Spices and Herbs
If something could represent the complexity of being human, all the relationships and interactions, the small gestures that brighten up even the rainiest of days, it would be spices and herbs.
The human race for centuries has explored their herbal background and levels of mysticism.
Ancient Egyptians even took their spices with them to the grave!
Even the most inexperienced cooks know what difference a spice can make.
However, look beyond their possibility of turning bland into fabulous without any caloric expenditure because there is so much more to that.
The difference between a herb and a spice is their nature:
Spices are seeds, bark, root, or similar parts of the plant, usually dried and preserved for flavoring.
Herbs are flowers, stems, and leaves we use directly.
Both are not exclusively for cooking; they were valuable parts of religious rituals and traditional medicine.
Some of the most commonly used spices and herbs include peppercorns, cinnamon, chili powder, ginger, cumin, ground paprika, nutmeg, turmeric, basil, chamomile, bay leaf, oregano, mint, dill, lemongrass, parsley, etc. Feel free to explore all regions of the world in search of your favorite!
When we think of spices & herbs' health benefits, we think of childhood memories and home medicine reliefs.
Science backs up what is empirically known for hundreds of years: many of them promote gut health, relieve stomach-related symptoms, act as nerve tonics, disinfection agents, help with reproductive system infections...
Most of them reduce inflammation and cell damage because of their phytochemical content, so it is essential to incorporate them into our meals, depending on the flavor preferences and the cooking style.
In general:
Every part of the world has its tradition. Explore the options.
Experiment with combinations of herbs and spices and enjoy the benefits behind them!
If you are not the biggest fan of spicy dishes, incorporate herbs by swapping one of your daily cups of coffee for a herbal tea;
Use Holistic Living App and mark a checkbox if you incorporated two different spices or herbs into your meal-prepping or your before-bed tea routine!
In Numbers
No1. producer of spices in the world is India with approx. 1,500,000 metric tons per year.
National Library of Medicine Herb Garden reports 100 kinds of herbs.
67.1% of consumers buy the wrapped product spices and herbs instead of buying from local suppliers.
“Each spice has a special day to it. For turmeric it is Sunday, when light drips fat and butter-colored into the bins to be soaked up glowing, when you pray to the nine planets for love and luck. “– Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, poet
*Content and products on Holistic Living are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
