I keep a little garden on my porch, where culinary and medicinal herbs fill terracotta pots. I toss these herbs, handfuls of basil and sprinklings of thyme, into soup pots, over salads and roasting chickens where they bring flavor and their sweet herbaceous perfume to the family meal.
While we enjoy their flavor and aroma, they bring more to the table than pleasure alone. Common culinary herbs also convey gentle medicine, traditionally used for purposes that range from stomach upset and headaches to colic and liver ailments. So, in many ways, my little garden of flavor is also a medicinal garden as well. Here’s ten common culinary herbs, how to use them and their medicinal qualities.
Curly Parsley
Characteristics: Deep green, slightly serrated leaves that curl up from the stem with a potent fragrance reminiscent of carrot leaves and parsnips.
Flavor: Parsley offers a mild, but very clean flavor similar to that of parsnips.
Use it in: Braised Turnips with Parsley, Preserved Lemon and Parsley Tapenade, Cream of Chicken Soup, Springtime Salad
Medicinal Uses: Parsley’s medicinal effects rest in its volatile oils and flavonoids: apiole, myristicin, terpinolene, appin and others. These components also account for parsley’s notable flavor. Parsley is thought to offer therapeutic uses in the treatment of the urinary tract and is approved by Germany’s Commission E – a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine – for use in the treatment of urinary tract infections as well as kidney and bladder stones. Traditionally, parsley was not only used for treatment of urinary tract and bladder infections but also as an treatment for gastrointestinal distress. Moreover, parsley is also used as a way to stimulate menstruation.
Bay Laurel
Characteristics: Native to the Mediterranean, bay laurel or sweet bay is tree with deep olive-green, oblong leaves that offer an unmistakable aroma.
Flavor: Sweet bay is rich and deep, faintly spicy.
Use it in: Bison Stew with Red Wine and Sweet Bay, French Onion Soup, Sour Pickles
Medicinal Uses: Bay is used medicinally as a stimulant for the skin, and, due to its volatile oils, may cause reddening in sensitive individuals.
Tarragon
Characteristics: Tarragon is a low-lying plant with long stems and thin oblong leaves. It has a flavor reminiscent of anise and is used often in French cooking.
Flavor: Tarragon offers a faintly anise- or licorice-like flavor – sweet and slightly stringent.
Use it in: Pan-Fried Chicken with Tarragon and Mustard Cream Sauce
Medicinal Uses: In folk medicine, tarragon has been traditionally used to treat toothaches, upset stomachs and some parents even used it to stave off intestinal parasites in their children. Much like parsley, tarragon has also been used as way to induce menstruation.
Basil
Characteristics: There are many varieties of basil, and basil can include many color variations, but most can easily identify the low-growing plant by its large, thin oval and easily bruised leaves.
Flavor: Basil is sweet, peppery and offers a slight anise-like aftertaste.
Use it in: Beet Salad with Basil, Thai-Style Chicken Soup with Coconut and Lemongrass, Clam Chowder with Basil Drizzle
Medicinal Uses: Basil has strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. It is traditionally thought to stimulate the appetite and ease stomach upset. In Chinese medicine, basil is thought to support kidney function and ease gum ulcers. In classic Indian medicine, basil has been used to treat everything from earaches and itching to malaria, arthritis and anorexia. Like tarragon, one of basil’s major volatile oils is estragole.
Dill
Characteristics: Dill can grow quite tall with beautiful, fragrant flowering heads and feathery, fragile leaves.
Flavor: Dill’s flavor is slightly licorice-like, deeply fragrant and unmistakable.
Use it in: Salmon Chowder with Potatoes and Dill, Campfire Roasted Chicken with Flowering Onion and Dill, Potato Leek Soup with Dill, Sour Pickles, Shrimp Salad
Medicinal Uses: Dill and parsley share a commonality: apiole, that volatile oil that accounts for so much of their individual flavors. Dill is traditionally used to ease stomach upset and to treat gastrointestinal disorders. In folk medicine, it is also used to treat sleep disorders – particularly insomnia. Some parents give a dill infusion or tea to their young babies as a treatment for colic.
