Ever suspect you might have bad breath, and not an ounce of mouthwash on hand (but don’t dare lean to your lunch date and ask)? And speaking of bad breath, how’s your sinus? A bit stuffy today? Not to worry — simply munch that sprig of parsley on your plate, dab a pinch of chili pepper on your tongue and problem solved. It’s the natural solution. Parsley freshens breath while the capsaicin in the pepper clears the mucus–voila!
And let’s say that handsome waiter bumps your arm with the oven-hot skillet dish you ordered (an accident, though you couldn’t be mad at him, if you tried!). The incident left a mild red burn. Sure, mild is a relative term, but if you’ll pluck a branch of aloe from the attractive plant in the nearby window, then squeeze some of its gooey gel over the burn, the healing will be almost immediate. Disregard the “stink” factor — we’re concerned with saving skin here, not sensibilities.
Basil is a wonderful digestive aid. Calms the belly while you’re woofing down that glorious gooey piece of pizza. And if your sweetheart takes you out for a night of sushi come Valentine’s Day and your stomach disagrees, nibble a bit of the pretty ginger on your plate. It also helps ease nausea, though my preferred remedy is Coke. Much like chicken soup eases the symptoms of a cold — and I couldn’t tell you why — this soda cures a tummy ache like nobody’s business!
Need a wakeup call? Ask rosemary to do the honors. This herb gives you the mental boost you need for any task — and smells divine. Another reason to include rosemary in your garden? Cooking foods at high temperatures creates HCAs (heterocyclic amines), potent carcinogens believed to contribute to cancer. Rosemary contains carnosol and rosemarinic acid, two powerful antioxidants that destroy the HCAs. Rosemary Chicken, anyone?
Other notables include St. John’s wort to ease stress. Cinnamon can help lower blood sugar and cholesterol. Have arthritis? Try a dash of turmeric.
This list is but a few, but I think you get the idea. Your garden is like nature’s pharmacy so keep growing and keep healthy! I knew this gardening thing was a good idea.
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