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Health-giving herbs
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It is hard to imagine a delicious pizza margherita without the essential basil leaves, or a roast without its unmistakeable aroma conferred by a combination of herbs such as rosemary, sage and thyme. Indeed, many flavours that typify Italian cuisine are linked to the presence of numerous aromatic herbs in the recipes: from the most common such as basil or rosemary to more exotic herbs such as cardamom.
Over and above their use in cooking, almost all the aromatic herbs are officinal herbs that can have a beneficial effect on the body.
One need only get to grips with their hidden virtues and the correct way to use them to transform them into excellent allies for health and well-being, allies that should always be kept close at hand. |
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PHYTOTHERAPY: TISANES, INFUSIONS AND TEAS |
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Man has always made use of herbs for preventing or curing minor ailments. This ancient habit of using herbs for curative purposes is today known as phytotherapy.
Tinctures, syrups, capsules, compresses, oils, creams, unguents... There are many different ways for making use of the beneficial substances contained in aromatic herbs: tisanes are pleasant to drink and easy to make at home, and are just one of these ways.
Depending on the extraction process used to transfer the active principles of the herbs to the drink, it is possible to distinguish two different types of tisane: infusions and decoctions.
The infusion is particularly well-suited to the soft parts of plants such as leaves and flowers, and is prepared by bringing the water to the boil and pouring it straight onto the mixture of dried herbs previously prepared in the teapot, or in any recipient made of glass or porcelain. In order to avoid the evaporation of the active principles, it should be covered immediately and left to rest for 5-10 minutes before filtering.
Unlike infusions, decoction make it possible to extract the beneficial substances from even the hardest parts of the plant such as the root and bark. To prepare them, the herbs should be placed straight in the recipient along with the water and made to boil for at least 20 minutes. Before filtering, leave the tea to settle for at least another 10-15 minutes.
It is a good idea to adopt a few small precautions when preparing infusions and decoctions.
First of all, it is advisable to avoid mixing too many herbs together: for a good tisane, just one main herb is sufficient (the one featuring the properties we intend to harness) along with one herb with a supporting action and another which is suitable for correcting flavour and aroma. For example, the addition of liquorice is useful for softening the bitter flavour of many herbs, whilst a few mint, basil or thyme leaves can mask unpleasant odours.
The dosage should also be respected: these change according to the herbs, but in general it is possible to calculate one teaspoon of dried herb per cup.
Infusions and decoction should be prepared fresh every day, and should be sweetened with a teaspoon of honey rather than sugar.
Depending on the properties of the plants being used, it is possible to make tisanes that are digestive, relaxing, stimulating, regenerating, depurative and so on.
For example, dog rose is an excellent remedy against physical fatigue and is just one of the many species of wild rose that grow spontaneously in overgrown glades. Its petals and in particular its fruit, rich in vitamin C, make it perfect for preparing excellent energy-giving tisanes. In order for the cure to be effective, these should be drunk four times a day for at least three weeks.
Another very common plant that grows spontaneously in fields is dandelion. This plant has both digestive and depurative properties: for this reason, an infusion of the leaves or teas made with dandelion roots, for drinking before breakfast, helps the body to eliminate toxins naturally.
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Another simple yet pleasant way to harness the aromatic and beneficial properties of officinal plants is to add them straight to bath water.
The tradition of the aromatic bath stretches back into the mists of time: in ancient Egypt, Queen Nefertiti used to immerse herself in a sumptuous bath filled to the brim with jasmine flowers.
"Herb baths", in addition to providing an opportunity for relaxation, are also useful for providing relief from numerous small disturbances that can upset our psycho-physical balance. For example, one can prepare a bath for relaxing tired muscles after a long day at work, for toning blood circulation or easing the sensation of heaviness in the legs, and to relieve ourselves of all tension, preparing the body for a restful night's sleep. Yet there is more: aromatic herbs are a manna for skin beauty, for the fragrances released by the herbs help leave skin surprisingly bright and soft.
To prepare an aromatic bath, it is advisable to avoid sprinkling the flower and leaves on the water. There are two good alternatives: prepare, using one litre of water and a generous handful of the pre-chosen herb, an infusion to be poured into the bathtub, or alternatively use essential oils which can be bought from herbalists or chemists, pouring 4 to 10 drops into the water just before getting into the tub.
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AN AROMATIC BATH FOR EVERY REQUIREMENT |
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In the event of excessive irritability or insomnia, lavender, camomile, lemon balm or linden flowers are all suitable. For those who, on the other hand, are tired or feeling low, rosemary, sage, basil, dog rose and bergamot are all excellent tonics that can help us to get back on an even keel. Rosemary, thyme, mint and eucalyptus can assist with combating 'flu and colds: during the bath, the aromatic substances are also inhaled, thus producing beneficial effects on the airways.
Last of all, for irritated, red or particularly dry skin, an effective remedy is obtained by aromatising bath water with mallow and calendula, both of which are herbs renowned for their soothing, moisturising, emollient and softening properties.
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