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Herbs and Their Vitamins -
Herbs as Rich Vitamin Sources
Throughout the world herbs are used as seasonings. They add flavor to food and also find other uses. Their medicinal properties are also gainfully utilized in various traditional herbal remedies. Though such usage of herbs as condiment or medicine has been recognized since times long gone by the fact that these are also rich sources of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients have been discovered quite recently. The process of determination of the vitamins and other nutrients in herbs had started together with the commencing of scientific research on their special properties.
It has been found that the famous herbs that are held in high esteem for their supposed ‘miracle’ curative properties are also storehouses of most of the vital vitamins. So, a judicious intake of herbs can supply the vitamins in adequate amounts thus making us healthy. Indeed, herbs can rightly take care of vitamin deficiencies and their associated maladies.
Particular herbs are rich sources of particular vitamins. However, some herbs are there that are sources of most vitamins. The names of dandelion and alfalfa can be mentioned in this regard. They can indeed be referred to as nature’s multi vitamin capsules.
In the sequence of vitamins considered essential for maintaining good health and ensure proper functioning of body system vitamin A comes first. The important herbal sources of this vitamin are alfalfa, paprika, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, comfrey, dandelion, elder, eyebright, fennel, lemongrass, nettle, parsley, peppermint and plantain. Red clover and Echinacea are also abundant in vitamin A. This vitamin helps prevent skin diseases and night blindness. It also acts as a protective against skin cancer owing to its antioxidant properties.
Important sources of vitamin B1 the first of the B vitamins are burdock rot, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, dandelion, alfalfa, fenugreek, sage and yarrow. This vitamin (also known as thiamine) supports healthy circulation and helps with carbohydrate metabolism. It also helps create stomach aids like hydrochloric acid needed for protein digestion. Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is important for antibody and red cell formation and its chief herbal sources are catnip, cayenne, alfalfa, bladderwrack, ginseng, nettle, sage, parsley, red clover and chamomile.
Niacin or vitamin B3 necessary for supporting healthy circulation and provide healthy skin is found aplenty in the following herbs- alfalfa, blue cohosh, licorice, catnip, cayenne, burdock root and chamomile. Important herbs containing vitamin B5 or Pantothenic acid are catnip, eyebright and black cohosh. This is considered as the vitamin necessary for combating stress and for maintaining proper nerve functions.
Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine important for checking heart attacks and for maintaining potassium and sodium balance is found in abundance in the herbs alfalfa, licorice, catnip and hawthorn berries. The herbs that are rich sources of vitamin B12 are bladderwrack, dandelion, alfalfa, and white oak bark. This is helpful in creating red blood cells and in preventing anemia.
All citrus fruits like lemons are good sources of vitamin C. This is important for preventing scurvy and for strengthening blood vessels and the immune system. Indian gooseberry (Amla) is a particularly rich source of this vitamin.
The vitamins D, E and K being fat soluble (as also vitamin A) are found in vegetable oils. Vitamin D is important for formation of healthy bones while vitamin E is responsible for preventing harmful oxidation and cell damage. Vitamin K is needed for ensuring proper blood clotting. Olive oil is a good source of all these fat soluble vitamins. Almond oil and other vegetable oils also contain them in different amounts.