6 MUST HAVE HERBS!

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