When to Pick or Purchase Herbs

Purchase herbs close to the time you plan to use them. When growing herbs in your own garden the ideal time for picking is in the morning after the dew has dried but before the sun gets hot. This helps ensure the best flavor and storage quality.

When Substituting Fresh Herbs for Dried Herbs

A general guideline when using fresh herbs in a recipe is to use 3 times as much as you would use of a dried herb. When substituting, you'll often be more successful substituting fresh herbs for dried herbs, rather than the other way around. For example, think potato salad with fresh vs. dried parsley!

Cooking with Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs taste much better than dried. It's important to know, however, that you use much more of fresh herbs than dried. I recommend using three times the amount of fresh herbs called for in a recipe that specifies dried herbs. For example, if your favorite recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, you can put 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano in, and it won't be stronger. It will, however have much better flavor!

Cooking with fresh herbs is healthy, partly because fresh herbs contain vitamins and minerals, but also because the improved taste allows you to cut down on salt and fat and still have a flavorful meal. Many herbs are easy to grow in a small space or containers, but fresh herbs are getting easier to find in grocery stores and food co-ops also.

By Eleanor Wagner

Take some thyme (pun intended!) to cook with fresh herbs. Here are some hints as you explore what's best for you. Here are some hints as you explore what's best for you.

Conditions Which May be Treatable with Herbs:

The following is a list of conditions and/or diseases that often can be prevented or treated by the actions of herbs. Frequently, herbs are used in combination within various formulas. We do not list the formulas, but include names of major herbs that provide benefits for the conditions noted.

Alcohol Abuse: Milk Thistle (Silymarin), Kudzu
Anxiety: Valerian, Passion Flower
Arthritis: Devil's Claw, Boswellia, Evening Primrose Oil
Blood Pressure: Garlic, Hawthorn
Cholesterol (High): Garlic, Gugulipid
Circulation (Poor): Ginkgo biloba, Garlic, Cayenne, Hawthorn
Colds/Flu: Echinacea, Astragalus, Garlic, Goldenseal Root
Constipation: Aloe, Cascara sagrada, Senna, Psyllium
Coughs: Licorice, Wild Cherry Bark, Thyme
Depression (Mild): St. John's Wort, Valerian
Detoxification: Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
Digestion (Poor): Chamomile, Peppermint, Ginger
Fatigue: Panax Ginseng, Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)
Hemorrhoids: Horse Chestnut, Witch Hazel (topical)
Insomnia: Valerian, Passion Flower, Hops, Lemon Balm
Liver Dysfunction: Milk Thistle (Silymarin)
Memory Loss: Ginkgo biloba
Migraine Headache: Feverfew
Menstrual Irregularities/PMS: Dong Quai, Vitex agnus-castus, Evening Primrose Oil
Nausea: Ginger, Chamomile, Peppermint
Prostate Enlargement (Benign): Saw Palmetto, Pygeum africanum, Stinging Nettle Root
Skin Conditions: Calendula, Chamomile (topical), Tea Tree Oil (topical)
Stress/Tension: Valerian, Passion Flower, Kava Kava, Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng)
Ulcers: Licorice, Aloe juice

from : herbalgram.org
Urinary Tract Problems: Cranberry, Uva Ursi
Varicose Veins: Horse Chestnut, Bilbery, Witch Hazel (topical)
Water Retention: Uva Ursi, Dandelion Leaf

Common Herbs : Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). The astringency of the leaves and bark makes witch hazel a popular ingredient for various skin conditions as well as for bruises and varicose veins. It is approved for use in hemorrhoid products.

Common Herbs : Vitex

Vitex (Chaste Tree) (Vitex agnus-castus). The small fruits of this Mediterranean tree have been used for menstrual disorders by women since Greco-Roman times. Extract of vitex is a plant preparation which adjusts the monthly menstruation cycle on a natural basis and causes premenstrual discomforts to subside or completely disappear. An extract of vitex is approved in Germany for menstrual disorders, PMS and painful breasts.

Commin Herbs : Valerian

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). Valerian is an effective and reliable sedative and sleep aid. It is effective in conditions of anxiety, insomnia and nervous irritability. Unlike prescription or OTC sleep and anxiety medication, it is not habit-forming, nor does it produce a hang-over-like side effect.

Common Herbs : Senna

Senna (Cassia senna). Both senna leaves and pods (fruits) were used in ancient Arab medine as safe and effective laxatives. Today, senna is recognized as one of the most popular and reliable stimulant laxatives. Use of senna is generally regarded as safe. However, as with all stimulant laxatives, long-term dependence may develop. Short-term use only is recommended.

Commin Herbs : Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto (Sabal) (Serenoa repens; Sabal serrulata). Saw palmetto extract is a popular remedy for enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy—BPH), a condition common in men over 50 years of age. This should be used only after proper diagnosis by a physician. Clinical studies indicate that the extract can increase urine flow and reduce frequency of nighttime urination.

Common Herbs : Psyllium

Psyllium (Plantago ovata and P. Major). Psyllium is a major source of fiber. The primary use of psyllium seed and/or psyllium seed husks is as a bulk laxative, especially for cases of chronic constipation. The tiny seeds contain a coating of gelatinous material, which swells upon contact with moisture. This increases the movement (motility) within the colon thus producing a bowel movement. Psyllium husk is an approved over-the-counter laxative.

Common Herbs : Peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha piperita). Internally, peppermint has an antispasmodic action, with a calming effect on the stomach and intestinal tract. As a tea, extract, or in a capsule, peppermint is useful for indigestion, cramp-like discomfort of the upper gastrointestinal and bile duct, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammation or irritation of the gums.

Common Herbs : Passion Flower

Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata). Contrary to the implications of its name, passion flower is not a stimulant, nor does it incite passion; instead, it has mild sedative and calmative properties. Taken internally, passion flower is usually combined with other sedative herbs for various types of nervous conditions, including insomnia and related disorders.

Commin Herbs : Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum). Milk Thistle has a long history of use in European folk medicine as a liver tonic. Silymarin from milk thistle has shown a protective effect against many types of chemical toxins, as well as alcohol. An extract of milk thistle is used to improve liver function, protect against liver damage and enhance regeneration of damaged liver cells. clinical studies have confirmed the usefulness of standardized milk thistle extracts in cases of cirrhosis, toxic liver and other chronic liver conditions.

Common Herbs : Licorice

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra and G. uralensis). Licorice is one of the most widely used medicinal plants in the world, commonly used in European, Arabian and Asian traditional medicine systems. It is soothing to inflamed mucous membranes; often recommended in treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers and cough and asthma rememdies. Licorice extract displays a stimulating action on adrenal glands and is thus useful in fatigue due to adrenal exhaustion. Licorice and its extracts are safe for normal use in moderate amounts. However, long-term use or ingestion of excessive amounts can produce headache, lethargy, sodium and water retention, excessive loss of potassium, and high blood pressure.

Common Herbs : Hawthorn

Hawthorn (Cratagus oxyacantha). Hawthorn has a long reputation in both folk medicine and clinical medicine as a heart tonic. In Europe, hawthorn berry preparations are widely used by physicians in heart conditions, such as mild forms of angina. Hawthorn is safe to use for extended periods of time, according to European studies.

Common Herbs : Goldenseal

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Goldenseal root has a long history as a native American herb used by Indians and early settlers for its antiseptic wound-healing properties. It is also used for its soothing action on inflamed mucous membranes. A popular remedy for colds and flu.

Common Herbs : Asian Ginseng

Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng). One of the world's most famous herbs. Ginseng is classed as an "adaptogen," a relatively recent term coined by Russian researchers to describe ginseng's general tonic properties. Adaptogens are herbs that increase the overall resistance to all types of stress. Other herbal adaptogens include Astragalus, Siberian Ginseng and Schizandra. Asian Ginseng (Chinese and Korean) is renowned for its ability to increase energy and endurance.

Commin Herbs : Ginkgo

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). Standardized extract of ginkgo leaf increases circulation and has shown antioxidant activity. Hundreds of European studies have confirmed the use of standardized ginkgo leaf extract for a wide variety of conditions associated with aging, including memory loss and poor-circulation. Ginkgo extract is also used clinically in Europe for tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo, and cold extremities.

Commin Herbs : Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale). Ginger is another great example of how a plant can be used as a food, spice or medicine. It has been used to treat nausea, motion sickness and vomiting. Ginger has a long history of use for all types of digestive upset and can be helpful to increase appetite.

Common Herbs : Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum). Garlic mildly displays a host of benefits: it is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, hypotensive (lowers high blood pressure), and lowers cholesterol and fat in the bloodstream. Garlic is used in Europe as an approved remedy for cardiovascular conditions, especially high cholesterol and triglyceride levels associated with risk of atherosclerosis. It is also generally regarded as a preventive measure for colds, flu and other infectious diseases

Commin Herbs : Feverfew

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). Feverfew has analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. It has been used as a folk medicine for menstrual cramps since Greco-Roman times. At least three published clinical studies in England in the 1980s confirm the efficacy of feverfew leaves for prevention and moderation of the severity of migraine headaches.