{"id":1901,"date":"2018-07-14T08:27:46","date_gmt":"2018-07-14T08:27:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=1901"},"modified":"2021-05-18T14:16:09","modified_gmt":"2021-05-18T14:16:09","slug":"15-fresh-herbs-for-weight-loss-and-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-fresh-herbs-for-weight-loss-and-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Fresh Herbs for Weight Loss and Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are you feeling sluggish, lethargic and tired more often than you should? This could be down to your diet. There are many products and supposed wonder-cures that promise to give you the energetic boost you\u2019re looking for and many that claim they will help you lose weight; but you should always keep in mind that many of these supplements are not accredited or approved by the FDA, and most of them can be dangerous to your health instead since no regulatory body is checking up on what\u2019s in all of this stuff they are trying to sell you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why many people are instead opting for natural, fresh herbs \u2013 often ones that they grow themselves \u2013 to ensure that they\u2019re getting only the natural benefit and none of the bad stuff. Here are 15 fresh herbs for weight loss and energy that will leave you feeling great and ready to take on whatever life has to offer you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Parsley<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might also know that parsley <\/a>is often paired with garlic \u2013 for example, garlic bread with parsley-infused butter \u2013 but have you thought about why? This is because parsley is the direct counter to the sharp smell that often comes with garlic, known as \u201cgarlic breath\u201d by most; if you chew on a little bit of parsley right after eating garlic, it will almost immediately get rid of the breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, did you know that if you add parsley to your diet on a regular basis then it will also have wonderful consequences for your health? Parsley contains plenty of healthy vitamins, and these can keep you going and revitalize your system when you are looking for a boost. Added to your diet, it can also bulk up many meals and add something fresh \u2013 for example, parsley cut into an omelette. It\u2019s even a great ingredient to many salads if that\u2019s what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Oregano<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Oregano <\/a>is another ingredient that is traditionally found in many Italian dishes to add flavour, usually accompanying something like basil in a dish like spaghetti bolognaise. But that\u2019s not where the versatility of oregano begins and ends: There are plenty more things you can do with it. If you dry it, then you can add dried oregano to almost any stew or soup that you can think of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you add it to anything fresh, then you are getting the maximum amount of healthy vitamins from the plant, and you\u2019re also getting a great general boost to your metabolism and your heart. Don\u2019t forget that oregano is also something that you can grow in your own herb garden; just don\u2019t confuse it with ornamental oregano, which isn\u2019t meant to be eaten at all \u2013 and you likely won\u2019t enjoy the taste. If you don\u2019t have the space to grow it, then just add oregano to your weekly shopping list instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Lavender<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most people don\u2019t think of lavender <\/a>as a herb at all, but instead prefer to use lavender as an ornamental plant to add some colour to their garden or flower arrangement; but once you get past all of that, then you can start using the benefits of lavender to add flavour and excitement to your cooking, whether we\u2019re talking about a savoury dish or a sweet dessert that\u2019s in need of some extra inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to mention that only some types of lavender can be eaten, and the types that can\u2019t will likely just taste bitter to you instead. Lavender is most commonly used as a herb that can make people fall asleep, but the regular benefits of lavender in your diet is much more than this: It can also relax you in a general sense, and give you the energy to get up and live your life your way: Healthier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Echinacea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Echinacea <\/a>is something that you likely will have heard of already, though not everybody who has heard of it will have put it to the test yet. It was all the rage as an immune-booster at the time of its discovery, though over time a lot of people have forgotten about the benefits that Echinacea can have for your health. If you take it on a daily basis, then you are much less likely to develop general illnesses and pick up the bugs that are going around that season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It works as a general immune booster, and the healthier you are in general, the more likely you will be to have the energy to get up, move around and exercise. Nobody wants to work out when they\u2019re feeling sick, and you shouldn\u2019t have to: Boost your immunity every day and you will feel the effect. Monitor your health over the next six months to a year. Better yet? <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Catnip<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Catnip <\/a>is part of the mint family, and whether it\u2019s in its fresh or dried form, cats love it; most people have seen what effect catnip can have on an adult cat \u2013 and most cats will go crazy for it. For some reason, some cats are completely immune to the effects, but we\u2019re not yet sure why. Most people think of it as something that only cats can consume, but you\u2019d be wrong: Yes, humans can take in catnip and be completely fine as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, while it won\u2019t affect humans as much as it does their furry companions, we do know that catnip has shown to relax people in controlled trials. It can be used as a general tranquilizer, which will come in handy if you have had a very rough day at work or had to spend several hours working out. Catnip really isn\u2019t just for cats!