Without herbs and spices, your meal is not complete. They can be compared to the flowers, furniture, and equipment used in the house, which are important for aesthetic and everyday use.
In this article, we’ll be introducing a list of herbs and spices starting with the letter ” D”. It’s taken a lot of time to compile this list just for you. Read on to know them.
Herbs that start with D (uses, health benefits, and where to buy them)
Most of our aunties, uncles, and grandparents believe in using herbs for medicinal purposes. Surprisingly, it works just fine for them, as evidenced by how young, strong, and agile they still appear in their old age.
Herbs are even more renowned for their medicinal benefits than for the aroma and flavor they seem to enjoy. Let’s dive right into the ” D” herbs.
1. Damiana (Turnera diffusa)
Initially, the damiana herb was used in the Baja region of Mexico for religious occasions. However, as time went on, it was banned because people started abusing its aphrodisiac properties.
Uses of damiana
The herbs’ history can be traced back to the early Mexicans. They used it mainly for medicinal purposes and as an aphrodisiac to boost their sexual performance.
The health benefits of damiana
- Experiments with the Damiana herb have shown that it facilitates the breakdown of sugar and fat.
- Damiana herb improves the body’s ability to easily absorb the nutrients in what we consume.
- It also detoxifies the gastrointestinal system and eliminates toxins that slow down the process of digestion.
- Consuming Damiana may help with anxiety and depression.
Where can you buy damiana?
Purchase the herb from Im-herbs, Amazon, Walgreens, Walmart supercenter, Shanti Tea, and Indigo-herbs.
2 Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale )
Although it is usually mostly ignored like any garden weed and less used, the dandelion has proven to serve as an ingredient for making potent medicines in many traditions. It has so many varieties, but the Taraxacum officinale is the most used.
Uses of dandelions
- Due to its color, the dandelion is used in the preparation of many cuisines around the world.
- Pharmaceutical industries use dandelions in tea and supplement production.
- They are recommended for the improvement of the skin, heart, and liver.
- Extracts from dandelion flowers are used in preventing skin breakouts. Especially after direct contact with sunlight radiation.
Health benefits of dandelion
- Dandelion is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin E, folates, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
- A soluble fiber known as carbohydrate inulin found in dandelion helps the digestive tracts and gets rid of gut infections.
- Beta-carotene and phenols are antioxidants in dandelions. They help in fighting free radicals and protect the body cells against cancer and stress.
- Two compounds known as chicoric and chlorogenic acid help in reducing the blood sugar level.
Where can you buy dandelions?
You can purchase the dandelion roots, flowers, extracts, or tea from Amazon, Instacart, and Etsy.
3. Darjeeling Tea (Camellia sinensis var. sinensis)
Darjeeling tea is a type of black tea cultivated mostly in India. It contains caffeine just like most other teas. However, it contains tannin, a plant-based compound. This tannin could lead to constipation and nausea and should not be taken regularly. If you do not use milk in your tea, it could leave brown stains on your enamel ( the outer layer of your teeth).
Uses of darjeeling
It is dried and primarily used as tea.
Health benefits of darjeeling
- This Camellia species (Darjeeling) is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants and phytochemicals like flavonoids. All of these reduce the risk of having cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes.
- Darjeeling tea has a low calorie count and is thus recommended as a good weight loss beverage.
- Generally, black tea has the potential to fight cancerous cells. Darjeeling is not an exception.
- The aroma of Darjeeling is therapeutic and could ease oxidative stress.
Where can you buy darjeeling?
You can purchase the Darjeeling dried, fresh, or in tea bags from Darjeeling Tea boutique, Nathmulls tea shop, The House of Tea, Walmart supercenter, and Amazon.
4 Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
The Devil’s Claw was first cultivated by the South Africans. The name was derived from its appearance. The Devil’s Claw has been traced to different medicinal uses, which include arthritis, fever, and indigestion. It belongs to the sense family and is a flowering plant.
