SLC S21 Week 3 - Herbal Medicine in the Kitchen

Hello my steemian fellows! I warmly welcome you to the season 21 of the Steemit Learning Challenge. This is the week 3 and today we will learn about the herbal medicines in the kitchen.

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Cooking with Herbs

We use herbal medicine in the kitchen for so many times. But we use them without knowing their uses. We do not know for what purpose they can be used. I will talk about the herbal medicine in the kitchen. Cooking with the herbs makes the food delicious and also healthy. Every day we can include them in our meals in order to relish their taste as well as their health advantageous properties.

Turmeric

We have talked about turmeric before however today this lesson will focus on how and why turmeric is used in cooking. We know the health benefits of turmeric for instance the anti inflammatory property. Joint pain is another health problem that can effectively be handled with this herb. It also has some anti-oxidant properties and aids digestion.

How to Use

Turmeric can be added to soups and curries. It can be used in the stews for a warm earthy flavour. It can be used in smoothies too. When seasoning scrambled eggs turmerick can also be employed. As mentioned earlier it contains curcumin so to get the most of this compound, it is advisable to combine it with black pepper or healthy oils like olive or coconut oil.

Garlic

Garlic is a super herb. It augments the immune system, and protects the heart. It is an anti microbial herb. It fortifies the body's defenses. It can also lower the chances of developing infections and inflammation.

How to Use

The fresh garlic is very effective to use. So always try to use fresh garlic. For example, we can chop it fine and throw it into cooked stir fry. It is often added to sauces for pasta. It is a common ingredient in making those special sauces. We can add it while dressing the salads too. We can also add it to the roasted vegetables. Garlic oils can also be prepared and these oils can either be used as a dip or in a final drizzle over the food.

Ginger

Ginger is quite effective in the digestion process. It is quite helpful in accelerating the gastric activity if added in stomach foe more than three times. Its medicinal properties also helps in calming the nauseating feeling among many people. Also, soothing general swellings in the body. Ginger soothes the prickly heat and calms the digestive tract.

How to Use

Ginger can be applied to smoothies by grating the fresh ones. Every person can prepare gingers to a tea or include it in any liquid juice. All foods that stir fry are enhanced by its addition. As it gives spicy flavor you can easily imagine adding it in the marinades and soups. And I would like to recommend a lovely drink for you which involves boiling water and adding cut pieces of ginger with honey and lemon.

So just like other cuisines that use these herbs, if you incorporate them in your cooking, your meals will not only be able to maintain their exquisite flavors but also their nutritive value.

Herbs as Natural Seasonings

Seasonings can also be in the form of herbs and used during some seasons only. When herbs are added as a natural seasoning, they flavour the food without compromising their health benefits. Here are some commonly used seasoning primary and secondary spices that you should consider adding to your kitchen:

Basil

Basil is loaded with antioxidants. It has anti inflammatory effects. It also aids in digestion. Works to alleviate anxiety while enhancing cardiovascular health.

How to Use

Overall it can be stated that fresh basil is often used in sauces in Italian cooking. Such that they are incorporated into the salads, pasta dishes, or soups. It is also possible to prepare simple pesto. And we can use basil when making theories to tomatoes and garlic where one enjoys the taste and health benefits. Another option is to prepare lemonade or tea and add fresh basil leaves inside for a refreshing drink.

Thyme

Thyme has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties. It is a perfect herb for boosting the immune system. It helps in digestion. Its application is broad to respiratory problems.

How to Use

Thyme is an herb that can be used in many ways. It can be found in several savory meals. Fresh or dried thyme can be sprinkled on soups and stews. It is also ideal when preparing roasted vegetables and grilling meat. It is especially common among Mediterranean, French and Middle Eastern regions cuisines. Cooking with garlic, lemon, olive oil and thyme is simply the best.

Cardamom

As for cardinal, it should be known for its healthful effect on digestion. It is good in helping to combat excessive gas and upset stomach. Furthermore, it is also good for the mouth, having some antiseptic activity.

