6 Healthy Herbs

I received my Parenting (early years) Magazine for May 2010 and came across this really interesting article called Kitchen Remedies, explaining the health benefits of 6 herbs that are very common in any cooks kitchen and easy to find too! I thought it would be interesting to post one recipe a week for the next 6 weeks using one or more of the 6 herbs listed below, so stay tuned and wish me luck!

Not only pleasing to the palate and the sniffer, these herbs offer unique health benefits, too, says Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., fellowship director for the Arizona Center of Integrative Medicine, in Tucson. They've got minimal calories and zero salt, so go ahead and liberally add these fresh herbs to your favorite foods.

BASIL 
Toss two teaspoons onto pizza to get 5 percent of your daily requirement of magnesium, a mineral that works to maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heartbeats steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong.

DILL
Dress up tuna salad and you could be helping your body maintain healthy cholesterol levels at the same time. Named after a Norwegian word that means "to lull," dill can also have a soothing effect and may relieve indigestion.

ROSEMARY
Add it to marinades to help cut your cancer risk; its antioxidants may combat potential carcinogens created when meats are broiled or grilled at temps above 400 degrees F.

CILANTRO
Stir into salsa to top your tacos for a tasty way to reduce potential bacterial contamination in the meat. The Romans used the herb to preserve meat more than 2,000 years ago! Cilantro is also traditionally used to promote healthy digestion.

THYME
Sprinkle two teaspoons of dried thyme into a stew or salad dressing to get nearly 20 percent of your daily iron needs. It's often used in tea or found in cough syrups to ease dry, hacking coughs and to soothe a sore throat, as well.

PARSLEY
Mix two teaspoons of dried parsley into a salad for 150 percent of your daily vitamin K needs, which is important for healthy blood clotting and bone health. You'll also be getting a nice dose of vitamin C and vitamin A.