I love cooking. I guess it’s part of being a Master Herbalist; the healing herbs I use are often found in my spice rack or crisper drawer. If you were wondering what that montage of little bottles and cans can do for you, keep reading about some of my favorites, what they can do for food and for your health.
1) peppers: Not all taste buds can take the heat of this spice. It can literally cause burns to the mouth and throat. However, it stimulates digestive juices, helping your body make better use of the nutrients that are taken in with it. We mostly use it on meats and soups, however try adding a sprinkle to your hot chocolate…it can really make it stand out.
two) chilli powder: These are made from hot peppers, but are usually milder versions that are easy to digest. It goes great in barbecue sauce, chili and other Mexican foods. Like cayenne, it can stimulate digestive juices.
3) Cinnamon: This spice is mainly used in desserts or drinks, although some kitchens add it to their savory dishes. I use it for colds and sore throats, along with a few other ingredients, including the following. For a tea, use cinnamon sticks as the powdered stuff won’t do.
4) Cloves: The ham and pumpkin pie would not be the same without the cloves. Powdered cloves are best for cake, as you don’t want to chew on some cloves that aren’t very ground. Clove oil has been used as a dental numbing agent for centuries, but be careful when applying it as it can burn.
5) GarlicPairing: Garlic bread, salmon with garlic and olive oil, roasted garlic toast, there are many culinary uses for this bulb. Medicinally, it is used for infections and to lower blood pressure.
6) gingerPumpkin Pie: This is another pumpkin pie ingredient, but it’s mostly used fresh in Asian cooking. Egg flower soup and stir-fries may contain some fresh ginger. It is also an expectorant that helps remove phlegm from the lungs. If you have a sore throat, you may want to be careful because it is spicy. Another use of ginger is nausea, especially from morning sickness and motion sickness.
7) Marjoram: This is a mild herb, often used for fish and chicken. If you are planning a camping trip, dry off by drinking a broth or tea from this herb at least once a day. It can make your sweat too pungent for bugs to eat.
8) Parsley: Italian cuisine loves parsley, as do many others. Accompanies salads, fish and chicken. It can also be used as part of a mustard/parsley crust for pork loin roasts. Herbalists use it primarily as a diuretic, something that draws fluids out of your system. If you are pregnant, do not use in medicinal amounts as it may cause uterine contractions.
9) Rosemary: If you like this herb, try using its stems as skewers for shrimp and chicken. However, it is very strong. Herbalists use it to help deal with depression, but caution is advised if you have high blood pressure. It has a reputation for making it go up.
The herbs and spices in your cabinet can have many uses. When I first started learning, I read several cookbooks cover to cover to make sure I understood what was used for what. That may be a good place to start.