Uses of the devil’s claw
Devil’s Claw is used in pharmaceutical industries for the production of supplements in the form of capsules, powder, or extracts. It is also used in making varieties of herbal tea.
Health benefits of devil’s claw
- Plant-based compounds found in Devil’s Claws, known as iridoid glycosides, have the potential to heal wounds and inflammation.
- Devil’s Claw herb works just like diacerein, the common pain reliever for osteoarthritis.
- It contains anti-inflammatory properties that can also reduce gout pain.
- Harpagoside is a plant-based compound in Devil’s Claw that also relieves back pain.
- The ghrelin in the body, responsible for signaling the brain when you are hungry, is being suppressed by Devil’s Claw. Hence, encouraging weight loss.
Where can you buy devil’s claw?
Devil’s Claw can be purchased fresh or in capsules, powder, or extracts from Amazon, Walmart Supercenter, HerbCave, and eBay.
5. Dill Seeds and Weeds (Anethum graveolens)
The Dill seed is mostly used by Asians and Europeans in preparing different cuisines. It is a herbaceous plant with brown, oval, and flat seeds. It has a similar citrus flavor to the caraway seeds. It can be used as a spice and an herb.
Uses of dill seeds
As a versatile herb, it is used to enhance the flavor of different dishes. It is usually used with potatoes, sauces, and salmon.
Health benefits of dill seeds
It has a low calorie count and is rich in vitamins C and A, manganese, and calcium.
- Vitamin C in dill seeds helps the immune system fight against diseases and also heals wounds quickly, aids metabolism, and strengthens the bones.
- The antioxidants protect the cells against free radicals, which cause damage to the body.
- Manganese helps with the brain’s functionality, nervous system, and breakdown of fats.
- Flavonoids lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
- Terpenoids protect the kidney, liver, and brain.
- Tannins, which give the bitter taste, are a good antioxidant that has antifungal, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties.
Where can you buy dill seeds?
You can purchase the Dill Seeds from Amazon, Instacart, eBay, Etsy, and Seed4Garden.
6. Dog Blood (Rivina Humilis)
The dog blood is also called the fertility bush. It is mostly used by women for the reproductive system. The herb is harvested in Jamaica by hand and dehydrated to preserve its healing properties.
Health benefits of dog blood
- It reduces the risk of infertility.
- The dog blood may contribute in healing fibroid, ovarian cysts, blocked fallopian tubes and also helps with prostate problems in men.
- It strengthens the female reproductive system.
Where can you buy dog blood?
Purchase the dried dog blood from Amazon, Jahno Herbs, high frequency tea, etsy, and eBay.
7. Desert Rose (Adenium obesium)
The desert rose is a poisonous variety of flowering plants belonging to the Apocynaceae family. It is a herbaceous shrub originally from the sahel region of the Southern Sahara, and is a well known houseplants and bonsai in the temperate.
It has a thick swollen struck which preserves water for usage during drought periods. Other names by which it is known include sabi star, mock azalea, and impala lily. The flower coloration is red to pinkish with a whitish blush outward from the throat . They are available on eBay, at Walmart, on Etsy and on Amazon.
This flowering herb produces a sap in its roots and stems that contains cardiac glycoside. The major use of this sap is for arrow poison for hunting games. It may also be used as a fish poison.
Health benefits of desert rose
This flowering plant has several health benefits, which is the utmost gain despite being poisonous. They include
- It is well known that they help with muscle flexibility and the regeneration of tissues.
- This flowering herb also improves and re-brands the stretchy ability of the skin and tissues.
- They also aid sexual stamina and improve fertility.
- Desert rose may aid malfunctioning related to the prostate.
- They are good for the bones and tackle issues related to the muscular or skeletal system.
8. Dark Cocoa Powder
It is often believed that the first users of cocoa were the Maya civilization of Central America. The powder is obtained by the crushing process of cocoa beans and extraction of the fat. This plant was brought to Europe by the Spanish conquerors during the 16th century period and is now known worldwide for its health-promoting benefits.
