7 Surprising Herbs and Spices You Should Be Eating—And Why

The conversation about food is changing. Now that the forks-over-knives, Green Kitchen set have become comfortable trading phrases like “I’m craving blueberries” for “I’m craving antioxidants,” or “Greek yogurt” for “good bacteria,” and the vegetarian diet has become nearly universal, the herbs and spices once used to distract omnivores from a meat-free experience are suddenly taking center stage with their own unique wellness benefits. “Herbs and spices are the future of healthy vegetarian cooking,” says nutritionist Mikaela Reuben, who often has cinnamon or dandelion greens in mind when she designs recipes for clients like Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, and Ben Stiller, and works backward from there. “Why serve just a carrot when I can add nutrients and flavor with a blend of spices?,” she explains. “It’s a no-brainer.”

She’s not alone. In Manhattan, spices are sharing shelf space with beauty products at health-minded destinations like Chinatown’s new Dimes Market and the West Village’s CAP Beauty, where Sun Potion’s cultish blue bottles of chlorella and He Shou Wu can be found between Dr. Alkaitis face masks and Odacité serums. Aside from adding a kick to your oatmeal or providing your salad with a brave new flavor profile, there is a lot to be gained internally from spicing up your diet. Here, Reuben recommends seven herbs and spices that boast anti-inflammatory and immunity- and circulatory-boosting effects. Healthy eating has never sounded more appetizing.

1. CINNAMON:
Reuben recommends sprinkling cinnamon into your smoothie, cup of coffee, or onto a banana in the morning to kick-start your circulatory system, add antioxidants, and help regulate your blood sugar for the rest of the day.

2. CILANTRO:
Among her favorite herbs, cilantro often finds its way onto her plate at dinner for its chelating capabilities. “It binds and mobilizes toxins and heavy metals in the body and pulls them out,” detoxifying before the day is through.

3. CUMIN:
A digestive system booster, cumin aids in the “proper elimination of toxins” and the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. Since digestive issues are linked to weight retention and mood, you can think of this spice as a happy, slimming addition with a delicious flavor.

4. CAYENNE:
So many cleanses involve cayenne because, according to Reuben, it heats the body from the inside and stimulates the lymph pathways. “Depending on the dosage, it can lead to sweating, which is involved with purifying the systems.” On extra-cold days, she adds it to her tea to shake the shivers.

5. PARSLEY
Reuben refers to this commonplace refrigerator item as “a vitamin and mineral powerhouse,” that also acts as a natural diuretic.

6.  TURMERIC
“Use liberally” are the directives Reuben has for what she calls “the mightiest spice you will find in your cupboard.” With an impressive ORAC rating, turmeric’s active component, curcumin, helps to prevent the formation of free radicals in the body, battles the ones that have already developed, and supports the liver’s detoxifying abilities. Pro tip? Use it with black pepper, which increases the body’s ability to absorb turmeric.

7. FENNEL
This perennial herb is a “well-known digestive aid” that has a soothing effect on the gastrointestinal tract and a high-fiber content.

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