10 Healing Herbs and Spices

There's no doubt that herbs and spices add distinctive flavors to our cooking. But little do most people know that the red, yellow, and brown powders they sprinkle on their food — not to mention the fresh herbs they cook with — also add significant health benefits. After all, herbs and spices come from plants, and many plants, as scientists are learning, contain a variety of healing substances — often found in high concentrations in the seeds, oils, and other plant parts that make up herbs and spices.

You may think of blueberries when you think of antioxidants, but you should also think of cloves. You know by now that fatty fish combats inflammation, but so does ginger. Certain herbs and spices — garlic and turmeric in particular — may even help us stave off cancer. And many are potent killers of bacteria and viruses.

Dozens of herbs and spices contain useful plant compounds, but the following 10 are healing standouts.