Can I use essential oils in my kitchen?

Is it possible to improve one’s health while enjoying tasty food? When I talk about improving your health, I’m not just talking about losing weight, but rather about taking care of your body, keeping it free of disease and even curing it if necessary. All this is possible by adding essential oils to your cooking.

Essential oils

Essential oils are natural oily compounds that have been extracted from a plant, root, seed, leaf or flower. This fragrant compound is then mixed with a base oil to create a ready-to-use product. The use of essential oils has become a popular alternative method of treating conditions such asinsomnia,anxiety, depression and muscle pain. But did you know that a drop of essential oil can also be used to add a touch of flavour to your favourite dish?

Is it safe to cook with essential oils?

The use of essential oils in cooking is a very controversial subject. Indeed, they are very concentrated and have an incomparable power. This is why some people think that their consumption can be dangerous for your health. Indeed, before adding this concentrated active ingredient to your daily cooking, it is safer to consult a health professional. Especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. When used incorrectly (undiluted or poorly diluted), essential oils can be harmful to the intestinal flora, the lining of the digestive tract, the liver and the kidneys. Finally, some of the most popular oils should not be consumed above certain dosages.

Rest assured, there are safe ways to cook with essential oils to get the most out of their health benefits. In fact, adding small amounts of essential oils to your recipes can really enhance the flavour and positive health impact of many foods. Aromatherapists agree that the key to cooking safely with essential oils is to ensure that they are properly diluted and mixed into a dish that will necessarily contain fat.

It is very important to understand which essential oils are safe to use in cooking, as well as how much to use.

Plant essence on our plates

Let’s take the example of the essential oil of basil. It is very effective in combating stomach disorders (aerophagia, gastritis, pancreatic insufficiency, nausea, digestive spasms, gastroenteritis) as well as facilitating digestion. Lemon oil will pleasantly refresh your dishes. Indeed, it will allow a better blood circulation and will revitalize you. Use it effectively to fight against hypertension, phlebitis or varicose veins.

In summer, mix one or two drops of lemon with a little honey and dilute it in a jug of water. Put in the fridge and serve chilled! During hot weather, there is nothing more refreshing than peppermint essential oil. Are you stressed, nervously tired and lacking in energy? A small drop of coriander essential oil in your vinaigrette will help you cope with this kind of period of general fatigue. Then, oregano, a friend of basil, will help you to have a good digestion, but also to avoid bloating to allow you to keep a flat stomach. Use it to flavour your rice or pasta, adding two or three drops to the cooking water.

Grapefruit is good for overeating. One or two drops in a fruit salad will do you a world of good. I will finish with vanilla oil. Use it if you want to stimulate your appetite or that of your family. Indeed, there are many uses for vanilla. In a custard, a jam, a compote, a sorbet, it is absolutely delicious! A small drop of vanilla essential oil in a bowl of hot chocolate. Pleasure guaranteed!

Which essential oils can I use in cooking?

Some oils should only be used for aromatic or topical purposes. Examples include eucalyptus, white fir, birch, cedarwood and wintergreen. However, there are essential oils that are safe for cooking when used correctly:

  • EO of Peppermint. Beneficial for digestion, peppermint oil adds a fresh note to many desserts.
  • EO of Thyme. Perfect for savoury dishes such as broth, or soups of all kinds. It can also help in case of candidiasis and acne.
  • Cinnamon EO. Powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, it will warm up your favourite dishes, coffees or hot chocolate.
  • EO of Ginger. A formidable weapon to help digestion, it goes perfectly with Asian cuisine.
  • Lavender EO. In addition to being relaxing, it is delicious in desserts.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5302348/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8708446/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4321600/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3265747/

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