HERBS & SPICES
Basil
Basil is not only a magical herb that transforms tomatoes into renaissance heaven, it’s working for your health too. Basil:
•contains many anti-bacterial compounds, fighting “bugs” that have become immune to antibiotics.
•just two tablespoons contain 60 percent of your daily recommended intake of Vitamin K good for your bones
•includes anti-inflammatory properties that sooth both arthritis and intestinal conditions.
Chamomile
Chamomile is cozy in a cup and can even be used on your skin to soothe any irritations. Chamomile:
•promotes good sleep.
•soothes an upset stomach.
•is a general anti-inflammatory herb.
Cloves
I used to smoke clove cigarettes and convinced myself they were healthy. Hah! Cloves, however:
•are anti-bacterial and anti-viral, making them a great add-in in tea when you have a cold or have “travel stomach revenge.”
•have 2 grams of fiber a tablespoon.
•are high in calcium
•has a full daily dose of manganese, mineral that is necessary for bone formation and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. So just think, while you are eating, you are already digesting. (which might mean we can eat more.)
Nutmeg
Nutmeg was used by the ancient Romans and Greeks as a brain tonic.Today it has been shown that:
•stimulates brain activity.
•nutmeg has strong antibacterial properties, effective in killing a number of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth.
•like cinnamon and cloves, it contains eugenols, a compound that helps to kill microbes, including candida yeast.
•in Arab countries nutmeg is used as an aphrodisiac. Hmmm…..
Rosemary
Even a shlemazel can grow rosemary. I have absolutely no green thumb and have been embarrassingly unsuccessful in the growth of all herbs, except for rosemary. It is a strong plant that can endure even the lazy and forgetful likes of me. It requires little water and though it should receive full sun, my plants thrive with only moderate exposure. The point: plant it. Lots of it. Especially if you’re lazy; you won’t have to go more than a few feet to get it. Plus its aroma is a stimulant and hence, might make you less lazy. (Though I doubt it.) Rosemary:
•recommended for elderly people who have weak circulation.
•supports healthy brain function and memory
•can be a natural stimulant and mood enhancer, from the aroma alone
•stimulates the hair follicles to grow faster, having a good effect on hair growth.
Thyme
All in good thyme. This lovely herb which will add depth and goodness to any roast:
•is good for oral health as it is a powerful antiseptic. (it is even listed as an ingredient in Listerine!)
•fights chest infections, coughs and bronchitis with its ability to break up mucus and loosen phlegm.
•can be used as a natural sleep aid and mood enhancer.
Parsley
Parsley is no longer just that nasty curly thing on the Passover table. We now have easy supermarket access to the delicious Italian flat-leaf parsley which I like to remind my pasta class students is a “cooling herb.” Cheese is taboo on top of spicy pasta or seafood pasta, but parsley is more than welcome as it cools the flavors, creating a perfect palatable balance. Beyond its culinary wonders, parsley:
•freshens breath.
•has diuretic properties.
•is high in iron.
•helps to flush out the glandular system.
•contains myristicin, a chemical known for preventing tumors. (in fact, the National Cancer Institute includes parsely in a specialized group of vegetables with high anti-cancer activity.)
Radicchio
Radicchio: Member of chickory family
•helps to regulate blood sugar levels as it contains a unique compound called inulin.
•high in antioxidants which boost arterial elasticity, hence boosting heart health.
•promotes weight loss by being high in fiber.
•is a natural colon cleanser.
•is bitter. According to ayurvedic medicine this property cleanses the liver and the blood.
Shallots
Culinarily speaking, shallots have a more delicate flavor than onions. As for health benefits, we are grouping them with onions.
Bay Leaves
Bay leaves, known also as laurel, were a symbol of wisdom in the ancient world. Hence a crown of laurels for emperors an poet laureates. A couple leaves in a soup or stew would also be a wise choice. Bay leaves:
•are helpful for proper digestion.
•are high in vitamin and mineral content.
•reduce flatulence. Oh good!
•ease symptoms of the flu and chest infections.
Cilantro
According to my high school bio teacher, Mr. Miller, liking or hating cilantro is a genetic trait. In the alternative health world cilantro is:
•known as a chelator, which helps remove metals, such as mercury or aluminum, as well as other toxins from our bloodstream, and hence is important for any of us living and eating and breathing in this modern world.
•is rich in chlorophyll, the molecular structure of which is nearly identical to that of our blood. Chlorophyll builds blood and hence it is no surprise that in Asian traditions cilantro is used to cure anemia.
