“Herbs Part 2: Everyday Uses”

Herbs are amazing plants, and they can be harvested for all kinds of unique uses. While most commonly associated with cooking and medicine, there’s many other ways you can use them in your daily life, and you don’t need to be a master herbalist to start using them. Some of these uses, and how to achieve them, include:

Skin Care and Medicine

Yes, you can incorporate herbs into your daily skincare routine, as well as use them to cure minor ailments. Plants in general are chock full of awesome essential oils and compounds that can help you both feel and look your best. You can use lavender to both smell good and kill bacteria, calendula to heal your cuts and scrapes, and even use rosemary as both a hair-care product and a deodorizer! With so many options to choose from, you just need to research the best plants for your needs and make sure you have a proper cultivar.

Aromatherapy

Herbs are incredibly aromatic, and these aromas can affect our moods in different ways. A strong smell like the one rosemary and mint have can stimulate you. Meanwhile, a mild smell like lemon balm or basil helps you relax. Keeping some herb plants around the house or collecting the oils can lead to you having these helpful scents on hand when you need them.

Garnishes and Decor

Another use for indoor herb plants is to act as a centerpiece on the table or as a lovely hanging plant in your kitchen or dining room. You can also garnish meals with the leaves to add some color and appeal.

Culinary Uses

Of course, the number one use for herbs is to use them for food. You get the nutritional benefits, the aromatic smells, and the colorful garnish all in one! In addition to being used in cooking, herbs have other uses in the culinary world, including:

• Herbal Teas

Tea leaves are a type of herb, so technically, every tea is an “herbal tea”. However, what people consider to be an “herbal tea” includes various spices, flowers, leaves, and even the bark from trees. These herbal teas include popular varieties like chamomile and peppermint, as well as more obscure kinds like teas made of hibiscus flowers and sage. The herbs you use depend on what kind of taste and purpose you want your tea to have, but the sky truly is the limit.

• Cooking Oils

As mentioned, herbs are full of essential oils that can be separated from the rest of the plant for various uses. You can cook with these oils just as you’d cook with any other oil, and infuse your food with a lot of flavor and nutrients.

If you love plants as much as we do, then you’ll want to try out and experiment with some of these uses. You’ll also enjoy reading more of our blog, contacting us if you have any questions, or checking out our shop to get started on your own gardening journey.