Herbs are not only fun to grow at home, but also come with many health benefits. Adding fresh herbs from your garden can be a great way to spice your dishes while knowing the source and saving some money. Nearly half of the nutritional values of plants are shortly lost within a few minutes of harvesting, so adding freshly cut herbs will help to add more nutrition to your dishes as well!
Rosemary
Rosemary is an aromatic herb that is loaded with beneficial compounds, including carsonic acid, renowned for fighting cancer cells. Additionally, it is suggested that regular consumption of rosemary can help to improve memory and brain function.
A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Northumbria found out that participants who stayed in rooms that had been pumped with rosemary scent performed better on several memory tasks than those in rooms without rosemary scent.
Rosemary adds wonderful flavor in culinary dishes like with chicken or lamb. It is loaded with iron calcium and vitamin b6. You can prepare it as a whole herb or a dried powdered extract. In traditional medicine, rosemary has been hailed for its role in alleviating muscle pain, boost immune and circulatory system, and promotes hair growth. It also has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that are essential in fighting harmful compounds and free radicals.
Cultivation Tip
- To grow rosemary at your home, you can enhance its performance by ensuring it is in an area with plenty of sunshine and regular watering. For a gentle infusion without cutting, try growing rosemary in an area where you can brush against it as you walk by. A simple brush of the hand can release its beautiful aroma.
Basil
The round leaves basil have been used in various traditional cultures as medicine, and its fragrant leaves are commonly used for seasoning various types of dishes — most notable pesto, which is made from basil, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese.
Health Benefits
Several studies on basil have shown that it has unique health-protecting effects in two main areas: its flavonoids and volatile oils.
- Basil contains antibacterial and DNA protective properties. Flavonoids in basil offer protection at cellular levels. It has two water-soluble flavonoids including orientin and vicenin, which according to studies protect cell structures and chromosomes against radiation and oxygen-based damages. Basil oils prevent bacterial growth.
- Basil has anti-inflammatory effects. Its volatile oils contain a compound called eugenol, which helps block the activity of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase. Most non-steroidal and over-the-counter drugs work by inhibiting these enzymes. Basil offers important healing benefits and symptomatic relief caused by inflammatory health issues like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Other health benefits include help reducing swelling, treating indigestion, suppression of severe cough, soothing a sore throat, easing headaches, and relieving pain from insect bites.
Cultivation Tip
- Basil thrives well in well-drained soil. You can grow basil in well-drained containers.
- For optimum growth, keep the temperatures fairly warm and expose to sunlight for at least six hours every day
- Water often in hot weather and prune beginning from the top leaves when the plant is six inches long.
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has been used in traditional medicines for centuries. Its use in traditional medicine started over 6,000 years ago in Egypt. It was commonly used in treating wounds and other skin problems since the ancient times. Currently, Aloe Vera is being used to treat a number of diseases and health conditions like asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and psoriasis. Aloe Vera can even help to fight stomach ulcers by improving digestion and reducing irritation. Its juices have anti-inflammatory properties for fighting inflammations common in problems like colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.
Cultivation Tip
- Grow Aloe Vera in large containers with well-draining potting mix and it’s best not to expose it to direct sunlight. You can also use artificial light.
- Water Aloe Vera deeply and allow the soil to dry for at least 2 inches between watering to prevent rot.
Aloe Vera is a favourite of mine. I have a plant in my home. I use it for skin complaints