by Angie Pollock

Created on: August 21, 2008   Last Updated: July 05, 2009

Those herbs that you have been adding to your favorite culinary dishes may offer you more than just added flavor. Many of the herbs that we commonly associate with cooking have been used by individuals for thousands of years to treat different diseases and ailments. The most common herbs that we use in our kitchen everyday may be more beneficial than you know.

*Chamomile

Utilized by adults and children for thousands of years, chamomile is often used to treat gastrointestinal problems such as gas, diarrhea and the common upset stomach. Scientific studies that have been done are showing that chamomile may have positive benefits in treating mouth ulcers and some types of skin conditions.

Besides chamomile tea which we drink for its relaxing properties, chamomile can be found as an ingredient in many of the products we purchase for our skin and hair. Benefits of chamomile are claimed to be softening of the skin and hair as well as alleviating skin conditions such as rashes.

*Cloves

The clove contains significant amounts of the component "eugenol". Used previously for centuries as a numbing agent for toothaches, eugenol extracts are commonly used now in dentistry during root canals, fillings and to relieve general gum pain. Clove oil can also be found as an ingredient in some over-the-counter mouthwashes and throat sprays. Cloves also can provide nutrients for a healthy diet including manganese, dietary fiber, vitamin C, calcium and magnesium.

*Flaxseed

Flaxseed is gaining notoriety for being part of a healthy diet. Many specialist are recommending flaxseed and flaxseed oil to use in the treatment of high cholesterol. The most common usage for flaxseed is as a laxative but women are using flaxseed to aid during menopause against hot flashes and breast pain. Flaxseed contains soluble fiber and can be used as a supplemental fiber source.

*Garlic

Garlic is considered the herbal "wonder drug" which has been claimed to treat and prevent everything from the common cold to acne. The studies that have been done on garlic show that it can have a powerful antioxidant effect to help protect the body against damage. Garlic is now being studied and used in the treatment of certain cancers, heart disease, hypertension, infections, impotence, and to help lower cholesterol.

*Ginger

Ginger has been utilized in Asian medicine for centuries to treat stomach ailments including nausea. Many individuals take ginger to treat arthritis, joint paint, and muscle pain. Many over-the-counter

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