Mother Nature has always been kind to us humans. She has gifted us with various blessings of food and supplements that supply us with nourishment. Here are your top 5 plants with amazing health benefits.
1. Cinnamon
Not only does cinnamon have a great flavor, but it also adds a bit of spice to the food that we prepare. But, there is more to cinnamon than we know. Cinnamon is good at regulating blood sugar levels. It is a good choice of diet for diabetics who have trouble keeping their blood sugar at a stable level. It is also great for those who have trouble keeping their energy levels up. Numerous studies show that cinnamon also boosts a person’s mood. It is also an effective method of reducing the pain felt during ulcer attacks and arthritis pain. Cinnamon contains fiber, calcium, iron, and manganese all of which are very important in boosting the human body. Even on small amounts of cinnamon, these minerals are already in their full dosage which means that you only have to intake a very small amount of cinnamon to get the full amount of daily mineral requirement you need.
According to research at the Cytokine Research Laboratory at the Department of Experimental Therapeutics at the University of Texas, cinnamon is linked to reducing the chronic inflammation of several neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, sclerosis, brain tumor, and even meningitis. It is also said that it can reduce the proliferation of cancer cells which holds the key element to stopping the cancer cells from spreading across the body in people with metastatic cancers.
2. Lavender
Lavender is known for landscape use and culinary use. It is also commercially used as an essential oil. But, what people do not know or rarely know is that lavender is used to help people sleep better. Lavender has an anxiolytic effect and helps induce and influence the quality of sleep of an individual. Lavender oil is known to have a high percentage of linalool and linalyl acetate both of which enhances sleeping cycles, alleviate anxiety, and reduce sleep disturbances. Lavender is commonly used as an additive in baths and sprays to help people get to sleep fast. Lavender is also known to very effective in wounds when mixed with honey, it becomes a potent disinfectant.
It is also used in treating baldness. When lavender is mixed with a combination of thyme, rosemary, and cedarwood, the mix becomes an effective mixture in growing the hair back after several months of intensive treatment. There are precautions to using lavender especially the oil version of the herb. It is known that it can cause hormonal imbalance in teenagers. Lavender oil is also highly allergenic which means people are more prone to have allergic outbreaks when exposed directly to lavender oil. It is best to take lavender oil in small amounts. Most of which are used as fragrances for bath products.
3. Capsaicin
Capsaicin is an active component of chili peppers. Capsaicin is a known irritant for mammals including humans. They produce a burning sensation when it comes in contact with the skin or any tissue of the body. Capsaicin is highly volatile, colorless, odorless, and hydrophobic. Capsaicin is known to have an anti-inflammatory effect and is used to treating pain, itches, and skin conditions like psoriasis. Aside from adding flavor to food, capsaicin is also known to have a weight loss effect. Through the use of topical ointments and nasal sprays, it helps relieve the pain of peripheral neuropathy and neuralgia caused by shingles. It is also used to treat asthma attacks due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Nasal sprays are currently available in the market today.
Capsaicin is a very volatile substance that most people experience a burning sensation. However, the nerve endings are overwhelmed by the influx of the sensation that prevents pain from being felt over an extended period of time. Chronic exposure to capsaicin would lead to the depletion of neurotransmitters in the neurons which leads to the reduction of the sensation of pain. When capsaicin was removed, the neurons recover and the person regains the painful experience.
4. Blueberries
Blueberries are perennial flowering plants that bear indigo-colored berries. These berries are fruits sold as blueberries that are native to North America. They are often sold as quick frozen fruit, juice, dried berries, or puree which in turn are used as consumer goods such as jellies, jams, and cereals. With their diverse micro-nutrients, blueberries are potent dietary supplements that are rich in vitamins and minerals. The essential minerals found in blueberries include vitamin C, vitamin K, and dietary fiber. Blueberries also contain anthocyanins and different kinds of phytochemicals that reduce inflammation and help reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Blueberries are much known for their extensive supply of antioxidants. Antioxidants are good at reducing blood cholesterol levels and blood lipid levels. They reduce the amounts of free radicals that slowly destroy the body and induce cancer if left unchecked. People with high blood pressure report an extensive reduction of their blood pressure with the help of blueberries. Consumption of blueberries also reduce the effect of memory loss in older adults and even reduce the symptoms of depression.
5. Garlic
Garlic is one of the legendary spices that have been used for several centuries now. There is a reason behind why it is one of the most used spice. It is one of the healthiest spices being used by humans.
For a long time, garlic is known to play a much important role in one’s health. Garlic is used to prevent cancer, high blood pressure, and even the common cold. Garlic reduces the calcification at veins hence preventing the further onset of high blood pressure. It also has a vasodilative effect which helps people relax.
It is also used to regulate blood sugar levels. Diabetics are fond of eating garlic as it helps them prevent the complications of diabetes Miletus. However, people who are taking insulin should not consume large amounts of garlic without the advice of a doctor. Garlic is also known as an antiseptic and was used to prevent gangrene during the First and Second World War.