Is it possible to improve your health while enjoying tasty dishes? When I talk about improving one’s health, I am not referring to losing weight alone, but rather to taking care of one’s body, in order to preserve it from disease and even to treat it if necessary. All this is possible by enhancing your kitchen with essential oils.
Essential oils
Essential oils are natural oily compounds that have been extracted from a plant, root, seed, leaf or flower. This fragrant compound is then mixed with a base oil to create a ready-to-use product. The use of essential oils has become a popular alternative method for treating conditions such asinsomniaI’anxietythe depression and the muscle aches. But did you know that a drop of essential oil can also be used to add a splash of flavor to your favorite dish?
Can you cook with essential oils safely?
The use of essential oils in the kitchen is a very controversial. In fact, they are very concentrated and endowed with incomparable power. This is why some people think that their consumption can be dangerous to health. Indeed, before adding this concentrate of active ingredients to your daily cooking, it is safer to consult a health professional. Especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. When they are badly used (undiluted or badly diluted), essential oils can be harmful for the intestinal flora, the wall of the digestive tract, the liver as well as the kidneys. Finally, some of the most popular oils should not be consumed beyond certain dosages.
Rest assured, there are safe ways to cook with essential oils to get the most out of their health benefits. Indeed, adding small amounts of essential oils to your recipes can really boost the flavor and positive health impact of many foods. Aromatherapists agree that the key to cooking safely with essential oils is to make sure they are properly diluted and well mixed in a dish that will necessarily contain fat.
It is very important to understand which essential oils are safe for cooking, as well as how much to use.
Plant essence on our plates
Take the example of the essential oil of basil. Very effective to fight against stomach disorders (Aerophagia, gastritis, pancreatic insufficiency, nausea, digestive spasms, gastroenteritis) as well as to facilitate digestion. The lemon he will pleasantly refresh your dishes. Indeed, it will allow a better circulation of the blood and will revitalize you. Use it effectively to fight against hypertension, phlebitis or varicose veins.
In summer, mix one or two drops of essential oil of lemon with a little honey and dilute everything in a carafe of water. Put in the fridge and serve chilled! During the hot weather, there is nothing more refreshing except perhaps the essential oil of pepper mint. Are you stressed, nervously tired and lacking in tone? A small drop of essential oil coriander in your dressing will help you deal with this kind of period of general fatigue. Then, oregano, friend of basil, will help you to have good digestion, but also to avoid bloating to allow you to keep a flat stomach. Use it to flavor your rice or pasta, adding two to three drops to the cooking water.
In case of excess food, the grapefruit is benefactor. A drop or two in a fruit salad will do you good. I will end here with the he of vanilla. Use it if you want to stimulate your appetite or that of yours. Indeed, the uses of vanilla are numerous. In a custard, jam, compote, sorbet, it’s absolutely delicious! A small drop of vanilla essential oil in a bowl of hot chocolate. Pleasure guaranteed!
What essential oils can I use in cooking?
Some oils should only be used for aromatic or topical use. Take for example eucalyptus, white fir, birch, cedar wood and wintergreen. However, there are essential oils that are safe for cooking when used correctly:
- HE of Pepper mint. Beneficial for digestion, peppermint oil adds a note of freshness to many desserts.
- HE of Thyme. Perfect for savory dishes such as broth, or soups of all kinds. It can also help with candidiasis and acne.
- HE of Cinnamon. Powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, it will heat up your favorite dishes, coffees or hot chocolate.
- HE of Ginger. A formidable weapon to aid digestion, it goes perfectly with the preparation of Asian cuisine.
- HE of Lavender. In addition to being relaxing, it is delicious in desserts.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5302348/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8708446/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4321600/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265747/
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