Herbs Ways: France

Showing posts with label France. Show all posts

Saturday, 20 December 2008

Herbes de Provence - Memories of France

I've been the south of France many times, usually on cycling tours and once there and you cannot fail to be inspired with the French use of herbs. The most famous is named after the region of Provence, called Herbes de Provence, which is are a mixture of dried herbs from the region. Not many people know that it was only invented during the 1970s!

Herbe de Provence is usually a mixture of rosemary, marjoram, basil, bay leaf, thyme, and sometimes lavender flowers and other local based herbs. The amounts of each herb depends very much of the manufacturer, although generally thyme is the mainstay herb which gives the unique taste produced by the herb mixture.

Herbes de Provence is of course used for cooking and many non cooked foods in France. To flavour grilled foods, especially fish and meat dishes as well as many vegetable stews. The herbs are added before or during cooking or infused with cooking oil before being added into the cooked food.

They are usually sold in bags worldwide and part and parcel of all kitchen larder. The mixture doesn't keep fresh for long so it is wise to buy little and ofter, or dry freeze supplies to extend their keep.

If you wish to make you own mixture I have given a simple instructions for this:

Ingredients:

* 3 Tablespoons dried marjoram
* 3 Tablespoons dried thyme
* 3 Tablespoons dried savory
* 1 teaspoon dried basil
* 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
* 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
* 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

Method:

Simply mix all the herbs well and put into and air-tight lidded jar. Store in a cool, dark place and this will be good for up to 6 months.

Monday, 8 December 2008

Aromatherapy - All Good News

Herbs encompass a mass of natural benefits. Probably the area least known about are the positive affects from the scent they produce. It is a fact that we can identify herbs by their distinctive aroma in most cases. These individual aromas actually affect us in different ways by triggering senses in our brain making changes in how we feel. The more we understand about the brain and how reactions from our sense of smell, aromatherapy will play a more significant part in medical practice.

Everyone has heard of aromatherapy and many dismiss the idea of using smells that achieve medical results as ridiculous. I can see why many think this, many because lots of information about aromatherapy that comes from eccentric people who preach about it on a spiritual belief basic. Much is not scientifically based from detailed medical studies. Aromatherapy is still a new alternative medicine and there's still plenty to learn about it.

The basis of aromatherapy comes from the use of essential oils many of them herbal-based oils. These are extracted from plants using a distilling system. The result is a concentrated liquid that are often very fragrant.

Aromatherapy is used in France in combination with other traditional medical practices. The most successful use to date is for the antiseptic properties the essential oils have. Essential oils are sometimes prescribed and administered by French physicians to targeting harmful organisms that may lead to bacterial, viral or fungal infections.

In many developed westernised countries there are traditional medical practices where the scents of different compounds result in the curing of symptoms of many illnesses. An example of this is the well known 'Vicks VapoRub' or 'Halls Cough Lozengers'. These help clear clogged sinuses and throats from the aroma given off. Aromatic chemicals from natural herbs and plants such as menthol and eucalyptus ease those symptoms, which are often associated with colds and flu.

Aromatherapy is also associated with reducing symptoms of stress. Basil oil is a classic example; this is often suggested to ease the effects of depression and to help you to concentrate. Lavender is used for relaxation and calmness. There are even now attachments into USB ports for laptops are being produced that heat up a little essential oil giving off an aroma to help relax the user. A combination of one of the oldest therapies in tandem with the most up to date technology.

Although not aromatherapy is currently not scientifically conclusive in proving its benefits, it's easy enough to notice that pleasant scents can make you feel cheerier, happier and much more at ease. You don't need to be a professor in aromatherapy to work that one out. If the 'proof is in the pudding' so to speak, it wouldn't hurt to practice a little aromatherapy as we all know it does have an effect. What’s more it can’t do any harm unlike many other unpractised medication that can possibly give negative side affect. The worse case scenario with the practice of aromatherapy is that you will be left with being surrounded by beautiful scents. Whether you use aromatherapy for medical purposes or just to relax you will also have some form of benefit.

Saturday, 11 October 2008

Lavender - Sight and Scent to Remember

It was my time in south France that created a love of the lavender scent. It was overpowering throughout many towns and villages that had processed the harvest in the late summer. The beautiful blue fields also stand out as one of the most memorable moments in time.

As well as being attributed to being one of the holy herbs, in biblical times ,during Roman times, lavender flowers were used as a bartered as currency and used in Roman baths to scent the water. Lavender was yet another herb that was introducted to Britain by the Romans. During Black Death, lavender oil was claimed to ward off the Plague.

The lavender flowers can be sugared and used as cake decoration. The most renown use for lavender is the ingredient of herbes de Provence and lavender sugar. Still with the French cooking in and around Provence, they have been incorporating this herb into their cuisine for countless years and long may it live.

There are around 30 different species now cultivated and grown worldwide. The most common cultivated lavender is aptly called the Common Lavender. Many will know that lavenders are widely grown in gardens. Its flower spikes are used extensively for dried flower arrangements. The pale purple flowers and flower buds are used in potpourris and when dried and put in pouches scattered amongst clothing gives a wonderful fresh fragrance. not many know that lavender also acts as a deterrent to moths. Commercial extraction of lavender oil from the flowers is used as an antiseptic and for aromatherapy.

The flowers produce nectar, which yields a high quality honey and is highly prized and marketed worldwide as a premium product.

Essential oil of lavender has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil is also popular used as fragrances for baths. An infusion of lavender acts as a soothing and healing remedy for insect bites. Lavender gathered in bunches are also used to ward off insects.

If laid on your forehead the lavender oil is said to soothe headaches and aid sleep and relaxation. Lavender diluted 1 to10 ratio with water is another remedy claimed for curing acne. This potion can also can be used in the treatment of skin burns.

Many lavender products can be found from food based products right through to cosmetics and oils based health supplements. The diversity is enormous. With all this the herb can still remain a fantastic addition to your garden and is basically very easy to grow and look after.

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Wednesday, 3 September 2008

Tarragon - The French Love It

A popular and versatile herb, tarragon has a strong distinctive flavour, which can be described as a mix of aniseed and vanilla. The leaves are formed as slightly floppy, narrow and tapered growing from its long, thin stem. The French love tarragon and their cuisine uses it extensively, and example is the sauce Béarnaise where tarragon is the most essential ingredient. The tarragon herb goes very well with eggs, cheese and many poultry dishes.

When choosing tarragon look for fresh looking leaves that a have a vibrant colour and no wilting. Most chefs agree that the French tarragon is best. The flavour is subtler compared to the coarser Russian tarragon.

Going back in time the ancient Greeks use tarragon to treat toothache by chewing the leaves. It has properties that are able to numb the mouth. It also has the facility to help prevent heart disease. It was also know to be used during the Middle Ages as an antidote for poisonous snakebites.

Tarragon is used primarily in cooking nowadays, but still has medicinal benefits when added to foods. It is not just the ancient Greeks who knew it is great for the digestive system as well as relieving stomach cramps and promoting appetites.

It is also in many folk remedies for toothaches. It can be used to promote menstruation and fights fatigue as well as an aid to calming nerves. Interestingly enough tarragon can also be substituted for salt, this is perfect for people with high blood pressure and those who wish to reduce their salt intake.

The herb can easily be grown at home in containers for up two or three years with no special care. They can be taken indoors in the winter if you have a sunny windowsill. One plant should be more than enough for an average sized family's requirements.

Tarragon vinegar can be bought but at a price and is never as good as the homemade type, so the recipe is given here for your benefit. It can be used in conjunction with many other recipes but mainly with salads, which turn them into something special.

Tarragon Vinegar Recipe