Herbs and Spices live in our kitchen cupboards waiting to spice up our cooking and our lives. Adding flavour to food is just a small part of the potential use of herbs. A good quality herb used in medicinal quantities can have great benefits. The well-stocked spice rack could also become the medicine cabinet.
Most culinary herbs in general have a medicinal quality that helps with digestion. Many of them are calming to the system. They help ease the process. Herbs such as Caraway Cardamom. Cayenne Ginger Peppermint and Thyme can help relax the stomach muscles supporting movement of food through the system. This helps to reduce bloating and gas. Using these herbs in cooking can help decreases the occurrence of indigestion problems. Making a teas from one (or a combination) of these herbs can help relieve these symptoms. Also many of them are digestive stimulants helping g to improve the process.
Sage has been traditionally associated with longevity and is a great medicine. the properties of Sage make it ideal for mouth problems. For ulcers a tea can be made up using a teaspoon of dried herb to a cup of boiling water. The tea when cooled can then be used as a mouth wash. This is ideal for any mouth inflammation including gum throat and tonsils infections. The antiseptic qualities of Sage also make it suitable as a skin wash and for the healing of wounds. Sage can also be used to dry up breast milk so should not be taken internally if pregnant or breast-feeding. Hot flushes of menopause can be eased greatly by drinking of sage tea up to five times a day or when needed.
Thyme and Sage are really good together not just for taste but also medicinally. Thyme has anti-microbial properties so mixed with Sage or on it's own is ideal for mouth and throat infections. It can ease sore throats and can also help sooth irritable coughs. Thyme has a use as an external wash for infected wounds or to prevent an infection from forming.
Rosemary is well known for its use as an anti-depressant. It may also be helpful in calming headaches especially where nervous tension is the cause. The herb can relieve indigestion caused by nervous tension. Rosemary is a memory herb so it is great around exam time or any time the memory needs a boost. a mouthwash can also be made out of Rosemary being particular good to freshen the breath. Rinsing the hair with Rosemary can be beneficial for those suffering from scalp irritations such as dandruff or psoriasis.
Parsley is a great breathe freshener known for being able to even kill the smell of garlic. If you have fresh parsley take a couple of sprigs and dip them in vinegar then chew them thoroughly before swallowing. Parsley can be used to ease fluid retention and urinary problems. Make a strong tea out of the leaves and allow to steep for 40 minutes. Drink this 4 times a day.
Cinnamon is popular on toast in winter because of its warming properties. Any condition where coldness is a problem can be assisted by Cinnamon. Along with Ginger Cardamom and Cloves cinnamon can make a great warming drink when mixed with a hot wineglass of red grape juice. ( Mix crushed dried herbs to taste) Not only is the delicious but it is an iron and digestive tonic as well as helping to get the circulation going. Fantastic drink to come home to on cold days.
Ginger is a very well known spice not only for culinary uses but also medicinally. It is famous for its use to ease nausea from morning sickness to travel sickness. Digestion can be helped with Ginger easing and calming the process. Ginger helps to boost the circulation and brings warmth to the whole body so is ideal for bad circulation chilblains and cramps. Arthritis sufferers can find relief in using Ginger. Placing a couple of slices of the root in boiling water can make a simple Ginger tea.
Peppermint is a very relaxing herb. It can relieve digestive problems such as colic and dyspepsia. It can help relieve nausea and vomiting especially helpful in pregnancy and travel sickness. anxiety and tension can be relieved with a cup of Peppermint tea. It can be useful to use for migraines and headaches that are related to digestive problems. Period pain and tension can be lessened with the help of Peppermint. This tea can also be used to alleviate ...
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