One of our sage plants in full bloom on our allotment.
The term ‘herb’ describes a huge range of plants. A herb can be described as any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers that are used for flavouring, as a food, in perfume, or as a medicine.
In botanical terms, a herb is any seed-bearing plant that does not have a woody stem and that dies down to the ground after flowering.
They’ve been a huge part of human medicine, diet, and culture for millennia, but many of their wonderful benefits have been forgotten in our modern world of heavily processed foods.
Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of growing herbs and/or adding more of them into your diet:
Some flat-leaf parsley given to us by a lovely neighbour.
Nutrients
Probably the most obvious benefit of adding herbs into your diet is the vast abundance of health-giving nutrients that they provide. Herbs are amongst the highest antioxidant-containing foodstuffs on the planet. They’re also rich in other phytonutrients (plant goodies)!
Rosemary, for example, is a good source of ursolic acid, which has been shown in studies to shut down a substance in your body that increases inflammation and cell damage. Ginger and turmeric contain similarly helpful nutrients.
And it’s not just decreasing inflammation that herbs are helpful for. Here are some other great benefits that they can boast on their CV:
The high antioxidant levels can help to protect against ageing and heart disease.
Antioxidants and other nutrients like phytoestrogens may play a powerful role in your body’s ability to prevent cancers.
They help to keep your immune system strong and healthy.
They also have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, meaning they can help to prevent infection and aid healing.
I’d say those were some pretty good reasons to add more herbs into your diet. But what else can they do?
Taste without the calories
When we want to add taste to our meals, it’s easy to reach for sauces, mayonnaise, and other dressings. And, whilst they can make your meals tasty, they’re often high in calories. Cooking with herbs or sprinkling them onto meat, fish, vegetables, and salads can give you powerful flavour with a lot fewer calories.
Herbs do, of course, still contain some calories (all foods do), but opting for herbs that are nutrient-rich without being energy-dense is a much healthier choice.
Taste without the salt
One of our other favourite go-to’s when it comes to flavour is salt. There’s nothing wrong with salt of course. It’s a good source of nutrients including sodium, which is essential in your body. But, too much sodium can increase the volume of water in your bloodstream and, over time, raise your blood pressure.
Herbs like rosemary, thyme, or spices like paprika (more on these another time) make great seasonings for meals and improve your health at the same time.
Aromatherapy
Herbs smell good. Wandering through your herb garden, or even just growing a few in pots on the windowsill, is a great way to give your nostrils a hug! The strong aroma of peppermint may help to fight nausea, and lavender is well known for its ability to help you relax and sleep better. Garlic can help in all sorts of ways, not least in fighting off vampires! ;-)
Recipes
Maybe I’ve got you thinking that you might want a few more herbs in your diet. If so, here are a few great recipes I’ve found on the web.
Allrecipes.com - a wide range of salads, sauces, pestos, and chutneys all made with herbs.
10 great herb recipes - something for everyone with mains, snacks, desserts and teas made from herbs.
Making the most of fresh herbs - I love the herbs in ice cubes idea here for extra flavour in your cool summer drinks!
