Adding fresh spices to your cooking can elevate the flavor of your food in ways you never thought possible. Not only that, but many herbs have medicinal properties as well! So what better place to get them than right in your backyard! If you already have a garden growing, it may be time for some additions. This article will discuss the spices you should be growing in your garden!
Basil
There are many varieties of basil, and all of them taste delicious! Not only that, but it has a ton of medicinal properties as well. Basil is great for those with upset stomachs since it can help settle them. It can also ease nausea and help calm down your digestive system as well. Basil is easy to grow, and you should consider growing some in your garden! You can use the leaves fresh or dry them out and store them for later use.
Cilantro
Cilantro tastes great in Mexican food and salads alike! However, there is so much more than just the flavor. Cilantro rids your body of heavy metals that may linger inside you, such as mercury or lead! This is because cilantro is extremely rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Cilantro tastes great fresh, and you can add it to almost any meal. It has a unique taste that you will like! To grow cilantro, just put a few seeds in the ground and water every couple of days.
Ginger
Like cilantro, ginger has high antioxidant levels that help rid your body of any free radical damage you may have done to it throughout the day. Ginger can also help treat gastrointestinal issues such as stomach pain, bloating, and morning sickness. Ginger even has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with arthritis or other inflammatory diseases! To start growing ginger, all you need to do is take some ginger root from your kitchen and plant it in the ground. It should grow without a problem!
Garlic
Garlic is very popular in cooking and has tons of medicinal benefits! For example, garlic can help lower cholesterol levels that may be too high and boost your immune system. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease arthritis symptoms if you suffer from it for an extended period. Most people grow garlic with cloves, but did you know you can grow garlic just by leaving some peeled garlic out in the sun? Not only that but garlic can also be used as a natural pesticide, keeping most unwanted insects from your garden!
Turmeric
Like ginger, turmeric has tons of anti-inflammatory properties and can help with muscle and arthritic pain. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties that protect your body from any harmful pathogens you may have come in contact with throughout the day. However, the flavor is somewhat bitter, so it is best to add turmeric to recipes with other spices or flavors! To grow turmeric, just plant the roots directly into the ground and let them grow! Then, you can cut off pieces to cook with or dry out for later use.
Cumin
Cumin is another spice you can grow in your garden! It has a very distinct flavor and goes well with Mexican dishes. Cumin is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and lower blood cholesterol levels. It also has antioxidant qualities that help treat respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and whooping cough. If you already have cilantro growing in your garden, then cumin should be pretty easy to grow as well! Just plant the seeds directly into the ground and water them every couple of days!
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a popular spice that adds flavor to many desserts, breakfast foods, and beverages. It also has quite a few health benefits that you should consider growing in your garden! For one, cinnamon can lower harmful cholesterol levels and high blood sugar caused by diabetes. It can even help with obesity because it regulates insulin levels in the body. Not only that, but cinnamon is also a good source of fiber for people who suffer from constipation or hard stools. Just like ginger, all you need to do is plant some sticks into the ground! Then, let them grow until they get big enough, then chop them up and cook with them whenever you want.
Conclusion
If you want to elevate your cooking game, then you should consider growing some fresh spices in your garden this year. All of these spices are easy to grow and have a variety of uses in the kitchen! Not only will they improve the flavor of any meal you use them on, but they also can act as natural cures for respiratory issues or other health problems! So, what are you waiting for? Head to your garden and start planning!
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