Season Food With Fresh Herbs from Your Kitchen Herb Garden

September 04, 2018

One of the biggest misconceptions about nutritious food is that for it to be healthy, it must be bland. That could not be further from the truth!

Instead of depending on salt to season food, Just Add Water™ founder, Serena Poon, recommends reaching for fresh herbs. Not only can herbs enhance the flavor and fragrance of your favorite dish, but they also contain many nutritional and medicinal benefits. For example, rosemary is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It contains caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid to support heart, digestive, brain, and liver health. The best part? Because you are using less salt in your food, it helps alleviate any blood pressure issues.

The simplest way to ensure that your favorite fresh herbs are available is to plant an herb garden right in the kitchen. Most herbs are relatively easy to grow indoors. The key is to make sure that they get plenty of light, which you can accomplish by placing them on a shelf near the window or directly on the window sill. Herb plants also act as natural air fresheners, giving your kitchen a bright, refreshing feel.

 In addition to rosemary, here are three herbs that we recommend for your kitchen herb garden:

 

Basil

While we love basil for its versatility, we love it more for its health benefits! Basil acts as an adaptogen and has been used in Ayurveda to help the body handle stress more efficiently. Basil also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antibacterial properties. Try planting basil to make fresh pesto or to add to your favorite Thai recipes.

 

Mint

Mint is another favorite as it’s delicious in savory dishes, sweet desserts, and refreshing drinks. Try adding fresh mint to your matcha next time for an invigorating twist! Like rosemary, mint contains rosmarinic acid that helps relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. The cooling sensation of menthol acts as a natural aromatic decongestant that can help relieve a sore throat. Mint can also ease digestion and even help ease abdominal discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, mint is a great source of antioxidants and vitamin A.

 

Thyme

Commonly used in French, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, thyme helps elevate your food, even something as simple as macaroni and cheese! Thyme is loaded with both vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as copper, fiber, iron, and manganese, helping to boost your immunity. Like mint, it can also help soothe sore throats and alleviate coughing.

 What are your favorite herbs to cook with?

XO

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