Healing Herbs

10 Best Healing Herbs

New science shows these herbal power-healers can ease pain, prevent Alzheimer's, and ward off cancer and heart disease. Try 3 natural wonders you haven't heard of yet

By Nancy Kalish , Nancy Kalish is a New York-based writer specializing in health, fitness, and beauty. She is the author of several books, including Beautiful Brows: The Ultimate Guide to Styling, Shaping and Maintaining Your Eyebrows (Random House, 2000).

Your arsenal of home remedies is about to get a lot spicier. Though herbs have been used for hundreds of years to heal, scientists are finally starting to substantiate these plants' abilities to alleviate arthritis pain, reduce high blood sugar and cholesterol, and help with many other conditions. They're even discovering amazing new powers in some herbs, such as the ability to kill cancer cells and help problem drinkers curb their alcohol intake.

"Herbs and other natural remedies can be as effective as traditional treatments, often without the same negative side effects," says Roberta Lee, MD, medical director of the Continuum Center for Health and Healing at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. So here are 10 superhealers you'll want to add to the all-natural section of your medicine cabinet--and even to your favorite recipes! Folding one or two of them into your cooking every day can yield big benefits.