The Commonly Grown Herbs

I learned of the commonly grown herbs during my daily walks up in the mountains. In each of my experiences with the many different herbs and the new types of herbs, I discovered a new herbal plant.

I recently found out more about the commonly grown herbs right in my backyard. Over the years, I often heard of the benefits of herbs and of how some could be used as pain relievers.

Before my move to Croatia, I read about the various types of herbs. I did not think at that time I would grow the exact same type of herbs in my beautiful garden.

Mint

Among the most common herb in my garden is the lovely green-scented Mint and fresh Coriander. Other herbs such as Sage, Lavender, Basil, Rosemary and Fennel I saw these herbal plants elsewhere.

As I got older, my knowledge improved, and I know what is beneficial to me in many ways. I prefer to add mint to salads for its refreshing aroma. I slice ripe tomatoes and finely chop onions for a fresh salad.

Also, I made mint sauce and that turned out well. You can very finely chop a few sprigs of fresh mint and add to water and vinegar to your taste.

You will need at least two handfuls of fresh green mint. Six tablespoonfuls of white vinegar, half a cup boiling water, and two tablespoons of sugar.

Allow for the water to cool down before adding the sugar, vinegar and the main ingredient, mint. Try the mint sauce recipe according to your sweetness and tangy taste as required from the vinegar.

I do not have mint growing in containers, but from the ground and have far too much now.

I have mint grown in two different places in the garden and is not easy to get rid of from the ground. If you would prefer to grow mint in pots that would be a great idea too,

Rosemary

A beautiful herb in its feature and is also used in many of my cuisines. I use Rosemary when I fry fish, grill or for any type of stew.

When I prepare a barbecue with fish, I add olive oil, and fresh Rosemary to the fish with freshly chopped garlic. Sometimes I burn the Rosemary in the hot fire to add more flavour to the fish from the fire.

Rosemary grows in our Mediterranean climate with needle-sharp-edged leaves and the flowers are purple.

I often see bees on the flowers and feel happy to see more bees in our garden. On the rocky side of the hills, the Rosemary grew so magnificently.

Note that we planted our Rosemary from the root does not grow well in pots, or from seed. I read about Lemon grass, but have not yet tried it in any of my cooking.

I have seen a documentary of Chef Wan and he used Lemon grass in almost all his recipes in cooking.

Sage

I had the plant dug up from the wild and had it planted in my backyard, it has purple flowers and a very strong aroma.

Lavender

A well-known herb found in European fields grows in small shrubs and is a tea used for some ailments.

The nectar of the Lavender flower is used to make quality honey; Lavender has been used for generations and can be found in the European region.

People still gather this wild herb from the fields, dry it for use at a later stage, and are kept in glass bottles.

A herb used for flavouring foods, mostly in French cuisines with a sweet taste.

It has a strong aroma and is used to keep fish moths at bay, and for attracting bees with the beautiful flowers it bears.

Lavender flowers are collected before the buds open and while the aroma is still at its best.

Dried lavender should be used with caution because of its impotency.

It is of the mint family and can be used like you would use sage, or Rosemary, a combination of other herbs and spices, including, Thyme.

Used for headaches, like migraines, for dizzy spells, sore joints, inflammations, and, as a cure for hoarseness.

I have French lavender and Croatian Lavender with similar aromas, but different kinds of leaves. The flowers are also purple.

Not all lavender is edible and all lavender tastes similar with not a very nice taste. I have not eaten lavender but heard that one must acquire a different taste.

Do you know what is Angelica?

It is a biennial herb only if you allow for seed at the end of the season it then becomes a perennial herb. I have not yet planted Angelica herb, but l eventually would like to try another new herb.

I recently learned of a few new and different Herbs

The Benefits of Korean Red Ginseng:

• Athletes are energetic.
• Boosts energy and reduces fatigue, mentally.
• The body adjusts to stress levels as normal.
• For the sex organs, free blood flow to the penis.
• Women in the stage of menopause can use red ginseng for the stimulation of estrogen production.
• Boots the metabolism of an individual and are also used for detoxifying, and for those who are diabetic.

Arnica

What is Arnica?

