The Power of Herbs
Herbs add more than a little extra. Sprinkling some cilantro, dill or basil goes a long way to transform the sight, smell and taste of a basic dish. Herbs can also add extra nutrition and help strengthen the immune system, lower blood sugar, support bone health, reduce inflammation, and improve cardiovascular health. https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/15-health-benefits-herbs/. Dill, coriander, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme also contain plant compounds called polyphenols, which have been linked to a reduction of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4227268/.
Summer time is the perfect time to start a little herb garden of your own. Most herbs are easy to grow and require little space. Herbs can brighten up a room, balcony, or porch as much as they can brighten up your soup, salad, pasta, or chicken. Below is a list of ways to care for some our favorite herbs, ideas on how to incorporate them into your next meal, and potential health benefits.
Basil: Basil can reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. Fresh basil is fantastic in salad, pesto, and almost any Italian dish. It grows well indoors and outdoors, needs plenty of sunlight and lots of water.
Cilantro: Cilantro is delicious fresh and goes great with Mexican food, add a little to enchiladas, guacamole, or in a dressing for a fresh salad. Cilantro has antioxidants and adds extra fiber. It grows best in consistently moist soil in an indoor pot with lots of light. Save the seeds, otherwise known as coriander, and use them in your cooking as well.
Dill: Most people think pickles when they hear dill, but dill is an underrated herb that can be used in a variety of pastas, soups, dressings and salads. It also pairs perfectly with baked salmon. Besides flavor, Dill will also add Vitamin C, fiber and Iron. It prefers part sun, part shade, and likes to be dry in between watering.
Mint: Delicious in teas, water, and Mediterranean dishes. Mint is great for relieving joint inflammation, and soothing a sore throat. It’s best to plant in pots if you have a garden, otherwise it may take over. Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow, if you think your mint has died, just wait, it will most likely come back with vengeance. Water mint when the top inch becomes dry, keep consistently moist. Mint grows well indoors with bright light.
Rosemary: Rosemary can improve cognitive function, help improve the memory, and lower factors that cause brain disease such as Alzheimer’s. Rosemary is best cooked, and can be used in soups, sauces, chicken, pork, or even in roasted nuts or bread. It is best to grow rosemary outside. It is a hardy plant may get very large depending on the variety. Rosemary need lots of sun, and likes to be very dry in between watering.
