Medicinal herbs

Some of the most useful medicinal herbs are already in your kitchen. Herbs and spices are among the richest sources of antioxidants by weight, and many have long histories in traditional medicine.

A few of my favorites to cook with:

• Ginger, for occasional nausea and a warming tea
• Turmeric, best with a pinch of black pepper and a little fat
• Rosemary and thyme, fragrant and rich in plant compounds
• Peppermint and chamomile, as soothing teas after dinner
• Cinnamon, lovely on oatmeal and roasted squash

Cooking amounts are gentle. Concentrated forms like capsules, tinctures and extracts are much stronger and can interact with medications, so check with your doctor or practitioner before adding those.

Try this: brew a cup of fresh ginger tea with a squeeze of lemon this afternoon.