5 of the healthiest spices and herbs you can cook with

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5 of the healthiest spices and herbs you can cook with

Nothing beats fresh basil on pasta or a spicy vindaloo curry (especially if you follow a plant-based diet), but the healthiest spices and herbs are so much more than a tasty meal addition.

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For example, a new study from The Centre for Human Psychopharmacology found that turmeric improves memory and reduces stress. Click through the gallery below and start experiencing the health benefits of spices and herbs…


Cinnamon

Cinnamon doesn’t just taste good in a chai latte, beauties. The spice is loaded with antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties (which are great for reducing pimples and infections) and can lower blood sugar levels. Even sprinkle a little onto any open cuts to kill bacteria.

Try: A cinnamon scalp cleanse to stimulate hair growth. Add 1 tsp of ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp of warm olive oil and 1 tbsp of honey. Massage into the scalp, leave in for 5 to 15 minutes and rinse off with shampoo.

beautyheaven’s top picks: Swisse Ultiboost Cinnamon, Nude Skincare Purify Cleansing Wash ($36, mecca.com.au)

Turmeric

In India, turmeric is a beauty staple, and trust me – this stuff WORKS. I make a turmeric facemask when I have a breakout and it always reduces bumps and redness. Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, so it’s great for fighting acne and scars. It’s also used for soothing burns, lightening the appearance of stretch marks and preventing hair loss. But just be careful – if you leave it on for too long it can stain your skin yellow!

Try: A turmeric body scrub. Combine 1 cup of grainy salt, 1 tbsp of turmeric powder and ¼ cup of virgin olive oil. Massage the scrub onto the body in circular motions and rinse off. Store in a seal-proof jar.

beautyheaven’s top picks: Jurlique Body Exfoliating GelKiehl’s Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance MasqueNature’s Way Super Turmeric Tablets

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is one of those ingredients that you buy once for a recipe and then it collects dust at the back of your spice rack. Well don’t let it go to waste, because the detoxifying spice is a natural sleeping aid, pain-reliever, helps ease constipation and has been used for oral hygiene in traditional medicines for centuries.

Try: Nutmeg to get to sleep: Add a ¼ tbsp of grated nutmeg into warm almond milk. Too easy!

bh’s top pick: Jo Malone Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne

 

Basil

Prefer healthy herbs to the healthiest spices? The Greek word for basil is ‘king’ and we can see why. The herb contains iron, so it’s great for PMS, and from the British Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) found it contains anti-ageing properties. When used in the bath, basil oil works to loosen sore muscles and helps reduce stress.

Try: A basil toner to reduce pimples. Boil a handful of lemon basil leaves in hot water and simmer for 10 minutes. Cool the water and use a cotton wool ball to apply it onto breakouts. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse off.

bh’s top pick: In Essence Basil Pure Essential OilCrabtree & Evelyn Avocado Olive & Basil Revitalising Bath & Shower Gel, Jurlique Balancing Blend Essential Oil

 

Parsley

Ah, parsley. It’s such an under-appreciated herb, and is so much more than that little green thing you get next to your chicken sandwich. Parsley is high in vitamin C and K, which work to reduce puffiness, and also contains skin-lightening properties and stimulates collagen production. Plus it’s super easy to grow (literally just put a bunch in some soil and let it do its thing). What else could you ask for?

Try: A parsley eye mask: Chop up a handful of parsley and then grind the leaves with a mortar and pestle. Mix it up with a bit of hot water or natural yogurt (about 1 tbsp). Apply under the eyes for 10 minutes and then rinse off.

beautyheaven’s top pick: Lush Parsley Porridge SoapSukin Super Greens – Nutrient Rich Facial Moisturiser

Do you use herbs and spices in your beauty routine?

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