A seasoned eye

Reach into your spice rack and you’ll no doubt encounter the usuals – Italian favorites like sage and thyme, their pungent complements like cayenne and garlic. The home cook is quite familiar with the culinary applications of their spice rack (what’s a taco without cumin or stew without bay leaf?). But what may be news is that their kitchen craft has its roots in ancient healing modalities.

In fact, the abbreviation for “prescription,” Rx, is said to stand for the word “recipe” which is also Latin for “to take.” Your humble spice rack has the potential to be a tool for health and vitality, should you take a second look.

Theories abound as to why people reach for spices at mealtime. Did early humans merely seek novel flavors? Or maybe it had something to do with the potential microbe-busting effects of these plants? Indeed, the act of spicing our food is connected to wellness, whether or not we consider it.

But beyond the recipe, or perhaps before it, lies new purpose for your seasonings: wellness remedies. Modern science now confirms much of what tradition has told us about herbal preparations. So “old wives tales” may just be the modern folks’ answer for what ails ya’! Ready to reclaim your inner herbalist? Here are five simple recipes to get you going: Carissa WillsDeMello

For mental fog, give your coffee pot a break and reach for rosemary. It has been shown to improve systemic circulation and ease muscular tension, which includes bringing blood and oxygen to your overworked brain. To make, boil a cup of water and toss in a spoonful or two of rosemary. Close your lid and steep for 10 minutes. Then strain into your mug and stir in a good dose of honey and fresh lemon juice. Coupled with deep breathing, this tea is sure to offer a boost when you need it.

Sage & ThymeGargle

A scratchy throat is not only unpleasant but foretells a potential illness unfolding. To instantly ease your pain and send those germs running, try this enhancement to a common remedy. Start by steeping two to three tablespoons of each herb as instructed above. Strain, reheat if needed, and dissolve a spoonful of salt in your “tea.” Whenever it crosses your mind, gargle your concoction. The fragrant oils in Sage and Thyme are powerfully antimicrobial, and both herbs gently reduce pain and inflammation.

OreganoRes iratory Steam

One of the best ways to benefit from herbs is direct application. In the case of congested lungs, this may seem tricky. But fear not. Steam is able to carry phlegm-expelling, cough-easing, and microbial-busting plant chemicals right where you need them most. To do so, bring a small pot full of water to a boil, stir in a half a cup of oregano and inhale relief. For best effect, cover your head and pot with a towel, so no steam escapes. (Pro tip: you can add mint if you have it, but close your eyes!)

Cayenne & Ginger FootSoak

Even the achiest of feet are no match for this herbal duo. All you need is a teaspoon of each (powdered) and a foot basin full of hot water. Let your feet soak until the water cools, so the herbs have time to reduce inflammation, enhance healthy blood flower, and ease pain. This soak works well for healing sprains, too. And as a bonus for the chillier folks among us, it works wonders for warming up from the inside out on cold days.

FennelTincture

A “tincture” is simply an extract, made with a solvent (aside from water) that draws beneficial compounds out of your herbs. Tinctures easily absorb into your bloodstream, bringing swift relief. And your solvent can be pulled right from your cabinet! Common options include vinegar, vodka, gin, and brandy. For wider applications (including cooking and kids) choose raw apple cider vinegar. Fill an eight-ounce jar with the vinegar and at least a quarter cup of fennel seed (plus honey, if you’d like). Wait one month, shaking your remedy periodically. After that time, strain your tincture and take a teaspoon as needed for digestive relief. Fennel is known to relax intestinal gas and bloating, and makes a lovely daily tonic for digestive function.

In that “second look” at the spice rack you just might set sights on your herbalist roots; every one of us has them. Our ancestors were no doubt stirring up very similar remedies, whether it was a generation ago in America or a century past in the “old world.” And those who come after us surely will, too!

Just remember that herbs have a shelf life, which reduces with exposure to light, air, and heat. The most effective herbs are the freshest herbs. To ensure potency and flavor, source organically and swap out annually. Find herbs online at Mountain Rose Herbs, Starwest Botanicals and Frontier Co-Op. And for the adventurous, explore Farmacy Herbs in Providence and Seven Arrows Farm in Seekonk where you’ll find knowledgeable on-staff herbalists who can advise and inspire your herbal explorations! Happy concocting, and be well.

Carissa Wills-DeMello is a practicing Western Herbalist, the founder of Bilo Herbs, and a home-remedy enthusiast. She will be teaching “Backyard Herbalism: Garden Herbs & Weeds for Wellness” at SEMAP’s Agriculture and Food Conference this February – check semaponline.org for more info.

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