Nature’s Secret Service: Herbs And Stealth Health

Herbs will help with quick gains  for your health and longevity

Herbs are a British secret weapon.

---

THE BRIEF
Time to read: 5 minutes
Time to action: 10 minutes
Mantra:  MoneyParsely to Mooregano - this is the secret service you need
Main message: Health’s double health agents, exposed
Stat: 20% of us use herbs to help with health (nih.gov)

---

Today’s list; the top 10 things the UK likes to bore other nations about: 

1. Shakespeare

2. Sunday roast

3. The Lake District

4. Only Fools and Horses

5. The Royal Family

6. Tea

7. Football

8. James Bond

9. The NHS

10. Herb gardens

What has this got to do with staying in shape over 40? We’d like to talk to you about the most boring on the list (and therefore the most British), number 10. But also, the most exciting, number 8. Herbs and James Bond.  Herbs and how to use them - 00 style. 

---

“They’re all British secret weapons, the pen grenade of nutrition’s arsenal”

---

Herbs have higher antioxidant activity than fruits, vegetables and some spices. On a gram-for-gram basis, fresh herbs like oregano have 42 times the antioxidants of an apple and four times more than blueberries, according to research by the American Chemical Society. They’re Britain’s secret weapons. The pen grenade of nutrition’s arsenal.

These herbs are well-kept health secrets you need to deploy, to help fight off any fitness spectre that might be lurking in the rearview mirror: 

001 Coriander 

Stealth health: Digestive health, antioxidant content, and potential heavy metal detoxification.

002 Oregano

Stealth health: Immune-boosting, antibacterial effects, and high antioxidant content.

003 Ginger

Stealth health: Anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory support, digestive health and muscle pain reduction.

004 Rosemary 

Stealth health: Cognitive function support, anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant properties.

005 Basil 

Stealth health: Anti-inflammatory support, heart health and antioxidant content.

006 Thyme 

Stealth health: Antimicrobial, antifungal properties, and potential respiratory benefits.

007 Sage 

Stealth health: Cognitive function support, anti-inflammatory effects and oral health.

008 Parsley 

Stealth health: Diuretic properties, kidney health support, and is rich in vitamins and minerals.

009 Turmeric

Stealth health: Anti-inflammatory support, antioxidant properties and joint health.

The big question, of course, is how to deploy your health agents to get the right return with the minimum of fuss. Here are three key recipes that get the job done. Whether it’s blowing up your muscle mass or a cross-border fat extraction - these health agents are as tasty as they are effective. 

Tumeric, ginger chicken with Quinoa

MASS PROVOCATEUR (MUSCLE GAIN)

00’s: Turmeric+Ginger+Rosemary+Basil+Coriander 
aka ‘Turmeric Ginger Chicken with Herbed Quinoa’ 
aka ‘Chicken Galore’ 

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro (coriander), chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

For the Chicken:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a small bowl, mix olive oil, ground turmeric, grated ginger, salt, and pepper to create a paste.

Rub the turmeric-ginger paste over each chicken breast, ensuring they are well-coated.

Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add a bit of olive oil if needed.

Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust.

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until quinoa is cooked and liquid is absorbed.

Fluff the quinoa with a fork and stir in the fresh rosemary, basil, and cilantro.

Season the herbed quinoa with salt and pepper to taste.

Serving:

Serve the Turmeric Ginger Chicken over a bed of the herbed Quinoa. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. This dish is not only rich in flavour but also incorporates the health benefits of turmeric, ginger, rosemary, basil, and coriander. Enjoy!

Golden turkey stir fry.

EXFILRATION OPERATION (WEIGHT LOSS)

00’s: Green Tea+Ginger+Cinnamon+Turmeric+Dandelion
aka ‘Golden Turmeric Turkey Stir-Fry’
aka ‘Turkey Onatopp’ 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground turkey

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari (for a gluten-free option)

• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

• 1 bunch of dandelion greens, washed and chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

• Cooked brown rice or quinoa for serving

  In a sizzling skillet, add the ground turkey. As it browns and crumbles, add fresh ginger and garlic.

  Sprinkle the ground turmeric and cinnamon with a drizzle of soy sauce and honey to infuse the mixture with savoury sweetness.

  Add the dandelion greensfor a burst of colour and a touch of bitterness. Sautée until just wilted.

  Serve over a bed of brown rice or quinoa, with a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a finishing touch of crunch and flavour.

Grilled shrimp with rice & pesto.

OSINT EXCERCISES (LONGEVITY)

Turmeric+Ginseng+Rosemary+Ashwagandha+Holy Basil (Tulsi)
aka ‘Grilled Shrimp, Ashwagandha-infused Rice and Holy Basil Pesto’
aka ‘Octoshrimp’ 

Ingredients:

For Grilled Shrimp:

• 8 large(ish) shrimps, peeled and deveined

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary

• Salt and pepper to taste

For Ashwagandha-infused Rice:

• 1 cup basmati rice

• 2 cups water

• 1 teaspoon ground ashwagandha

For Holy Basil Pesto:

• 1 cup fresh holy basil leaves

• 1/4 cup pine nuts

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 clove garlic

• 1/2 cup olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Grilled Shrimp:

  In a bowl, combine olive oil, ground turmeric, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Toss the shrimp in the mixture, ensuring they are well-coated. Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers and grill until they are cooked through.

  Ashwagandha-infused Rice:
  Rinse basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a pot, combine rice, water, and ground ashwagandha. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the rice is cooked.

  Holy Basil Pesto:
  In a food processor, combine holy basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse while slowly adding olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  Serving:
  Serve the Turmeric-Ginseng-Rosemary Grilled Shrimp over a bed of Ashwagandha-infused Rice. Drizzle Holy Basil Pesto over the shrimp or serve it on the side.

---

DR DRAGON

A GP for an eclectic community, Dragon is a prolific author in the world of health. Award-winning for his content creation and ability to answer the ‘actual’ questions asked of him, his theories are always worth listening to in looking for those little things that can make a real difference in our lives. 

---

Would you like to know more?

DIET AND FAT
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130715134640.htm

THYME
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11130-013-0368-7
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23285814

FENNEL
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3645308/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22447109

PARSLEY
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130520154303.htm

BASIL
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92774/
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/213/2

ROSEMARY
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071030102210.htm

INTRO: YOU NEED MORE HERBS
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/01/020108075158.htm

CURCUMIN AGAINST FAT
Jang E-M, Choi M-S, Jung U, et al. Beneficial effects of curcumin on hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in high-fat-fed hamsters. Metabolism, clinical and experimental 2008;57:1576-1583.

CINNAMON IS THE BOMB
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110810101607.htm

TUMERIC
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25795285

VALERIAN
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19574763

OREGANO REDUCES INFLAMMATION
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080625093147.htm

TUMERIC NUTRITION DATA
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/spices-and-herbs/212/2

GINGER CANCER
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3426621/

TUMERIC CANCER
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/expert-answers/curcumin/faq-20057858