Move over, salt and pepper, because there are much healthier and more flavorful ways to spice up your food! Herbs help you cut back on less healthy ingredients and make your meals more interesting. Many of them also have their own health benefits, which are worth noting if you are looking to prepare more meals at home.
Here are some of the many healthy and natural herbs to incorporate more of in your kitchen.
Basil
Basil is known for its polyphenol-rich nutrition, which is great for disease prevention through healthy eating. Basil is easily used in cooking in a wide variety of recipes and simple meals, such as sauces, salads, sandwiches, and soups. It pairs wonderfully well with extra virgin olive oil and tomatoes.
Sage
Sage leaves have a slightly fuzzy texture and are popular in European cuisine with meat dishes. It should typically be used in moderation in order to not overwhelm your dish. Sage benefits your health because it is a natural source of vitamin K, antioxidants, iron, and vitamin B6. Sage may have oral health benefits and help keep blood sugar levels under control too.
Mint
Mint is a wonderful herb that you can grow at home and add to foods and beverages. Mint can help relieve symptoms of nausea and stimulate mood and brain activity. It has even been studied for its potential to reduce bloating and relax muscles. Try using mint herbs when making carrots, peas, lamb, and mojitos. In addition to cooking with mint, you can also get the health benefits of this herb from our 100% all-natural herbal Olive Leaf Mint Tea.
Rosemary
Not only is rosemary very fragrant, but it is also rich in antioxidants to help you get your daily dose of nutrition. It also contains iron, vitamin B6, and calcium. Rosemary has been studied by researchers for its potential to boost memory, promote positive brain activity, and prevent cell damage. Rosemary herbs work very well with pizza, pork, and pasta with tomato sauce. Meanwhile, some people swear by rosemary essential oil to promote hair growth when rubbed into the scalp.
Oregano
Oregano leaves are packed with nutrition, including vitamin E, vitamin K, iron, fiber, and manganese. It is also a good source of antioxidants, and just a tablespoon of fresh oregano has more antioxidants than a small apple or handful of blueberries. Oregano has been studied for its abilities to fight infections and improve heart health. It’s easy and delicious to add some oregano onto pasta, poultry, and fish.
Parsley
Parsley has a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the other ingredients in your cooking. Many cooks prefer the more flavorful flat-leaf parsley, while curly parsley is another option that’s even milder. Try mixing parsley with garlic to spice up your vegetable dishes for dinner. When you do so, you’ll be getting in some extra vitamin K and a disease-fighting flavonoid called myricetin.
What’s your favorite herb to cook with? Share with us in the comment section below.