Spices vs. Herbs: What's the Difference?

Spices and herbs are common in most foods around the world today. Both are used to flavor foods and some for medicinal purposes. Herbs and spices have both been prominent throughout human history. In earlier times, herbs and spices were considered luxuries and only available for the use of the wealthy. Herbs and spices were also traded frequently between nations in medieval times. Many people do not know the difference between an herb and a spice. There are many similarities between the two, and some of the differences are very subtle, but they are still valid.

The essential difference between an herb and a spice is where it is obtained from on a plant. Herbs usually come from the leafy part of a plant, and are usually dried. However, some herbs can be used fresh. Spices can be obtained from seeds, fruits, roots, bark, or some other vegetative substance. Spices are not necessarily as fresh as some herbs can be. Herbs can be found many places around the world, while spices are more commonly found in the Far East and tropical countries. Herbs are considered to have a few more uses than spices. For instance, herbs have been used more frequently than spices in the medical field. Also, herbs can and have been used to augment cosmetics and preserve foods.

Some argue that there is no distinction between herbs and spices, considering both have similar uses. However, a botanical definition reveals that an herb is a plant that doesn't produce a woody stem. It is common knowledge that in certain areas of the United States, a dried herb is considered to be a spice. This leads to more confusion because if a spice is simply an herb, then there cannot be a difference between the two. However, believing this is ignoring the fact that many herbs tend to be leafy green substances and spices are found in plants that are tropical in nature.

Because herbs and spices have so many uses and are great food flavorings, they have played important roles throughout history. The Portuguese navigator, Vasco Da Gama, sailed to India in search of spices. Even Christopher Columbus described the types of spices available in the "new world" to investors after he landed. Herbs have been used throughout history for medicinal purposes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbology (the study of herbs for medical purposes) has been used for thousands of years.

The debate between herbs and spices is ongoing. Some say that there is no difference, while others maintain that they are both completely different. Most learned scholars will say that the difference between an herb and a spice is found in where the herb or spice is obtained on the plant, and where that specific plant can be found.

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Antiviral Herbs

There are many fantastic antiviral herbs. This is good news for those who want to take better care of their health and combat illness without the use of pharmaceuticals. Here we will talk about the best natural antivirals and their attributes.

Some of the best antiviral herbs include oregano, echinacea, garlic, astragalus, schizandra, elderberry, mullein, licorice, and green tea.

* Oregano has been used for hundreds of years to fight viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. This is a well known herb for seasoning food, particularly Italian dishes. However, this is a powerful foe against germs.

* Echinacea is well known for its ability to boost the immune system. It is said to stimulate white blood cell production, thus helping the body to fight viruses more effectively. This herb is best taken early on when an infection is first suspected for best results.

* Garlic is a very powerful antiviral herb that is very effective when used to fight the common cold and flu viruses as well as strep and staph infections. Garlic is wonderfully aromatic and is best consumed fresh, but it is also available in capsule and tablet form for those who want its health benefits without the garlic breath.

* Astragalus is another excellent immune strengthener and a very effective antiviral herb for combating the common cold and flu.

* Schizandra is one of the lesser known herbal antivirals which has been found to be very successful when treating viral hepatitis.

* Elderberry has been used as an herbal remedy against various viral infections for thousands of years. It is beneficial in fighting colds, flus, and upper respiratory infections. Typically, elderberry is most effective in lozenge and syrup form.

* Mullein provides antiviral, anti-inflammatory, calming, and expectorant properties, among other benefits. It is an excellent herbal choice for those suffering with congestion.

* Licorice is another excellent antiviral herb that is very effective against viruses and bacteria as well as fungal infections. Individuals with hypertension should avoid taking licorice.

* Green tea has been found effective in preventing the spread of the flu virus as well as promoting overall good health due to its high levels of antioxidants and catechins ECG and EGCG.

Antiviral Essential Oils
Some wonderful antiviral essential oils include eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil, juniper oil, and lemon balm oil. These are helpful to use along with the above herbs when fighting a viral illness.

* Eucalyptus oil contains known antiviral compounds to help speed healing. Add a few drops of oil to a warm bath and breathe in the steam to help ease congestion. Can also be used in massage oil or applied to pulse points.

* Tea tree oil is another effective antiviral essential oil and can be applied full strength to external areas or gargled in water for sore throat.

* Juniper oil is a potent antiviral that has been found effective against the herpes and flu viruses. It can be used in a diffuser, as a massage oil, or in a soothing bath.

* Lemon balm oil has many uses, including treatment of cold sores and genital sores caused by the herpes simplex virus and is effective for keeping the virus from spreading. Lemon balm oil can be used topically, in a diffuser, or taken internally.

