Page 17 - Baking Europe Journal - Winter 2022

INGREDIENTS
MEDICINAL HERBS 17

“Culinary medicine is being described as a

new evidence-based fi eld in medicine that

blends the art of food and cooking with the

science of medicine.”

subulatum), Coriander (Coriandrum health benefi ts of typical dietary the safety profi les of some, but has
sativum), Turmeric (Curcuma longa) items. John La Puma MD cites studies not produced strong evidence
and Ginger (Zingiber offi cinale), for in support of allowing chopped garlic regarding practitioner prescribing and
the role they can play in the to rest for ten minutes before eff ectiveness.
prevention and management of cooking, to allow its allicin and
heart disease. thiosulfi nate levels to rise, thus European harmonisation of local
improving the antiplatelet pragmatic measures to ensure the
They concluded that more complete aggregation benefi ts which help to safety of available herbal medicines
information is needed about the keep the blood thin and fl owing. He appeared in the EU Directive on
actual exposures to these dietary also provides evidence for the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products
components that are required to practice of some Asian patients who which applies to manufactured herbal
bring about a response. More have consulted me, who take the medicinal products sold over the
rigorous clinical trials at normal levels above stated lower dose of turmeric counter and prohibits the continued
of consumption are needed to daily for their health in combination sale of unlicensed products.
determine long-term benefi ts, as well with a fat – in this case yoghourt Unfortunately, these products,
as to assess adverse eff ects if taken at – and with a pinch of black pepper to manufactured without a licence
higher concentrations, especially if improve the otherwise very low under the scheme, are very limited in
consumed over longer periods. For bioavailability of the cucurminoids scope and represent only a fraction of
the sake of comparison, the dosage and maximise anti-infl ammatory, liver- the preparations herbalists actually
range of such herbal medicines in stimulating and improved gut make and sell. Brexit has, of course,
therapeutic quantities, taken from a function eff ects. since separated us from Europe and it
repository of current practice is currently a moot point as to
knowledge among UK herbalists, Of course, breads and baked goods whether this and other European laws
might be stated: green cardamom with full therapeutic quantities of will continue to apply in the UK.
(Elettaria cardamomum), similar to culinary herbs and spices determined
greater cardamom, 250mg-6g/day; by the evidence of clinical trials Baked goods can contain well-known
coriander 1-30g/day; turmeric 4g 1-2 would inevitably test the boundary medicinal herbs and spices in safe
times daily; ginger, dried 0.75-3g/ between food and medicine. This has levels and it is undoubtedly the case
day, fresh 1.5-9g/day. been a disputed area since the that these ingredients confer health
popularity of herbal medicines, along benefi ts and can do so on an ongoing
These are wide ranges which can with other complementary modalities, basis, little and often over a lifetime.
easily cover the quantity of these was revived in the 1980s and 1990s. What other herbal medicines may be
spices included in current bread There was a fear that herbal of benefi t in the future, to be
recipes and which point to medicines would end up being incorporated into breads and cakes
therapeutic benefi ts when consumed labelled as foods rather than that may claim to confer health
in a normal diet over long periods. medicinal substances. Funded benefi ts? Some possibilities have had
Studies can also be used to identify research has explored herbs as a to be ruled out on the grounds of
simple adaptations to maximise the source for drugs and has documented safety and of taste.

BAKINGEUROPE Winter 2022/2023
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