4 HERBS THAT REDUCE TASTE MUNDANITY1 Minute read

Imagine that it is a sunny Sunday morning and you plan to make a lip-smacking brunch. You open your spice cabinet and then wonder, what flavour does your palette crave. You run through it and find multiple spices. You choose your ingredients, turn the music up and begin cooking.

Luckily, Indian cooking has multiple such flavours that can accentuate the taste of your food. There are a lot of herbs or ‘masalas’ out there that if mixed and matched correctly in the right proportions can ensure that your cutlery gets licked clean. Some of the herds that you can use include Ashwagandha, fenugreek, coriander, mint, Basil etc.

So, here is what you can do with these easily available spices: 

Mint: Mint is herb that has high anti-inflammatory properties. Having mint in food can have a reliving effect on asthma patients. The intensely soothing feature of mint helps you get rid of congestion in nose and throat, if you have the flu. The powerful aroma of mint instantly relaxes your sense, and helps you with indigestion. Mint also has antiseptic properties. These help the digestive track with better release of enzymes.

Eating a mint chutney is simple, you can use it as a coating on a sandwich or for dipping some other food. However, you enjoy having mint; it is something that you can experiment with, with ease.

Coriander: Almost every dish is garnished with fresh coriander/cilantro/dhania leaves. Consuming coriander daily, even in small quantities, can do wonders. It’s a rich source of magnesium, manganese, vitamin C and vitamin K. Since dietary supplements of vitamin K are not available, coriander is undoubtedly something that you must eat.

Vitamin K from coriander helps to curb excessive bleeding, reduces bad cholesterol, improves the functioning of the liver and stimulates bowel movement. It also regulates the secretion of insulin, thus keeping sugar levels in check. 
So, the next time you are looking to garish your food with something, sprinkle a little Coriander on the top and you are good to go.

Pro Tip: It also helps making food Instagram friendly!

Basil: Herbs as diet, doesn’t only include foods but also beverages. A cup of Tulsi tea every day is said to help balance your body’s PH levels. It thus strengthens your nervous and digestive systems. It’s a perfect herb for treating headaches and loss of sleep too.

Furthermore, since basil stimulates your neurotransmitters, it helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. When added to food, basil helps nullify the ill effects of salt, sugar etc. to a certain extent.

Ashwagandha: Also known as Indian Ginseng, Ashwagandha has been used since ancient times to decrease stress and increase body’s stamina and immunity. The ideal way to consume it is adding it to your daily tea or turmeric milk. Apart from the benefits associated with mind, it also helps in treating arthritis, menstrual problems and in lowering sugar levels.

Every herb has its unique purpose and medicinal value. Do consult your doctor about the amount and method of consumption before considering herbs as diet components. To keep your medical expenses at bay, connect with financial experts at ManipalCigna. Get in touch today: https://manipalcigna.com/