The Use of Spice Herbs May Reduce Chronic Inflammation and Improve the Quality of Life of Women with Metabolic Syndrome—A Narrative Review

Background: Metabolic syndrome is a disorder characterised by the concomitant presence of obesity, hyperglycaemia, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and insulin resistance. An increasing body of research indicates that chronic inflammation, accompanied by oxidative stress and angiogenesis, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome. Spice herbs may exert a beneficial effect when consumed daily in generally accepted amounts (1–3 g), thus providing relatively small quantities of bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Their potential arises from regular long-term use rather than from the amount of bioactive substances delivered in a single dose. Methods: In this narrative review, we analysed data from the international literature on the effects of spice herbs (coriander, sage, mint, basil, rosemary, oregano and thyme) consumption on inflammation associated with metabolic syndrome in women. Results: The available literature provides limited data on the impact of spice herbs in the context of anti-inflammatory effects. A total of 124 publications were analysed, including 72 original research studies (48 involving humans) and 52 review articles and meta-analyses. Among the research articles included in the review, only 20 addressed both inflammation and at least one of the seven selected herbs: five were human studies, six involved laboratory animals, and eight were conducted in vitro. Analysis of the results from human studies demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects (decreases in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, TLR4, hs-CRP) at daily doses not exceeding 3 g of individual herbs or 6.6 g of an herbal mixture. The use of spice herbs as a nutritional strategy to prevent chronic inflammation is supported by a growing body of scientific evidence. It should be emphasised that these studies are concerned with dietary support and prevention rather than with treatments that substitute for standard medical therapy. Incorporating spice herbs into the daily diet may represent a simple and safe approach to increasing the intake of anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds. Conclusions: Future research should focus on the precise determination of optimal doses and combinations of spice herbs to maximise benefits while avoiding potential adverse effects resulting from excessive intake of certain compounds or inappropriate selection of spice herbs. Long-term studies conducted in larger populations of women with metabolic syndrome are required, as physiological differences, particularly those related to oestrogens, may result in sex-specific effects. This review provides up-to-date information for further basic and clinical research on herbal medicine in metabolic syndrome.