Most people don’t realize how powerful these cooking additions are to their health. A random use of oregano or thyme, seems the right taste for a zesty sauce, but in reality, these plants carry a hefty antibacterial punch.
Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years making food safer, easier to digest, and much, much tastier. The right combination will increase gastric juices, which break down molecular bonds, releasing vital nutrients essential to health and healing. After all, our health benefits greatly with a strong metabolism which can assimilate all the necessary nutrients.
The following herbs are fairly common in the culinary world, and simple combinations change the way we experience food. The following list of herbs are of special interest to me, because many are used in Chinese medicine, which has a long recorded medicinal history. Those which do not have ties to Chinese medicine, have been used in other cultures with equally strong herbal traditions.
Peppermint, Sage, Thyme, Oregano, Dill, Basil, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Turmeric, Cayenne, Nutmeg, Clove, Fennel, Ginger, Mustard seed, Black pepper, Cumin
Today, I will blog a bit about mint.
There are many kinds of mint available. Peppermint is one of the most wonderful plants to grow and harvest, and will reward you every time you walk through the garden brushing against it’s aromatic leaves. Classified as a pungent and cooling herb, in Chinese medicine, peppermint affects primarily the lungs and the liver. It’s sharp penetrating smell bombards our senses due to the concentrated volatile oils contained within each tiny leaf. Commonly used for general ailments like colic, gas, indigestion, and headaches, it’s pungent quality moves energy upward and outward, dispersing pathogens, and relieving all kinds of pain in the head, neck, and shoulders. Peppermint stimulates the central nervous system increasing our ability to think clearly and focus. Peppermint oil calms spasms, reduces inflammation, and harmonizes the digestive tract. It stimulates the appetite, and aids in balancing the intestinal flora. Tense muscles and cramps respond well to peppermint lotion and oils.
A cup of hot peppermint tea should be drank when there are first signs of sniffles. Drink it slowly, allowing the liquid to sit at the back of the throat. If a day or two has passed, steaming the face with the leaves or oil will open the nasal passages, and sooth membranes that have become irritated. Be careful not to use too much peppermint oil, as it is very powerful at full strength and should always be diluted. Peppermint combines well with many other herbs. In an eye pillow, mix it with lavender, for a sweet dreamy sleep. Peppermint creates a dynamic taste in many foods, and aids the digestion and calming of the stomach.