Earth day is like thanksgiving but specifically for our planet. To show our thanks, Bazaar Spices is highlighting some of our favorite gifts from the earth that help enrich our lives.
Native to Mediterranean countries, this flower has long been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It can be used to brighten a salad or add a little floral flavor to a soup. It has also shown to effectively improve the skin. It helps with the skin's hydration and firmness and is often used to soothe the skin from inflammation or open wounds. This makes this miracle flower a great ingredient if you have eczema or happen have a nasty sun burn (keep that in mind, summer will be here before you know it)!
How to Make Calendula Oil:
Once the the weather starts to warm up, take a jar and fill it half way with calendula. Pour your oil of choice in (mine is extra virgin olive oil) until the jar is full and seal it with the lid. Set this jar by a window that is exposed to good sunlight and let it infuse for at least 6 weeks.
Hawaiian Alaea Salt: The Purifier
Hawaiian alaea has been used for centuries. Because it's unrefined, it's rich in minerals (but also has iron-oxide due to the red volcanic clay that is mixed in, giving this salt its beautiful deep color). Traditionally, this salt was used by Hawaiians in ceremonies to cleanse and purify. It's very light in flavor, slightly sweet and great for grilling meats and veggies. It can also be used to make your very own mineral rich scrub for very dry cracked areas of the skin.
How to Make Tropical Hawaii Scrub*:
Mix each of the following ingredients and use especially on your elbows, knees and heels of your feet.
1/3 cup of fine Hawaiian Alaea salt
1/3 cup of liquid coconut oil
2 tbsp of crushed dried hibiscus
The zest of 1 medium orange
*The coconut oil in this recipe gives the scrub a very nutty smell that fades when used in the shower, leaving the nice orange aroma.
Valerian: The Original Sleepy Time Tea
This root gained popularity throughout Europe in the 17th century, and has long since been used as a natural sleep aid or for calming anxiety. Scientists believe it increases the amount of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which helps regulate nerve cells, giving a calming effect.** The most popular way of taking valerian is through tea, and it is really simple to make.
How to Make Valerian Tea:
Boil some water, then pour it into an 8oz cup. Then, pour 1 tsp of valerian into an infuser and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. A nice optional choice is to dip a second infuser with 1/2 tsp of your favorite calming herb or botanical for the last 2-3 minutes. You can choose anything such has lavender, lemon balm, hops or chamomile.
**Source: University of Maryland Medical Center
Cinnamon: Super Spice
With its rich history (of which you can read about here) and multiple health benefits, I could go on about how great cinnamon is. Not only is it filled with antioxidants, but components in cinnamon have been shown to alleviate and prevent signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.*** Also, cinnamon is a great way to start your morning, as the mere scent of it has been shown to improve alertness, and mixing it with honey makes for a great sauce for fruit.
How to Make Delicious Honey Cinnamon Sauce:
Simple mix 1 part cinnamon (you can learn about the different types here) with 2 parts honey. This sauce is particularly great with oranges, but would work great with apples, pears, plums or any fruit of your choosing. Add some sliced almonds, pistachios or any type of nut to make a more well rounded breakfast.
***Source: National Institutes of Health
Sara is currently studying romance languages at the University of Maryland, College Park. As a student and a team member of Bazaar Spices, she is able to fuel her interest in understanding different cultures. For Sara, understanding different cultures is key to connecting with people, and there is nothing more gratifying to her than that.
Calendula: Skin Soother
Native to Mediterranean countries, this flower has long been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It can be used to brighten a salad or add a little floral flavor to a soup. It has also shown to effectively improve the skin. It helps with the skin's hydration and firmness and is often used to soothe the skin from inflammation or open wounds. This makes this miracle flower a great ingredient if you have eczema or happen have a nasty sun burn (keep that in mind, summer will be here before you know it)!
Once the the weather starts to warm up, take a jar and fill it half way with calendula. Pour your oil of choice in (mine is extra virgin olive oil) until the jar is full and seal it with the lid. Set this jar by a window that is exposed to good sunlight and let it infuse for at least 6 weeks.
Hawaiian Alaea Salt: The Purifier
Hawaiian alaea has been used for centuries. Because it's unrefined, it's rich in minerals (but also has iron-oxide due to the red volcanic clay that is mixed in, giving this salt its beautiful deep color). Traditionally, this salt was used by Hawaiians in ceremonies to cleanse and purify. It's very light in flavor, slightly sweet and great for grilling meats and veggies. It can also be used to make your very own mineral rich scrub for very dry cracked areas of the skin.
How to Make Tropical Hawaii Scrub*:
Mix each of the following ingredients and use especially on your elbows, knees and heels of your feet.
1/3 cup of fine Hawaiian Alaea salt
1/3 cup of liquid coconut oil
2 tbsp of crushed dried hibiscus
The zest of 1 medium orange
*The coconut oil in this recipe gives the scrub a very nutty smell that fades when used in the shower, leaving the nice orange aroma.
Valerian: The Original Sleepy Time Tea
This root gained popularity throughout Europe in the 17th century, and has long since been used as a natural sleep aid or for calming anxiety. Scientists believe it increases the amount of a chemical called gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which helps regulate nerve cells, giving a calming effect.** The most popular way of taking valerian is through tea, and it is really simple to make.
How to Make Valerian Tea:
Boil some water, then pour it into an 8oz cup. Then, pour 1 tsp of valerian into an infuser and let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. A nice optional choice is to dip a second infuser with 1/2 tsp of your favorite calming herb or botanical for the last 2-3 minutes. You can choose anything such has lavender, lemon balm, hops or chamomile.
**Source: University of Maryland Medical Center
Cinnamon: Super Spice
With its rich history (of which you can read about here) and multiple health benefits, I could go on about how great cinnamon is. Not only is it filled with antioxidants, but components in cinnamon have been shown to alleviate and prevent signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.*** Also, cinnamon is a great way to start your morning, as the mere scent of it has been shown to improve alertness, and mixing it with honey makes for a great sauce for fruit.
How to Make Delicious Honey Cinnamon Sauce:
Simple mix 1 part cinnamon (you can learn about the different types here) with 2 parts honey. This sauce is particularly great with oranges, but would work great with apples, pears, plums or any fruit of your choosing. Add some sliced almonds, pistachios or any type of nut to make a more well rounded breakfast.
***Source: National Institutes of Health
Sara is currently studying romance languages at the University of Maryland, College Park. As a student and a team member of Bazaar Spices, she is able to fuel her interest in understanding different cultures. For Sara, understanding different cultures is key to connecting with people, and there is nothing more gratifying to her than that.
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