Top Benefits Of An Herb Garden

There are so many befeits to having a herb garden. Apart from the wonderful recipes one can create, there are these additional considerations.

Freshness - There are more nutrients made available for the body when using just-picked herbs in your salads, main dishes and beverages. You'll always have a fresh supply of whatever ingredient you need outside your door or in your kitchen.

Flavor - Many of the natural flavors in herbs are released when picked at the height of freshness. In the grocery store, you can't be sure how long the herb plants have been sitting there, and their viability is only guaranteed for a certain time. With dried, the flavor is not as intense even if you roll them in the palm of your hand before adding them to your dish.

Save money - Fresh herbs are expensive in the store. And, most of us tend towards wasting the majority of it because we only need it for one meal. It's more cost effective and easier to pick what you need right out of your garden. There is no waste and the cost per usage is much, much less.

Variety - Did you know that there are over 30 types of basil? The one offered in stores, sweet basil, is only the tip of the iceberg. What if you could flavor your spaghetti sauce with Italian basil or dark opal basil? The differences in taste are enough to change your entire dish. Experimenting with different herbs is much easier than trying to find them in specialty stores.

Health - Fresh is always better than processed when it comes to foods that we eat. In fresh form, the nutritional value is much higher than with heavily processed ingredients. Many herbs are so delicious that they can be pinched off and eaten just like they are. Also, the process of gardening offers a bit of exercise. It can build muscles and endurance to pull weeds, plant seeds, harvest and water all of your plants. Gardening makes a great stress reliever as well.

Community - Why not share a good thing? Herbs propagate well, so offering some to friends and other family members will add a bit of health, variety and flavor to their lives as well. Encourage others to begin their own herb gardens.

Medicinal purposes - For centuries, herbal remedies were used as the primary means for treating illness and disease. Today, many have returned to the old ways of healing. For instance, lemon balm can be used to fight fatigue. Ginger is good for nausea. Chamomile is a mood soother. Basil is an anti-inflammatory with antibacterial properties. Peppermint is great for headaches. Many herbs can be eaten directly or made into teas, salves or poultices for use.