Lavender
Characteristics: Lavender is a low-lying bushy flower with long stems and many tiny, pale purple buds.
Flavor: Lavender is faintly floral and very herbaceous with green overtones.
Use it in: Four Thieves Vinegar, Sleepy Tea
Medicinal Uses: Lavender is approved by Germany’s Commission E for loss of appetite, insomnia and circulatory disorders. In folk medicine, it is often used to treat migraine, cramps, restlessness and sleep issues.
Oregano
Characteristics: Oregano is a short, shrubby herb with small, deep-green leaves. The leaves have a kind of soft and almost fuzzy texture.
Flavor: Oregano is bold, deep and strong and the fresh herb is considerably stronger than in its dried form. It is deeply herbaceous and slightly similar to thyme with faint mint-like undertones.
Use it in: Roasted Lamb with Olives, Lemon and Fresh Oregano
Medicinal Uses: Oregano is traditionally used to treat respiratory issues such as stuffy noses and coughs and is an expectorant. In folk medicine, it is also used to treat menstrual cramping and it has very potent antimicrobial activities.
Sage
Characteristics: Sage is a low-lying, silvery bush with oblong, soft and fuzzy leaves.
Use it in: Turkey Hash with Yam and Sage, Chicken Liver Pâté with Sage
Flavor: Sage has a slightly medicinal flavor that is very herbaceous with slight grassy undertones. It is deeply fragrant.
Medicinal Uses: Sage is approved by Commission E to improve appetite and to ease inflammation, particularly of the mouth. For nursing mothers who may be experiencing over-production, sage can help to slow milk production.
Rosemary
Characteristics: Rosemary is a pine-like shrub with long stems and short, needle-like leaves.
Flavor: Rosemary is pine-like in its scent with almost floral undertones. It is deeply aromatic.
Use it in: Crispy Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Braised Steak with Red Wine and Rosemary, Sourdough Focaccia with Rosemary and Grapes, Toasted Almonds with Rosemary, Thyme, and Lemon
Medicinal Uses: Rosemary is traditionally used for digestive upset and to ease headaches and migraines. It’s also used to treat menstrual disorders and, externally, is used to speed healing in wounds and to treat eczema. Germany’s Commission E has approved rosemary for use in blood pressure problems, digestive upset and rheumatism.
Peppermint
Characteristics: Peppermint is a bushy plant characterized by its long stems, and bright green, slightly fuzzy leaves.
Flavor: Peppermint is very aromatic and one of the most loved of the mint family.
Use it in: Strawberry Mint Sorbet, Risotto with Spring Onion, Mint and Peas, Vanilla Mint Ice Cream, Chocolate Mint Mousse, Strawberry Yogurt Bowl with Mint and Pine Nuts
Medicinal Uses: Mostly taken as a tea or in infusions, peppermint is traditionally used to treat colic and digestive upset, but it’s also been popularly used in the treatment of colds, flus and stuffy noses thanks to its ability to open the sinuses and, in combination with honey, to ease a sore throat. Peppermint essential oil, when applied to the temples, is thought to help with headaches and migraines. Peppermint leaves have been approved by Germany’s Commission E in the treatment of liver and gallbladder complaints.
Rhiannon says
About lavender – I love it, and a French friend of mine told me that drinking a cup of lavender infusion every day would keep my breasts perky and healthy…I’ve only her word for it, but she did look good, and had breast-fed 3 children, so it might be worth thinking about. I’ve got a good memory of lavender shortbread from when I was younger – the local baker made them (he was a family friend) and sometimes my mother would buy me a few to eat when I got back form school (it was a mile’s walk from the bus stop to our house in Scotland).
Jennifer says
how come black seeds didn’t make it to the list? black seed oil has helped me treat my allergies and seasonal cold and flu as it is a great anti-inflammatory agent. in addition to that it boosts the immune system against them. it will be great to read your research on the black seed oil.
