over 12% of the RDA of vitamin A – two powerful antioxidants.

The vitamin C found in parsley serves as an effective anti-inflammatory agent within the body. When consumed regularly, they combat the onset of inflammatory disorders, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

The vitamin C and vitamin A found in parsley serve to strengthen the body’s immune system, though in different ways. Vitamin C is necessary for collagen, the main structural protein found in connective tissue. This essential nutrient will not only accelerate the body’s ability to repair wounds, but also maintain healthy bones and teeth.

Vitamin A, on the other hand, fortifies the entry points into the human body, such as mucous membranes, the lining of the eyes, and respiratory, urinary and intestinal tracts. Moreover, white blood cells, rely on vitamin A to fight infection in the body. The benefits of herbs go on and on…

To enjoy the benefis of herbs, add parsely to your meals – try one of these blends: Seafood Blend, Pasta Blend and Herbal Dip Blend

The Benefits of Herbs – Celery

The high amounts of vitamin C in celery promote a healthy immune system. It has been shown to lower blood pressure by relaxing the muscles around the arteries and allowing vessels to dilate. The calcium, magnesium, and potassium in celery also helps regulate blood pressure and may also lower cholesterol by increasing bile acid secretion. It also contains coumarins which have been shown to be effective in the prevention of cancer.

Celery has been used as a diuretic for centuries. Its diuretic effect comes from its balance of potassium and sodium which helps to flush out excess fluid from the body. Celery is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help with ailments attributed to inflammation such as arthritis. Last but not least, celery will not directly cause you to lose weight, but it is a great aid in weight loss because it is very low in calories and has a lot of filling fiber.

To enjoy the benefis of herbs, add celery to your meals – try this: Garden Vegetable Soup Mix

I don’t know about you, but I’m gonna make me a salad right now! The benefits of herbs are endless.