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Chamomile<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will likely know about chamomile <\/a>already in its most common form: Brewed into a tea. This is a good choice if you are looking to take some of the physical pressure off of your body, and relieve some of the mental symptoms at the same time. Chamomile is well known for being able to relax, and it\u2019s often combined with lavender, brewed into a tea and then drank before bed for its relaxing effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should know that you can use chamomile in any other form, too, and you will feel much better as a result. It is known as an anti-inflammatory substance too, and manages to add flavour to some dishes, too. There is more than one form of chamomile, and you should always make sure that you aren\u2019t using too much of it \u2013 the flavour can be overpowering, and might turn your dish or tea into something unpleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Dill<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dill <\/a>is a herb that\u2019s often used in cooking, and more commonly used to add flavour to soups and stews that will pull the maximum amount of flavour from the herb; many times, you will also find dill used in roasts, or you will find it used to add a fresh element to a bread. Ideally you\u2019re looking to find dill in its freshest form; you can still get some of the taste-benefits from dried dill, but it\u2019s going to leave most of the health benefits away: So, freshest form is always best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dill is also another herb that you can easily grow yourself and harvest from as you need it \u2013 it doesn\u2019t take much effort to add dill to your herb garden. It doesn\u2019t need too much fussing around with, either: You can just leave it and let it grow \u2013 the rest is up to nature. If not, just buy it from the store instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Coriander<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coriander <\/a>is another ingredient which most people don\u2019t think of as a herb, but which is actually gotten directly from the coriander-plant. Usually, you will find coriander seeds in use, but you might also find it in its herbal form. This would be horrible in a tea, so don\u2019t even attempt to brew a tea from this particular herb: Coriander is best used to add flavour to many dishes, stews and soups: Particularly Mexican dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In some parts of the world, it\u2019s also a traditionally used herb and spice to add flavouring to dried meats and meat-dishes. Just adding a little bit of coriander to your diet will leave you feeling much healthier. It\u2019s another herb that can easily be considered to be overpowering, so use only a little bit of it when you do. It can easily be grown in your own herb garden, or you can just purchase coriander \u2013 dried or fresh \u2013 from your grocery store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Horseradish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Again, you might not commonly think of horseradish <\/a>as a spice, but it\u2019s one of the bitter herbs of Passover as some religions mention \u2013 and it\u2019s still classed as a herb, and can add a lot of natural flavour to your dishes. Remember that horseradish is an extremely potent spice somewhat similar to ginger, and you don\u2019t want to add too much of it to your dish: It can be an intensely overpowering flavour that can ruin a dish when you only needed a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be found in many forms, usually never dried, and will add a lot of flavour to any kind of stew or soup. It can\u2019t, however, be used for the base of a dish \u2013 and one should never try \u2013 because of the overpowering flavour. If you\u2019ve added too much to a dish by accident, scoop some off before attempting to mix it in, or add something else that will neutralize the flavour of the horseradish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Hyssop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will find hyssop <\/a>in some or other form at most stores that sell fresh herbs, and if you can\u2019t then the plant should be easy enough source \u2013 just get in touch with your nearest garden-enthusiast club, or ask a close-by chef from your favourite restaurant where they are currently sourcing theirs form. Hyssop can be used to add flavour to soups and stews, though you can also use it as a fresh herb or boil it into a tincture: The ancient Greeks were well-known for using hyssop medicinally, and used it as a cough syrup when boiled