Spicy Herbs | Learn about Pungent Herbs

Spicy Herbs

Pungent or spicy herbs have traditionally been used to stimulate digestion, support circulation, warm the body, and support the body’s natural defenses. They also fight inflammation and can boost your metabolism. Spices like cayenne, ginger, garlic, horseradish, and black pepper add pungent flavors to the foods people eat every day. As a celebrity chef, Emeril Lagasse would often say they “kick it up a notch,” due to their exciting action on our taste buds.

It’s no surprise these spices are called hot, because they have a warming effect and a stimulant effect. What may be surprising is that they also have a cooling effect because they stimulate perspiration. In fact, if you look at where spicy cuisines like Mexican, Indian, and Cajun come from, you’ll find that they are all warm, not cold, climates.

There are many benefits to adding these spices to your diet or using them as supplements. They are especially helpful for promoting healthy circulation, digestive function, and supporting a healthy metabolism and immune system.

More Herbal Categories

Herbs, including spicy herbs, can offer many benefits when added to your cooking, taking advantage of their aromatic qualities as essential oils, or taken as a supplement. Herbs are often categorized or described as follows:

• Aromatic
• Bitters
• Salty
• Astringent
• Sour
• Acrid
• Mucilaginous
• Sweet
• Oily

Below are terms traditionally used in herbalism to describe herbal actions:

• Anti-bacterial, Anti-fungal, Anti-Microbial, Anti-viral, Anti-parasitic
• Analgesic – pain relieving
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-spasmodic – cramps and spasms
• Astringent – toning, reducing swelling and tightening
• Bitter – promotes/stimulates digestion
• Detoxifying – stimulating the hepatic system to cleanse
• Digestive Aid – supports gut health, bloating, gas, appetite
• Diaphoretic – means promoting perspiration
• Nervine – promoting balance to calm or stimulate
• Sedative – calming and relaxing effects
• Tonic – promoting overall wellness

When looking at their categories and characteristics, you can see how herbs are sometimes used. You can also view more information from Steven Horne on Categorizing Herbs!

Healthy habits are built one choice at a time. If you’re ready to work on the everyday habits that support your health, learn more about my Healthy Habits Challenge.

This article was originally published as part of the Sunshine Sharing newsletter series.
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