How to Use

This is quite a potent spice. It is often incorporated in Indian and Middle Eastern food. Cardamom can be used in curries and rice dishes. It is also added to the various kinds of tea and in different desserts. Such as the use of it in delicate pieces of cooking. Such as biscuits and cakes. It is very much added to the muffins because of the rich taste.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is also known to reduce inflammation. It helps the body in sugar management. This is also beneficial for diabetic patients. It strengthens the cardiovascular system.

How to Use

Cinnamon can be used over oatmeal, over yogurt or both. It can also be used in smoothies to add rich sweet warming flavor. It is often included in deserts that are baked such as pies and cakes and even muffins. Plus how about cinnamon in some of the main courses. For example it is used in stews and curries to add complexity. We can also prepare a drink known as cinnamon tea or simply add it in a cup of hot chocolate. It makes the hot chocolate drink very relaxing as well.

Herbs for Detoxification

Detoxifying herbs can be instrumental in cleansing the body. They work on the liver, kidneys and the digestive system. These herbs assist in the detoxification process by relieving any digestive issues and enhancing general health. Here are some well known herbs that can back up the normal detoxification processes of your body:

Dandelion

Dandelion is one of the most potent herbs. It is particularly good at promoting liver health. It facilitates the digestion of food. It helps in elimination of waste products by boosting the production of bile. Dandelion also acts as a diuretic to enhance kidney action and alleviate edema.

How to Use

Dandelion greens can be eaten raw in salads or prepared as tea. The root of dandelion may be dehydrated and made into either tea or tincture, dandelion tincture is great for cleansing the liver. Smoothies can also be mixed with powdered dandelion root.

Parsley

Matching dandelions for nutrition and rich in antioxidant compounds, parsley serves to enhance kidney performance during detox practice. It also helps in eliminating excess waste and toxins in the system, helps reduce maintenance water and assists with digestion.

How to Use

Fresh parsley may be chopped to decorate salads, soups, beverages such as smoothies and the like. It may also be applied on the top of many dishes as a simple decoration. To prepare a detox meal, one can simply boil the water and dip the dried parsley into it for a minute and then upturn it on the tea plate.

Cilantro

Cilantro plays a very important role in helping the body to detox of metals and various poisons. It acts as a natural agent. It helps to remove known toxins such as mercury. And it release them from the body through the digestive system.

How to Use

Fresh cilantro can also be served in salads or mixed with salsas or soups and curries. Another way is to include it in smoothies or to prepare drink made up of cilantro and lime blended together.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is one of the best herbs for liver detoxification. The active compound silymarin guards against damaging toxins to liver cell. It promotes healing and improves the functions of the liver in regard to cleansing the blood from impurities.

How to Use

Milk thistle is available in capsule form most of the times; however, it can be also prepared as tea by soaking the crushed milk thistle seeds in hot water. The taste is quite mild hence can be combined with other herbs such as peppermint for better flavor.

Burdock Root

Bur doc is known as an effective blood cleanser because it works as a blood purification agent by helping the body get and clean all the toxic elements in the blood. In addition, it helps in functional activity of the kidneys and the liver, contains internal antioxidants and possesses anti-inflammatory properties, thus being helpful for the skin as well.

How to Use

Dried burdock root can be grated, cooked and put into teas, or powdered and added to drinks such as smoothies. Sliced fresh burdock root can be added to sliced vegetables including carrots and potatoes to be cooked in soups and stews.

Red Clover

Red clover has certain blood cleansing attributes. It helps the organisms to get rid of the excess waste from the circulatory system. It facilitates the drainage of the lymphatic system. Red clove has high antioxidant content which works as a protective shield for the body against free radicals.

How to Use

To prepare tea, red clover flowers may be soaked in steaming water; tea prepared this way is slightly sweet to the taste. Also dried red clover can be added to salads or soups for health benefits as well.

Peppermint

Peppermint, increases bile production and calms the inner stomach promoting digestion. It helps to relieve swelling and gas thereby assisting in the body’s natural cleansing process by improving digestive system through bloating relief.

