boost nutrition

[respirate]

Basil
The Benefit: Basil is rich in antioxidants that mop up cell-damaging free radicals inside the body. This can help prevent a host of unwanted conditions, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, and high cholesterol. Basil also contains oils that prevent bacteria growth and inflammation.
Peppermint
The Benefit: Thank the menthol in peppermint for the plant's ability to clear phlegm and mucus from the bronchial tract to facilitate easy breathing. And also for soothing indigestion, gas, menstrual cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Sage
The Benefit: Like rosemary, sage is known to strengthen memory. The rosemerinic acid in these plants also works to preserve your body by protecting your cells from oxidative damage and alleviating the effects of asthma and arthritis.
Rosemary
The Benefit: Call it the smart spice. Many people swear by rosemary's ability to increase cognitive functioning, and researchers in California have identified carnosic acid as an active ingredient in rosemary that can offset cognitive degeneration, protect against Alzheimer's, and prevent stroke.
Thyme
The Benefit: This tiny herb is extremely rich in iron, which is crucial to your body's ability to transport oxygen. Just 2 teaspoons contain 20 percent of your daily intake. Plus, seasoning with thyme helps protect food from bacterial contamination.
Cilantro
The Benefit: In mice studies, coriander seeds, from the cilantro plant, encouraged the pancreas to produce more insulin-the hormone that helps shuttle glucose into the cells to be burned as energy. This prevents excess blood sugars from being stored as fat. Cilantro leaves have the same benefits.
Tarragon
The Benefit: By increasing the secretion of bile and acids into the stomach, tarragon improves gastric efficiency and whets the appetite. Because of this, it's best used early in the meal as an appetizer.
Oregano
The Benefit: A USDA study found that when adjusted for weight, it had four times the antioxidant activity of blueberries. That means big cancer-fighting potential for your next pizza or pasta sauce.
Parsley
The Benefit: These dainty leaves are highly concentrated with luteolin, a powerful flavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers at the University of Illinios found that luteolin decreased inflammation in the brain, which helps prevent decline in cognitive functions.

[Paxiled]

Yes, they put out the least heat.  I always liked the ones made by Green Power, and some like one called the Samson or something like that.  They're expensive, but much better than the single blade juicers.

[respirate]

The best type would be a Masticating Juicer

[Paxiled]

Yes, medicinal benefits, but you do lose a lot of the nutrients.  But if you're juicing in the winter and can't get fresh, rehydrated dry is the best you can do.

[broknbck]

i have found a good way to get lots of fresh herbs raw, is to add them to vegtable juicing.  do we still get benefits from dried herbs that are not cooked??

[M4Y0U]

Cooking breaks down most enzymes and benefits you can find in the herbs. If you are taking the herbs for their benefits it is suggested you don't cook them.

[margypops]

Thank you respirate for this information I do use herbs a lot in my cooking I was glad to read what you have put here, I use a lot of turmeric and cayenne aswell and flax seeds,I would be glad to hear more about the benefits ..

[Paxiled]

Don't have time right now to respond fully, but remember, cooking destroys much of the benefits you mention.  With oregano, it's the oil that's most potent, and cooking pretty much burns it off.  So oregano in the pizza sauce isn't the oregano that helps the body, for example.  Also, only wild oregano works well.  So it's more complicated than this post makes it seem.  The proper use of herbs for health benefits rarely involves cooking.