Cocoa is famous because of its key importance in the production of chocolate. They may also be used for baking.
Recent studies have shown that cocoa has several beneficial properties for consumers, which include
- It contains polyphenol content, which is significant in reducing cholesterol levels and inflammation.
- Recent research work has shown that cocoa is rich in flavonol, which aids the reduction of blood pressure level by supporting the proper functioning of nitric oxide level and blood vessels.
- Cocoa powder helps blood flow and lowers cholesterol levels, thereby lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Polyphenol compounds in cocoa also aid the improvement of blood flow to the brain, thereby improving proper brain functionality.
- They may aid in weight loss.
9. Divi Divi (Labidibia coriaria)
This leguminous tree or large shrub is originally from the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and North and Western South America. Other names include guaracubuya, guatapana, and nacazcol. They often grow in the coastal zone, where they barely reach their maximum heights because their growth is contorted by trade winds that affect their growing sites. You can order it from Amazon, the Alpine Herb Company, and Walmart supercenter.
Uses of divi divi
Pods from this tree shrub make available tanning and a black dye used in the tanning industry and for ink production. The seeds of this herb are used for the production of medicines.
Health benefits of divi divi
Although there isn’t enough proof to ascertain the health properties of the herbaceous shrub, it is believed by most people who take it to cure diabetes, treatment for fever, intestinal infection by parasites, and other conditions. Like I earlier stated, there is no medical proof to back up this claim.
10. DERUM (Cratoxylum maingayi).
This small shrub tree is mostly found in tropical and subtropical climates. This survival is mostly in a moist, well-drained loamy soil. It is a member of the Hypericaceae family. They have a characteristic brown and smooth fissured bark and pale pink flowers. This tree shrub is naturally grown in Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra in lowland forest.
The tree itself is used locally for timber, landscaping, and is suitable for parks.
The herbaceous tree shrub has several health benefits. They contain antioxidants which help to regulate inflammation and prevent cancer growth. They are also anti-diabetic, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral.
11. DOGFENNEL (Eupatorium capillifolium)
This herbaceous plant is common in the Mediterranean and desert areas of the world. It is a member of the Asteraceae family and is native to the South Central and Eastern United States. When grounded, the leaves have a different odor that is a bit sour and musty.
Also, the stems are soft and can be easily broken when young, but they get tougher as the wood ages. It also It has a feathery foliage which moves gracefully with the winds in an attractive ornamental manner. In the United States, they are available at fetco, Whole Foods Market, and Walmart supercenter.
This herbaceous plant is poisonous, and its essential oil has been used for insecticide and antifungal purposes. Their leaves serve a good purpose as mosquito repellents, whereas their extracted juice has been a good remedy for bites from reptiles and insects.
Though poisonous when taken in excess, they have a whole host of benefits.
- Aiding to lose mucus in the air membranes of a person.
- When used to make cream, they aid in treating burns and other skin wounds.
- They are beneficial for brain relaxation, whether consumed in supplements or herbal form.
12. DOUM PALM (Hyphaene thebaica)
This plant is predominant in the coastal forest in regions of tropical climates. It is a tree which produces oval fruits with a flavor frequently likened to that of gingerbread. In the United States, they are frequently sold at Whole Foods Market, Etsy, and Desert Empire Palm.
The palms are used for charcoal and firewood. The leaves are for basketry, making mats, brooms, coarse textiles, ropes, and even fuel.
This plant is popular for its cancer-fighting, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant characteristics due to the fact that it contains phenolics and flavonoids. Fruits from the doum palm are an excellent source of fiber and carbohydrates. They also possess micro nutrients like vitamins, particularly the B vitamins and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and calcium, which aid in the regulation of body processes and impartation of several health benefits.
13. DUSTY MILLER (Jacobaea maritima)
This perennial belongs to the Asteraceae family in the genus Jacobaea. It is a white-wooly evergreen shrub very tolerant of heat and drought. It also has a stiff stem with a woody base. Other names include silver ragwort.
