SLC S21 Week 3 - Herbal Medicine in the Kitchen.

Hello Steemit friends, I am so happy to be part of this contest, ' Herbal Medicine in the Kitchen'. This topic is very interesting. I was able to get knowledge of the health benefits of most of the herbs that we add to our meals. I was just adding them just because I like the taste they give to my meal, but I didn't know what they give to the body. Thanks to @afzalqamar for this wonderful topic.

Q1. Recipe Creation: Create a meal or recipe using at least 3 herbs that are commonly found in your area and explain the health benefits of each herb in the recipe.

🥚 Delicious Egg sauce

Egg sauce can be used to eat yam, plantain, or rice, depending on one's choice. I am going to prepare delicious egg sauce with the aid of herbs that can be seen around my area.

     🔥 Ingredients 

 • Grated ginger 
 • Chopped onions 
 • Fresh tomatoes 
 • Fresh habanero pepper 
 • Salt to taste 
 • Egg
 • Groundnut oil

            
    PROCEDURE 

In a pot, add some oil and allow it to heat

Add the chopped onions and the grated ginger, and stir for some seconds.

Add your chopped fresh tomatoes and habanero pepper, and stir fry to enable the fresh tomatoes to dry a little bit

Then add the whisked egg and stir continuously. Add salt to taste and finally, your egg sauce is ready to be enjoyed.

🔥 Health benefits of each herb used in making egg sauce.

GINGER:

In addition to great taste, ginger enhances quicker digestion of food in our body. Eating ginger can help cut down on fermentation and other causes of bloating and intestine gas. It is an anti-inflammatory which also helps to reduce swelling and as well calm nausea.

FRESH TOMATOES:

Fresh tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. It helps to boost the immune system. Foods high in lycopene, like tomatoes, may make you less likely to have lung, stomach, or prostate cancer. Other nutrients in tomatoes can also help boost your heart health.

HABANERO PEPPER:

Habanero pepper controls the blood pressure of patients who have hypertension or prehypertension. It also promotes weight loss, it also lowers cholesterol levels. Intake of foods rich in capsaicinoids may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Q2: 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 the meal.

TUMERIC:

Tumeric contains a chemical called curcumin. It has a bitter taste and is often used to add flavor to a meal and to color curry powder. It can be used to prepare a variety of meals, especially stew, jollof rice, or fried rice. It can also be used to reduce swelling and also to treat conditions that involve pain and inflammation. Tumeric, when added to a meal, has significant antioxidant abilities at different levels of action to ensure adequate antioxidant protection. It adds a satisfying crunch to a meal and may help us fight infection and possibly protect against allergies. Tumeric, when added to a meal, activates certain proteins and protects cells from damage. It can also reduce excess stomach acid and treat indigestion. While tumeric is safe for some people, some are also allergic to it. If you are allergic to tumeric, eating it may cause rash or abdominal pain to such person.

GARLIC:

Garlic is a cooking ingredient with numerous health benefits, such as boosting the immune system and reducing high blood pressure and Heart disease. Just like tumeric and other herbs, it can be used to prepare a variety of meals such as appetizers, snacks, soup, stew and more. It has a strong flavor and aroma that varies with different cooking methods. Consuming garlic helps protect against organisms and manage bacterial infections. Garlic is low in calories and rich in vitamin B6, vitamin C, manganese, and a trace of other various nutrients. Garlic, when added to a meal, helps protect against illness, including the common cold, and reduces blood pressure. It can also improve the cholesterol level which may lower the risk of heart disease. On the other hand, in as much as garlic is nutritious to the body, it also has some downsides such as bad breath. Some people are also allergic to garlic.

Q3: Health 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.

FENUGREEK:

Fenugreek is a herb that can be used in food and medicine. Taking fenugreek seed can lower sugar level in people with diabetes. It can also help reduce painful menstrual period. Fenugreek seed extract increases interest in sex in a healthy younger female with a low sex drive.
Fenugreek also helps for promoting hair growth and maintaining a healthy scalp.

When it comes to cooking, fenugreek is that spice that tastes bitter but ends with a lingering sweetness after adding it to your meal. The spice is a go for any meal that needs a touch of bitterness to balance the sweetness. It can be used to prepare soups and curry dishes depending on one's choice.

THYME:

Thyme is a herb with a distinct smell. It can be used to flavor food and also as a medicine. Thyme is also known for its antibacterial effect; it can be used as an ointment against eczema. It also helps against convulsions and acts as an antiseptic. Thyme can also be used to induce labor; pregnant women should, therefore, not consume it in large quantities.

When it comes to cooking, thyme can be used to prepare a variety of meals like potatoes, fish, pizza and even pasta. It is also a wonderful addition to meat, soup, and stew.

FENNEL:

Fennel is a herb with yellow flowers. The dried seed is used in food. The dried seed and oil can also be used as medicine. As a medicine, it relaxes the colon and also contains an ingredient that may act like estrogen in the body. It can be used to ease menstrual cramps, indigestion, and symptoms of menopause.

When it comes to cooking, fennel seed is a versatile spice that can be used as a seasoning for fish fillets. It can be used to prepare soups, stews, pasta, salad, pizza, sandwiches, and more. For maximum freshness and flavor, it is best to buy the seeds and grind them by yourself at home.

CINNAMON:

Cinnamon as a spice comes from the bark of various species of cinnamon trees. Cinnamon is used for cooking and medicinal purposes. Cinnamon reduces inflammation, diabetes, and other cardiovascular diseases. It also improves digestion in the body.

When it comes to cooking, cinnamon is used as flavoring in a variety of foods, from confectionaries to curries and beverages, and it can also be used for bakery purposes. The essential oil distilled from its bark fragments is used in food, liqueur, perfume, and drugs.

GINGER:

Ginger spice comes from the root of the plant; it is used for food flavoring, and it is also medicinal. Ginger tea can be used as a remedy for colds and coughs. It also contains chemicals that can reduce nausea and swelling. It is also used for menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, diabetes, and other health conditions. Ginger cleans and empties the stomach quickly and helps in digestion.

When it comes to cooking, Ginger is used to add flavor to food and drinks. It’s also an essential ingredient in savory dishes, pumpkin pie and quick bread, spice cookies, and ice cream. It can be used to prepare any type of soup and stew depending on one's choice.

Q4: Detox Medicine: prepare a herbal detox medicine and tell the step-by-step process and how it helps to detoxify the body.

I used ginger, lemon grass, and fennel to prepare my herbal detox medicine.

In a pot, put your chopped ginger, fennel and washed lemon grass.

Add some water into it, cover and allow it to boil for at least 10 minutes.

Bring it down and filter into a cup and my herbal detox is ready.

🔥How ginger, fennel and lemon grass detoxify the body.

Ginger, fennel and lemon grass detoxify the body in the following ways:

•Ginger as an antioxidant fight relative oxygen species (ROS). Consuming foods and drinks with antioxidant like ginger water Will help prevent and fight the negative side effect of (ROS).

•A cup of lemon grass tea is a remedy for upset stomach and other digestive problem.

•Essential oils of fennel seeds help cleanse and purify the blood through your diet.

•Ginger helps in cleaning and removing toxic substances in our body thereby boosting our immune system.

•Lemon grass tea as a detox tea kick-start your metabolism and help you lose weight.

•Fennel tea helps flush the body of excess fluids through it's diuretic properties.

•Consuming ginger helps prevent and heal inflammation.

Detoxifying our body is very necessary because it aids in removing toxins from the body, promising improved health and increased energy.

I invite @chilaw, @xkool24 and @bossj23 to participate in this wonderful contest.