Cumin
If you have ever wandered through an Arab marketplace in sweltering heat and felt that, after the first few exciting minutes of enjoying the middle eastern hullabaloo and the beautiful colors of spice piles, you wanted to rush into the fresh air before you fainted or threw up, it might be because of the cumin. Cumin has a very strong flavor and smell, and being surrounded by it in a covered marketplace that has the sun beating down from atop, can make you feel claustrophobically panicked and trapped. Yet it is no surprise that this and other spices used to make sauces and curries in the Middle East and India are so prized. Cumin, like many “warm” spices is antimicrobial and in regions where the heat is high and refrigerators were one time non-existant, spices were used to help food stay good longer. I find the when cumin is overused, as it often is in the states, your food ends up tasting like an arab’s armpit. For those of you who fear I might have stepped over some politically incorrect police line, please let it be known that back in the shtetl my great great grandmothers’ armpits smelled like gefilte fish. Our pores breathe what we eat! Though when used sparingly in the right dishes, cumin adds a touch of the exotic and a perk of the desert princess. Cumin:
•is traditionally, a remedy for allergies.
•improves digestion and alleviates heart burn.
•is antimicrobial, so welcome it when you find it in foods when traveling.
•is a great source of iron.
Lavender
Lavender is a panacea for any ailment. I always have a bottle of the essential oil at home that I use from anything from sunburn to a cold. I also love to use dried lavender leaves to make teas and desserts. Lavender:
•is antibacterial, antimicrobial; important when fighting a cold or intestinal infection.
•promotes good sleep.
•soothing to the belly and body in general.
•helps to smoothe anxiety.
Oregano
Oregano cures warts. I know that is disgusting to hear on a food blog, but it’s true and I want you to know how helpful and potent this and other herbs can be. I will keep all details private except to let you know it was on my foot so you don’t think it could have been somewhere else, and that I used the essential oil of oregano and not the little leaves of the plant. That said, oregano is a staple of Italian cooking and pizza sauces, and though it is not overused in Italy like it is here, a dash or two of oregano in the right dish will transport you to summertime in Italy. Oregano:
•antifungal, making it helpful in the fight against Candida.
•antimicrobial which helps to fight illness.
•antiparasitic, making it an excellent travel companion.
Sage
It’s sage to use sage. This aromatic herb which adds depth to chicken, meat and pasta with butter and parmigiano reggiano:
•is one of the rare foods that helps to stop perspiration.
•has been known to dry up breast milk.
•can be gargled to sooth a sore throat.
•has been shown to be a memory enhancer.
Vanilla Bean
Vanilla feels good. Though the purest extracts will contain many of the benefits, whole vanilla bean:
•has soothing properties that treat insomnia, depression and anxiety.
•vanillin, the active ingredient in vanilla, has been shown to stop the growth of different kinds of cancer cells, particularly breast caner.
•once thought to be an aphrodisiac.
Carob
Carob was relished by the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Unlike chocolate, carob does not have caffeine, the stimulant theobromine, or oxalic acid which might be linked to those pimples that chocolate can cause to us teenagers of all ages. Like many foods, carob’s beneficial properties will show themselves when eaten in the raw state. Carob chips obviously do not fall into that category but sometimes I just pretend that they do. (Raw carob powder is available at health food stores or online.) Carob is:
•alkaline (unlike chocolate) and hence helps to neutralizes the body’s chemistry.
•naturally sweet and hence does not require the addition of much added sugar, a plus for anyone monitoring the glycemic index or spare tire growth.
•has tannins that bind to and inactivate bacteria and toxins.
•high in calcium and magnesium, which together are important for strong bones and teeth, as well as a good night’s sleep
Cinnamon
This spice is actually the bark of a tree and:
•increases glucose metabolism in cells, mimicking insulin function and stabilizing blood sugar, making this spice an excellent choice for diabetics or anyone who suffers bouts with low blood sugar, like I used to.
•has powerful anti-oxidants.
•relieves nausea and gas;
•is anti-microbial, killing bacteria and Candida, the yeast that causes many of us a multitude of nagging problems like exhaustion and brain fog.
Green Tea
Green Tea feels so so soooooooooooooooo good. Tea:
•releases mood-enhancing dopamine (used in Japan for that purpose).
•prevents clots and strokes by lowering levels of fibrinogen.
•stimulates metabolism and can be helpful for weight management.
•is high in antioxidants. and has been shown to fight cancer.
•is less acidic than coffee.
Mint
Mint is perfect for an after dinner herbal tea. It:
•aids digestion
•is beneficial for nausea and flatulence
•can help headaches or migraines. (Hint: take a little peppermint essential oil and rub it on your temples and scalp when you have a headache)
Paprika
Paprika, like other members of the hot pepper family, might temporarily increase your libido, wink wink. Paprika is
•great for heart and circulation.
•high in vitamin C and rich in bioflavonoids.
Sesame
Sesame (Sesame Oil, Seeds, Tahini, Gomashio):
•helps burn fat. (lignans in sesame stimulate liver enzymes that break down fatty acids.)
•has one of the highest phytosterol contents known to man which is important for lowering cholesterol.
•contains good fat which raises good cholesterol and lowers the bad.
•high in copper making this a great choice for achy joints, strengthening bones and fighting arthritis.
•high in magnesium and calcium, needed in conjunction with one another for both regulated sleep and healthy bones.