by Debra Frank

Created on: January 20, 2009   Last Updated: January 28, 2009

For centuries, people have been using natural sources to promote health and cure illnesses. Our ancestors explored mixtures of leaves, seeds, grasses, nuts, bark, fruits, flowers, and roots to learn their effects on wellness. Many of our modern medications and flavorful spices have derived from the historic exploration of herbal remedies. Let's rediscover some of the health related uses for some of the more common herbs and spices you may already have in your cupboard.

Tea

My daily cup of tea is one of my favorite indulgences. True teas are made when the dried leaves from the plant Camilla Sinensis are brewed in hot water. Tea's medicinal values have been founded in controlled studies. Most contain powerful antioxidant properties that have found to decrease incidence of cancer, heart disease, some forms of arthritis, and tooth decay. Some tea experts feel that the antioxidant effects are stronger in the non-fermented white and green teas. Tea has been an effective and affordable tool in weight control, possibly because of not only tea's healthy polyphenol contents, but its caffeine content.

Avoid drinking tea if you have a sensitivity to caffeine or if you have a medical problem that caffeine may aggravate, such as headaches or bladder spasms. Those sensitive to caffeine will need to drink sparingly and may wish to limit the tea to morning hours consumption.

Cinnamon

Wonderfully flavorful, spicing up your food or drink with cinnamon will provide a warming sensation and increase the circulation to the stomach and abdominal organs. Small amounts of this spice in your tea or drink can be used to help relieve gas discomfort. Cinnamon has also been touted as a tool to aid in stabilizing blood sugars, although this virtue has not been confirmed in studies.

Too much cinnamon can cause diarrhea. Also you should avoid this herb if you have a fever, have problems with perspiring, or have irritable bowel syndrome. Pregnant women can use cinnamon in baking, but should avoid excessive use.

Garlic

Studies have found Garlic in your diet can lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, balance blood sugar , prevent breast, stomach, bladder, skin, and colon cancers, combat fungus, ease cold and bronchitis symtoms, and improve your immune system. Some even use garlic to remove warts!

Garlic has reported antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral properties that may help in preventing infections. Added liberally to broths or soups at the first signs of a cold, it reduces congestion. Studies have

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