5 Healing Herbs You Should Grow At Home
By Orla, September 19, 2013
Herbs not only add that extra something special to recipes, they also have some great healing properties. Growing your own herbs at home will benefit you all round, the herbs will be fresher and tastier, you can grow them 100% organically and it’s cheaper too.
There is an endless list of weird and wonderful herbs with healing properties, but we’ve decided to focus on five common herbs that most houses will have in dried form, that you can easily grow at home instead:
1. Basil
Basil is a wonderfully versatile herb and is commonly used in Italian dishes, although it has Thai heritage. Basil leaves have essential oils containing anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It is a good source of iron and vitamin A.
Tip: Make your own homemade pesto with basil leaves or add some fresh basil to a tomato sauce, you’ll notice the difference.
2. Coriander
Coriander, also known as cilantro, contains anti-oxidants and anti-bacterial properties against salmonella. It is a great source of minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium. Fresh coriander also contains folic acid, vitamin A, beta carotene and vitamin C, and it is said to promote healthy liver function.
Tip: Coriander is commonly found in Indian cuisine. Add some fresh leaves to a curry or a stirfry, or even add a sprig to a healthy green smoothie.
3. Parsley
Parsley is a super-herb. It can be added to a really wide variety of dishes and it is really health-friendly. It boosts your immune system and heals your nervous system with vitamins such as vitamin C, B12, K and A. Regular consumption can help control blood pressure and joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Tip: Make an oil with fresh leaves and massage into scalp as it can reduce hair loss. Or, use fresh leaves to make parsley tea, which aids digestion. Add to sauces and use to garnish dishes.
4. Rosemary
Rosemary contains caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid, which are potent anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatories. It also contains vitamin E which is great for healthy skin and it has been known to improve memory and elevate your mood.
It has also been found to reduce carcinogens, meaning it’s anti-cancer.
Tip: Rosemary goes particularly well with lamb and also adds volumes of flavour to stuffing. It can also help cure migraines: Boil fresh rosemary in a pot of water, place a towel over your head and inhale the steam from the pot for 10 minutes.
5. Mint
Mint is a wonderful aromatic herb and it can be used in so many different ways. It goes great in salads, stir fries, smoothies, desserts, tea or smoothies. It is great for digestion and can really freshen your breath. It contains vitamins A and C, and minerals; calcium, copper, and iron.
Tip: Breathing the scent of fresh mint in boiling water can provide great relief for respiratory conditions such as asthma or a bad cough because it opens up the nose, throat and lungs.