It is widely used for its silver foliage in horticulture and it is very resistant to fire. The parts of the herb that grow above the ground are used for medicines.
It is believed that the herb treats spots around the eyes and migraines, although it still needs medical proof. It is also used to start menstrual flow and for treatment of cataracts and blurred vision.
In summary,
Growing herbs seem to do well when exposed to light, while harvested herbs are more preserved in a dark and warm environment.
Let’s get this right. Make sure you know the shelf life of the herbs you purchased. It’s better to buy the fresh ones in small quantities if you do not know how to preserve them.
Spices that start with D (uses, health benefits, and where to buy them)
Alphabetical listing is fun, but it sometimes gets really stressful, especially when you can’t find that particular alphabet. Spices that start with the letter D aren’t very many, but let’s dive into the available ones, with their uses, health benefits, and where to buy them.
1. DAIKON RADISH SEEDS
This is a type of radish sometimes called the Chinese turnip. This long tad radish is spicy with a tad bitter taste, which is slightly sweet. Daikon seeds are gotten from daikon plants. The seeds are crunchy, with a nutty and peppery flavor, which makes them a good option when added to salads and other vegetable preparations.
The Daikon names translate from Japanese kanji. The majority of the world’s daikon supply is farmed in Japan and consumed there in large quantities. Although the root vegetable is consumed throughout Asia. They are available at Walmart, Instacart, and the whole food market.
This spice is mostly grated and used as a condiment for oily fish like mackerel. They are also added to vegetables and salads. They can also be sprouted and used in our food, eaten raw as snacks or even used the same as poppy seeds or sesame seeds, as well as garnish for soups.
Health benefits of daikon radish seeds.
The health benefits of the Daikon seeds are no different from the roots themselves.
They are minerals like iron and calcium and provide a significant amount of vitamin C and vitamin flavonoids, which are present in daikon seeds and are helpful for the treatment of cancer. They also aid digestion and help to prevent heart disease as they are good for the treatment of high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
2. DALCHINI
This is what the Hindi call cinnamon, a wonder spice. The Dalchini is collected from the inner bark of various tree species belonging to the genus Cinnamomum. Dalchini has a characteristic warm, full, fruity, and vanilla-like smell with a woody, spicy, and metallic-smelling aroma.
Dalchini is most commonly used as a condiment or an additive to various meal varieties like snack foods, teas, breakfast cereals etc. They may also be added to beverages or drinks as it gives a soothing feeling to the throat.
If you are looking to purchase Dalchini, know that they can be bought whole or in ground form, and considering scent and flavor, whole Dalchini has more aroma and is more flavorful than the ground ones with little or no blemish. Like every other dried spice, ensure to look out for those organically grown.
The health benefits of dalchini
This spice is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties, therefore lessening the risk of severe health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, etc. They also help insulin activity, thereby controlling the blood sugar level in the body. It also boosts oral hygiene and has antibacterial properties.
3. DRY MEXICAN MOLE BLEND
The mole is not just one spice, but a combination of different ingredients to make this recipe, some of which are chiles, salt, ginger, cloves, etc. There are different types of moles all over Mexico, like the mole poblano, which is made with over 20 ingredients. This spice blend is available at Walmart, on Amazon, and at the whole food market in the United States.
Uses of dry mexican mole blend
The mole blend is popularly used for making mole sauces, a mix for seasoning beef, chicken, etc. They may also be added to baked beans, combined with butter for roasted corn, or used with brownies.
The health advantages of dry mexican mole
The mole blend is a combination of several mixes, and each of those mixes has its own nutritional benefits. We can say the blend is a rich mixture. Some of these benefits are
- The blend is rich in fiber, which is good for proper digestion.
- It is rich in antioxidants, which are helpful for the heart’s health, brain functionality, etc.
- They contain vitamins and minerals needed for proper body functioning.
Well, there aren’t very many spices that start with D. If you find any, you are free to add them to the list and broaden it.