In our daily lives, we are faced with so much work and other commitments that constantly threaten to overtake us, that we pay little to no attention to how we are actually treating ourselves in the bargain. True, the harder and longer we work, we feel we have a better chance at succeeding, but at what cost?
Just because we are able to drag our bodies out of bed every morning and live through another day, it doesn’t mean that everything is working all right inside of us. Just like a volcano, there is build-up over a long period of time with a sudden eruption that we cannot handle and that can prove life altering, if not fatal. Taking care of your body is the first thing that should be on your daily agenda. While there are complimentary practices that aid in better health, such as holistic practices like yoga and breathing exercises along with maybe spa treatments and massages, what we eat on a daily basis also plays a vital and in fact the most important factor for our living as well as longevity.
Beginning the morning by having a brewed cup of tea with freshly steeped herbs rejuvenates the system right from your brain by reigniting it to the digestive tract because of its warmth and healing properties. There are many ready-to-use packets of herbal tea, but in countries like India and China, a little bit of effort of boiling fresh herbs goes a much longer way and reduces the consumption of chemicals that packaged products bring right in the morning. Again, eating fresh fruits and vegetables in the morning sets the mood for a more energetic and fulfilling day.
While lunch is usually had on-the-go, including some spices and herbs into your food is also beneficial. Firstly, it adds to the taste because of the earthiness of herbs as well as the aesthetic appeal one gets when eyeing a colourful bowl of food sprinkled with your favourite herb. You need to observe cultures such as the Indians, Chinese, Mediterranean and any other region that promote freshly grown and cooked ingredients into their diet – they report fewer diseases, less trips to the hospital, better healing for common ailments, and a longer life. Of course, Mother Nature will definitely have the answers as compared to food manufactured in a factory under unnatural processes.
Daily herbs to include in one’s diet is turmeric, garlic, ginger, the fresh herbs like – thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, coriander which can be used as garnishes. Many dieticians and food experts give a few tips on how to know that you are following a healthy diet: have foods of varying colour right from the juicy reds to the vibrant oranges to the soothing purples and greens and the pristine whites; the more the variety, the wider the palate of health benefits. Also, freshly grown produce is essential. These days there are labels that promise ‘organic’ foods, which are not grown with any enhancers or pesticides. Adding spices to your diet enriches the flavour of your food and secretly helps build immunity to a lot of pesky diseases out there.
Apart from consumption, herbs can have their aesthetic appeal as well. For example, the neem and aloe vera plants are known to keep little bugs away and also can be used on the skin to soothe rashes and burns. When growing herbs in your garden, plants different varieties because their colours are so inviting and soothing and leave a hint of a fragrance in the air. For relaxation purposes, the main plant that aids in calming is lavender which is infused in many oils and bathing products today.
The list to the benefits of herbs is endless. In fact, their benefits far outweigh their risks, if there are any. The best way to know which herb is best suited for you is to educate yourself for the same. Read and learn about the exciting world of herbs out there that Mother Nature has abundantly and freely grown for us all.
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