Kitchen Herbs
The common action of Herbs is to treat the two Extremes and so balance the Body System. They can improve your Digestion System and prevent the formation of Toxins and increase the elimination of Waste & Toxins. They boost the Immune & Lymphatic Systems, cleanse the Blood and remove the Toxins from the Body. Assist the Lungs & Kidneys to eliminate Toxins also. Assist to clear up Skin Conditions, Fluid Retention & Obesity.
They contain Compounds & Pharmacological properties. They are mostly made up of Plants whose Stem is not Woody or Persistent.
* In the Kitchen they add Flavour to Cooking such as the Spices that include, Cardamon, Coriander, Cumin, Fenugreek, Turmeric (Usually the Seeds.) They add pleasant aromas to perfumes or have a specific Health benefit.
Herbal Risotto: For 4 people - Cook 200 gm of Brown Rice until just Tender and then drain. While the Rice is cooking saute a finely chopped Onion in 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil, add 2 Cloves of Garlic, crushed and 1 whole cup of fresh Herbs to suite you, finely chopped. Then add 2 Tablespoons of Pine Kernels or Pumpkin or Sunflower Seeds. Serve Hot or Cold. Best served with a simple Meat dish and some steamed Vegetables such as Carrots or Cauliflower.
Allspice: Pimenta officinalis - Aromatic, Carminative & Digestive Stimulant. Tastes like several other Spices including Cinnamon, Cloves & Nutmeg. Used in Pickles & Chutney. Good to cook with Red Cabbage. Tones the Digestive System and relieves Bloating & Flatulence.
Aloe Vera: The Juice for drinking and the Gel for topical application.
Aniseed: Pimpinella anisum - Aromatic, Anti - Spasmodic, Carminative, Expectorant & Parasiticide. Relieves Flatulence & Bloating and Kills off Pathogens in the Digestive Tract and assists in clearing unwanted Mucus from the Throat & Lungs. Adds flavour to Desserts or Pastries. Use the Seeds in sauce when cooking Fish. Nibble the Seeds after meals.
Basil: Ocimum basilicum - Use Dried & fresh Herb. Anti - Spasmodic, Digestive Stimulant & Carminative. Useful for Stomach Cramps, Gastric Catarrh, Flatulence, Bloating, Abdominal Cramps & Irritable Bowel. Use generously in Tomato dishes, by layering the Leaves between the layers of fresh Tomatoes and drizzle Olive Oil over it. NB: If used in cooking, add at the last minute or the flavour is lost.
Basil Pesto: Use 3 Cloves of Garlic & 5 x Tablespoons of finely chopped Basil. Pound together in a pestle and mortar. Add 100 gm of grated Parmesan cheese and sufficient Olive Oil to make a smooth paste of 2 to 3 Tablespoons and blend together. Serve with a Pasta or with a pat of Butter or grilled Fish. Add a couple of Tablespoons of Pine Kernels for a different flavour. Alternate Herb Pesto: Use other Herbs instead of Basil such as fresh Coriander Leaves or Soy or Rice Cheeses instead of Parmesan Cheese. Or add ground Sunflower Seeds or Walnuts.
Bay: Laurus nobilis - Leaves 1" to 2" long whole or crushed. Astringent, Aromatic, Digestrive & Stomachic. Used for Digestive System to Stimulate normal function and prevent Conditions.
Cardamon: Elettaria cardamomum - Seeds used. Carminative, Sialagogue & Aromatic. Stimulates the Digestion relieving Bloating & Flatulemce. Added to Curries. Also added to Pastry for flavour. Chew the Seeds after meals. Cardamon Aperitiff: Add Seeds to a bottle of Sherry and allow to steep for a few days and drink before a meal to reduce Flatulence.
Caraway: Carum carvi - Use the Seeds. Anti - Spasmodic, Astringent, Carminative, Expectorant, Aromatic, Emmenagogue & Galactagogue. Add to Cabbage to reduce Flatulence.
Cayenne: For Curries. Sialagoghue, Carminative Strimulating the flow of Digestive juices and relieves Flatulence. Tonic & Anti - Septic.
Celery: Apium graveolens - Fresh & Seeds. Seeds are Carminative and assist the Digestion, Anti - Rheumatic for Arthritis, Rheumatism & Gout. Diuretic to eliminate Toxins. Use Seeds by sprinkling on top of a Salad and its Dressing.
Chamomile: English / Anthemus nobile & German / Matricavia chamomilla - Herb Tea & Flower Heads used. Anodyne, Anti - Spasmodic, Aromatic, Bitter, Tonic, Stimulant & Stomachic. German: Anti - Spasmodic, Anti - Inflammatory, Carminative, Analgesic, Anti - Septic & Vulnerary. Drink as a Tea after a Meal to settle Digestion. Can be given to Babies as cooled Tea in a bottle for Colic. Externally: Wet Tea bags for the Eye Pads for Sore or Inflammed Eyes. As a Wash for Skin Infections for its Anti - Septic, Anti - Inflammatory and healing properties.
