Fortify Your Meals With Herbs

Use Herbs and Seeds in Cooking for Your Health!

It's so easy to get the most nutritional value by adding herbs and seeds to your meals. In addition you get great taste and a lot of benefits for your health. Learn more about these benefits and get  some tips how to use herbs best.

Using fresh herbs

Some herbs are best used fresh: parsley, basil, chives, cilantro, tarragon, chervil. In french cuisine these are called 'herbes fines'.

Basil acts on the digestive and nervous system. It may be used to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. Mildly sedative action, may be useful for anxiety, insomnia.

Fresh Parsley  leaves are highly nutritious and may be considered a natural vitamin and mineral supplement.

Tarragon stimulates the digestion and has a mild sedative action.

Using dried herbs

Some herbs are good to be used dried. Active  (medicinal) components and volatile oils that provide the taste are more concentrated in dried herbs than in fresh ones. You need a smaller amount of the fresh herb. But make sure to buy 'fresh' dried herbs.

Thyme is used as a remedy (tea) for throat and chest infections such as bronchitis.  It has been used as food preservative also. Research suggests that Thyme supports the body’s normal function and counteracts the effects of aging. Thyme volatile oil is strongly antiseptic.

Sage is traditionally used as tea for sore throat and in gargles, for canker sores and sore gums.
Research suggests an antiseptic, and stomach supporting activity. Helps relieve menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, dizziness). Recent studies show the possibility to ward off streptococcal throat.

Seeds

Within every seed there are nutrients for the seedling that will grow out of it. Most seeds are rich in oil, vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

Caraway & Cumin are traditionally used for illnesses of the digestive system, reducing gases and abdominal distension. Used in bronchitis and cough remedies.

Celery Seeds help to disinfect the bladder. Research suggests that celery seeds have marked liver protective activity.

Coriander Seeds are traditionally chewed to sweeten the breath, especially after eating garlic.
Latest research suggests coriander may reduce uptake of heavy metals when eating fish. There are encouraging results in the treatment of diabetes.

Share your recipes with us!