Fresh herbs add essential nutrients to recipes. They can transform average meals into healthy dishes that can give you the additional nourishment you need. Here are six commonly used herbs that offer several health benefits.
Sorrel
One cup of sorrel, a perennial herb, contains 15 percent of your daily need for potassium, a mineral essential for heart health and blood pressure.
Basil
Compounds in basil, a peppermint relative, offer anti-inflammatory benefits by inhibiting the same enzyme that aspirin and ibuprofen target.
Thyme
In ancient cultures, people associated thyme with bravery and courage and believed in its ability to reduce the spread of disease. Today, research highlights the herb’s potent antibacterial qualities.
Parsley
Parsley’s nutritional profile is similar to other leafy greens, with ample amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C and folate. It especially protects against kidney stones.
Chives
Chives contain the heart-helper compound allicin, which reduces “bad” LDL cholesterol (among other benefits).
Dill
Ancient cultures believed dill, a member of the celery and parsley family, to be a symbol of good luck and wealth. Current research promotes dill seed for anticancer properties.
