Herbs and spices are gifts of the nature and belong to every meal, not only because of the digestive ingredients, but also because of the enriching they give to the meal. The fresher the better. Green fresh herbs also contain chlorophyll, which brings light energy into our body which has an invigorating effect on us. The dried variants have a more intense taste and effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ANIS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> is a European medicinal herb that is part of many herbal brandies<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> sweet, dry<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> contains essential oils such as camphor and menthol<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> lowers Pitta. Has a cooling, expectorant, exfoliating and digestive effect. Very good for low or weak digestive power, irritation and infections of the respiratory tract and Asthma<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use:<\/strong> as a tea or as a spice for desserts<\/p>\n\n\n\n ASAFOETIDA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story: <\/strong>it consists out of the resin of the asante plant, which is harvest by scratching the root. It is an important spice in Pan-Asian cuisine. It\u2019s so strong in taste you better only take a pinch for cooking<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> is hot and bitter at the same time<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> essential oils<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> lowers Vata and Kapha, increases Pitta. Has a cooling, expectorant, exfoliating and digestive effect. Very good for low or weak digestive power, irritation and infections of the respiratory tract and Asthma<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use:<\/strong> Ideal for lentil and vegetable dishes, especially cabbage. Asafoetida is so intense that the tip of a knife is enough for a pot<\/p>\n\n\n\n BASIL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> there are several Mediterranean and Asian variants. The Indian Tulsi is considered sacred in India and should not be missing in any garden. It is said to protect the home and family health<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> sweet, a little bitter and hot<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> high proportion of B vitamins and vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, some magnesium and iron<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> keeps all three Doshas in balance, especially Pitta and Kapha. Has an uplifting, digestive and cleansing effect. Very good for low or weak digestive power, irritation and infections of the respiratory tract and Asthma. It also strengthens the immune system<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use:<\/strong> just eat a handful of fresh leaves straight or sprinkle them over the food or use them to prepare fresh homemade basil pesto<\/p>\n\n\n\n FENUGREEK SEEDS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> these seeds called Methi in India and are mostly part of curries<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> bitter and hard<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> high proportion of B vitamins and vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> decrease Pitta and Vata. They have an uplifting, digestive and cleansing effect. Very good for low and weak digestive power, irritation and infections of the respiratory tract and strengthen the immune system. They have a fantastic effect against acidification, inflammation, fungal infections and hair growth disorders. Lower blood lipids and blood sugar and are used for the treatment of Diabetes type 1 and 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use:<\/strong> simply boil the dried seeds as a powder in the meal or grow sprouts from the seeds and eat them raw with a salad<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extra tip:<\/strong> The powder of fenugreek seeds can be mixed with a little water to form a paste which is applied to inflamed skin and scalp for 15 minutes. It soothes skin irritation<\/p>\n\n\n\n CHILI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> if you get and stay in inner peace and towards enlightenment you should avoid the hot chilies. The hot relatives of bellpepper heat the body and mind. There are different types with different degrees of spice grades according to the Scoville scale. Severity levels of 9-10 are absolutely incompatible with children and sensitive people<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> sweet or spicy depending on the sort<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> fresh chilies have lot of vitamin C. The spiciness comes from the capsaicin, which is contained more strongly in red chillies than in green ones<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> increase Pitta and decrease Kapha. The milder varieties decrease Vata, the very hot one increase it. Strongly heating. Promote metabolism and digestion. The pungent substances can burn the mucus membrane all over the body. It also burns away Ama i.e. slaggety (#concept of Ama<\/a>). On this way it removes sticky layers of Ama from the lymph and blood vessels and promote blood circulation. In addition to the wonderful, subtle spiciness that milder varieties give the food, they have a therapeutic effect on digestive weakness and obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use:<\/strong> 1-2 green mild chillies per meal are sufficient<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attention: <\/strong>Pitta types and everyone who is prone to inflammation, diarrhea and hyperacidity should definitely avoid chilies<\/p>\n\n\n\n CURCUMA <\/strong>–TURMERIC<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> also called Haldi. It is an important panacea for mankind. It contains many different ingredients that cleanse the organism and activate digestion and metabolism. The powder needs to be heated up with ghee or plant oil to activate the ingredients. The powder is more intense than the fresh root which can be used in smoothies <\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> bitter, astringent, dry and nutritious<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> contains the highly potent active ingredient curcumin and gingerol, as well as other bioactive substances such as essential oils and vitamins