SLC S21 Week 3 - Herbal Medicine in the Kitchen

AssalamuAlaikum & Greetings Everyone!

Finally week 3rd has started season21, I learned a lot from previous 2 herbal topics. This lecture is also interesting for me thank you teacher @afzalqamar for this wonderful herbs topc.

Q.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.

Delicious Herb Chutney Recipe:

Friends I am here with a very easy and delicious herbal chutney recipe. This sauce can usually be replaced with herbs. Which can be found at home or from a vegetable shop. From a human perspective this is a tasty recipe and it is beneficial for the health of humans on the consumption end.

Ingredients:

• Finely chopped fresh coriander.
• Finely chopped fresh mint.
• Green chillies finely chopped
• Salt to taste ( Optional )
• Onion finely chopped (Optional )

Herb Chutney Recipe:

Grind them well with fresh coriander, mint, green chilies. Now add salt and lemon juice to it.

In a pan put some drops of oil. Now add the chopped onions and let them brown a little on low heat. When they turn brown, add coriander, mint and chili paste and let it cook for a while. Now your delicious chutney is ready.

Nutritional and Health Benefits of each Herb Used in Making the cChutney Recipe

Coriander:

Coriander has really cooling effects, so it is mainly used to treat high body temperature especially in hot weather. It contains soluble ascorbic acid, carotene and vitamin A, which has the property of inhibiting free radical action in the human body. Coriander has many other benefits. It helps in the production of digestive enzymes that help fight bloating, gaspiness and indigestion. It has cleansing qualities that help cleanse the body. It has qualities that help the liver and skin.

Mint:

Peppermint is one of the herbs that has the following digestive benefits. It has some menthol that helps soothe the stomach and can also be used to treat digestion, stomach pain, burping and nausea. It also has a relaxing influence on the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, it can directly fight pain and tackle swelling. Also, to eliminate such worms and bacteria from the mouth they use peppermint to eradicate breath and to enhance cleanliness. It is also said to raise cell and brain activity and might be beneficial in managing stress and fatigue-associated symptoms because it creates a natural tranquility in the brain.

Green Chili:

Green chili has vitamin-C which should help in development of immune system to combat diseases. They include capsaicin and research signify that this compound has positive influence on the metabolic control of obesity. Capsaicin also promotes blood flow in the blood vessels and the heart since it contains cholesterol-lowering abilities. This material also includes antioxidants that may also have anti-inflammatory properties and aid cells to guard against stress that is likely to lead to chronic diseases among individuals. As for nutrition, green chilies also have a profound impact on your emotions by letting off feel-good hormones known as endorphins.

In addition, they are used in food preparation and have health benefits, therefore, should form part of our diet.

Q.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.

Healthy benefits of Turmeric:

Turmeric has been recognized as a valuable spice for many hundreds of years. Kerkumin being a potent compound it has antioxidant and anti -inflammatory features that aids the body. Intake of turmeric also has an advantage of reducing inflammation in the body which will benefit the arthritis patients. This spice boost the immune system that will help the body in one way or the other to be protected from diseases. Taking meals containing the spice has a positive effect on ones digestion and treatment of stomach ailments such as stomach ache, flatulence, constipation and indigestion. Scientific research that has been conducted in the modern world has also said that besides benefiting the digestive system the ingredients in turmeric help enhance the functioning of the brain of increase the memory. If it is used often in influencing or in the preparation of milk, salmon or rice, it is beneficial to health.

Healthy Benefits of Cinnamon:

Cinnamon is one of the most used spices in the world, acting both as warm and sweet additive for the foods, and possessing various health implications. As a result, it is enriched with several antioxidants necessary for oxidation and inflammation in the human body. Eating foods with cinnamon addresses the effects of type 2 diabetes because cinnamon normalizes the blood sugar levels. Furthermore, it ensures heart Health being that it lowers LDL cholesterol, while at the same time not reducing HDL cholesterol. Transferring some cinnamon into oatmeal, coffee, or baking mixes improves taste and offers benefits and adds value to life.

Use Both Spices for Boost Health

These two spices listed above can be included in the foods that are taken in day by day and they help in boosting of health. They also have natural defense from various diseases and overall health is enhanced.

Q.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.

Use of Herbs in Local Vegetable Market

The following are the herbs I got from the local vegetable market today, these are some of the widely used herbs while preparing our meals. Beside each herb its functions are described and how to incorporate it into cuisine.

Mint

This is an herb that is usually used to give foods a fresh appearance and flavor.

