SLC S21 Week 3 - Herbal Medicine in the Kitchen

Hello everyone! I hope you will be good. Today I am here to participate in Steemit Learning Challenge of @afzalqamar about the herbal medicines. It is really an interesting and knowledgeable contest. There is a lot to explore. If you want to join then:

---

---

Join Here: SLC S21 Week 3 - Herbal Medicine in the Kitchen

---

---

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.

Many herbs are commonly found in my area. They are widely used especially in the cooking and to create meals. If I say in my area kitchen is incomplete without the herbs then it will not be wrong. Herbs are used as an essential thing in the kitchen. So I will discuss the creation of the meal by using the herbs. I am not a master in making meals but I will get help of my mother. I will do th things while assisting and asking her.

Today I am going to share the meal curry 🍛 of mix lentils.

As a specific and commonly used herbs in my area I will use these herbs:

• Onion
• Ginger
• Tomato
• Garlic
• Coriander

So I have taken all the herbs at one place. Now I will use them to make mix lentils curry 🍛.

First of all I have peeled off all the perks of the onion 🧅 because it is required to peel off the onions to avoid their bitterness. After peeling the onion. I have cut the onions into small pieces. After that I washed them and put it into the cooking container.

After that I have peeled off garlic 🧄. There are different types of garlic in the market but it is used for its good taste. We called it desi garlic. My mother recommended to take these three and crush them to put in the recipe. If we put its much quantity then it will add more taste but some people do not like it's excessive taste in the curry. I am one of them.

Then I started cutting the 🫚 and tomato. These both also play key role in the great taste of the curry by adding health benefits. I have cut ginger into small pieces so that they would become mix in the curry. You can see I have cut tomatoes 🍅 into fine small pieces. I like to eat tomato sauce as well mixed with the peppermint.

After combing all the herbs put it into the cooking container. Then add some oil or ghee to fry them. You can use any oil but cooking oil is recommended for the good taste.

I have fried the mixture of the herbs well untill their mixture has become brown. Take not that always keep frying the herbs in the oil until they become brown. Because raw herbs will disturb the taste.

This is the mix lentils. In this mixture there is yellow lentils and red lentils. These are full of proteins. First of we need to wash these lentils to remove dust and the hard little stones from it.

After washing it completely now put lentils in the cooking container. Now keep on frying the lentils for sometime. But please take care that it should not be spoiled by frying for long time. It will burn the lentils and the herbs and it will become useless.

After frying it for sometime add water into the container to boil and cook the lentils completely. It will make the lentils soft to eat. Now cook the lentils untill it starts giving it's fragrance and keep on stirring after a while. It will protect it from being burnt. Now there is a choice you can make this curry dry without any gravy and with some gravy. I like gravy so I will cook it until it has become enough thick to get th gravy and the tasty curry.

You noticed that I did not disturb used coriander in the above herbs because it is added when the curry is ready. Because if we add it during cooking it will become black because of it's delicacy. So I have washed the coriander and I have added it's leaves in the curry. It gives a beautiful look and adds fragrance in the curry.

Now our curry for th meal is ready with the light gravy. A delicious and appetising odour was spreading all around of this curry. During its cooking along with the herbs the required salt and red chillies have also been added.

Health benefits of each herb

Comprising of (spicy) curry which is mainly made of red and yellow lentils with the addition of ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and onion that are all very healthy, This curry has a lot of health benefits:

1. Red and Yellow Lentils

Red lentils and yellow lentils are among the best for vegetarians or strict vegans due to their excellent plant protein for the body, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium plus folate in both beans. A high fiber content improves an individual’s digestive system performs its functions, controls blood levels of sugar, reduces the risk of obesity by making a person feel full. Antioxidants are also found in lentils which protect against neutralization damage and promote good heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

2. Ginger

The plant is also used as a medicine because it has antiinflammatory and antioxidant aspects and therefore takes care of any pain, improves digestion, and enhances immunity. It especially helps to calm one’s stomach and gets rid of the uncomfortable feeling of air trapped in the abdomen, and even helps in easing one’s vomiting tendencies. Due to better blood flow, ginger is also good for one’s heart and it is expected to manage high blood pressure levels.

3. Garlic

The most garlic health benefit that is prominently known is the use of it for enhancing the body immunity because of its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This extract, allicin, is known for its effectiveness in lowering high blood pressure and also high levels of cholesterol aiding the cardiovascular system. Studies show that garlic has some antiinflammatory properties which may help arthritis for instance and even assist in maintaining better lung health making it a commendable addition in health practices.

4. Tomato

Most people have a high intake of tomatoes as it is rich in liver protecting anthocyanin antioxidant pigment known as lycopene. Information suggests that these tomatoes lowers levels of risk for certain types of cancers especially those associated with the prostate gland. In addition, they contain ascorbic acid, potassium, and folate, all of which aid in the immune system, maintenance of healthy skin, as well as fluid levels in the body. More so, tomatoes are very peppery and flavorful and they also help the quality of the curry.

