Herbs and spices bring food to life. They take a simple ordinary food to
a whole new level and they have been used by civilization for thousands of
years. Over time (with lots of experiment and concoction, lol) I have come to
learn that most of these herbs are not only for cooking but also as natural
preservatives and remedies for some common illnesses...I'm talking tested and
trusted remedies here. From cough, cold, indigestion to sore throat and many
others.
It doesn't even matter if the
herbs are fresh or dried neither does it matter whether you grow them in your
kitchen or picked them off the shelf in supermarkets. You just gotta have some
herbs in your kitchen!
I just love the swiveling and swirling of aromas in my kitchen and I've
settled for at least 6 herbs that are a must have.
THYME
This is one of the versatile and varied herbs. It is a good source of
vitamin A which is beneficial to the health of the eye, skin, hair and nail. It
is also anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibiotic. Thyme pairs well with
other herbs to add complexity to their individual flavours. You can add thyme
to your jollof rice, stew, meats and tomato sauces. Thyme infused tea is an
effective remedy against sore throat, cold and cough. As a topical treatment;
use thyme oil to help soothe and heal acne, eczema and psoriasis (a skin
disease that causes itchy or sore patches of thick, red skin with silvery
scales). Rinse your scalp with thyme infused in water to treat dandruff and
other scalp conditions which may cause hair loss. Thyme can be used
either fresh or dried.
TIPS!! Sometimes when I
want the thyme aroma in my peppersoup, I tie some of it into a clean pouch
(cheese cloth pouch) drop it in the boiling pot. That way I can have some thyme
taste and aroma without the leaves swimming visibly in the dish.
PARSLEY
I just love the taste and aroma of this herb; it is also beautiful when
used as garnish.
Parsley is a natural anti-bacterial, powerful anti-inflammatory and
antioxidant. It is used in salads as a main ingredient or light dressing. When
dried, it is very good in soups and stews.
Parsley is great for digestion and detoxification. It can bolster immune
system and neutralize bad breath. Free to chew on some parsley!
PS!!! Pregnant women should eat parsley in moderation or simply
stay away from it as it is known to induce uterine contraction and cause
miscarriage in some cases.
CURRY
This is very popular in Nigeria. Curry leaves are found almost
everywhere. Curry-whether the leaves or powder have great health benefits. I add it to almost every dish even noodles
(story for another day). Curry powder is a mixture of herbs like coriander
seed, cumin, turmeric, chilli, mustard, ginger etc. It is used for stew, soups
(I love it in my vegetable soup!), beans, homemade curry sauces and meat.
Since curry is a mixture of many herbs, I'll just talk about the benefit
of the coriander in it. Coriander
leaves can be found in most vegetable markets or supermarkets. Coriander is another
herb that is very popular for its anti-inflammatory properties. It may also be
used in treating muscle pain, headaches and stiffness.
This herb is an excellent source of iron and phytonutrients. It protects
the body against urinary tract infections, prevents nausea, lowers blood sugar
levels and aids in digestion. Coriander juice is beneficial in treating
dysentery. When mixed with pinch of turmeric powder, it serves as a powerful
remedy against blackheads and pimples.
TIPS!!! For a more dramatic curry aroma, add a dash of it to your heated
oil before the onions.
GINGER
This is just oooh so awesome! It is a more delicious replacement for
artificial flavouring. Add ginger to your stew, soup, homemade juice and all
tomato dishes for some aromatic addiction...it turns up the bass in food. Lol.
It is a good source of antioxidant and an effective soothing remedy for
cold, cough and sore throat. It never disappoints!
TIPS!!! Try adding ginger, lemon and a little sugar, serve chilled
as a very refreshing summer drink. I also add a dash of ginger to all my homemade
fruit juice even to smoothies!
MINT
This is another replacement for artificial flavouring. You can add it to
sauces, jollof rice. (I've tried it) pepper soup (especially peppermint) and of
course tea!
Mint is an excellent deterrent for many kinds of pest including,
rodents, ants and spiders.
Mint tea helps clear sinus congestion, soothes a headache, relaxes the
muscle and help the body system stay alert without feeling wound up. The
natural oil in mint aids digestion and relieves menstrual cramps
TIPS! Try adding honey to mint infused
Tea for a clearer airway!
ROSEMARY
Add fresh or dried rosemary leaves to fish, chicken, goat meat and lamb.
It also complements beans and sautéed mushroom.
It soothes indigestion, neutralizes bad breath and relieves muscle
pains.
Rosemary oil or herb infused water helps to clear up dandruff, promotes
hair growth and relieves skin irritation. The aroma of rosemary can help clear
the mind and relieve everyday stress
TIPS!!! Sometimes I use it in place of thyme and other times I use them
together
Patience Jonathan
