Kitchen Herbalism

People sometimes tell me that herbalism is total bunk, that herbs have no effect, etc. My favorite reply is, "Do you drink coffee or tea? Do you think they effect your state of well-being?" Obviously, coffee is a prime example of herbal use: grinding up part of a plant, then extracting components of it using boiling water, and drinking the result. There are arguments back and forth about whether coffee is good for you in the long run, but there is no doubt that it can lift mood and alertness in the short run. Green tea may be a better example, as it has long been known to have health benefits.

So the point is that herbs do have an effect on mind and body. Many of these herbs, a.k.a. spices, reside in your kitchen. You may have heard of some of their benefits: ginger for nausea, turmeric to fight inflammation, fennel to sooth the digestion. Many companies have tried to extract components of herbs and spices to sell in  convenient, high-dosage forms. Unfortunately, the complexity of the plant often gets lost in the process, along with health benefits. (This also happens with decaf green tea extracts- the caffeine helps activate other components of the plant!) This can be helped by taking "whole food" supplements from a reputable company like New Chapter. Personally, I prefer to simply eat and drink my medicine when possible, saving money and building my DIY ethic. 

How do you get started becoming a kitchen herbalist? Fortunately, there are many good resources. Herbal primers by David Hoffman and Rosemary Gladstar are nice foundations which include kitchen spices along with other, more exotic plants. And of course there are a slew of websites of varying quality that give a basic run-down for you. 

One important tip: both taste and quality are improved when buying fresh! I get my herbs from my local co-op's bulk herb aisle to ensure this. The turmeric and paprika shine vibrantly, and taste amazing. Don't buy so much that the spices begin to loose their punch, either. Some things, like nutmeg, can be grated at home for added freshness.