Herbs and Spices Day

This past Monday, June 10th, 2013 is a special day called Herbs and Spices Day.  Fresh herbs are in bloom and  are especially tasty this time of year.  Herbs and spices add flavor to foods without adding calories, fat, or salt. In celebration of Herb and Spice Day, why not use the herb and spices that you have in your kitchen into the foods that you will eat today.  So the question is can these Kitchen Herbs and Spices heal your body?

Healing Kitchen Herbs

We usually think that basil is supposed to give only flavor to our pesto; soups and stews or that cinnamon is only to be sprinkle on a baked apple. . But using them to treat an upset stomach or to cleanse our system was unheard of that’s until now.  Our grandmothers and even our great grandmothers have used what is now called kitchen herbs for healing all types of aliments.  These herbs are usually used to cook our favorite dishes.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Have you ever experienced an upset stomach and felt a little gassy?  The next time you feel this way you may want to treat these with ailments the same basil you use in your tomato sauce.   Basil has been associated with the sign of love in Italy.  According to tradition, when a lady puts a pot of basil on the balcony outside her room, it means she is ready to receive a suitor.  Nowadays, there are so many pots of basil on windowsills that a man would no longer be advised to consider this as a sign of romance.  Too bad.

The word basil is derived from the Greek word KING, suggesting that ancient healers regard this herb highly.  This herb is an annual, with leafy stems, that has a bushy appearance.  Basil is native to India, Africa and Asia but is cultivated worldwide.  Basil is a member of the mint family; so instead of using a dinner mint, try mixing one teaspoon of dried basil in half hot water. Make sure you strain the herb.  Drink one to two cups as needed daily.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum L.)

Cinnamon is known for it’s many uses and distinct bitter/sweet flavor that we cannot live without.  No wonder it has been around for a long time. Cinnamon has been in existence for more than 5,000 years, since the Egyptians used it in their embalming mixtures.  This probably was the first spice ever used by man.  Cinnamon comes from a small tender evergreen tree that is native to Sri Lanka and southern India and is now cultivated in other tropical areas.  In ancient times, herbalists used it to aid in digestion and to relieve vomiting.  If you are interested in trying cinnamon, use a cinnamon stick or powdered cinnamon.  Add one rounded tsp. To one cup of hot water, stir it and drink 2 to 3 times per day with meals.  Do not take this while pregnant due to contraindications.

 After reading this article, it is now time to look into your cabinets and see what herbs and spices you have available.  So the next time you have a bad digestive problems or infrequent gas pains try some of these herbs and spices that are on your kitchen spice rack. For more information click to the HEPSA Living Healthy website- www.livinghealthy1.org

The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this article are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional.  All matters regarding your health require medical supervision.  You should consult your physician before adopting the procedures in this article.  Any applications of the treatments set forth in this article are at the reader’s discretion.