SPICES OF LIFE Pinches and Dashes Boost Health by Anastasia Pryanikova
S
pices offer so much more than flavor, providing both food and medicine. Spring is the perfect time to sort through the spice drawer’s contents, toss the old, faded jars and pick new herbs that may better serve our evolving needs and health goals. A healthy digestion plays an enormous part in our overall vitality and the functioning of other body systems. Fortunately, the gut responds well to herbal remedies and diet changes. Herbs that support gut health are known as carminatives. They improve digestion, dispel gas, and relieve bloating and cramps. Many of our aromatic culinary spices fall into this category. Why not restock the spice drawer with these gut-friendly plants, taking into account some important considerations for buying and storing herbs and spices?
herb suppliers online as well. Once you get your herbs home, a good storage system should protect spices from air, heat, humidity and light to keep them fresh and potent longer. Small glass containers or mason jars with air-tight lids are the best when it comes to keeping air and humidity out. Glass containers will need to be stored in a dark, cool place, like a drawer or a cabinet. Metal containers with tight lids can also work well. It is better to avoid the store-bought plastic containers. Label spices, even if you think you can recognize what is inside the container. Along with the ingredients, include the expiration date or the date of purchase. Most dried herbs will lose their potency after a year of proper storage. Keep in mind that seeds go rancid much faster due to higher oil content.
Source and Store
Toss and Transfer
When purchasing herbs and spices, some factors to consider include quality, sustainability, organic farming and fair trade. Avoid herbs that are polluted, sprayed, improperly stored, moldy or too old. Choose to protect medicinal plants that may be overharvested and endangered. To do this, buy from sources you trust. Check out local herb growers, herb farms and farmers’ markets to source herbs locally whenever possible. There are many reputable organic 20 Hartford County Edition
NAHRT.com
The process is simple; open that spice drawer, examine the spices and get rid of: • Anything past the expiration date. • Damaged containers or any others that show signs of having been exposed to too much air, heat, humidity or light. • Jars with contents you can’t identify. • Spices faded in color or those that have lost their scent or show other signs of damage. View this task as an opportunity to
learn how to identify fresh herbs from stale ones. Using spices is a sensory experience, so engage the senses of vision, smell and touch while examining the herbs. Next, transfer spices worth keeping into new containers and label each container immediately. When pouring the herbs from one container to another, study their appearance and smell them. Don’t rush. Many herbalists attest that they love sorting herbs, making herbal remedies and engaging with plants because the process feels soothing, nourishing and meditative. Remember not to breathe in hot peppers, powders and other small particles as they can irritate delicate mucous membranes. An earloop face mask can be helpful in this situation. Now, let’s look at some common spices with surprising digestive health benefits. They can be a good start for any culinary apothecary.
Chew On Fennel and Dill with It Sweet, licorice-like flavored seeds of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) are known to bring immediate gastrointestinal relief. They are safe and effective and appear in many “gripe water” recipes for children with colic. Fennel is also an antispasmodic herb, known for soothing muscle tension and digestive spasms. Try chewing fennel seeds after a meal for improved digestion and a fresh taste in the mouth. Herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt, in her book Alchemy of Herbs, suggests steeping fennel seeds in boiled water for five minutes for a healthy tea that also has been found to stop hiccups. Sprinkle fennel seeds on root vegetables before roasting them. Dill, another member of the Apiaceae plant family, has similar digestive benefits.
Cool It Down With Peppermint Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) is a clas-
