All About Herbs.
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist or doctor. I am just a research nerd who enjoys reading. Some of the links that helped me gain this information will be listed at the end of this blog post.
What Are Herbs?
Herbs are plants that have a particular flavor or aroma that can add essential flavors to a dish. They are invaluable when it comes to making a delicious masterpiece from regular or plain ingredients. We are discussing herbs today because they are a cornerstone to cooking and a great way to get additional nutrients into your daily meals.
Health Benefits
In many cases herbs can be considered superfoods. Superfoods are foods that have a high number of nutrients and minerals in proportion to food amount. There are many different ways of incorporating superfoods into all your meals, and future blog posts with be exploring some of those ways, but one of the easiest ways is to use herbs to flavor your food.
Some Easy-to-Use Beneficial Herbs:
Rosemary
Excellent Source of Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B-6
Can Alleviate Muscle Pain
Can Improve Memory
Can Improve Immune and Circulatory Health
Promotes Hair Growth
Can Balance Androgen and Estrogen Hormones in the Body
Promote Weight Loss
Maintain Gut Health
Thyme
A Biocide, Meaning it Can Be Used to kill Harmful Bacteria
Can Reduce Blood Pressure
Natural Food Preservative
Can Stabilize Cooking Oil
Can be Used as a Fungal Infection Treatment
Oregano
Extremely High in Antioxidants (one of the highest of all food)
Great for Skin Health
Aids in Digestion
Parsley
Very high in Vitamin K
Can help with Cancer, Diabetes, and Bone Strength
Improves Calcium Absorption
Removes Fat from the Blood
Sage
High in Vitamin K
160 Different Antioxidants
Good for Memory and Brain Health
Basil
Contains Vitamins K, A, and C, and Minerals like Magnesium, Iron, and Potassium
Anti-Inflammatory
Anti-Aging
Rich in Antioxidants
Mint
One of the Highest Anti-Oxidant Capacity of any Food
Great for Allergy Relief
Alleviates Symptoms of the Common Cold
Can Help Treat Indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Ulcers
Aids in Overall Pain Relief
Great of Skin Healing
Ginseng
Considered Great for Overall Health (in small quantities)
Increased Energy
Improves Cognitive Function
Anti-Inflammatory
Flu Prevention
Lowers Blood Sugar
Cilantro
Natural Food Preservative
Anti-Inflammatory
Aids with Eye Health
Great for the Skin
Aids in Detoxification
Dill
Can Prevent Insomnia
Prevents Excessive Gas
Strengthens the Immune System
Flavor Benefits and best ways to eat them
Herbs and spices are aromatic and flavorful. They can instant upgrade a basic meal to a memorable one. Additionally, using herbs has many nutritional benefits, and is an easy way to add a superfood packed with nutrients to your diet without eating a lot.
Rosemary
Has a light minty flavor, but also has peppery and earthy tones
Can be added to water as an elixir for beauty and strength
Delicious used as a spice for grain dishes or bread
Can be added to Oil Olive for additional aromatics and flavor
Delicious added to a Homemade Salad Dressing
Can be added to Smoothies and Juices (adds a refreshing flavor)
Thyme
Has a lemony, light, minty flavor that blends with almost any dish
Can be added to sauces
Adds great zest to a basil pesto
Delicious added to pastas as a garnish or seasoning
Can be used as a key ingredient in a homemade mouthwash
Can be used as a substitute for salt
Excellent for topical applications in tincture form to treat acne
Also can be used as a natural cleaner
Oregano
Has strong aromatics, and strong earthy tones, with a slight bitter flavor
Delicious in tomato based sauces and dishes (Fresh or Dried/Powdered)
Can be added to coconut oil to aid in consumption (Fresh or Dried/Powdered)
Can be used in oil form, to consume and apply topically(Very strong and Spicy, a little goes a long way)
Can consume in supplements, fermented (to aid in digestion)
Can be added to salads or salad dressings (Fresh or Dried/Powdered)
Can be added to Smoothies and Juices, I would recommend a small sprig, fresh
PArsley
Has a fresh, slightly bitter flavor that can brighten the flavor of nearly every dish
Commonly used as a garnish
Can be chopped (Fresh) and added to salads
Can easily be added (Fresh) to smoothies or juices
Delicious on pizza (Fresh or Dried/Powdered)
Can be cooked into bread or added to butter (Dried/Powdered)
Can be added to marinades, soups, and pestos
sage
Has a sweet but bitter flavor, with a aromatics similar to pine
Can be used as a garnish
Can be added to olive oil for flavor and aroma
Delicious added to Sauces, especially tomato sauces
Adds a robust, earthy flavor to meat dishes (or Mock “Meat” dishes if you are a Plant-Based eater like me)
Basil
Has a minty, peppery, and robust flavor
One of the primary flavors added to pesto
Can be infused in oil(I recommend Coconut or Olive) or butter and consumed that way
Can be added to veggie dishes
Can be added to savory soup
Mint
Has a refreshing, spicy, tingling flavor (changes slightly based on kind of mint you use)
Commonly used as a tea
Can be added to drinks like water, juice, and smoothies
Can be added to Greek Yogurt
Can be added to Salads
Can be used as a garnish for a tarty or creamy dessert
Ginseng
Has a earthy, bitter, spicy flavor (use a little in your dishes)
Can be consumed as a tea
Delicious addition to a Stir-fry
Can be added to soup
Cilantro
Best used fresh, but if you use the seed, it can be used in dried powder form.
Can be added to Stir-fry
Adds a delicious twang to guacamole
Can be added to smoothies and veggie juices
If you use the seed (also known as Coriander) it is a great addition to curry
Can be chopped and added to salads
Can be used as a garnish
dill
Has a gentle, delicate flavor that is slightly bitter and twangy
Better and more flavorful fresh
Add as a last minute addition to a dish (cooking it dims the flavor)
Perfect as a garnish for savory dishes.
Favorites I use
Recipes Coming Soon (Starring My Favorite Herbs)
Comment some of your favorite ways to incorporate herbs, or what herb you would want to try first!
Additional Resources: