If you are interested in holistic living, you might be wondering what else you can grow alongside your favorite veggies that will increase your health. Herbs are a wonderful addition to any garden, and you don’t have to be an expert gardener to grow them. Some can be grown in pots on the porch and others are better in the soil outside. What you grow depends on what you are interested in doing with the herbs.
Herbs are a fantastic way to experience nature and amazing flavors in your food. They may help relieve cravings for salty and sweet foods. They are also a way to incorporate self-care and relaxation. You can make teas for sipping, sprays for smelling and salves for healing. Below are some of my favorite herbs.
Dill
This is an easy-to-grow plant with a great flavor. Mix into your favorite foods, such as roasted potatoes or salad dressings, or dry it for future use. Dill is known to be great for digestion, so sprinkle it liberally on foods you enjoy.
Oregano
The quintessential Italian and Mexican food spice, oregano is also excellent for digestion and skincare. You can eat it, turn it into a tea, make a salve, or even craft a tincture (an extract that uses alcohol and water) with it. It’s easy to grow, just make sure to manage it or it will take over your garden!
Garlic
Garlic is great for keeping away colds, kicking viruses, and healing all manner of ailments. Toss it into a tincture for sore throats for a faster healing process.
Basil
The main benefits of basil are aromatherapy and incredible taste. With so many varieties available, you could dedicate a whole section of your garden to just basil. There are also a ton of medicinal properties in basil that makes it a great anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial aid. You can dry basil or turn it into pesto and freeze it for year-long enjoyment.
Peppermint
This is another herb that belongs in everyone’s garden. There are several varieties, as well as related plants (such as spearmint). They all have their own unique, fragrant smell and flavor. Peppermint is excellent for digestion, flavor, and dealing with headaches (especially in the essential oil form). It makes a delicious tea that is perfect for after-dinner sipping on the back porch.
Lavender
Popular for its intoxicating fragrance, lavender is known as the soothing and calming herb. From dried herb form to essential oil form, this plant is incredible for relaxation and healing the skin.
I have been trying to incorporate more herbs into our meals. I found this dill and cucumber recipe below to be very refreshing as a summer side dish or as a snack.
Cucumber Salad
- 1 cup cucumber chopped
- 1 cup tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 -2 tsp fresh dill chopped
Mix all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Serve chilled.
Most herbs are ranked as superfoods with antioxidant properties, delivering a lot of nutrients in small quantities. If you find that you don’t have a green thumb, visit your local farmers’ market or supermarket. Remember, organic is always best. Have fun experimenting with herbs and know that you are getting a healthy dose of nutrients and antioxidants.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Sandy Sonier, Holistic Wellness Master Coach
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