down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also help you to speed up your metabolism. Again, if you find that you are completely unable to source the plant itself, then you should be able to find it from your nearest grocery store \u2013 though do not use hyssop oil the same way you would the herb as it has some contra-indications, particularly with medication for seizures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Lemongrass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might also hear about lemongrass referred to as fever-grass, often because it is used in some countries as a traditional treatment for conditions like malaria<\/a>. For everyone else, lemongrass is used as a flavouring in many stews, soups, foods and salads \u2013 and will add a great flavour to your dish. It also contains plenty of health benefits, and adding lemongrass to your diet in its fresh form is a great way to get some of the added vitamins to your diet that you would need to get from a supplement in any other case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to be healthy and stay healthy, lemongrass is a great way to do it, and it will manage to give you an energy boost at the same time. It\u2019s also seen in a lot of traditional Asian cuisine, though your dish doesn\u2019t need an Asian-based flavour by any means to be able to need lemongrass in the mix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Mint<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, you\u2019ll find mint <\/a>added to certain roasts and stews for flavour, particularly to things like mutton and lamb \u2013 in some cases, lamb can have an overwhelmingly wild or herbal taste due to the animal\u2019s diet, and mint manages to take the edge off. It can also manage to give you an energy boost, and you can even add some fresh mint to your salads if that\u2019s what you feel like. Mint can also be added to many teas for a sharpened, cool taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peppermint and spearmint are two different types of the mint-family; the mint-family also includes catnip, and you might find that cats have a tendency to react the same to some types of mint and will often roll in the plant \u2013 so if you have cats, keep your plants where they won\u2019t be disturbed. Be careful if you have any heart conditions, and make sure you shy away from mint in that case as it can make any heart conditions that you have worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Basil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you are looking to lose weight and gain some energy to get you through the day, then you should consider adding some basil <\/a>to your diet. You can find it in its fresh form at most grocery stores, and if you can\u2019t then it\u2019s pretty easy to grow yourself if you prefer. Basil is a traditional accompaniment to many Italian dishes; you will also find the use of basil in many stews, soups and dishes outside of Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

X Basil is also one of the easiest herbs to grow, and you can pretty much just plant an off-cut of another plant \u2013 or basil seeds, if you can find them \u2013 and let them grow with little to no effort. Make sure you wash off basil before using it in a salad or dish, especially if it\u2019s store-bought, to ensure that you have rid the plant of any pesticides and soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Turmeric<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Turmeric <\/a>is one of the most versatile herbs \/ spices that you can find. It\u2019s a powerful anti-inflammatory, and it can give your immune system a regular boost when you are in need of it. Turmeric will also manage to speed up your metabolism, and leads to quicker burning of fat. It\u2019s a common ingredient in many soups and stews, and it\u2019s better known as the spice that helps to give a good curry the right shade \u2013 of course, along with actual curry and a mix of spices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also traditional to prepare a drink from turmeric and warm milk: The heating up of the milk slowly releases the oils in the spice. You should be careful when you\u2019re working with any forms of turmeric as it tends to stain absolutely anything it touches \u2013 including cloths and plastics. Wash your hands thoroughly, as the stains do tend to stick to everything else you touch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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15. Cinnamon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most people don\u2019t recognize it, cinnamon <\/a>also counts as a herb \u2013 and it can be a great addition to many foods and desserts, especially if you are looking to improve your overall health. For starters, you should know that cinnamon is able to boost your immune system: Just once or twice a week will give you the boost you need to avoid flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are plenty of things that cinnamon can do for your health. Cinnamon also manages to boost your metabolism, meaning that you will burn fat and shake off calories much easier. You should know that cinnamon is a powerful anti-inflammatory substance, too, and it can improve your health and take care of conditions like arthritis at the same time. Cinnamon also happens to be versatile: You can add it to your daily brew of tea to change it into a spiced brew instead, or you can opt to add cinnamon to your stews or sauces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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