Instagram: Holiday Herbs and Health

Some herbs used in holiday cooking have also been studied for their possible health benefits. Cranberry has been studied for urinary tract infections. There is mixed evidence on whether it can prevent these infections. It hasn’t been shown to be effective in treating them. Ginger has been studied as a remedy for nausea, and it indeed may be helpful for nausea related to pregnancy or cancer chemotherapy. Peppermint oil has been studied for irritable bowel syndrome, and studies indicate that it may relieve symptoms of this condition. Pomegranate, sage, and cinnamon have been studied for a variety of conditions, but they haven’t been proven helpful. Follow @nih_nccih on Instagram