Making the Most of Herbs

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

Herbs are a cook’s best friend – an essential ingredient for adding flavour and interest to a whole host of savoury dishes, drinks and even desserts. Even if you don’t have a garden, you can still create your own kitchen herb garden on a sunny windowsill. Alternatively, you could grow different herbs in pots around your back door – making it really easy to grab a handful of a particular herb whilst you are cooking.

 

Many different herbs will grow successfully on a kitchen windowsill so experiment with different varieties. You could try basil and rosemary for Mediterranean dishes whilst mint will add zing to a potato salad or lamb dish, and then there’s the great all-rounder – parsley which is particularly good with fish dishes.

 

Of course, if you don’t have the time or patience to wait for your own herbs to grow – a wide selection can be found in most large supermarkets. These can be expensive though so you’ll want to make them last as long as possible. One clever way to make your herbs last longer is by freezing them. Simply take a few leaves from each herb and pop into an ice-cube tray – then add water and freeze. When you next need a particular herb in a sauce, casserole or soup, just pop the ice cube straight into the hot dish.

 

An alternative way to preserve fresh herbs is by drying them. The process is simple – just take a bunch of your herb and tie a piece of string or kitchen twine around it to create a loop. Then hang the herb bunch upside down in a spot that’s cool and dry. Within ten days, the herbs should be dry and crisp. You can now pick the leaves from the stems and place in a jar. Seal tightly and remember to add a label with the name of the herb and the date. If kept in a cool, dark place, your dried herbs should keep their flavour for around six months. You will find that less delicate herbs such as thyme, oregano, sage and rosemary are particularly well suited to drying.

 

If you find you have an abundance of a particular herb, you might want to find new ways to use it other than in your cooking. Well, many kitchen herbs are also known for their medicinal properties. Basil for example is said to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, mint can be used to aid digestion, whilst rosemary is thought to be a great anti-oxidant.

 

You could also use herbs to fragrance your kitchen – rosemary and mint are both strongly scented so will add a beautiful smell to your room.

 

If you enjoy flavoured olive oils – why not have a go at making your own. Simply place a few sprigs of your herb into a bottle of oil – thyme and rosemary work particularly well. Over time the oil will absorb the flavour of the herb.

 

For a refreshing and cheap alternative to traditional tea – try putting a few mint leaves in a teapot – cover with boiling water and leave to infuse for a few minutes before enjoying a delicious cup of mint tea.

 

For more advice about growing herbs in your kitchen, visit: www.rhs.org.uk

Categories: herb, herbs, ice cube, kitchen, mint, nbsp, rosemary

What Are the Best Herbs to Help Boost Your Immunity?

Herbs can be part of a healthy diet and using them wisely can boost your wellness and wellbeing. If you are aware of your nutrition (including the use of herbs) you should find yourself having to make less visits to the GP than you otherwise would, as your immune system will be boosted and healthy.

 

Echinacea is one of the well-known ones, and is great for boosting your immune system. You can either take Echinacea tablets or there is a tea that you can drink, as well as tea blends.

 

Oregano works as a strong, natural antibiotic, antiviral and anti-fungal agent, and so is considered one of the most powerful herbs. You can cook with oregano, of course (spaghetti Bolognese is always nicer with a sprinkle of oregano) but you can also put a drop of oregano essential oil into a foot spa every day (unless you are pregnant or breast feeding).

 

Garlic can be used in all kinds of different dishes, and it has a really strong ability to enhance your immune system. Recent studies have shown that garlic also has benefits for the heart, and contains anti-microbial and antineoplastic properties which make it well worth ingesting on a regular basis.

 

Bright yellow turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, and it contains curcumin which is a powerful antioxidant. It also has stomach soothing and antibacterial properties. You can try taking turmeric capsules or drinking turmeric tea or turmeric milk, or of course you can cook with the spice.

 

Reishi mushroom is an oriental herb, well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It can also help to strengthen your immune system and has even been known to fight against cancer. Some people think of this as the ‘elixir of immortality’ as it is thought to protect your immune system from bacteria, viruses, pollution, chemicals, toxicity and molds, all at the same time.

Categories: anti, anti-inflammatory, Boost, herb, herbs, immune, nbsp, turmeric

How to Use Herbal Remedies to Help You Lose Weight

When you are trying to lose weight, you are likely to try all the traditional methods and then when those don’t do anything to improve your wellness and wellbeing, turn to the complementary methods.

There are various times in your life when you are likely to gain weight, and one of those is when you start at college. Often when people are away from home for the first time, catering for themselves, and perhaps drinking a lot, they gain extra pounds. Then, when leaving college, weight gain is also a likelihood as you go through the stress of job hunting and job interviews.