5. Coriander (Cilantro)

Cilantro or coriander comes with leaves and seeds the benefits of anticancer properties and substances which helps in controlling blood sugar level together with cholesterol levels. It also aids in the activity of digestion, is slightly diuretic and purifies the system. The fresh leaves are also rich in vitamin C , vitamin K and beta carotene which are essential for skin and eye health as well as boosting one’s immunity.

6. Onion

Onions are antioxidant-rich foods which also contain a lot of quercetin that is anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and boosts the immunity and thus the body. Onions are also prebiotics in that they have fibers that promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut hence improving digestion. Blood sugar levels are regulated with the intake of onions, risk for heart ailments reduced, and respiratory health is improved.

This lentil-based dish provides an adequate amount of protein, and dietary fibers, as well as vital vitamins and minerals, ensuring proper nourishment for the heart, enhancement of digestion and immunity. The various herbs and spices have higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while the lentils offer proteins that are sustained for energy. Such high-calorie curry serves numerous purposes: it aids in controlling blood sugar levels, helps in cholesterol management, combats inflammation and promotes health in general.

---

---

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.

There are different seasonings which we consume on a daily basis. They have different benefits for the body health.

I will discuss these two seasonings:

• Black pepper
• Cinnamon

1. Black Pepper

Referred to as “the king of spices,” the Black Pepper is a spice that is not just a staple in the kitchen but also a savior in many health related activities. The health benefits of Black Pepper are greatly intensified through piperine, a compound that induces the secretion of digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid in particular, which tidies up food and helps in making the body feel uncomfortable by stopping gas in the stomach.

Additionally, piperine enhance the absorption of numerous nutrients including intestinal enzyme inhibitors and the occurrence of choleretic food components such as curcumin from turmeric, which is useful in increasing the gut activities in terms of inflammation and antioxidation measures. Black pepper strengthens the flavor when added to meals, but it also enhances what is ingested,, boosts digestibility, facilitates healing and well regains more in the best possible condition.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon’s place in the arsenal of spices is further enhanced by its distinctive pleasant taste and multiple health benefits. Its taste enhances the overall experience of nutrient absorption as it reduces blood sugar levels with cinnamaldehyde, a principal component present. It is even more beneficial to diabetics and persons with metabolic consequences. Cinnamon is also rich in antioxidants that scavenge free radicals, help in reducing heart diseases by lowering LDL and triglycerides, and helps in reducing AST and ALT levels.

Its antimicrobial properties helps in maintaining healthy immunity while facilitating the formation of beneficial bacteria. Cinnamon no matter how consumed i.e. in drinks, oat meals or meals has health benefits such as cardiovascuar, metabolic stability and immunologic balance in the body.

---

---

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.

It is an interesting challenge. So for the completion of this challenge I went to the local shop. Different kinds of herbs and vegetables are available in that shop.

This is the nearby shop. They being fresh vegetables and related herbs in a daily basis. Many people buy from here. You can see many things are available even at that time most of the things were already sold. So let us start the identification of the herbs from this shop.

Onions

I have found onion in the store. Onions are widely used in the cooking. It has a versatile nature. Onions also have numerous health benefits.

• Onions add flavour and texture in the dishes.

• They enhance the flavour in different dishes and recipes.

• Onions are used in the soups, sauces and curries. Onions are also used as the topping for th chilli and hit dogs.

• Onions are used for the dips and sauces. We can make pickle of the onions. The onion pickle is crunchy.

• Fried onions such as onion rings are greatly used in the cookouts. Some people eat raw onions in the salads.

Ginger

At the second ginger got my attention. It was only one big ginger root. Ginger is also a widely used spice in the cooking along with it's health benefits.

• You will be surprised to know that it is also used in the sweet dishes. It is used in the pumpkin pies, ice cream and quick bread.

• Ginger is used in the savory dishes such as in the curries and stirr fries. It is mostly used in the Indian and Asian dishes. It is used in the marinades.

• Ginger is used in the drinks. I also take ginger tea for my common cold and throat problems.

Moreover we can use ginger in different forms such as fresh, dry and powdered form according to the needs.

I have identified this herb as garlic. It is also a widely used herb in the medicines as well as in the cooking. Uses of the garlic in the cooking are given below:

• Raw garlics can be used to add extra taste in the dishes.

• Garlics are used as the spice in the dishes. In the first task I have shown where I have used garlic in the curry.

• Garlic can be roasted separate for its use in the soups and stews. Roasted garlic is unique in its taste.

• Garlic is used in the creation of the sauces. For this purpose it is fried lightly.

• Another wonderful use of garlic is that it is used with the butter on the meat.

• It is used in the salads and pastas.

If we look on the whole we can conclude that garlic is the basic ingredient for many dishes and cuisines. Moreover we can extract the juice of garlic to use it for the marination.

Green Chillies

Suddenly I identified another popular herb in the shop. It is a green chilli. It is almost the part of every dishes. It adds spicy flavour in the dishes. We can use green chilli in different ways. Some of them are given below:

• Green chillies are used in the curries and stews. They can be used in stir fries and marinades. Green chillies are chopped and then they are added in the recipes for the taste. It generates heat in the body. But do not use excessively because it can impact the health badly.

