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Herbes de Provence is a mixture of herbs that comes from sunny Provence in the south of France. Many people use these herbs to enrich the taste and aroma of dishes, incl. soups, sauces or salads. This is not their only advantage. Provencal herbs have many he alth-promoting properties that are worth knowing about. The dietitian answers which people should use this spice more often!

Provencal Herbsis the basis of traditional Provencal cuisine, known for its fresh meats, cheeses, eggs and locally grown vegetables. Chefs combine ingredients with Provencal herbs, which is why they produce some of the he althiest dishes in the world.Without Provencal herbs, there would be no Mediterranean cuisine.

Provencal herbs and their short history

Herbes de Provencecome from Provence in the south of France. Initially, the term "Provencal herbs" meant a universal, multifunctional mixture of herbs. Their popularity gradually grew and in the 1960s, when the famous American cooking teacher Julia Child included the recipe for Poulet Sauté aux Herbes de Provence in her cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". It is her merit thatProvencal herbs have been appreciated by chefs around the worldand entered the culinary canon. In the 1970s, the French brand Ducros began shipping Provencal herbs for sale abroad, and today you can get them right away. This composition of aromatic herbs can be found in almost every kitchen.

What are the properties of Provencal herbs?

We asked dietitian Armand Jabłoński about whether Provencal herbs are he althy, who explained that "thanks to a fairly rich mixturethey bring many useful nutrients to the dietand thus they can have also a positive effect on he alth ”. Herbes de Provence createseight popular and popular species of spices that have many he alth-promoting properties. They are:

  • Basil(Ocimum Basilicum ) - an indispensable plant in Italian cuisine. Its aromatic leaves enrich the taste and aroma of many dishes, but also have a beneficial effect on he alth. Basil is a richsource of vitamins (including A, B2, B6, C and E) and antioxidants. It reduces inflammation and slows down the aging process.
  • Savory( Satureja Hortensis L.)- is a plant that is commonlyused to treat many he alth ailments , including headache, cough, and stomach upset. Due to the content of vitamin C and zinc, it also supports the immune system.
  • Estragon( Artemisia Dracunculus)- named after mugwort draganek,has antihyperglycaemic effects , which means it reduces blood glucose levels. It can also increase your appetite, prevent gas and relieve the pain of osteoarthritis.
  • Bay leaf( Laurus Nobilis ) - known for its numerous he alth-promoting properties. It is irreplaceable in cleansing the body of toxins,supports the digestive process and slimming . It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal effects.
  • Marjoram (Origanum Majorana L. syn. Majorana Hortensis)- is a close relative of oregano. It is commonly used in a variety of kitchens. Two tablespoons of marjoram contain antioxidants, vitamins (including A, C, B6, K) and minerals (including calcium, iron, magnesium). Marjoram is also often used as a natural remedy for runny nose, cough, sick sinuses, digestion and weight loss.
  • Oregano( Origanum Vulgare L.)is a plant that has a positive effect on the functioning of the whole organism, incl.supports the work of the respiratory system, has a bactericidal and calming effect . It is worth using oregano in rheumatism, gastric neurosis and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Rosemary( Rosmarinus)- this is a Mediterranean herb thathelps relieve muscle pain, strengthens the immune system and cardiovascular system and improves memory. It also stimulates proper hair growth.
  • Thyme( Thymus Vulgaris)- supports the functioning of the immune system thanks to the content of vitamin C (the so-called l-ascorbic acid) and has an appropriate effect on the respiratory and digestive systems.It also relieves cough (especially tiring cough), rheumatic pains (RA) and vaginitis.

Why is it worth using Provencal herbs?

Each herb, both individually and in this Provencal mixture, is very he althy. Among them - according to dietitian Armand Jabłoński -it is worth paying attention to anti-inflammatory effects, e.g. oregano and basil , which also have a high calcium content in the dried version. "

- Mix of Provencal herbs used regularlyit can also help to reduce inflammation in our body. Herbes de Provenceare perfect for the diet of people suffering from hypertension . Their feature is to enhance the taste of dishes, making them ideal for a diet with a reduced supply of s alt as its replacement - said the specialist in an interview with our website serwisnikzdrowie.pl.

Provencal herbs contain alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins, whichcan help lower blood pressure and have a relaxing and bactericidal effect.This unique blend of herbs is devoid of flavors (e.g. s alt), artificial colors and flavors.

Dietitian Armand Jabłoński noted that "it is strongly recommendednot to use Provencal herbs in case ofallergy or intolerance to any of its ingredients." - Before use, it is worth reading the description on the packaging carefully - he added.

What to use Provencal herbs for?

- Provencal herbs are worth using especially for Mediterranean cuisine. They are perfectfor people who want to improve their he alth . You can also add a mixture of herbs to our home-made soups, sauces, meats and salads - suggests dietitian Armand Jabłoński.

Provencal herbs are most often added to dishes to bring out their flavor! We suggest what to use them for:

  1. Season meat or fish.Brush the meat with olive oil, season with kosher s alt and Provencal herbs, and then grill, grill or bake it as you wish.
  2. Add Provencal herbs to soups, stews, sauces and salad dressingsfor an original Provencal flavor.
  3. Try experimenting with Provencal herbsin different proportions for different dishes.

How to make your own Provencal herbs?

To make your own Provencal herbal blend, you will need:

  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon of dried rosemary (you must first grind it in a mill)
  • 1 tablespoon dried tarragon
  • 1 tablespoon dried savory
  • 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 crushed bay leaf

Then put the herbs in the bowl andmix everything to combine the ingredients . Store the mixture of Provencal herbs in an airtight container and use it to flavor your favorite dishes.

Bibliography:

  • W. Kudełka, A. Kosowska;Determinant ingredients of spices and seasoning herbstheir functional properties and their role in human nutrition and disease prevention ; Scientific Papers of the Cracow University of Economics, No. 781, 2008.
  • Herbes de Provence: Flavors of the French Countryside.

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