Culinary Herbs

by Judith Kohnen


culinary herbs



Nearly all culinary herbs and spices have medicinal qualities, effective to keep your body and mind well-balanced. Take basil for example. This sun-loving herb is easy to grow and works on both the digestive and nervous systems. Not only can it ease stomach gas and cramps, prevent nausea and vomiting, it can act as a mild sedative to treat anxiety, irritability, depression, as well as insomnia. The juice from its leaves has an antibacterial effect on the skin to relieve itch and pain from stings and insect bites.

Cayenne is legendary in curing ailments with the ability to warm a cold body, increase blood circulation, and cut through congestion in the lungs. The only edible and medicinal part of a cayenne plant is the fruit as the leaves, stems, and flowers are toxic. Using an appropriate small dose of this strong stimulant is important and shouldn’t be handled by sensitive skin. Use gloves when handling. Capsaicin is one of its main ingredients and helps to release “feel-good” hormones called endorphins. Capsaicin is an ingredient in topical pain relievers, effective for joint and muscle pain. It has a history of being a heart herb, too.

Many other culinary herbs act as excellent antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, immune-enhancers, antiseptics, digestive aids, antispasmodics, and so much more. Just a small list includes garlic, ginger, rosemary, sage, arugula, clove, dill, oregano, parsley, mint, cinnamon, cardamon, and horseradish. Culinary herbs thrive well in containers and raised beds.

Resources
NC State Extension - https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/search-results/?q=culinary+herbs
University of Rochester Medical Center - https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclo.../collection.aspx...




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