Jenny says
They didn’t make the list, because they’re not herbs.
Lori says
I love this post too. I grow and use herbs in a lot of my cooking, but haven’t ventured out yet into the medicinal world of herbs. Looking forward to it now though, thanks!
Klaudia says
Very useful all this information, I do not imagine how good certain plants are such as spices and treating many diseases. Thanks for posting them!
Emily says
What do you know about myrtle? I was in Italy recently and tasted a myrtle liqueur that was delicious and very soothing after a big meal. I’ve never heard of it used this way before and am curious.
Our Small Hours says
Oh, thanks for this post! Great information.
Angie A says
Great info. You might want to add that peppermint will aggravate acid reflux.
Also, have you tried turmeric for healing? In the ayurvedic diet it is used for many ailments. The recipe for golden milk is wonderful, I drink a cup every evening, helps relieve the effects of arthritis (and many other ailments). Google golden milk and you will find the recipe.
Linda says
Hi I was wondering if anyone knows a herb that I could treat really bad contact dermititis with
Amanda says
I use sage, thyme and peppermint a lot medicinally, but some of the others were new to me! Thought you & your readers might be interested in the grow-a-long I’m running this summer where we all grow some herbs and then use them in fun projects over the summer months (for food, medicine, beauty products etc). You can find more info here: http://www.vintagesavoirfaire.com/classes-events/
Taylor says
I’ve read that Parsley, and presumably the others that stimulate menstruation, are not recommended for lactating women.
Alex at A Moderate Life says
Just wanted to let you know I linked to this article in my Thoughts on Friday piece. Thanks for the wonderful indepth article! I love it cause i am so herby! 🙂 Happy weekend!
Robin says
I tried growing some herbs and then it snowed at just the wrong moment, killing them. very sad.
The-Java-Gal says
I loved your informative post. There is so much that can be done with herbs, and they are so easy to grow. Even their scents are therapeutic, and I always grow some indoors. Cilantro is also a wonderfully medicinal herb. Right now I working on my own herbal post, and will be sure to link to this.
Kim says
Would be interested in the medicinal info for Cilantro. Just love it and wonder if my love is connected to some need in my body. Thanks!
Tara says
I just made the Oeufs en cocotte and it is amazing! I made four for future breakfasts too. delish!
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen says
Love this post! I just planted my herb garden today! Have you ever planted borage? I can’t wait for it to come up! I used seeds, so it will be a few more weeks for me! Enjoy!
tina says
I planted some herbs for the first time a couple weeks ago. I’m definitely excited about having fresh herbs as is my husband and older son.
It’s been super hot here in Littleton that last few days. I envy those of you who live in the mountains!
Jana says
Just purchased several culinary herbs myself! And I’m looking forward to using them in these ways. Thanks for the info!
Susie Spanier says
Any tips on growing tarragon? Mine always dies-
Joan says
Russian tarragon is a perennial that is coarse in texture. French tarragon is an annual, but has a much nicer flavor. I’m not sure which they were referring to in this article.
Darcy says
I love this post and it comes a the perfect time. I just planted Sage, Thyme, Dill and Sweet Basil. Having never thought to pair sage with beets, I’m now on a mission for recipes that combine the two. Both are big favorites. You even have me thinking of adding Oregano to the garden. Thanks again Jenny.
Jenn says
Susun Weed loves sage as a tea, which she also claims can help soothe and heal the body of the effects of external stress, ease asthma, improve immune response, and help sleeplessness and anxiety. Sage tea with a little raw honey is my favorite “I had a bad day” tea.
Peppermint tea is the only thing that makes my migraines remotely bearable when they happen (they happen less often since switching to a more nourishing diet). Rosemary (along with any of the others that stimulate menstruation) are very contraindicated during pregnancy.
Love herbs, love this post!
Alex at A Moderate Life says
Very cool Jen Jenny! Having been raised by a mother and grandmother who knew all about herbs and remedies, I love to see the information resurfacing again, only this time backed with research science! Yes! Our grannies did know best! Will be sharing this with my readers as well!