If you find yourself in this position, the first thing you should do is pay a visit to your local nutrition or herbal store, and ask them about the best complementary ways to lose weight. You should bear in mind that there are three herbs that are the best ones to help you lose weight, and they are uva ursi, hoodia and fennel.

Uva ursi is a herb that helps to improve water retention. Taking in too much salt can cause the body to hold onto water, and this herb helps you to flush it all out again. It fights bacteria and strengthens heart muscles by flushing excess fluids out of the body.

Hoodia is an African herb that helps to boost your energy levels and to metabolise the sugar levels. It also supresses your appetite. It’s been used by tribesmen in Africa for over a thousand years.

Fennel is a plant that grows wild in the Asia Minor and in the Mediterranean, and it is often used as an appetite suppressant. You can use either the root or the seed of the plant to help to promote the health of the digestive system and to suppress the appetite. It can also help the kidneys, liver and spleen to function properly and can clear the lungs.

Categories: appetite, gain, herb, herbs, Lose, Lose weight, loss, uva ursi, weight

How to Choose the Best and Safest Herbal Medicine for You

Herbal medicine can be a great wellness tool, whether you crack out the echinacea when you feel a cold coming on, or deal with the musty taste of valerian to help induce sleep. However, the mistake many people make with herbal medicine is that they accentuate the “herbal” over the “medicine” – that is to say, they forget that that it can have a serious affect on your health if taken improperly. Therefore, you need to follow five sensible principles when considering herbal medicines.

 

1. Educate yourself: It’s important to do your homework with regards to complementary wellness, as it’s much easier to get it wrong. Not only do you need to know what herb will be the most beneficial to your wellbeing, but you also need to understand the level of effectiveness in each part of the herb, as the root, say, may be more potent than the flower or leaf. Stinging nettles, for example, are used in the treatment of benign prostate problems, and both the roots and flowers contain an anti-inflammatory compound known as scopoletin. However, only the roots have the steroid-like compounds that herbalists recommend if prostate problems affect your wellness, and so this part of the plant is best. Pass on supplements that don’t list the specific or right part of the herb.

 

2. Read the label: This is vital in all areas of health, not just in alternative therapies. If you put anything into your body, you should definitely know what it is! When it comes to herbal supplements, you’re looking for the scientific name of the herb, the part of the plant it uses (as you now know which part you’re after) and an expiration date. It’s also a good idea to find out the plant’s place of origin and whether it has been grown organically or wild-crafted (picked in the wild), but the labels don’t always specify this information, as it isn’t essential. The first three points, however, are, so don’t touch a supplement that doesn’t list the scientific name, part and expiration date.

 

3. Go for quality…: More often than not, bargain brands are sold in cheap, discount shops and it’s far better to stick with brands from reputable health-food stores. Due to a lack of regulation, herbal medicines don’t go through the same rigorous checks as pharmaceuticals, as manufacturers can use the “supplement” loophole – it’s only an add-on, not a replacement to a healthy diet, exercise or Western medical practises. This loophole means that herbal medicines can get away with all sorts of claims on the label or in the advertisements that aren’t necessarily true. Therefore, you need to be able to trust the provider as much as possible.

 

4. Don’t go for quantity: Sticking with single herbs is a good rule to follow when you’re starting out, unless you are recommended a specific formula by a trustworthy herbal practitioner. It’s like experimenting with cooking herbs; the best way is to use one at a time until you know how it tastes, and then you start blending them as you gain the knowledge and experience you need to make it work. With medicinal herbs you can apply the same principle; start off slowly, learn how each herb affects you, and then you can begin to blend them or use pre-made herbal formulas. Again, reading the label is key here as you need to know how much of each herb the formula contains.

 

5. Don’t do it alone: While these are all handy tips to get you started, you should never start using herbal medicine without the advice of a complementary wellness expert. Look online to find a healer who is qualified to practice herbal medicine, and consult him or her – and your GP – before taking anything new.

Categories: complementary wellness, expiration date, herb, herbal, herbal medicine, herbal medicines, medicine, nbsp, one at a time, prostate problems, quality, Read the label

How to Choose the Best and Safest Herbal Medicine for You

Herbal medicine can be a great wellness tool, whether you crack out the echinacea when you feel a cold coming on, or deal with the musty taste of valerian to help induce sleep. However, the mistake many people make with herbal medicine is that they accentuate the “herbal” over the “medicine” – that is to say, they forget that that it can have a serious affect on your health if taken improperly. Therefore, you need to follow five sensible principles when considering herbal medicines.