• Green chillies us used in the pickle. At my home my mother often makes green chilli pickle which becomes very tasty.

• Green chillies can be used to make sauces which are served with snacks, nuggets, fritters and other things.

• Green chilli is used in the salads. Green chillies are also used in the marinades and prawns.

Green chillies have vitamin C, A, iron and potassium in it. It has many health benefits. It improves eyesight and the skin health. It increases the mood and prevents from the sickness. It boosts the metabolism of the body. It improves the health of the heart. Green chillies improve the immune system.

Tomatoes 🍅

By overseeing the shop I found another herb which is commonly used in my area. I think it is commonly used even in the whole world. This is the part of every kitchen. The uses of the tomatoes are given below:

• Tomato is the key ingredient of the sauces. The tomato sauces are very famous because of their taste and versatility.

• Salads are incomplete without tomatoes. They are added in the salads by making their slices.

• Tomatoes are used in the sandwiches. They are also used in the soups to enhance the taste and the health benefits of the soup.

• Tomato is the basic part of the pizza recipe. They can be used in the form of the slices. Moreover when the pizza is served it's sauce is also offered.

• As like pizza it is also used in the pasta and other kitchen curries to enhance their depth and texture.

Tomatoes are acidic in nature so they add acidity in the dishes which is at the normal level to make the dish tasty and delicious. Tomatoes have great taste. I often enjoy tomatoes personally in the salad.

---

---

Detox Medicine

Prepare a herbal detox medicine and tell step by step process and how it helps to detoxify the body?

Today after learning different things from the lecture and herbs for the detoxification I will make detox medicine with the help of the basil. These are the seeds of the basil.

This is not commonly available in my area but it can found from the herbal stores. So I have bought it especially to complete this task.

Step 1

Water is the required to make the detox tea. So first of I have taken some water. I want to make only one cup of water so I have taken a full cup of water. And after the preparation it will become around 3/4 cup and one part of the water will be dried by evaporation.

Step 2

Basil has narcotics effects in it. We need to be very careful while adding it's quantity for the detox. Of we take huge quantity then it can harm our body. We fall asleep more than normal. So I am adding a small quantity of parsley seeds in the water to make a detox.

Step 3

After putting parsley seeds in the water start flame under the container to boil it. Keep the flame slow so that it can be boiled easily without being burnt because the water is in low quantity.

Step 4

Check the water and the seeds of they have left their colour in the water. You can see the seeds are boiling in the water and the colour of the water is changing which represents that the extract of the seeds is being added in the water for the creation of the detox.

Step 5

When the colour of the water had changed completely and one part of the water has evaporated then consider filtering the detox to remove seeds from the drink. Separate out the liquid from the seeds and pour it into the cup or anything else for which you are comfortable. I have filtered it in the glass.

Step 6

Now the detox is ready to use but there is an optional step. You can add sugar or any sweet things to make the taste better because the seeds have bitter taste by nature. And if you are not used to taking bitter things it will be hard for you to take. I have used a spoon of sugar to make its taste sweet.

The parsley seeds detox is ready to take. Now I can enjoy this detox medicine to detoxify the body.

It is well-known that parsley seeds have detoxification attributes and have been practiced in various cleansing forms in traditional medicine. Let us see the ways parsley seeds facilitate detoxification:

1. Support of Kidneys and Diuretic Action

Urinary tract infection or UTI is a scent most women fear to encounter. Nevertheless parsley seedlings are a naturopathic diuretic that promotes elevated volumes of urine to assists in the elimination of toxins of the body, waste products and lay salt in excess. With this diuretic effect, kidney stones formation will be difficult and kidney’s effective function will be enhanced as this encourages the excretion of waste through urine thereby preventing the accumulation of toxic substances.

2. Support of Healthy Liver

In order to carry out this function effectively, the liver relies on what we term as supportive foods or foods that suppresss damages to the liver, this includes consumed and evaluated today’s available medicinal herb parsley seeds. Such defense also promotes the effective processes within the liver as in the case in which apigenin and myristicin and other liver health maintenance schemed compounds support detoxification enhancing liver operations.

3. High Antioxidant Content

Low levels of vitamin C found in cells are inversely related to high radical oxides levels, due to the radical oxides scavenging activity of vitamin C present in parsley seeds. Hence reducing the toxic burden on the system and aiding in the elimination of toxins by the immune system.

4. Maintain Digestive Health

The composition also includes some fiber and essential oils contained execution of enzymes manufacturing digestive processes. This is very important because it aids in the elimination process, causing the expulsion of toxins from the body via stools in an efficient manner.

5. Anti-Inflammatory Effects

When the body is in the state of chronic inflammation, the mechanisms of detoxification become inefficient. Suffering caused by inflammation is also a way to bank on benefits of parsley seeds. As a correctional way to reduce inflammation. This allows better functioning of organs such as the liver and kidneys that are mainly responsible for the purging of toxins from the body.

---

I would like to invite my friends @chant, @heriadi, and @suboohi to join this contest to learn about the herbs in the kitchen and to implement them in their real life.