• Many people are using Arnica for pain relief. One of the best herbs used for pain relief.
• A natural product and is considered family medicine.
• Found in Europe and North America, Arnica has been used for many years and is useful for arthritis, sore muscles, and strained and sore muscles.
• The anti-inflammatory called thymol helps with the pain.
• Some people may experience allergic reactions such as vomiting.

Coriander

• Coriander grows in most parts of the world, a soft plant which grows to fifty centimetres in height and is commonly found in the wild in the areas of Eastern countries.
• Mostly used in cooking, ground or in a form of powder.
• Coriander is used in soups; this is an ingredient of other Indian spices which includes garam-masala, pickling, and pudding spices.

The seeds of the coriander are used for brewing drinks.

A spice used in many foods. Indians have a common name for coriander, called Dhania, in most Indian regions; the fresh leaves are often used as garnishing foods and to flavour the food with its exquisite aroma.

Coriander seeds are boiled with water and drunk for colds, and used for controlling levels of cholesterol, an Asian herb that is used to prevent haemorrhoids, headaches, swellings, conjunctivitis, and ulcer problems.

A herbaceous plant of the parsley family, the leaves are like the parsley plant, it takes ninety days to harvest the seeds of this plant, and the task must be carried through to the end.

Cubeb

Cubeb is a tailed pepper mostly grown in Java which is the reason for Cubeb is known as Java Pepper. The fruit of this plant is gathered before ripened and dried at a later stage.

One of the finest spices used in Europe for adding flavour to meat and is used in marinades, vegetable dishes, spiced in biscuits, and cheese.

A small plant with red to brown seeds in colour has a touch of nutmeg and a taste of camphor. The berry of the plant is used for stimulation, as an antiseptic, and for chronic bronchitis and digestive ailments.

Cubeb is grown in tropical regions, it is a perennial plant, a climber that clings onto posts and bears brown fruit.

Epazote

A herb found in some parts of America. It is brewed as a tea and is sometimes known as Mexican Tea or Worm seed.

Epazote is usually used as a leaf vegetable and can be eaten raw, a spice that has flavours like aniseed and fennel. A herb used to flavour Mexican dishes with sharp tastes of camphor and stronger than tarragon, used in salads, soups, and meats.

Epazote is used for malaria and respiratory infections. An annual, perennial plant, the young leaves are milder and less bitter. You can use both the leaf and stem for cooking, but the seeds are used only when dried.

Hawthorne Tea

Found in Africa, Asia and Europe.

For a tea made with crushed Hawthorn Berries or leaf and flower, add a cup of boiling water, you can soak it for 15-20 minutes, if you like it can be reheated, and add some lemon, or honey for your required taste.

A tea which has a history in clinical and folk medicine purposes used as a heart tonic, it reduces bloodstream, fat levels, and, cholesterol levels.

Side Effects

Hawthorne Tea is used for treating nausea, upset stomachs, dizziness, mild rash, drowsiness, fatigue, sweating, difficulty sleeping, and headaches.

Lemon Balm Tea

A herbal tea used for increasing your spirits relieves stomach disorders, and, relaxes the nerves. Found in Europe and some parts of Africa are been grown for thousands of years.

It is called the Lemon Balm Tea because of the scent of lemons on the leaves.

Make Lemon Balm tea is easy, use one teaspoon of Lemon Balm Tea, a dried herb, and cover it in a cup of boiling water to avoid the escape of the aroma from being carried away by the steam.

Enjoy this tea after ten minutes of soaking and straining.

You can drink this tea and still perform normal duties.

People with Glaucoma should not use this tea as it affects the pressure of the eye. Always consult your doctor before consuming any herbal remedies.

Horehound Tea

The Romans found out about this plant, centuries ago.

A tea for upper respiratory disorders, like asthma, coughs, sore throats, and headaches caused by the sinuses.

Prepare Horehound tea by boiling it in a kettle or saucepan and keep the Horehound leaves in a clean heat-proof container in a coffee mug and leave aside.

Add the boiling water over the Horehound leaves in the cup and cover with a saucer for fifteen minutes, thereafter, strain the tea into another heat-proof cup, the leaves can be discarded after the tea is soaked.

Have it with lemon and honey, your choice.

You should not have more than a cup daily.

Side Effects

Maybe diarrhoea and dermatitis, may not be the same for everyone.

Herbs have become one of the most used natural medicines for healing and as a pain reliever.

I have a great interest in all different herbs.