The Benefits of 5 Common Herbs

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While on the Kaufmann 1 of The Kaufmann Diet, you are doing your best to embody what Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said when said, “Let food be your medicine, and medicine be your food.” Many common items found in your kitchen can embody this saying; similarly, many items in your kitchen can embody just the opposite. One of the goals of the Kaufmann 1 Diet is to eliminate these kinds of foods while promoting the former.

You will find, however, a concentrated number of foods that can act as medicine when you look at the herbs in your herb and spice cupboard. Herbs have long been known to have medicinal properties; now, science is avowing their efficacy at promoting health. In fact, natural medicine is often referred to as “herbal medicine”. To that end, many people take or use herbs simply as medicinal remedies; however, in addition to the fact that herbs are generally very healthy for you, they are also often delicious flavoring agents. So while you are on the Kaufmann 1 Diet, be sure to look to herbs as a healthy way of making your food even tastier.

Below are some common herbs and the benefits that may be associated with them.

Cilantro
Cilantro is common in many Latin American and Asian dishes. It is known to have heavy metal detoxing abilities (think: lead). For this reason, it is often included in many detox beverages or juices. It is also rich in anti-oxidants and contains a powerful anti-bacterial agent known as dodecanal, which has been shown to inhibit salmonella in some studies.

Neem
has been implicated as useful towards a number of ends; it is thought to be anti-inflammatory, protect against hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), ulcers and cancer. It is also potently anti-fungal, which makes it particularly interesting for those of us on the Kaufmann 1 Diet looking for a good anti-fungal to add to our rotation.

Oregano
Used as a medicine and as a flavoring in food for thousands of years, oregano oil has a legion of benefits. Among them, it is a potent anti-fungal. Oregano oil is a first line of defense against yeast and is often recommended while on the Kaufmann 1 Diet.

Rosemary
has a long list of benefits; it is thought to protect against neurological decline, improve memory, prevent aging in the brain and protect against cancer.

Parsley
is rich in chlorophyll, Vitamin K and Vitamin C. It is thought to protect against tumors, act as a potent antioxidant, protect against rheumatoid arthritis, and improve heart function.