Why we should eat more flowers and herbs

In a healthy diet flowers, plants and herbs are just as important as vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. They provide more variation and colour on your plate, offer your body other nutrients than fruits and vegetables can and are often the nicest finishing touch of your dishes.

 

FLOWERS

More likely than not, you already eat some flowers and plants without being aware of it. Think of artichoke bottoms, broccoli or cauliflower, for example.

Get Creative with Edible Flowers

With real flowers such as rosebuds, lavender, hibiscus, and cornflower you add something special to your dishes. You can get creative with edible flowers. There is a variety of recipes available which use edible flowers to make things such as Flower Sugar, Flower Vinegar and Flower Vodka. Keep in mind, however, when using edible flowers in your recipes, there are a couple of things you should pay attention to:

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Flowers bought in a flower shop have often been sprayed with ‘plant protection products’ which make the flowers unsuitable for consumption. Even with organically grown flowers this can be the case. Make sure to always ask the shopkeeper. 

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You can eat flowers from all known herbs: lavender, chives, dill, thyme, celery, rosemary, basil, mint. 

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    Remember to remove stampers and stamens before consuming your edible flowers. This will reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. 

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    When using flowers other than dried flowers, the youngest flowers are the most delicious. Older flowers may taste bitter. 

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Flowers can be medicinal when their beneficial substances are concentrated in extracts or tinctures. If you are not really looking for their medicinal properties, just let the flowers’ aromas work for you.

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Dried flower petals can be added to any of your teas to give it a unique and different flavour.

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Allow the flower petals to steep in warm water and use this water to add a subtle flower taste to your dishes. You can add it to your pancake batter, for example. 

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Dried flowers can be put into a small linen pouch and be used to perfume your linen.

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There is 1 flower which is the exception to the ‘stamper rule’: the saffron crocus (crocus sativus). Here, it is the red female stampers that should be used in the kitchen to prepare your meals, to add flavour and give off a deep, yellow colour. Instead of removing the stampers and throwing them out, you want to keep them, dry them and then grind them into saffron.

The medicinal properties of saffron have been used since the beginning of mankind to positively influence mood. In the Chinese and Ayurvedic traditions, Saffron is namely used with depression, anxiety or as an aphrodisiac. It is the two natural antioxidants crocin and safranal that make saffron beneficial for the body. As antidepressant, the two substances ensure that more serotonin is available in the nervous system, meaning it counteracts depression in a natural way. 

PLANTS OR HERBS

Herbs can also be very beneficial for the human body. Think of adaptogens and warming herbs, for example. Plants are often used in alternative medicine practices. Maca, for example, is used to boost the libido, ashwagandha is used to treat fertility problems, and ginger is used to strengthen the body.

Adaptogens Put Everything in Order Again

What are adaptogens? Adaptogens are plants or herbs without a specific function, that can help the body restore its balance after being stressed or a certain reaction has taken place. They help the body process physiological, biochemical and psychological stress.

Adaptogens are plants that can live in extreme weather conditions and at exceptional heights. They adjust themselves to the extreme conditions. Adaptogens are able to do the same when we consume them; they can adapt to stress.

You can think of adaptogens’ work like a thermostat; the thermostat regulates the temperature so that the desired temperature of the room can remain constant. Adaptogens provide peace and more energy at the same time, to restore and maintain the natural homeostasis of the body. They have a regulating effect on hormone levels, blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

Adaptogens, therefore, work indirectly on the nervous system and improve performance. They work as a stress resistant tonic for the human body.

Examples of adaptogens include ashwaganda, astragalus, ginseng, licorice, tulsi, rhodiola and certain mushrooms.

Tulsi, Rhodiola, Ashwagandha and Maca Are Adaptogens in Adapto 

Tulsi (Holy Basil): Tulsi has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. This herb fights the negative consequences of stress in the body, which is often the cause of many illnesses and ailments. It nourishes the organs, which are often the first to suffer when stressed. In a stressed state the blood and oxygen supply mainly goes to the muscles – so that the body can react quickly and ‘flight’ – which creates a shortage amongst the organs. Tulsi fights this.

Rhodiola (roseroot): Rhodiola grows in cold, mountainous areas and has been used for thousands of years to help the body deal with the stress of low temperatures and heights. It is the substance rosavine in the Rhodiola which is good for you. In the body, it works at ‘cell level’: it improves the oxygen transport of red blood cells. And more oxygen is equal to more energy. Your body is given a boost both mentally and physically. You can think better and move faster, you feel less tired and are less likely to suffer from mood swings.

Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng): Ashwagandha regulates the immune system and brings us peace. It has been used for thousands of years in Eastern medicine, as a powerful adaptogen to support the functioning of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for the production of cortisol. When someone is stressed, it is possible that the adrenal glands may become depleted and overtime the production of cortisol is distorted. Ashwagandha can prevent this and could also lessen stress and depressing feelings.

Maca: Maca has been grown in Peru for over 3000 years. The Incas ate this crop often before going into battle because it gave them an inexhaustible amount of energy. Due to the positive influence of maca on the energy levels, the stamina and the libido, maca is also known as the ‘Peruvian ginseng’. As adaptogen maca is loved because of the large number of supporting fatty acids and sterols it contains. Maca also ensures there is more oxygen in the blood, which creates more endurance and allows the mind to be more alert.

Warming Herbs Awaken the Flame of Your Digestion

Flamuno is the detox specialist amongst the Botanico mixes. The warming herbs in this blend will light the flame of your digestion. Think of rosemary, ginger, black pepper, clove and cinnamon. Turmeric also falls into the category of warming herbs according to the Ayurvedic practices.

Warming or heating herbs, however, are not adaptogens – they will not survive extreme weather conditions and perhaps not even a cold winter – but the beneficial effect they have on the body should not be underestimated. They are also tonics for the body and mind. Weakness and depressions lessen. And you’ll feel a boost. Blood flow through the entire body is stimulated which means everything will have access to a better supply of oxygen and nutrients.

Rosemary: one of the most warming and circulation-improving plants

Ginger: stimulates certain receptors in the stomach that give you a warm or heated feeling. It is extremely beneficial for the stomach, because in addition to a digestive function, the stomach is also responsible for absorption. Ginger improves the absorption of vitamins and minerals and protects the gastric mucosa.

Tumeric: is still a favourite because of the many valuable qualities. Turmeric is anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, rich in antioxidants and improves digestion, the separation of the digestive enzymes and liver function. For this reason, Turmeric was given its own blend, the Curcumax Botanico-mix, here at Amanprana.

Get Started With Edible Flowers and Herbs

Feel like making your own herbs and flower mix? The Orac Spicy and the Orac Mild are the perfect examples of a mix with both herbs and flowers: in Spicy we have added hibiscus and in the Mild mix lavender and marigold were added to the mix.
Are you looking for a blend of adaptogens and warming herbs? Try out Immuno. It is delicious on a sandwich with cheese. Immuno also contains sumac, the miracle berry from the Middle East which has the highest ORAC value of all superfoods.

Which herbs do you like to use most?

Do you have any interesting flavour combinations to share with us?