Chervil: Anthriscus cerefoluim - Can be a Dried Herb also. Digestive Stimulant and normalizes Digestion. Diuretic & Expectorant. Add to Savoury Dishes, both Meat & Vegetable and Salads. CHERVIL Soup: Melt 2 Tablespoons of Butter in a pan. Chop 200 gm of Chervil Leaves and add to the Butter. Add a teaspoonful of Dried Tarragon and 1 of Dried Chervil. Put the lid on and simmer for 15 minutes. Add 1 Litre of Stock and simmer for 15 minutes. Put 2 Egg yolks in a bowl and whisk with a fork. Slowly add a litre of the Soup then add this mixture to the remaining stock, stir and serve with a scoop of natural Yoghurt in the centre. Chervil Tossed Vegetables: Lightly cook a Vegetable such as a slice Courgettes / Button Squash or diced Marrow, Drain, add a small amount of Olive Oil and freshly chopped Chervil, squeeze Lemon juice over it and serve. To get the Lemon flavour without the bitterness add chopped fresh Lemon Balm instead of the Lemon juice.
Chives: Alluim schoenoprasum - Bunches of fresh Leaves. (Mild flavour.) Also Dried and chopped - Cut 1" or 2" above the base of the Pot. Aromatic & Digestive aid. Chives in Cooking: Cut a large bunch into 1/2 centimetre lengths and sprinkle over a salad or steam Vegetables. Lay a bed of Chives in a Casserole dish, put the Fish on top. Pour on White Wine and bake in a moderate oven. Chives Salad: Interlay slices of finely cut Orange with layers of thinly sliced Red Onions and sprinkle chopped Chives on top. Stuff Red or Green Peppers with Brown Rice combined with a large handful of chopped Chives and crushed Garlic.
Cinnamon: Cinnamomum zeylanicum - Spice in two forms. Rolled and dried Inner Bark of the Shoots may be available in pieces or as a Ground Powder. Aromatic, Astringent, Carminative & Stimulant. Will Ttighten up Tissues, relieve Flatulence and give a Pep up.
Cloves: Eugenia caryophyllus - Spice. Aromatic, Carminative & Stimulant and good for the Digestive System. Good for Toothache. (Analgesic.)
Coriander: Coriandrum sativum - Spice. Seeds - whole or ground.) Fresh Leaves either cut or in a bunch. Aromatic, Carminative and good for the Digestion. Coriander Salad: Chop two medium sized Onions into small pieces and add 4 Tablespoons of chopped fresh Coriander Leaves and 2 Tablespoons of freshly squeezed Lemon Juice. To reduce the bitterness of the Lemon add chopped fresh Leaves of Lemon Balm and leave some of the Lemon Juice out. Spicy Coriander Salad: Same as above and add 2 Tomatoes chopped. 1 x Tablespoon of grated fresh Ginger Root, a Red Chilli Pepper chopped and with the Seeds removed with a Teaspoon to not have direct contact with the Eyes or Skin. Serve on a bed of Lettuce.
Cornsilk: Zea mays - The Green Tassles / Silk from fresh Corn Cobs are good for the Kidneys. Diuretic, Demulcent & Tonic and encourages loss of Toxins in the Urine. Chop it up and eat it with the rest of the Vegetables or pour boiling water on it and make an Infusion or Tea.
Cucumber: Cucumis savitus - Use in Salads or cook with poached Salmon. Both the Fruit and the Seeds are Demulcent & Soothing to the Mucous Membranes, Diuretic helps to retain Fluid and also as an Aperient prevents Constipation. Vulnerary use as Eye Pads as they are Soothing. Found in Cosmetics & Toiletries because of this. Seeds are Anthelmintic and should be eaten for Worms & Parasites or as a Prophylactic. It may also be possible of dissolving Uric Acid to reduce the risk of Kidney Stones & Gout. Cucumber & Salmon: 1 x long green Cucumber for 2 people. Cut in half lengthways and scoop out the Seeds & Juice. Save the Seeds and slice the Cucumber as thin as possible. Spread the slices over a large surface on a large plate or a tray. Sprinkle the Cucumber with Salt and tilt the plate and allow the juices to drain off. After an hour or 2 drain off all the rest of the liquid and press the Cucumber to squeeze out the rest. Mix a few Teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar with the compressed Cucumber and serve with poached Salmon and new Potatoes. Decorate with sprigs of fresh Dill. Dry the Seeds and nibble to ease any Digestion.
Cumin: Cuminum cyminum - Whole or ground Seeds for Curries. Anti - Spasmodic, Carminative, Stimulant and good for Flatulence, Bloating and Stomach & Abdominal Cramps.
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