Herbs Commonly Used in African Cuisine

By Rose Swartz July 3, 2023 17 mins read 119 Views

Herbs are an integral part of African cuisine and they add flavor, aroma, and color to a variety of dishes. Whether you're planning to try a new recipe that includes African flavors or simply want to incorporate them into your own cooking, you'll want to know which herbs are commonly used in Africa.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is a spice derived from dehydrated garlic and used for flavour enhancement in cooking. It is made by drying and dehydrating garlic cloves, then powdering it through machinery or home-based appliances depending on the scale of production.

Garlic powder is more mellow and concentrated than fresh garlic and has a balanced flavor. It is often used in a variety of recipes such as sauces, marinades and dry rubs. It also tastes great on roasted meats and vegetables.

Ground Allspice

Ground Allspice is a versatile spice that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. It is often paired with other spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a unique flavor profile.

It is most commonly associated with the jerk seasoning that is popular in Caribbean cuisine, but it can be found in many other recipes as well.

Allspice is made from the berries of the Pimenta dioica tree, which grows in Central America. It is harvested when the berries are still green and sun-dried until they turn brown.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an aromatic, spicy and richly flavoured spice used to add depth to many savoury dishes. It can be ground or whole in cooking to give your dishes a warming, deep-flavoured note.

Its flavour comes from a complex mixture of oils, primarily the essential oil cinnamaldehyde, which is thought to have anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Studies in animal and test-tube experiments suggest it may also have anti-cancer effects.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a herb of the pea family (Fabaceae). It has a slightly sweet, nutty, and earthy flavor.

It is often used as a spice to add a distinct flavor to curries and stews. Use it sparingly as overuse can cause bitterness in food.

It is also used to help reduce bleeding during menstruation. Women with painful periods have reported that fenugreek has reduced pain and discomfort.

Baharat

Baharat is a blend of spices commonly used in Middle Eastern and North African cuisines. It’s a versatile all-purpose seasoning that adds a unique flavor to dishes.

It can be added to a variety of recipes including soups, stews and vegetables. It’s also a great dry rub for meat and fish.

This spice blend is often found in Middle Eastern and North African markets or you can make it yourself at home. It’s an easy and delicious way to enhance your cooking.

Caraway

Caraway seeds, also known as meridian fennel or Persian cumin, are a common spice used in recipes around the world. They can be ground into a powder or used whole.

They have a pungent, anise-like flavor and aroma. They have been used in culinary and medicinal applications for centuries across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

They are best crushed or ground with a mortar and pestle to release their flavor. They are often added to stews, soups, and other meat dishes.

Anise Seed

Anise seed adds a distinct, licorice flavor to dishes. You can use it to flavor sweet baked goods, like Italian anise cookies, or savory dishes, like sausage.

It also makes a nice addition to liqueurs, including absinthe. You can purchase ground or whole anise seeds in your spice aisle at the supermarket.

Keep anise seed in a tightly sealed container at room temperature away from heat, humidity, and direct sunlight to prevent it from spoiling.

Berbere

Berbere is a hot spice blend that is an essential part of Ethiopian and Eritrean cooking. It adds warmth, earthiness and sweetness to dishes.

Berbere can be used to season stews, vegetables and soups. It can also be used as a dry rub for meats or poultry.

Traditional berbere is made with over a dozen spices. These include chili peppers, fenugreek, ginger, cinnamon, allspice and more.

Ras el Hanout

Ras el Hanout is an aromatic blend of spices used in Moroccan and North African cooking to season tagines, meats, vegetables and stews. It's also an excellent spice to keep in your pantry as a flavorful addition to rice dishes, soups and more.

It can contain up to 40 different spices, many of which are not commonly found in other spice blends. The recipe varies from region to region and family to family, with no two ras el hanout blends being the same!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make medicinal herbs?

There are many different methods to make herbs into medicinal products. The most common method is to dry the herbs in a warm, dark location before grinding them into a powder or extracting their essential oils. This can be accomplished by hanging herbs upside down in bunches, laying herbs on a drying screen, or using a food dehydrator.

Once dried and ground, herbs can be stored in airtight containers for future use. Other herbs may require special preparation, such as infusing herbs into oil or vinegar, making tinctures with alcohol, or distilling herbs to create essential oils.

Learning the correct techniques for preparing herbs can help ensure that they retain their medicinal properties and potency for optimal health benefits. Using fresh herbs is usually best, but herbs can also be grown in a pot or garden and harvested when they are mature. Herbs can be purchased at health food stores, online retailers, and specialty shops.

No matter where herbs come from, the preparation techniques remain the same; drying herbs in a warm location followed by grinding or extracting the essential oils. You can make your medicinal herbs with the right herbs and preparation techniques.

