Big benefits from a little herb
As herbs and spices are consumed in small serve sizes relative to many other foods, it is in some ways unfair to compare their nutrient content on a per serve basis. For example, even though many herbs are high in vitamin C, you're not going to get anywhere close to your daily needs with a parsley garnish on a bowl of soup. Unless you're into eating a bowl of tabouleh everyday, an orange just seems a whole lot easier source of vitamin C. However, when you dig a little deeper and look at the potent plant components in herbs and spices, known as phytochemicals and bioactives, the grass is turning out to be a whole lot greener.
Did you know?
- Hippocrates (460-377BCE) had a repertoire of 300 remedies involving herbs and spices?
- Mint was highly valued for positive effects on the digestive system and liquorice for mouth ulcers?
- Traditionally, the Chinese have integrated food, nutrition and health and including herbs and spices in specially prepared soups, dishes or beverages for both sustenance and for purported health benefits?
- Indigenous populations too developed their own local herbal medicine based on the plants that were available, like Australian river mint used for coughs and colds?
- In Indian Ayurvedic traditional medicine, herbs and spices are widely used like basil to protect the heart and ginger as the universal medicine, in particular for relieving nausea and indigestion?
In recognition of the overwhelming benefits of herbs and spices, the experts are calling on changes to nutrition education materials so that herbs and spices are given specific attention, like days of old. They are proposing a new type of dietary pyramid with herbs as a major part of the bottom layer of other highly protective foods to 'eat plenty and a wide variety'. This will certainly enable more and more people to reap the benefits of the daily, herb habit.
Figure 1 - Healthy eating guide
Herbs and spices are an excellent way to boost your daily antioxidant intake
Antioxidants act like internal body guards and protect all your body cells from damage from free radicals. Free radicals are formed as part of the aging process and also obtained from the environment. Adding antioxidant rich herbs to your diet, is like adding a whole new team of helping hands, to boost your body’s defences and maximise your wellbeing.
