Did you know that you can eat your way to wellness? It’s seems counterintuitive; most doctors recommend that you eat less and monitor your diet in order to stay healthy. But eating healthy is more about what you eat than how much you eat. Take, for instance, the following 11 foods. Enjoy generous servings of these foods every day and you can actually heal from an illness.

This natural, holistic medicine approach to health means turning to nature’s medicine rather than relying on medications with potential side-effects or surgeries with potentially long recovery times.

Here are the best 11 foods that can help you heal.

Cinnamon

This spice derived from the bark of a tree is one of nature’s best anti-inflammation medicines. Sprinkle cinnamon on toast, in oatmeal, in beverages like tea and coffee, or even on savory dishes for reduced inflammation and better health.

Cinnamon and bundles of cinnamon sticks

Garlic

Garlic isn’t just a flavorful plant food, one that’s useful in many cuisines throughout the world. It’s also a very healthy food. It contains allicin, an immunity boosting chemical that helps detoxify the body.

Basil

This flavorful herb is great for treating digestive conditions, like stomach cramps, nausea, and constipation. Add leaves of fresh or dried basil to all kinds of savory dishes for better digestion.

Lemon

Lemon is full of healthy acids and Vitamin C, which can help you fight off colds and ear infections. Squirt lemon juice on just about anything as a sodium-free seasoning that can help you heal.

Lemons on wood table with mint leaves

Thyme

This herb is great when added to soups, stews, and meat dishes of all kinds. Thyme can improve respiratory system function, treating conditions like bronchitis and tonsillitis.

Ginger

Holistic medicine practitioners recommend most spices for health, but ginger is one of the best (and most versatile in the kitchen). It can help treat allergic reactions, combat morning sickness, and reduce inflammation.

Honey

Nature’s best sweetener, honey is great for treating seasonal allergies and can help soothe cold and flu symptoms. Use it sparingly, but eat honey daily to keep your immune system working at its best.

Coconut

Coconut helps provide you with disease-fighting antioxidants that can help you fight off all kinds of illnesses. While coconut oil is a common health craze, it’s high in saturated fat so turn to whole coconut instead.

Pepper

All kinds of peppercorns, including the popular black, white, and pink varieties, are great for treating illnesses. They aid in digestion, stimulate the appetite so you can get energy back, and even help to relieve stress symptoms.

Nutmeg

An amazing fall and winter spice suitable for just about all your sweet recipes, nutmeg is an adaptogen, or a substance that helps your body cope with stress symptoms like joint pain, high blood pressure, and moodiness.

Turmeric

One of the greatest foods on earth, a herbal holistic medicine practitioner’s best friend, turmeric has been used in traditional medicine as a tasty immunity boost and anti-inflammatory. Add turmeric to your savory cooking to treat digestive illnesses too.

For more advice treating illnesses naturally, visit Holistica Integrative Care. We offer herbal holistic medicine in Boulder, CO, for ancient and natural approaches to health. Find out why we’re considered the best holistic medicine practitioner and call us today.