When making herbal preparations, it is essential to remember that herbs can vary in potency, so always dilute herbs before use or follow the directions on any product label. Additionally, herbs are best used fresh, as many of their beneficial components degrade over time.

Following safety guidelines and paying attention to the potency of herbs can help ensure that you get the most benefit from your herbs. With a bit of practice and preparation, anyone can make therapeutic herbs with medicinal properties. Remember that herbs should never replace any medical advice or treatments prescribed by a doctor. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally.

Is basil good for kidneys?

The answer is yes. Basil is an excellent food for kidney health. It contains potassium which helps reduce high blood pressure. It also contains vitamin K, which is essential for bone strength. As well as this, it is rich in antioxidants which help protect against heart disease.

Basil is great for digestion too. It contains digestive enzymes that break down protein and carbohydrates. This makes it easier to absorb nutrients from your meals.

Basil is a wonderful addition to any diet. Try sprinkling some over pasta dishes, salads, soups, and sandwiches. Or add little stir-fried vegetables, chicken, fish, meat, and tofu.

It's delicious in pesto sauce and fresh in salad dressings. You'll find many recipes online where you can learn how to cook with basil.

Try making basil oil by adding a few drops of pure olive oil to a jar filled with chopped basil leaves. Let it steep overnight, and then strain out the leaves. Use the oil as a massage oil or rub it onto your skin.

It will leave your skin soft and smooth.

What are the side effects of basil?

Basil is an herb that originated in tropical regions of India, Africa, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile.

The plant is easy to grow in most climates and requires little maintenance. Basil also thrives in poor soil conditions and is very drought tolerant.

As for the health benefits, more than 200 known compounds are found in basil, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, lignans, polysaccharides, essential oils, vitamins, and minerals.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, basil contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties which may help relieve symptoms associated with arthritis, asthma, allergies, bronchitis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, digestive disorders, depression, eczema, insomnia, infections, migraines, osteoporosis, psoriasis, respiratory problems, stress, and ulcers.

Basil is also a culinary spice and is often added to tomato sauces, soups, salads, pasta dishes, rice dishes, dips, casseroles, pizza toppings, pesto, chicken wings, and popcorn.

However, like all herbs, basil should be consumed in moderation. Too much of anything is not good for you. For example, eating large amounts of basil could lead to stomach upset. And if you have sensitive tummies, avoid consuming basil during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor before taking herbal supplements.

You should only take one type of supplement at a time. If you take other medications, make sure they do not interact with each other.

You should never use herbs while on medication unless directed by your doctor.

Some people experience allergic reactions when using herbs, especially those allergic to ragweed. Symptoms include hives, swelling around the mouth or eyes, shortness of breath, chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, fainting, heart palpitations, blurred vision, loss of consciousness, seizures, or even death.

Some people who take certain medications may develop an allergy to basil. These drugs include:

Antacids (like Alka Seltzer)
Anti-anxiety medicines (Valium, Xanax, Ativan, etc.)
Beta-blockers (like Propranolol)
Blood thinners (like Coumadin)
Calcium channel blockers (like Amlodipine)
Cholesterol-lowering drugs (like Lipitor, Zocor, Mevacor, and Pravachol)
Diabetes medicine (like Glucophage)
Diuretics (like Lasix)
Heartburn medicines (like Prilosec OTC)
Hormone therapy (like Premarin, Tamoxifen, Femara)
Insulin (like Humalog, Lantus, Novolin R)
NSAIDs (like Aleve, Motrin, Advil, Excedrin, Tylenol, Ibuprofen)
Oral contraceptives (like Ortho Evra, Yasmin, Loestrin, Ovrette, Yaz, and Seasonale)
Pain relievers (like Aspirin, Celebrex, Vicodin, Percodan, Darvocet, Dilaudid, Fiorinal, Tylenol 3s, Naproxen, Motrin, Tramadol, Ultram, Voltaren

Statistics

Studies have shown that cinnamon can lower fasting blood sugars by 10-29% in diabetic patients, which is a significant amount (9Trusted Source10Trusted (healthline.com)
The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.

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How To

How do I know if my herbs have been treated with pesticides?

If you see a pesticide label on your herbs, the plants were sprayed with chemicals before being sold to you.

These chemicals harm human health and could cause cancer or other serious illnesses.

Unfortunately, this practice has become common around the globe. Many countries allow farmers to spray their crops with pesticides without proper regulation.

In order not to harm themselves, consumers should always ask about the source of their produce. If it comes from a farmer near you, it’s safe to assume it was not treated with pesticides.

However, there are still ways to ensure that your herbs are free from harmful chemicals.

However, if you want to ensure that your herbs aren’t contaminated, you can purchase organic herbs directly from the farm.

This way, you won’t need to worry about the safety of your herbs. You can trust that they weren’t exposed to harmful chemicals.