HEALING HERBS OF THE AEGEAN

Aegean herbs such as blessed thistle, baby's tears,  cibez (type of a cruciferous vegetable), stinging nettle, lamb's-ear, etc. are essential part of cuisines and spring diets. Aegean herbs and artichoke, which play a major part in Mediterranean-style eating, are good for strengthening digestive system, beautifying the skin, cleansing the liver, and playing a major role in the regression of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension. 

Tolgahan Kamiloğlu, Trainer Chef at Department of Culinary Arts and Management, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), gave information about Aegean cuisine which is an important source of healthy eating. Kamiloğlu stated that nutritionists recently started to focus on eating styles instead of individual nutrients. “The fact that certain diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and hypertension being fairly low in Mediterranean countries especially, turns the heads to eating-style in those countries. A diet which includes grains, legumes, fresh produce, fish, and olive oil stands out. Consuming herbs and fish mainly in Aegean Region especially is a typical Mediterranean diet. Aegean cuisine is known for its herbs. Blessed thistle, baby's tears, radicchio, stinging nettle, wild radish, cibez, and lamb’s-ear are among the most consumed herbs. The formula to healthy living requires changes in our diets,” said Kamiloğlu.

Chef Kamiloğlu reported that the herbs were used in salads, soups, and meats, and as roasted. Each have health benefits such as lowering cholesterol, easing digestion, and constipation, healing bronchitis and diabetes, etc., said Kamiloğlu and added that artichoke, the star of the 3^rd Artichoke Festival that would take place on April 28-30, was also good for digestive system and cholesterol. Kamiloğlu, who stated that world famous chefs would be cooking artichoke with traditional and contemporary recipes, said, “The Ancient Greeks and Romans ate artichoke to help with digestion. It is a very good diuretic, it regulates kidney and liver function, and it lowers cholesterol. The most preferred style of consuming artichoke is as an olive oil dish.  Our chefs and students will be preparing variety of artichoke dishes that appeal to everyone’s taste”.

Health Benefits of Aegean Herbs

Baby's tears

Good for bronchitis, constipation, diabetes, gastritis, stomach-ache, loss of appetite, respiratory and urinary tract infections.

Lamb's-ear

The boiled roots can be used as diuretic, biligenic, and antifebrile.

Blessed thistle

Eases digestion, eases constipation, it is used as diuretic.

Radicchio

Good for strength, endurance, and energy. Stops coughing and it is a good expectorant, can be used as diuretic, and helps passing kidney and gallstone.

Cibez

Works up an appetite, eases digestion, eases constipation. It is usually preferred in diets because it gives satiety.

Wild radish

It includes refreshing essential oils, can be used as pain reliever.