How to Use

Fresh or dried peppermint leaves can be added to tea. Fresh peppermint can be added to salads and smoothies. Peppermint tea is particularly comforting. It can be consumed after meals to help with proper digestion.

Nettle

Common nettle is a rich in nutrients and helps the kidneys to carry their function due to its properties of helping the body to get rid of waste as a mild diuretic. It also packs iron and vitamins to the brim making it revitalizing and enhancing to blood health.

How to Use

This herb is more commonly taken in the form of nettle tea. The fresh nettle leaves can be cooked. The sting disappears upon cooking and added to soups or used to replace spinach in dishes.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is beneficial to the liver. It enhances the functioning of the digestive system. It helps in the the removal of waste products. It is also well known for helping to normalize a person's blood sugar levels.

How to Use

Soak the fenugreek seeds in water for at least 8 hours and eat on waking up, or infuse in tea and/or curry. You can prepare also Fenugreek powder which you can mix into smoothies or sprinkle on top of salads.

Fennel

Fennel helps digestion and helps eliminate gases which are helpful in cleaning up the digestive system. Moreover, it promotes the function of the liver and can prevent bloating as well.

How to Use

Fennel seeds can be swallowed after meals or boiled and taken as tea. Raw fennel bulbs can be cut into small pieces and put into salads or baked along with other vegetables.

Simple Detox Recipe: Herbal Detox Tea

Make a few of these cleansing herbs and their properties into a pleasant herbal infusion which will help the body with its own detoxifying mechanisms. Here is a simple guide.

Ingredients

• 2 pieces of cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon of parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon of fennel

This is the quantity to make 1 cup of detox.

Instructions

1. Place the herbs in a teapot or infuser.
2. Add 150 ml of boiling water over the herbs and let them brew for 10 minutes.
3. Strain and serve warm. Add lemon if desired for a more detoxifying effect.

This herbal infusion is quite pleasant and may also be had every day without risk to help the body detoxify.

These plants are fantastic partners in the natural detoxification processes occurring in your body, and there are several ways to use them so that you can easily incorporate them into your lifestyle for continued support of good health.

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Homework

1. Recipe Creation: Create a meal or recipe using at least 3 herbs which are commonly found in your area and explain the health benefits of each herb in the recipe.
2. Research Seasoning Health Benefits: Pick any two seasonings and research their health benefits. Write a short paragraph on each, covering how they can benefit your health when included in meals.
3. Herb Identification Challenge: Identify five herbs at a local grocery store or farmer's market, taking photos and writing down their uses, along with how they could be incorporated into cooking.
4. Detox Medicine:
   Prepare a herbal detox medicine and tell step by step process and how it helps to detoxify the body?

Each question has 2 marks and remaining 2 marks will be given based on the creativity and relevancy to the topic and the quality of your images.

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Rules for Participation

• Publish your post on your blog or in any community.

• Post must be #steemexclusive.

• Post must be free from plagiarism and AI.

• Use your country tag such as #pakistan.

• Use course specific tag, #herbalmed-s21w3 so that I can find your post easily.

• Use your own images of the herbs and add watermark of your username.

• Post the link of your post under the comment section of this post.

• Share your post on social media such as X.

• Invite at least 3 of your friends.

• Use #burnsteem tag only if you have set 25% to @null

• The participation schedule is between Monday, November 10, 2024 to Sunday, November 16, 2024.

• Your post should be minimum 800 words.

• Use the title: SLC S21 Week 3 - Herbal Medicine in the Kitchen.

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Rewards

SC01/SC02 would be checking on the entire 17 participating Teaching Teams and Challengers and upvoting outstanding content. Upvote is not guaranteed for all articles. Kindly take note.

At the end of the week, we would nominate the top 4 users who had performed well in the contest and would be eligible for votes from SC01/SC02.

Important Notice: The selection of the four would be based solely on the quality of their post. Number of comments is no longer a factor to be considered.