By Jill Ingebritsen
It can be easy to overlook or take for granted some of the amazing everyday herbs and spices we use in our food. Most of which have many benefits and properties that we don’t give a second thought about. It can be a force of habit to start a dish with onion and garlic- but why? We can’t deny the fact that they taste amazing and are easy to store- but there’s more to why they are a kitchen staple. Onions and Garlic are both part of the same plant family- The Allium Family. Alliums are known for being anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and containing countless health promoting phytochemicals. You’ll find that that is a common trend in most kitchen spices- they are popular for taste, but they are also ultimately good for you in one way or
Let’s take another example- Cinnamon. Cinnamon warms and stimulates the digestive tract, another. often relieving upset stomachs and nausea. It can also act as a circulatory stimulant, specifically in the digestive tract, reproductive system and hands and feet. Is it any wonder that it’s become such a popular spice for us to use in the dark, cold winter season?
Another example is Turmeric- used to add color and flavor to foods but also incredibly anti- inflammatory. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory action is strong- it can help with most forms of arthritis, gout, acne, psoriasis, eczema and swelling. It’s best taken 3-4 times a day for its pain relief and anti-inflammatory actions to be best expressed in the body system.
Wherever we mention turmeric- we can’t forget Ginger. Ginger can be so hot and dry that it’s often recommended to only work with the fresh root- as drying the herb can exacerbate the heat of the plant. Though that doesn’t stop us from using ginger powder in most recipes.
Another lovely herb for the winter months- Ginger can treat stagnant digestion, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, improve circulation and even work as a cardio tonic for the heart. Ginger can also help bolster our immune system when we feel a cold coming on, that’s probably why it’s in so many great soup recipes.
Oregano is another lovely herb for your health. Oregano can also help improve sluggish digestion, indigestion and diarrhea. It’s an extremely effective antimicrobial, antibacterial and mucus clearing remedy. Combined with thyme and rosemary, oregano can help create a beautiful sinus stem blend to help clear your airways when you are congested. Simply throw those 3 herbs in a pot and simmer, remove from the heat and cover your face and the pot with a dish cloth and inhale deeply.
Speaking of Thyme- this herb can actually help you digest certain foods, like lamb, gamey meats, egg, and root vegetables. Thyme is also a powerful antimicrobial herb. These are just a handful of herbs you may already have in your kitchen and cook with that are heavy hitters in terms of health.
If you’re interested in learning about more common kitchen herbs and their various benefits, and various ways to use them, consider attending my Kitchen Herbalism class come February. Attend in person or online at The Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism.
Sources:
• https://health.mountsinai.org/blog/boost-your-health-with-allium-vegetables-recipe-included/
• https://www.onions-usa.org/all-about-onions/onion-health-research/
• The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine by Christa Sinadinos