Natural herbs are commonly supposed to have two uses, culinary and medicinal. This is not strictly correct, however, as the definition of the difference between spices and herbs is that a herb has healing properties whereas spices do not. Therefore, it follows that there are significant health benefits to cooking with natural healing herbs. In this article, we will look at some of these benefits.
Getting Natural Herbs Ready For Cooking
The first thing that needs to be said is that fresh, natural herbs beat dried or frozen herbs every time, in terms of both flavor and healing properties. If you can grow them yourself in your own herb garden, then that's the best of all. Herbs should be thoroughly washed and dried before use. If you are using a large quantity of natural herbs, treat them as you would salad greens, washing them under running water and drying them in a salad spinner.
Fresh natural herbs should be finely chopped or minced (unless the recipe dictates otherwise) and added to the meal shortly before it finishes cooking. Overcooking natural herbs can lessen the flavor and remove valuable nutrients.
The Rewarding Medicinal Properties of Common Natural Herbs
Now we turn to the health benefits of some of the natural herbs most commonly used in cooking. Dill is rich in dietary fiber and calcium. It is also a digestive aid and appetite stimulant. The emperor Charlemagne used to provide it at his banquet table for the benefit of guests who had eaten too much.
Parsley is a natural contraceptive. It stimulates blood flow around the uterus, causing contractions that fool the body into believing that it is already pregnant. For this reason, fresh parsley is best avoided by women who are trying to get pregnant, though small quantities of cooked parsley are probably OK.
Rosemary contains vital antioxidants that can help to eliminate free radicals in the body, lowering the risk of cancer. It may also help relieve nasal congestion.
Oregano is a natural antiseptic and painkiller. The oil found in its leaves was historically used to treat pain and infections, being almost as powerful as morphine.
Basil, that other great standby of Mediterranean cookery, has antacid and anti-gas properties. It is also a mild sedative, so be wary of using fresh basil in breakfast and lunch dishes. At suppertime, on the other hand, these sedative properties can be an advantage, as they will help you sleep when it's time to go to bed.
These are just some of the health giving properties of natural culinary herbs. Taking your medicine has never tasted so delicious!
