We’re pretty much all aware of the chemicals in processed foods these days and try to buy organic when we can.

Unfortunately, there is often a price to pay.

Organic sauces and flavourings can be expensive and sometimes they aren’t necessarily as healthy as we want them to be. Added sugars, however natural, can cause insulin disruption in the body and – horror – also put on weight!

These 5 herbs will give you the benefit of adding taste and nutrition to your everyday meals without having to budget.

The only cost will be the initial plant or seeds but will only be a fraction of the cost of sauces and supermarket herbs.

Chives

You can eat every part of the chive plant. The edible flowers add colour to the salad bowl or use to garnish any
recipe. The grass-like leaves can be cut up and added to cooked potatoes, salads, sauces and even sandwiches, and the bulb can be used in place of a mild onion. Chop leaves finely and sprinkle over cheese on toast or mix into a green salad. Add to any meal where a mild onion taste will work.

Chives have similar healthy properties as onions but in a milder form.

Coriander (Cilantro)

The coriander plant is two plants in one – a spice and a herb. Chopped fresh coriander leaves will add a mild curry taste to any dish, which means you can save on buying or making curry sauces. The seeds can be used as a pickling spice – or saved to sow next year. Coriander’s been grown for many centuries as a medicinal and culinary herb.

The Chinese believed it to have life-lengthening powers, and it has been referred to in history as an aphrodisiac.

Sage

Sage has been used as a stuffing or an accompanying vegetable to poultry dishes for eons! Sage and onion stuffing is easy to make ( recipe here ) and can be served with vegetarian meals, poultry dishes, crumbled into stews to thicken and flavour, or sliced and added to sandwiches. Sage is a strong tasting herb and should be used sparingly.

It’s also been shown that a small glass of sage tea everyday will help with hot flushes.

Thyme

Add a little thyme to all ‘herby’ recipes. A few leaves tossed into a salad or sauce will liven up the taste buds.
Try adding a lemon thyme leaf to a long summer lemonade and a leaf or two to ice cubes. Thyme is also an excellent
addition to fish or cheese meals.

Drink lemon and thyme tisanes through the winter months to help prevent colds

Basil

Basil is known as the tomato herb and really does enhance the taste of your tomatoes. Use sparingly. Chop leaves finely and mix into a tomato salad, or use the shiny leaves as an attractive, and edible, garnish. It is also a great addition to green salads throughout the summer.

A pot of basil near an open window can help deter flies from entering your home. Rub the leaves occasionally to
release the scent.

All these herbs can be grown outside in a moderate climate. If you have the space, create a herb garden – A place of tranquillity and practical healthy solutions for creating your own organic masterpieces with a taste of herbs in the kitchen!

To get started, pop over to the ‘Herb Books’ page and choose your best plan of action!

Bon Appetit!

Linda x

P.S. Or download this popular herb growing book now and get started right away!

Growing Herbs at Home

Growing Herbs at Home describes ten everyday herbs, how to grow them and a little useful information about each one.

Aloe vera, Basil, Chives, Coriander, Garlic
Mint, Parsley, Sage, Thyme, Watercress

Herbs have been cultivated for medicinal and culinary use for thousands of years. The herbs in “Growing Herbs at Home” can be grown either in pots, containers or in your outdoor herb garden. Choose from your favourite online book store.

Amazon (US) , Amazon (UK) , Apple Books , Kobo , Barnes & Noble , Etsy