Easter is just around the corner. Aside from making colorful eggs, why not use some herbs for your Easter dinner. When we search for “Herbs of Easter,” the list would show – Chervil, Rosemary, Hyssop and many more. But for this post I want to feature Chervil.

Chervil is a delicate aromatic herb that adds flavor to a wide range of meat and vegetable dishes. Garden Guides said it’s a staple in French cuisine. Leaves and stems of chervil are used to add in salads,  fish, chicken, egg, potato dishes, soups and sauces. Use fresh chervil in your food because it says cooking and drying destroys its subtle flavor. You are in luck because you can have fresh chervil indoors, it can grow in shady and moist garden container. Chervil belongs to a genus that has annuals, biennials and perennials and this herb is native from Europe, North Africa and Asia.

Aside from adding flavor to our food, chervil is said to be a good source of Vitamin C and other minerals. It’s medicinal use was reported that dates back as far as the time of ancient Rome. It can be used as a cleansing expectorant.  Do you want to have soft skin? A chervil face mask might do the trick.

Chervil seed kit $19.95

How to Grow Your Own Herbs $6.16

Constipation is one of the worst thing that can happen to you. It will make you feel bad, smells bad and look bad. So many remedies for constipation are available in the market but I was looking for alternatives… herb for constipation. And I stumbled upon dandelion herb. Surprisingly,  “ugly-duckling” dandelion possess medicinal use not just for constipation but it has antioxidant properties as well.

It may be unpopular to gardeners because of its self-seeds and spreads readily to become a garden weed. But you may want to give dandelion herb a second look before you kill them.

What’s hot: It may be a pesky weed but do you know that dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, D, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium and zinc? Amazing huh? In fact you can use the whole plant. The young leaves for salads and tea. The roots  can be found in some coffee substitutes. For constipation, fresh or dried dandelion herb can be used. Boil the herb in water and drink as a tea. Here’s what research and studies from the University of Maryland Medical Center has to say about dandelion’s medicinal uses:

Dandelion leaves produce a diuretic effect while the roots act as an antiviral agent, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, and may help promote gastrointestinal health. Dandelion flower has antioxidant properties. Dandelion may also help improve the immune system.

The medicinal use of the dandelion herb seems endless! You can read their full research/review by just clicking the above link.

What’s-not-so-hot: A garden weed. Some people may develop allergies in touching dandelion, like mouth sores. Also in some people, dandelion can cause stomach acid and heart burn.

Turns out the good side of dandelion outweigh the bad. But like any other herbs, consult your health care provider before taking any dandelion leaf.

organic roasted dandelion root $25.38, dandelion root capsule $2.59, dandelion moisturizer $35.98, organic dandelion tea $15.53, dandelion dried leaves $1.79,  fentimans dandelion and burdock soda $3.25.

Either you love Garlic or hate it. You love it because studies show that consuming garlic is beneficial to one’s health aside from making any fried rice so yummy! Or you hate it because it stink and it can hurt your skin. But before you give up on garlic here’s more to it than the stink.

What’s hot: Garlic is a member of the onion family. Aside from culinary uses, it has been recognized as beneficial to the cardiovascular system. Garlic has allicin that gives its rich flavor and strong aroma that is one of the most powerful antioxidant. It acts as expectorant, antibiotic and anti-fungal. It is ideal for colds, infections, circulatory and bronchial disorders. Garlic may sound too good to be true in giving all these health benefits, but a group of Chemists shed light on its health benefits. In their research study, they wanted to find out if allicin is responsible for the activity of Garlic. Why Garlic contain such efficient antioxidant properties when it doesn’t have the compounds such as flavonoids found in green tea or grapes. Here’s what they did:

“The research team questioned the ability of allicin to trap damaging radicals so effectively, and considered the possibility that a decomposition product of allicin may instead be responsible. Through experiments with synthetically-produced allicin, they found that an acid produced when the compound decomposes rapidly reacts with radicals.”

For the complete story click here. Eat raw Garlic if you want stronger antibiotic and anti-bacterial effect. But cooked or raw Garlic contains antioxidant properties. Also it can be used cosmetically in treating dandruff. A Garlic hair rinse can ease dandruff.

What’s-not-so-hot: Garlic should be taken cautiously because not all people react to it the same way. It can also irritate sensitive skin. 

