Herbs That Boost Flavor and Your Health

 

There's nothing more rewarding, from a cooking perspective, than walking into your yard (or in my case, onto my deck) and snipping and picking the food you're going to eat that evening.

Although my wife and I do not yet have the gardening space to grow an entire meal, our collection of herbs gives our food fresh flavors that are unmatched -- not to mention the many therapeutic benefits these little plants possess.

Here are four herbs that I constantly use in my dishes, and why you should use them too.

Herb No. 1: Rosemary

Without a doubt, my favorite herb -- rosemary -- is a beloved member of the mint family. It's impossible not to love the smell of this herb. In fact, my one plant dominates my senses when I step onto my deck.

Healing properties:

Coming from the Latin word that means "dew of the sea," rosemary is anti-inflammatory and has been shown to help reduce the chance of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

Best way to use it: Every weekend, I snip a sizable branch to include in my favorite omelet: organic eggs with cotija (a firm Mexican cheese), artichoke and Moroccan olives, cooked in coconut oil.

Learn how to grow it:

 

Growing Rosemary

 

Herb No. 2: Lavender

While most lavender is used for tea, honey and floral purposes, it is entirely edible.

Healing properties:

It is a very medicinal herb, used to treat skin burns and as an anti-inflammatory salve. Lavender oil is known for its calming qualities, and it's great if you need help drifting off to sleep.

Best way to use it:

I steep the buds in boiling water for a delicious herbal tea concoction that guarantees relaxation. I also love to buy dark chocolate flavored with lavender.

Learn to grow it

 

A Guide to Lavender : Growing Lavender

 

Herb No. 3: Coriander

While I don't use the leaves of this plant (also called cilantro), the fruit -- commonly known as coriander seeds -- is a splendid addition to a variety of dishes. While the seeds are predominantly used and distributed ground, I prefer using the whole seeds and breaking them up with a pestle and mortar to release their flavor.

Healing properties:

Traditionally, coriander has been used to treat anxiety and as a diuretic in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Studies have also shown that coriander helps in the treatment of diabetics. Its cooling quality has made it a popular summertime spice/herb.

My favorite way to use it:

Grind a heaping tablespoon of seeds and add to 8 ounces of homemade almond milk with a splash of vanilla extract for a delicious and wholesome treat, or throw whole seeds into your quinoa dish to add a bright, crunchy texture that won't disappoint.

Learn to grow it

 

Harvesting Cilantro Seeds (Coriander)

 

Herb No. 4: Peppermint

Like many people my age, my introduction to peppermint was in hard candy form. But once I discovered the real thing, I never turned back.

Healing properties:

As someone with various digestive issues, I think peppermint is a brilliant way to cool the fire inside.

My favorite way to use it:

Predominantly used in oil form, the leaves are delicious as a tea. But I usually do something even easier. I simply take a few branches and use them to make a cold-brew tea. The tea also adds tons of flavor to my smoothies. When I'm feeling especially decadent, I like to drizzle the tea into freshly prepared Mexican hot chocolate (mix 1/4 cup raw cacao powder, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, an ounce of peppermint tea and a dash of honey in 8 ounces of water).

Learn to grow it

 

How to Grow Mint

 

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/andoteri

 

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