Posted on April 30, 2021
Herbs you can Grow at Home
Fresh herbs bring flavour to food, offer a range of health benefits – and can make your windowsill look prettier and room smell lovely too. Here are some of our favourite herbs that you can easily grow at home, saving you money at the supermarket.
Why fresh herbs?
Herbs have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties. They contain protective polyphenols which have shown to provide many health benefits(1)
Fresh herbs make a great replacement for salt if you are trying to reduce the sodium in your dishes without compromising on flavour. They add flavour and colour without adding fat, salt or sugars, and don’t forget that every dish looks more professional with a garnish of fresh herbs.
How to store fresh herbs
Once cut, most fresh herbs can be stored in the fridge. Wrap them loosely in a piece of damp kitchen towel before storing in an airtight container or resealable bag in your refrigerator.
Prune herb plants regularly to encourage new growth – if you have more than you need, many fresh herbs can be easily frozen. Add a splash of olive oil to an ice cube tray and place the washed and chopped herbs in the oil, ready to be frozen. Alternatively, add chopped herbs to a plastic freezer bag with a tablespoon of oil before freezing. Now you’ll have homegrown herbs at hand all-year round.
Grow your own
Basil
Basil, part of the mint family, has a sweet and strong aroma. Perfect on pizza and in pasta sauces, basil can be grown from seed in a sunny spot. Or whizz fresh basil in a food processor with garlic, pine nuts, parmesan and olive oil to make your own pesto at home. Sweet basil can also contribute to physical well-being and optimal mental and cognitive activity.(2,3) While basil can also support digestion.(2,3)
Chives
Chives can thrive outside in the warmer months but prefer a sunny windowsill during the winter. Finely chopped chives make a great garnish for baked potatoes, eggs and salads.
Oregano
Add Mediterranean flavour to your meals with oregano, which can be grown on a south-facing windowsill. Like basil, it’s delicious on pizza and works well with tomato-based dishes. Careful not to over-water, as oregano doesn’t need as much as other herbs.
Rosemary
Growing rosemary indoors will keep your kitchen smelling fresh. The perfect partner for next-level roast potatoes, rosemary can also be dried for use in stews and soups. Rosemary is known for its antioxidant properties largely attributed to the compounds, rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid.(4) Antioxidants protect cells from oxidative stress.
Sage
Sage grows well indoors but needs to be in a sunny spot. Use it to add fresh flavour to pork and sausage dishes or to make your own stuffing for Sunday lunch.
Thyme
Fresh or dried, thyme is a key ingredient in some of the most delicious dressings and sauces. It can grow in an east or west facing window. Tie whole stems into bunches and hang in a dry, airy location to dry your own fresh thyme leaves.
References
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- Opara, E. and Chohan, M. . (2014). Culinary Herbs and Spices: Their Bioactive Properties, the Contribution of Polyphenols and the Challenges in Deducing Their True Health Benefits. Int J Mol Sci.. 15 (10), 19183–19202. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4227268/
- Khair-ul-Bariya, S., Ahmed. D., Ikram, M. et al. (2012). Ocimum Basilicum: A Review on Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies. Pak. J. Chem. 2 (2), 78-85. 001-11235 (3773-3782).pmd (researchgate.net)
- Cohen, M.M. (2014). Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 5 (4), 251–259.Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum: A herb for all reasons (nih.gov)
- Frankel, E. N., Huang, S., Aeschbach, R. and Prior, E. . (1996). Antioxidant Activity of a Rosemary Extract and Its Constituents, Carnosic Acid, Carnosol, and Rosmarinic Acid, in Bulk Oil and Oil-in-Water Emulsion. J. Agric. Food Chem.. 44 (1), 131–135. Antioxidant Activity of a Rosemary Extract and Its Constituents, Carnosic Acid, Carnosol, and Rosmarinic Acid, in Bulk Oil and Oil-in-Water Emulsion | Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (acs.org)
