5 Herbs Every Home Needs
I cannot remember exactly when the boom of growing a little herbal garden started but I believe I was in my teens. I mean, the option was always here and our grandmothers knew it well, but I guess there was a time period when we reached for pills and store-bought teas instead.
But when I was a teen, people started talking about the “magical power of herbs” and how can you grow your medicine in a clay pot on your window sill. There was quite a boom with books and the selection of medicinal plants in hobby markets has been expanding year by year.
Honestly, this might as well be my own view of the situation and it might simply not be true. Maybe in the real world, I just received the first herbarium book and started to be interested in the topic.
Anyway, I have been growing herbs for a decade and few years, and here is the list of my top five that are very easy to grow and have the wide specter of usage from the kitchen to the medicine cabinet.
MINT
I mean, who wouldn’t love fresh mint, right? The popularity of fresh mint leaves exploded with Mojito being the It drink in the ’00s. Until then, mint tea was something your grandma would drink before going to sleep. Today, we use it even in salad dressings, marinades, or making mint syrup.
If you give it some space, mint can grow like weeds so I can say it’s pretty easy to grow. I have it planted in the garden in the countryside and also potted on the window sills in Prague.
So how can you benefit from the mint? First of all, it’s a great plant to calm your upset stomach. Just pour some boiling water over few leaves in a mug, add a slice of lemon and honey and the tea is the perfect digestif.
MELISSA
Melissa is often mistaken for mint. Every year I have to explain the difference to my dad.
As a plant it’s taller, has softer and bigger leaves, and smells like citrus.
I don’t really use it in cooking, even though you could use it maybe in desserts or with fish. I mainly use it as a tea for its calming effect. It’s well-known medicine for nerves, so if your 2020 has been as hard as mine, try the tea.
SAGE
Its leaves remind me of bunny ears, tall and plush. When planted outside, it usually gets really beautiful strong, dark green leaves covered in white fuzz and it blossoms with beautiful purple flowers.
Sage has wide range of usage in the kitchen. It’s absolutely amazing warmed up with butter as a simple sauce to fresh pasta, you can add leaves to your roast, even with fish. It’s a very aromatic herb.
From the medicinal point of view, sage is perfect for cough. Once it saved my voice. So any sore throat, cough or voice issues, sage tea is a great home remedy.
Also, it has been known for helping to reduce excessive sweating but in my personal experience, this never worked. You can try it. Just remember, sage should be used in moderation.
BAY LEAF
This majestic plant is not only for decoration. The leaves are absolutely amazing for beef-based foods. I cannot imagine a beef broth without the flavor of bay leaves. We also add it to Lečo, the tomato soups.
If you keep it potted, you can move it inside in winter and the plant will continue to grow. But be careful outside so it doesn’t freeze. If you want you can buy a new plant each year, just collect and dry the leaves. You can also shape the plant, so keep picking leaves to the shape and that’s it.
Rosemary
Rosemary is perfect herb for home. You can infuse it in olive oil, which will take the oil to another level. You can chop it and add to herbal butter for your steaks and freshly baked baguettes. And one secret tip! Rosemary works amazing as an infuser to your coffee! Have you ever tried it? You gotta.
Throw a twig to your roast to give it a little aroma.
Of course, I stand for the more the merrier. So more herbs you get for your home, the more diverse your meals will be and not only that. Herbs are great for multiple purposes like teas, hair wash, toners, etc.