ABSTRACT
A wide variety of native-grown herbs long have been a part of Mediterranean cuisines, including rosemary, fennel, basil, dill, oregano, parsley, and marjoram. Spices, such as cinnamon, which also were used in traditional Mediterranean cooking, came from Asian nations by way of the spice trade Herbs and spices often increase the palatability of many foods by heightening their aroma and flavor. Benefits to heart health may be provided by herbs and spices such as curcumin, fenugreek, coriander, cinnamon, capers, and ginger Ginger contains constituents with anti-inflammatory properties that likely contribute to heart health. Rosemary, a herb from an aromatic evergreen Mediterranean shrub, exhibits the highest ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation of all the herbs It also contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Findings from research, however, are not consistent or sufficiently strong at present to prove that garlic consumption, whether from food or supplements, provides any of these major health benefits.
