THE IMPORTANCE OF HERBS IN THE DIET
Culinary herbs can play an important part in the daily diet in spite of the fact that a relatively small amount of herbs are eaten each day. Herbs contain nutritional substances which are beneficial to health, and when added to other foods they bring out the full flavour and make them more enjoyable.
The specific substances contained in herbs are the volatile oils, mineral salts and bitter principles which consist of glycerols, saponines, tannins and carbohydrates. All of these play their part in the interaction of the herb’s effect.
The volatile or essential oil in a herb provides the fragrance which can have such an important effect on the body and is responsible for the healing properties of the herb. The volatile oil is easily lost if the herb is not carefully handled and dried. The mineral salts in a herb provide calcium, potassium, silicic and other acids important to the proper functioning of the body. The aperient qualities of certain herbs provide the laxative elements, being smooth and gentle. The remaining bitter principles all taste bitter, yet increase the flow of juices necessary for complete digestion. They have an effect on the circulation, the lining of the stomach, and they are antibiotic in nature, all of which contribute to full and satisfactory digestion of food.
The digestion depends to a large extent upon the palate, the sense of smell and the enjoyment of food. If food smells good and tastes good, then the saliva in the mouth begins to flow, which helps in the mastication of that food. The enjoyment in eating the food provides a relaxed frame of mind and body and is again helpful to the digestion.
Culinary herbs can also help in the diet by replacing spicy condiments such as pepper, which if used to excess can be harmful and in some cases is totally forbidden. Use summer savory, basil and nasturtium instead.
Herbs can provide flavour and interest to food for those on a salt—reduced or salt-free diet, replacing altogether the need for salt; thyme and marjoram are particularly helpful.
There are sweet herbs such as sweet Cicely, angelica, lemon balm and lemon thyme which, if used judiciously, will reduce the amount of sugar required for tart fruits and do away with the need for sugar altogether in other sweets. These herbs add subtle delicious flavours as well as sweetness, and are a boon to those on a slimming diet.
You will mush more information, articles, recipes and advice on using herbs for many different purposes, both on this site and on our sister site, ‘Bill and Sheila’s Cookbook’. The link to the Cookbook can be found at the bottom of this page.
Bill & Sheila’s A-Z of herbs
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