Many chronic health conditions have been identified as systemic inflammatory processes affected by increased stress levels, sedentary lifestyles and poor diets. Using herbs in meal preparation is one way to hedge against, and treat, systemic inflammation.

My favorites are cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, ginger, pepper, tumeric and cumin. You can get creative. I add cinnamon or nutmeg to my coffee and tea. I keep two pepper mills on hand--one for black peppercorns and one for a mix of black, green, pink and white peppercorns. Tumeric is a nice choice because it has a pretty color but adds little in the way of flavour unless used in huge amounts. One can add it liberally to just about anything without changing the flavour much. Cumin has a distinct flavour, and some people don't like it, so one should try it before commiting.

Tumeric, in particular, has received a lot of attention of late. Much research has been underway in studying its effects on preventing and treating arthritis, Alzheimer's and cancer, and without side effects. Here is Dr. Weil's recipe for Tumeric Tea.