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Anxiety Herbs Offer Relief Without Side Effects

Anxiety herbs are far better than pharmaceutical drugs that only get you addicted instead of cured. There are several herbs you can try out, all of which have different healing effects on your anxiety stricken mind.

Kava

Kava is one herb which is especially loved for its ability to cure symptoms of anxiety attacks before the final blow hits you. Normally, anxiety attacks are associated with dizziness, nervousness and an increased heart beat. If you take the Kava herb along with your food, or as an herbal tea, you can counteract all of these potential effects of anxiety attacks gradually. In order to increase the effectiveness of Kava you can also use flavored water as a mixing agent.

Flavored water is perfect because it contains calcium, magnesium and vitamin B complex derivatives which combine well with Kava in order to get a more effective result. You can also use milk in your herbal tea as it also contains calcium in copious amounts. The other reason why kava is amongst the best anxiety herbs is that it induces sleep and helps to fight insomnia quite effectively.

Ginkgo Biloba And Chamomile Tea

Ginkgo biloba is yet another sweetly pristine herb which can assist in calming you down at a time when you feel edgy and nervous. Ginkgo biloba is said to contain alkaloids which are very effective when it comes to improving one's mood. You will see yourself becoming more cheerful than before in a most natural way, and at the same time your worries will be put to rest. But the main reason why it is a crowd favorite is its ability to increase the circulation of blood around the body. With increased circulation comes an increased supply of oxygen to the brain, something which helps in making you appear rosier than most people would expect.

Trying out hot Chamomile tea when your anxiety sets in is the perfect way to soothe and calm your nerves, especially after a long day at work. This Chamomile herb is a wise option as it relaxes you and at the same time settles any upset stomach. And the one thing a lot of people like about it is that unlike most sour tasting herbs, it tastes sweet and is very inviting.

Siberian Ginseng

If you are eager for one of those multi-purpose anxiety herbs then you need not look any further than the Siberian Ginseng. According to researchers in Russia, this herb stabilizes blood pressure, reduces high blood sugar levels and at the same time has a relaxing effect on the mind. So if you suffer from a multiplicity of medical conditions this is an excellent choice.

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What Are the Best Herbs For Impotence?

Many people are skeptical that herbs can cure anything, let alone impotence. I would remind them that chemicals found in plants are the basis for hundreds of pharmaceutical drugs approved by the FDA. In fact, a recent study showed that 62% of all cancer drugs are derived from plant extracts. So if you're suffering from erectile dysfunction, it's not crazy to consider trying herbs for impotence.

There are herbs for naturally increasing testosterone levels, herbs for encouraging blood flow to the penis, and herbs that support sexual stamina. Here's an example of each kind:

Tongkat Ali--This increasingly popular herb is often taken by athletes and bodybuilders because of its ability to boost testosterone levels. A study reported in The British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that users of Tongkat Ali experienced a 5 % increase in lean body mass over a 5 week period. Low testosterone levels are a leading cause of impotence in men.

Epimedium--This ancient Chinese herb is often jokingly referred to as "horny goat weed." But the ability of epimedium to increase blood flow to the penis is no joke. The active ingredient in this herb is iicarin, a compound that increases levels of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide relaxes the smooth muscles that surround the penis, allowing more blood to enter. Pharmaceutical drugs such as Viagra essentially do the same thing.

Maca Root--Even the New York Times has jumped on the Maca bandwagon, reporting that it "imparts energy, sex drive and stamina like nothing else." For centuries, Maca has been a sacred South American crop. Incan warriors used to eat it before battle to give them strength. Today, studies show that Maca improves stamina, reduces the risk of prostate cancer, and boosts the volume and quality of sperm.

The best way to use these herbs for impotence is to take a supplement that contains them all. The only problem is quality control. The field of herbal medicine is largely unregulated by the government, and poor quality products are sold everywhere. It's vital to do your research and find an herbal supplement that uses only the finest herbal ingredients in doses that are large enough to be effective.

The majority of impotence cases can be cured using high-quality herbs. As the Wall Street Journal recently reported, many herbal remedies "are now scientifically documented to be not only medically effective but also cost effective." You don't need to suffer from impotence any longer. Act now, and start enjoying the active, healthy sex life you've always wanted.

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Container Gardening of Herbs and Vegetables

Sometimes people are interested in cooking during their free time. A person who loves cooking is too much aware of the freshness of these herbs or vegetables available to them. The taste increases according to the cleanliness of the herbs. For an easy accessing most of them grow these herbs or vegetables indoor. Since it is an indoor farming many of these herbs and vegetables can be used as container gardening. Herbs are sensitive and because of this, they need some special caring. You should think about these factors before you buy herbs and vegetables for your own garden. When you buy herbs and vegetable plans for farming, you should search for the best one available on the market.

