Category: Herbs

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Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) [French: Gingembre, German: Ingwer Spanish: Jengibre], popularly and inaccurately sold as ginger root, is a rhizome or stem. Ginger is known traditionally for its medicinal and nutritional value including aiding digestion, common cold or cough. This herb is originated and is widely used throughout South Asia and East Asia. It contributes greatly towards health benefits and is regarded as a food medicine for various ailments.

Ginger is a large tuberous horizontal perennial plant having knots. The leaves and rhizome have characteristic fragrant odour when cut or bruised. Rhizomes are dug out after the leafy parts are dried. It is sold as fresh ginger in the market or are peeled, sliced and dried. Dried ginger powder is also widely used.

Mint (Scientific Name: Mentha Arrensis/ Piperita) is popular spice and widely used in cooking. It is erect, perennial plant with oval shaped, delicate, dark green and fragrant leaves. The leaves have strong, pungent odour while acrid taste. The leaves can be well mixed with other mild tasting leaves and herbs.

Because of numerous health benefits of mint, it is often referred to as a wonder herb. Mint is native of temperate Europe. The Romans and Greeks knew about this plant and its medicinal properties from ancient times. It was believed that Mentha, the damsel lover of God Pluto was transformed into mint due to the anger of Prosarpain, the wife of Pluto and Goddess of wealth. Hence it got its name Mentha. Ancient Greek physician, Saufarsats used it in the preparation of various carminative medicines. Even ancient Mohammadan, Chinese and Japanese physicians were familiar with this spice.

Mint is cultivated in most parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. Although there are different species of mint found all over the most common among them are Peppermint, Spearmint, Wildmint, Pennroyal and Berg mint. Mint was used as a remedy for ailments related to digestive tract, oral, respiratory and skin disorders. Mint was often used as an air freshener. During the middle ages powdered mint leaves were used to whiten teeth. Mint finds use in the Ayurveda as ‘Ark Pudina’, which is generally prescribed after delivery as it is a possessor of the property of uterus retraction.

Parsley [Scientific name: Petrocelinum Crispum] also known as Persele, it is one of the most widely used herb. The name Parsley is derived from greek word which means ‘rock celery’. This herb with is vibrant taste has amazing medicinal and healing properties. Most popular use of this herb has been for garnishing.

Ancient Greek medicines find use of Parsley. Medicinal use of Parsley is also found in traditional Indian Ayurveda, where it is used in different forms like dried root or essential oil.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) derived its name from from the Greek ‘basiikon phyton’ which means ‘kingly herb’. French consider it royale, while Indians consider Basil sacred and holy. Every Hindu house has plant of Tulsi or Basil shrub and is worshipped.

Basil has refreshing clove like aroma. This aroma is complementary to tomatoes and other vegetables. Hence it is also referred as “Tomato herb”. It is also used in garnishing salads and other foods.Stem and leaves of Basil are known to have health benefits and medicinal use. Basil leaves contains essential oil – estragol, eugenol, lineol, caffine, beta carotene, camphor and Vitamin C. It is rich in vitamins A and C and contains minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and calcium.

Health benefits of Basil are attributed to its properties as antispasmodic, carminative, stomachic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, insecticide. Health benefits of Basil are summarized below: