We all know that for maintaining a healthy diet, we should include a variety of fruits and vegetables in our daily food intake. However, what we don’t hear as much about are herbs.

Research has shown many health and wellbeing benefits in adding herbs to your diet and everyday life. Even just smelling certain herbs may affect how our brain works!

Here are some of my top herbs to add in dishes, oil diffusers, or grow in your home, and some of their listed benefits:

🌱Rosemary: Some studies were conducted on alertness and cognition and reduced stress hormone levels after inhaling rosemary. Results reveal that the natural aromatic plant compounds may be playing a direct effect on changes in brain function. Research has also demonstrated a positive impact on the speed of memory after adding rosemary (powdered spice or sprigs) to dishes.
⇢ Add some rosemary sprigs to your olive oil bottle

🌱Basil: Some benefits of basil include stress relief, reduced anxiety, and depression, as well as improved digestion, immune system functioning, and cardiovascular health. Impressive, isn’t it?
⇢ Chop up some basil leaves and add them to your salads or dressings.

🌱Cilantro: This super herb has properties that have been shown to be useful in reducing uric acid levels, microbes, inflammation, and anxiety levels.
⇢ If you strongly dislike the taste of cilantro (which is quite common) but want to gain some of its benefits in your diet, try adding a few sprigs to a broth or soup, let it cook for a few minutes, and drain it/remove the floating sprigs.

🌱Eucalyptus: this personal favorite of mine has been shown to improve blood flow, circulation, and relieves congestion. I love adding eucalyptus oil in my oil diffuser or carrying it around in a roller bottle to conveniently roll it on my wrists and sniff it at the start of a headache or a head cold.
⇢ Fight off colds and congestion by hanging a bundle of eucalyptus on your shower rod.

TRY THIS GUT-HEALING, EASY, DELICIOUS, AND NUTRITIOUS VEGETABLE BROTH & STOCK:

INGREDIENTS:

2 large carrots, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
1 onion, roughly chopped
3 cloves of garlic, peeled
one inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
2 bay leaves
a few sprigs of thyme or rosemary
1 bunch of parsley or cilantro
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
salt to taste
12-14 cups of filtered water
(optional) 1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
(optional) 1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place all ingredients in a large pot. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
2. Turn off heat. Using tongs or slotted spoon, remove solids. Then strain through a mesh sieve.
3. Store in an airtight jar. Or freeze in small portions for use later.

*Use less water if you want a more concentrated stock. Freeze in thick, glass containers or in ice cubes for a homemade veggie stock! Lasts up to 5 days in the fridge.