It is important to select the best herb or vegetable for your indoor farming. There are so many herbs, which cannot grow on your indoor facilities. This is because most of them need sunlight for their survival. Therefore, you should also choose for the right place for your better gardening. You should know about the needs and nature of the herbs that you want to plant. It will help you very much in their cultivation. It can help you in providing good care to them. For container gardening, you should know about the right size of the container, which the plant need for its future growing. No herbs will grow in dark light so you need to provide adequate sunlight for their existence.

Materials are important for indoor gardening. A garden kit contains fertilizers, tools and other gardening materials that are essential for gardening. The most important thing you have to do is to take care of the herbs as possible. To convert your herbs or vegetable plants to a healthier one there are standards available. Your doubts and questions about farming of herbs can be cleared by consulting a professional gardener.

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Medicinal Herbs - The History of Herbal Remedies

It is estimated that one in every five adults in the United States, amounting to more than 38 million people, are currently using some form of natural product for health purposes, such as medicinal herbs for example. Among the top ten natural herbal products that were being used, several have been commonly considered to be herbal remedies for a wide variety of different purposes for years including flaxseed, Echinacea, ginseng, garlic and ginkgo. People have been relying on the healing and restorative properties of herbs and botanicals since the ancient times, but current government regulations are changing the way we look at what herbal medicine can do for us.

Ancient times are really when the use of medicinal herbs became apparent. Aloe vera, for example, can be traced all the way back to use during early Egyptian times. The plant has been depicted in numerous stone carvings, and it was known as being the plant for immortality. As such, deceased pharaohs received it as a burial gift. Another ancient herbal remedy is lavender, which was native to Mediterranean areas and was also used in the ancient Egyptian civilizations as part of the mummification process for the deceased.

The fruit from the chaste tree, known as the chasteberry, has been used for a long time to ease a number of different menstrual issues as well as to stimulate breast milk production when breastfeeding. Another herbal supplement is cat's claw, growing wild in areas in South America and Central America, especially in areas like in the Amazon Rainforest, has already been in use for numerous centuries in order to both treat and outright prevent certain types of disease. Hoodia is another herb, derived from a cactus-like plant that you will find in the Kalahari Desert of Southern Africa, and it can reduce thirst and hunger during hunting trips and is now found in numerous weight loss supplements.

Although the face of medicine has changed significantly through the years, many people still utilize herbal medicine and herbal remedies. Ayurvedic medicine, for example, relies on plants, herbs, oils and spices along with a variety of other naturally occurring compounds and substances for medicinal purposes. Chinese medicine also relies on herbs and plants like ginkgo and bitter orange to treat a wide variety of health conditions. Many cultures still rely heavily on herbal medicine and herbal remedies to treat ailments including diseases and injuries because they have proven themselves to be effective over the course of centuries.

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Make Your Dried Herbs

If you decide to make some dried herbs for your kitchen, the best period to collect your herbs is in the late summer because some herbs begin to decline with the weather turning cool. During the day, morning will be best harvest time to pick up your herbs. When you do the cutting work in your garden, remember to take a good look at the health status of your chosen herb and remove the diseased leaves and insects. Before the drying process, you should tie several branches into a branch. You'd better use a rubber band as the whole branch will shrink when they are dried and the rubber band can still keep the branch tight compared with other strings. Then you should wrap up the whole branch using paper and wait until the moisture is gone.

The easiest and efficient way to make your dried herbs is using the air. However, this process may be a long time and some herbs oils may also not be fully depleted as well. The air drying process is suitable for some herbs with "dry" characteristics such as Rosemary, Thyme and Summer Savory. If the plants you are going to dry have high moisture substances like Basil and Mint, you'd better make use of a dehydrator to do the job. A microwave oven can also be used to dry the herbs, but it is more like a cooking process which help to remove the oily elements of the herb.

The dried herbs must be stored in containers which are properly sealed. Some small sized-jars can be used to facilitate categorization and labelling. When you put labels on your jars, be sure to put date on it for reference. To keep the flavor longer, you should store the whole leaves together instead of separate them. Also you should keep an eye on the status of your dried herbs, and discarded those which looks like to grow mold. Your herb containers should be put in a cool and shaded place to avoid direct sunlight. As your herbs may lose its qualities (color and flavor) with the time passing by, they should be consumed as quick as possible (less than a year).

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