For me, I love Garlic! I love it in my food especially in fried rice. I also make my own Garlic tea. My Garlic tea is made of regular Lipton tea with crushed Garlic clove. I tried this because I have a persistent allergy that makes my throat itchy. I first drank garlic tea when I was having allergy attacks and all I can say is that it helped to control the coughing attacks. Now the allergy have not come back. But I made sure I also eat a balance diet, I sleep at least 7-8 hours/day, and I take multivitamins.

Garlic galore:  garlic genius $39.99, elephant garlic seeds $2.50, garlic powder $2.99, odorless garlic capsules $10.49, garlic peeler $8.95, roasted garlic in sunflower oil $11.99

Someone said, “Humans are passionate about health and pleasure.” We yearn for a tasty, fat-free, sugar-free chocolate bar, smoke organic tobaccos and drink Coke zero. A hedonist and health junkie what a combo! As they say, life is short, live your life the way it makes you happy. Some people find pleasure in eating a chocolate bar or visiting a chocolate factory. Though chocolates are not considered “good” snack option, do you know that chocolates comes from an herb called Theobroma cacao that contains many health benefits? The “Chocolate tree” thrive in tropical countries and it can grow up to 20 feet. The main ingredient in chocolates are the seeds or beans are fermented, dried, roasted and then ground into a paste. It becomes yummy by adding sugar.

What’s hot: Studies show that cocoa powder have a variety of health benefits. An alkaloid found in the beans (theobromine) stimulates heart, kidneys and muscles. It’s a stimulating herb, both cooling and warming. It’s also diuretic and lowers high blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. Cocoa is also used in many cosmetic products, especially cocoa butter as a very effective skin moisturizer. For culinary use, chocolate flavoring is added in sauces, drinks and many more. My favorites are chocolate cakes and chocolate milk shakes.

What’s not-so-hot: Not all chocolates we love are fat-free and sugar-free. Chocolates is a common trigger of allergies and for some migraines.

Photo Source: Kalyx.com

Cocoa butter lip balm $5, organic cocoa powder $10.35, fat-free chocolate chip cookies $3.49

Have you tried Java rice or a curry dish? Java rice is a kind of “yellow rice” that is so yummy eaten with kebabs. If you tried one of the above then you had tasted turmeric. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about turmeric and its time to put it in spotlight. Aside from as a staple ingredient to most Asian dishes, its refreshing to know based on many studies the benefits in taking turmeric in achieving good health.

What’s hot: Aside from making dishes aromatic, warming and colorful, in a study of a team of scientists in The Center for the Prevention of Cancer at the Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, it was found that ingestion of turmeric lowers the risk of colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer. They said that the curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) which strengthens the influence of the drug Celecoxib lessens the risk of the onset of the aforesaid types of cancer.

“Curcumin has been shown, for example, to stimulate the production of bile and to facilitate the emptying of the gallbladder. It has also demonstrated in animals a protective effect on the liver, anti-tumor action, and ability to reduce inflammation and fight certain infections. Also have antioxidant properties, which some claim may be as strong as vitamins C and E. “

Source

Turmeric may not be new to some, especially the Chinese who had been using this herb as long as the 5th century. Some say the Chinese use it as anti-inflammatory, to treat digestive disorders and liver problems, and for the treatment of skin diseases and wound healing. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties may also help relieve the symptoms of arthritis.

As a household use, turmeric can be used as a dye. Traditionally, its the dyestuff that colors the robes of Buddhist monks.

Turmeric sounds like an all-in-one herb! This wonder herb’s health benefits seems endless. I’ve never tasted fresh turmeric tea because its not always available in the market. But I do like ginger tea. I think I will like fresh turmeric tea as well.

What’s not-so-hot: Studies show that excessive use of curcumin may produce stomach upset and, in extreme cases, ulcers. Advised not to consume by pregnant women for safety has not been tested for them. Cultivating this herb requires an ample warmth and humidity. Its a perennial plant and a relative of ginger. If you live in a temperate country you have a lower chance of growing this herb. But if you have a greenhouse, you may have luck in growing this amazing herb.

Turmeric in many forms:

Turmeric powder tea $4.99, Turmeric (ground) $27.50, Turmeric health supplement capsules $28.34, Turmeric facial mask $39, Turmeric root extract $26.90

Photo source: Kalyx