A, C, E and K, B vitamins, many minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron, trace elements, coenzymes, fatty acids, amino acids as well as Tannins and phytochemicals such as flavonoids and alkaloids<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> harmonize all three doshas, \u200b\u200bespecially Pitta. It has an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-carcinogenic, anti-allergic, deacidifying and hemostatic effect. It soothes and heals inflammation, regulates the sugar and fat metabolism and is wound-healing. Perfect for allergies, bleeding gums or tooth inflammation. It is digestive and stimulates the flow of bile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use: Boil 1-2 teaspoons daily in food or in water as tea<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Attention:<\/strong> it increases the bile flow. If you suffer from or gallstones or biliary congestion avoid it or try a little bit<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extra tip:<\/strong> Turmeric works best when it is briefly heated with ghee or hot oil and long pepper (#Pippali). A very effective paste can be made from turmeric powder with a little water which helps against inflamed skin or nail fungus on the feet. Apply the paste in the evening before going to bed and protect with a bandage or a sock. Then wash off the paste in the morning. Turmeric makes the skin a little yellowish, but don\u2019t worry. The normal color will return after a few days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n DILL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Stories:<\/strong> comes from the Middle East<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> sweet<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> Vitamin A and calcium and valuable essential oils. The seeds contain natural estrogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> cooling, decreases Pitta and Vata. Dill relieves flatulence and relaxes the digestive tract, urinary and genital tracts. Diuretic, anti-inflammatory and nourishes the nerves<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use:<\/strong> add fresh to salads or simply eat raw<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extra tip:<\/strong> if you suffer from menstrual cramps and infertility, brew a teaspoon of pure dill seeds in hot water and drink it as tea or mix it with your food every day<\/p>\n\n\n\n TARRAGON<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> who would have thought that this mediterranean herb is related to wormwood<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> sweet<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> bitter substances, tannins, potassium and vitamin C<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> digestive, deacidifying and cleanses the stomach<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use:<\/strong> sprinkle the fresh herbs in the salad or mediterranean dishes<\/p>\n\n\n\n FENNEL SEEDS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> in India they are served as “mouthwash”, also called suppari, to clean the mouth after eating<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> sweet<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> essential oils<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> cooling, antispasmodic and digestive, deacidifying and anti-inflammatory<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use:<\/strong> chew the seeds after eating or drink them brewed as a tea with aniseed and caraway seeds<\/p>\n\n\n\n GINGER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> Another great panacea for mankind. The roots are from tropical regions and can now be bought almost anywhere in the world<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> hot, compact and dry<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> Gingerol and essential oils, contain vitamin A, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, calcium and phosphorus. Dried ginger powder is hotter than the fresh ginger root<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects:<\/strong> increase Pitta and decrease Kapha and Vata. Has a heating and drying effect. Intensively promotes digestion and metabolism and is detoxifying and desinfecting<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use:<\/strong> For a spicy ginger tea, cut the root into slices and boil it with half a liter of water. If you don’t like it that spicy you can simply dilute the tea with hot water<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attention:<\/strong> Those who are overly acidic or cannot tolerate the spiciness should start with a small amount<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not in hyperacidity<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extra tip:<\/strong> grate a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger or cut it into pieces and cook for at least 10 minutes so that the ingredients can be washed out of the roots<\/p>\n\n\n\n CARDAMON<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> in Ayurveda, cardamom is considered a be a brain tonic which makes you “happy”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties:<\/strong> sweet<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ingredients:<\/strong> essential oils, a lot of mangnesium and iron<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects: <\/strong>harmonizes all three doshas, \u200b\u200bespecially Pitta. Has a deacidifying effect, relieves cramps, calms, makes you happy, stimulates the urine and even has an aphrodisiac effect<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use: <\/strong>the green or black capsules contain seeds which you grind in a mortar before you use them for cooking. This is how they keep their essential oils. When cooked, cardamom enchants both sweet dishes and curries. A teaspoon of cardamon powder in the coffee also neutralize the irritating effect of the roasted byproducts of coffee which can harm stomach and liver<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extra tip:<\/strong> Chew the seeds. It helps against nausea and flatulence. They also eliminate unpleasant alcohol or garlic smell in breath<\/p>\n\n\n\n CINNAMON<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Story:<\/strong> Cinnamon has been known as a spice for thousands of years and was used to embalm mummies in ancient Egypt. The organic Ceylon cinnamon is the best<\/p>\n\n\n\n