TIPS ON HERBS AND SPICES

Spices and herbs have healing properties and we use a lot of them in our cooking. Here’s some useful information about these common aromatic spices and herbs:

Cardamom – sweet and aromatic has a calming effect.

Clove - This is a common remedy for excessive burping; the oil of the cloves is an excellent local anesthetic; and promotes circulation.

Coriander - The leaves of coriander are stimulant and tonic. They strengthen the stomach and promote its action, relieve flatulence, increase secretion and discharge of urine and reduce fever. They act as an aphrodisiac, help in the removal of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes thereby counteracting any spasmodic disorders. Coriander seeds reduce fever and promote a feeling of coolness. Coriander juice is highly beneficial in deficiencies of vitamin A, B1, B2, C and iron.

Angelica is a bittersweet, aromatic, and anti-inflammatory herb that increases perspiration, lowers fever, and has anti spasmodic and expectorant properties.

Star Anise -A small evergreen tree that grows to a height of up to 5m, with shiny aromatic leaves and yellow-green many petalled flowers. The fruit is woody and brown star shaped with each of the eight point containing a seed. It has a agreeable anise scent and tastes of sweet liquorice. Native to China, where it was traditionally used to aid digestion, sweeten breath and its bark was used as incense.

Mace covering, of the nutmeg seed. Medicinally, mace is a carminative and stimulant and tonic and aids digestion. Some people take mace as a toddy for insomnia, but it is now acknowledged that prolonged use can actually cause addiction. Mace has an even higher concentration of myristicin, one of its volatile oils, than nutmeg and large doses of this can cause hallucination and epileptic fits, although it would almost impossible to consume toxic levels in a culinary application. Ointments, called nutmeg butter, made from the fixed oil (containing myristine and butyrin), are used topically for rheumatic complaints. They have a counterirritant effect, stimulating blood flow to the area.

Black Currant leaves – reduces blood pressure and insomnia.

Marjoram - Its healing properties include fighting asthma, headaches and soothing the stomach and digestive tract.

Thyme - Thyme is known as an antispasmodic.  Beneficial for bronchitis and whooping cough.  Thymol is a powerful germicide.  Apply as a compress for bee stings, insect bites, joint pain and athlete's foot.

Pine Buds - It is a warming, bitter and aromatic herb that acts as a diuretic and expectorant, while increasing topical blood flow. It has a toning effect on the nerves and is strongly antiseptic.

Rosemary - In ancient times people wrapped their meat with rosemary to prevent spoilage. Rosemary is a natural preservative. Rosemary can prevent food poisoning, is a digestive aid, is a good decongestant and can kill bacteria.