Top 10 Anti-Aging Herbs and Spices
Dr. Joseph Mercola’s counts down the 10 most powerful
spices you may already have in your kitchen that can fight aging and
prevent disease. He suggests you incorporate a variety of these spices
into your daily meals to maximize your benefit – consuming just 1
teaspoon a day of any of these herbs and spices can have a positive
effect on your health. When choosing
between fresh or dried herbs, Dr. Mercola suggests that the fresh
variety is more powerful. In general, the more fragrant the herb, the
stronger its benefits. You can, however, get nearly the same benefits
from dried herbs if you store them in an airtight container out of
direct sunlight.
10. Protect Your Skin Cells: Italian Spice
Damaged
skin cells make us look older prematurely. Dr. Mercola recommends
adding an Italian spice blend to your cooking, which may provide vital
protection on the cellular level. Basil, Italian spice blend’s key
ingredient, is loaded with antioxidants that can protect your cells from
harmful free radicals – the damaging molecules that also contribute to
heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease.
9. Heal From Infections Faster: Thyme
Bacterial
infections can range from a common sore throat to potentially deadly
pneumonia. Studies have shown that thyme can kill MSRA bacteria, which
lead to staph infections. Additionally, extracts of thyme are used in
mouthwashes to treat inflammations and in cough drops to treat throat
infections.
8. Fight Inflammation: Sage
Inflammation
on the cellular level is the main reason the body ages faster than it
should. Dr. Mercola adds sage to his meals to fight inflammation. This
herb can help fight inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis, asthma
and atherosclerosis, which causes a hardenening of the arteries.
7. Improve Digestion and Sleep: Marjoram
A
healthy digestive system and a good night’s sleep are essential to your
overall health. Studies show that incorporating marjoram into your diet
may activate cells that aid digestion. If you’re having trouble
sleeping, try adding five drops of marjoram oil, available in health
food stores, to a warm bath. The herb’s essential oils may relieve
stress, helping you sleep soundly through the night.
6. Immunity Booster: Oregano
Numerous
studies have demonstrated the antioxidant properties of oregano. Its
active agent, rosmarinic acid, clears out the free radicals that age us
and contribute to disease. Additionally, oregano is also one of the
strongest and most effective broad-spectrum antibiotics and antifungals
out there. It can help kill Candida, or yeast infection, as well as
fungal nail infections.
5. Keep Your Heart Young: Apple Pie Spice
Ginger
is the key ingredient in this aromatic spice blend. The
anti-inflammatory properties of ginger keep your heart young and your
arteries clear. Additionally, ginger helps protect against harmful
bacteria and fungi. It boosts the immune system and can protect against
atherosclerosis by lowering cholesterol levels and preventing the
oxidation of LDL (the bad cholesterol). As an additional benefit, ginger
is a potent treatment for nausea.
4. Stimulate Digestive Juices: Jamaican Allspice
Allspice is produced from the fruit of the Pimenta dioica plant
and has a complex peppery taste that resembles a mix of cinnamon,
juniper, clove and nutmeg. To keep your gut healthy, Dr. Mercola
recommends rubbing Jamaican allspice on your meat and vegetables or
sprinkling it in your soups. It’s terrific for its anti-gas effects, and
it aids digestion. Jamaican allspice also helps keep blood sugar under
control, which is one of the primary ways to keep your arteries young.
3. Relieve Stiffness Due to Arthritis: Cinnamon
As
we age, many of us may experience muscle and joint pain due to
arthritis. Cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help
relieve that pain. Furthermore, cinnamon’s antibiotic properties help
prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease, and have
been shown to kill the harmful bacteria, E.coli.
2. Fight Just About Everything: Cloves
Dr.
Mercola describes cloves as “cinnamon on steroids.” Like cinnamon,
cloves can be beneficial against muscle pains and arthritis. Of all
spices, cloves received the highest ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance
Capacity) Score, meaning it is the highest in antioxidants.
Additionally, cloves contain eugenol, which has mild anesthetic benefits
useful for toothaches, gum pain, and sore throats. Cloves also offer
relief from respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis, and
eliminate intestinal parasites, fungi, and bacteria. It makes you
wonder, is there anything cloves can’t do?
1. Prevent Cancer and Alzheimer’s: Turmeric
Far
too many of us have felt the effects of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease
in our lives. Yet in India, where turmeric is widely used, the
prevalence of the four most-common US cancers is 10 times lower.
Researchers attribute this, in part, to curcumin, the compound that
gives turmeric its yellow color. Laboratory studies suggest that
curcumin is effective both in protecting against cancer and in inducing
the programmed death of colon cancer cells. Furthermore, population
studies have shown that elderly villagers in India appear to have the
lowest rate of Alzheimer's disease in the world. 
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