 

1. Educate yourself: It’s important to do your homework with regards to complementary wellness, as it’s much easier to get it wrong. Not only do you need to know what herb will be the most beneficial to your wellbeing, but you also need to understand the level of effectiveness in each part of the herb, as the root, say, may be more potent than the flower or leaf. Stinging nettles, for example, are used in the treatment of benign prostate problems, and both the roots and flowers contain an anti-inflammatory compound known as scopoletin. However, only the roots have the steroid-like compounds that herbalists recommend if prostate problems affect your wellness, and so this part of the plant is best. Pass on supplements that don’t list the specific or right part of the herb.

 

2. Read the label: This is vital in all areas of health, not just in alternative therapies. If you put anything into your body, you should definitely know what it is! When it comes to herbal supplements, you’re looking for the scientific name of the herb, the part of the plant it uses (as you now know which part you’re after) and an expiration date. It’s also a good idea to find out the plant’s place of origin and whether it has been grown organically or wild-crafted (picked in the wild), but the labels don’t always specify this information, as it isn’t essential. The first three points, however, are, so don’t touch a supplement that doesn’t list the scientific name, part and expiration date.

 

3. Go for quality…: More often than not, bargain brands are sold in cheap, discount shops and it’s far better to stick with brands from reputable health-food stores. Due to a lack of regulation, herbal medicines don’t go through the same rigorous checks as pharmaceuticals, as manufacturers can use the “supplement” loophole – it’s only an add-on, not a replacement to a healthy diet, exercise or Western medical practises. This loophole means that herbal medicines can get away with all sorts of claims on the label or in the advertisements that aren’t necessarily true. Therefore, you need to be able to trust the provider as much as possible.

 

4. Don’t go for quantity: Sticking with single herbs is a good rule to follow when you’re starting out, unless you are recommended a specific formula by a trustworthy herbal practitioner. It’s like experimenting with cooking herbs; the best way is to use one at a time until you know how it tastes, and then you start blending them as you gain the knowledge and experience you need to make it work. With medicinal herbs you can apply the same principle; start off slowly, learn how each herb affects you, and then you can begin to blend them or use pre-made herbal formulas. Again, reading the label is key here as you need to know how much of each herb the formula contains.

 

5. Don’t do it alone: While these are all handy tips to get you started, you should never start using herbal medicine without the advice of a complementary wellness expert. Look online to find a healer who is qualified to practice herbal medicine, and consult him or her – and your GP – before taking anything new.

Categories: complementary wellness, expiration date, herb, herbal, herbal medicine, herbal medicines, medicine, nbsp, one at a time, prostate problems, quality, Read the label

Feel Devilishly Good: How Devil’s Claw Relieves Arthritis

You wouldn’t think that something called Devil’s Claw is beneficial to your wellbeing, but the complementary wellness therapy has long been used in native African medicine. Its fruit is covered with sharp curved spines, hence the name, and Devil’s Claw has been used in a wide range of conditions, such as muscle pains, digestive problems, headaches, fever and skin inflammation.

In the early 1900s, Dr Mehnert, a German pioneer, first noticed the dramatic success of the root tuber of this African herb, and so Devil’s Claw began to gain popularity in Europe. Today, the root tuber is often used in supplements to treat many types of aches and pains. Wellness experts the effectiveness of Devil’s Claw down to it’s content of harpagosides. Research shows that this vital ingredient has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and so this makes Devil’s Claw a useful remedy for a wide variety of joint conditions.

Back pain can be effectively relieved with Devil’s Claw. According to a study published in the journal Phytotherapy, the most effective dose of the supplement is four 600mg tablets per day. For the study, people with severe, long-term back pain either took this dose or a placebo for four weeks, and those who took the herb experienced a significant reduction in their back pain. However, Devil’s Claw did not seem to benefit those whose back pain had radiated down to their legs.

Another condition which receives monumental relief with Devil’s Claw is arthritis. A clinical trial looked at the effects of the herb on people with moderate, rather than severe, chronic arthritis, giving some participants two 600mg tablets per day over eight weeks, while others received a placebo. The study showed that those who took Devil’s Claw found a greater improvement in their joint pain and spinal mobility than the placebo group.

However, if you have gallstones or stomach acidity, you should not take Devil’s Claw, as the herb stimulates bile action. Yet, as Devil’s Claw does not work in the same way as conventional arthritis medicines do, it will not cause the associated upset stomach. There are actually very few side effects reported for Devil’s Claw, but, as with any supplement, you should consult your doctor before taking it.

Feel Devilishly Good: How Devil’s Claw Relieves Arthritis

Categories: 600mg tablets, Arthritis, back pain, claw, devil, Devil's Claw, herb, Pain, root tuber