How To Use Healthy Aromatic Herbs Instead Of Salt
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Aromatic herbs are healthy; use herbs instead of salt
Herbs instead of Salt? We use Salt (or Sodium) to make our food tastier, but often we use too much. There are herbs that enhance the taste, are even healthy, and make our food delicious. Many of these herbs have antioxidants and other health benefits. Some are beneficial for our digestion or can reduce inflammation.
In recent times, we have heard a lot about the healing properties of turmeric and ginger, both of which are herbs that we can use to reduce salt and increase the taste of our meals. Other herbs and spices are basil, black pepper, cayenne, cilantro, coriander, and dill.
These herbs have been used in Ayurveda since ancient times to balance our doshas. Learn how to use these herbs and spices to reduce the amount of salt in your food, making it tastier, more delicious, and healthier, and see their effects on our doshas.
Use Healthy Aromatic Herbs Instead Of Salt
7 Herbs That Taste Better Than Salt
We need sodium to support the body’s hydration and electrolyte balance, but we tend to rely on it more than we need to.
The average American sodium intake is 3,400 mg per day, while the FDA recommends 2,300 mg or less. Individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease who are 51 years or older should limit their daily sodium intake to 1,500 mg or less.
Below is a breakdown of the effects of different herbs on specific doshas from The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. Vasant Lad and David Frawley.
7 Herbs That Taste Better Than Salt
Basil is pungent and heating. It decreases Kapha and Vata and increases Pitta.
Example: Try swapping salted tomatoes for tomatoes sprinkled with whole basil leaves. You can use the chiffonade cutting technique for long, thin ribbons—stack ten leaves, roll them into a cigar shape, and then slice them into strips.
Black Pepper is pungent and heating. It decreases Kapha and Vata and increases the Pitta dosha. This is a great digestive stimulant that can relieve gas and neutralize toxins.
Example: On your next plate of crunchy steamed veggies, sprinkle with fresh ground pepper and a splash of lemon juice for some delicious flavor.
Cayenne is very pungent and heating. It decreases Kapha and Vata and increases Pitta. It can relieve indigestion, stimulate digestion, and is great for circulation.
Example: Add cayenne to cucumbers and jicama with a splash of fresh lime for a tasty, mid-day snack. Add some fresh, chopped cilantro, and mmm, mmm!
Coriander (aka cilantro) is bitter, pungent, and cooling. It balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. When all three doshas are balanced, this is called tridoshic. In general, coriander is good for hot summer days.
Example: When baking fish, add some delicate herbs such as coriander, basil, or dill near the very end of cooking or just before serving as an alternative to the saltshaker.
Continue reading here: 7 alternatives to salt to make food taste great
See also > Is Black Salt Better than Regular Salt?
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