Usage:

This spice can be used with other components such as the chutneys, the raita and even salads. Besides, there is also preparation of mint tea which is also used for cases of digestive system complications. Mint can also be add to meat dishes to enhance the taste and aromaof coriander in food.

Coriander (Cilantro)

Coriander is a herb widely used in the meals of Pakistan and India.

Usage:

Coriander leaves are commonly incorporated in to curries, chutneys and salads. The seeds are also incorporated to enhance the taste of curries, and to season soups and stews. Coriander is used as a condiment for preparing meat and vegetable dishes due to the presence of aroma giving effect of the spice.

Ginger

Ginger is that type of condiment which not only makes your food tastier but is actually good for the health.

Usage:

Ginger can be used in any meal plan in form of curries soups and teas and other beverages. This food type aids in digestion and is also recommended during moments of cold or cough. Chewing raw ginger or boiling a piece of ginger in water then drinking that water eliminates cold and puts heat in the body.

Garlic

It has been found in extensive research and proven that Garlic is a strong herb that enhances the flavor and aroma of foods.

Usage:

Garlic is employed in curries, chutneys, broths as well in kebabs list of vegetables used in preparation of various foods. Garlic is best prepared into a paste as it can be used in marinating meat, vegetables and even curries. Interestingly cardiovascular health is also improved by it’s use.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a yellow colored herb which is not only used for coloration of food but used for medicinal purpose too.

Usage:

Turmeric is eaten in curry, dal, and in milk. It possess ability to decrease inflammation and also helped to improve digestion system. The act of drinking turmeric milk makes the body relaxed and also comforting of cold, flu and cough.

Besides playing the role of seasoning, these herbs have medical importance when consumed. They can be eaten at first degree of processing and they add taste and flavor to the food.

Q.4 - Detox Medicine: Prepare a herbal detox medicine and tell step by step process and how it helps to detoxify the body?

Herbal Detox Drink:

The herbs I am going to use to make this detox. These include cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. It has natural properties in itself. Including reducing inflammation, improving digestion. These are excellent in cleansing the body and promoting overall health. This drink is very easy to prepare and drinking it daily helps to detoxify the body.

Ingredients:

-Three to four cardamoms

• A small piece of cinnamon
• One inch ginger finely chopped
• One to two cups of water

Detox Drink/Tea Preparation:

• First take one to two cups of water in a pan. Keep it on the stove.

• Now add pieces of cardamom and cinnamon in it. Cut ginger into pieces and add it to water.

• Now I will boil it about 10 to 15 minutes.

• My Detox drink or tea is ready we can strain it and put it in a cup like I have put it in a cup.

• If I want, I can add honey or sugar to it and use it.

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How This Herbal Medicine Helps Detoxify the Body:

Cardamom (Elaichi):

• Detoxifying Effects: It’s well appreciated among people for its diuretic agent and is useful in expelling toxins and excess fluids from the body.
• Digestive Health: It encourages digestive system performance, assists in easing gas formation and SWOL functions as an anti- spasmodic.

Cinnamon (Darchini):

• Rich in Antioxidants: Darchini also has rich polyphenols that help the body eliminate free radicals thus fighting oxidative stress.
• Blood Sugar Regulation: There’s also the achievement of regulate blood sugar levels which although is not directly related with detoxification it aids the process.
• Anti-inflammatory: Cinnamon is one of the best herbs when it comes to categories of herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties that can help clean the liver.

Ginger (Adrak):

• Boosts Metabolism*: Ginger helps in improving metabolism among the people hence helping the body to eliminate toxins faster.
• Liver Detoxification: It is also an elixir for the liver since it helps the body’s detoxifying organ – the liver – perform it’s function and in cleaning the blood.
• Digestive Aid: Ginger reduces nausea and adenopathy, helps fight toxic substances in the body, enhances digestion.

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Benefits of This Herbal Detox Medicine:

• Natural Cleansing: Aids in the expulsion of toxic stuff from the liver and kidneys.
• Boosts Immunity: Enhances the immune system because of antioxidant compounds present in the food.
• Improves Digestion: It is taken to cure indigestion, bloating, and gas, and enhances the general health of the stomach.
• Reduces Inflammation: These both spices are useful to decreased body inflammation due to their anti-inflammatory agents.
• Weight Management: Regular drinking of this detox tea might work effectively in weight reduction attempts through increasing metabolism.

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I am inviting
@lhorgic
@dove11
@shabbir86

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Thank You