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Herbal Nutritions -Securing Nutrients from Herbs
Several herbs have been valued over the years as food items or as flavoring for food. Their medicinal qualities have also been utilized to formulate treatments for illnesses of all kinds. The herbs have been traditionally regarded as nature’s gift to mankind- full of goodness. However, the aspect that the herbs are rich reserves of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients is often overlooked. Perhaps this is because of the fact that this aspect has been brought to light comparatively recently- ever since scientific research on the properties of herbs had begun.
The famous herbs esteemed for their remarkable curative and useful properties are packed with several vital vitamins and minerals. Thus, taking in of herbs wisely and correctly can supply a wide range of nutrients that are required by the human body for its optimum functioning. Though herbs and herbal products do supply most of our carbohydrate needs and also provide adequate amounts of fats and proteins yet it is the vitamins and minerals of crucial importance found in herbs that nutrition concerns especially revolve around.
There are some wonder herbs like alfalfa and dandelion that contain most vitamins and minerals in abundance. However, generally, sufficient amounts of each vitamin or mineral are especially to be found in particular herbs. The various important vitamins and minerals together with the herbs that supply them aplenty are enumerated below here.
Vitamin A acting as antioxidant and helping to fight skin diseases, night blindness and skin cancer is found abundantly in alfalfa, comfrey, dandelion, paprika, nettle, plantain, raspberry leaf and red clover. This vitamin is needed for repairing mucous membrane cells and skin cells. Thiamine or Vitamin B1 helping support healthy circulation and helping out with carbohydrate metabolism is found mainly in bladderwrack, catnip, alfalfa, dandelion, fenugreek, nettle, red clover, sage and yarrow.
Rich sources of Riboflavin or Vitamin B2 are chamomile, chickweed, fennel, fenugreek, alfalfa, dandelion, peppermint, catnip, ginseng, nettle, parsley, raspberry leaf, sage and rose hips. This plays an important part in antibody and red cell formation while also aiding metabolism. Vitamin B3 or Niacin is important for providing support to healthy circulation and for ensuring skin health. It is also helpful in regulating metabolism. Its rich sources are alfalfa, ginger, licorice, chamomile, catnip, chickweed, fennel, parsley, and peppermint.
Vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid or the anti stress vitamin helping with proper metabolism and proper nerve functioning is found much in catnip, eyebright and red clover. Again, rich sources of Vitamin B6, another crucial B vitamin, are- alfalfa, catnip and licorice while rich sources of anemia combating Vitamin B12 are dandelion, alfalfa, white oak bark and bladderwrack.
All the citrus fruits are rich sources of Vitamin C important for preventing scurvy. Lemons and all citrus fruits are rich sources of this Vitamin. The Indian gooseberry (Amla) is a particularly rich source of Vitamin C. The fat-soluble Vitamins A, D, E and K are found in many herbal and vegetable oils. Almond and olive oil are particularly the rich reserves of these vitamins.
Rich herbal sources for minerals include- alfalfa and strawberry (aluminum), broccoli and apple (boron), alfalfa and almonds (calcium), apricot, almond and alfalfa (phosphorus), green amaranth and alfalfa (potassium), catnip, Brazil nuts and alfalfa (selenium), avocado, asparagus and almonds (zinc), apple, bananas and avocados (chromium), beetroot and almonds (copper), alfalfa, basil and almonds (iron), Aloe Vera and alfalfa (magnesium), alfalfa, apricot and avocado (manganese) beans and chickweed (molybdenum) and buckwheat, cabbage and red clover (nickel).