The Healing Herbal Kitchen

Herbs & Spices

Culinary Use

Medicinal Use

Basil

Pesto, tomatoes sauces, tomato salads

Antibacterial, antispasmodic, vitamins and minerals

Bay Leaf

Soups, stock, casseroles, sauces

Antibacterial, antispasmodic, essential oil, tannins, bitter principles, herbicide (place by books and in corners to repel silverfish)

Cardamom

Cakes, cookies, curries

Anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, essential oil, mucilage, improving circulation

Cayenne

Chilis, sauces, soups, instead of black pepper

Anti-inflammatory, improving circulation

Cinnamon

Hot drinks, baked items, cooked fruit

Anti-spasmodic, digestive aid, essential oil for aromatherapy

Cloves

Ham or pork dishes, hot drinks, baked items, combines will with cinnamon and nutmeg

Topical analgesic, anti-viral, expectorant, essential oil, digestive aid

Coriander

Leaves called cilantro-salads, garnish, chili, salsa.  Seeds called coriander-pickling spice, curries, soups, meat dishes

Anti-spasmodic, tannins, vitamins, essential oil, digestive aid

Cumin

Soups, sauces, curries, chili

Dill

Pickling spice, vinegars, soup, cheese dishes, fish

Anti-spasmodic, mucilage, tannins, essential oils, vitamins and minerals, aids digestion

Fennel

Combined with other herbs or on its own as a rub for meat, herbal tea, breads, bulb can be used as vegetable in stir fries

Anti-spasmodic, diuretic, carminative, essential oil, vitamins and minerals, digestive aid.  Chewed after the meal neutralizes stomach acid, sweetness the breath and helps digest fatty food.

Garlic

Raw cloves baked and eaten or rubbed on bread for garlic bread, stir fries, salad dressings, sauces, soups, rubbed over meats.

Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial, vitamins and minerals, essential oil, immune boosting

Ginger

Dried product-baked goods, stir fries, sauces. Fresh chopped root– stir fries, sauces, candied

Anti-spasmodic, vitamins and minerals, digestive aid, improving circulation, morning sickness

Marjoram

Any meat or vegetarian dish, cheese balls, herb butters, combined with other herbs in mix for sauces.

Anti-spasmodic, sedative, digestive aid, vitamins and minerals, bitter principles, essential oil, tannins

Nutmeg

Meat and vegetarian dishes, curries, eggnog, hot drinks, baked goods.

Oregano

Meat and vegetarian dishes, vegetables stir fries, soups, sauces-especially tomato based.

Anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, sedative, astringent, expectorant, digestive aid, immune boosting, essential oil

Paprika

Meat stews, cheese or egg dishes, salad dressing, pesto sauces.  Good for adding colour to grain dishes.

Peppermint

Tea

Anti-spasmodic, analgesic, carminative, expectorant, essential oils, tannins, bitter principles

Rosemary

Meat dishes, herb butters, combined with other herbs in salad dressings, potatoes

Anti-spasmodic, anti-bacterial, analgesic, digestive aid, circulation, essential oils, tannins, saponin

Sage

Meat dishes, sauces, soups, cheese dishes, grains.

Anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic, diuretic, estrogenic compounds, bitter principles, essential oils, tannins,

Savory

Fish and meat dishes, vegetarian stews and casseroles, vegetable stir fries, grains, herb breads.

Anti-spasmodic, carminative, astringent, digestive aid, expectorant, tannins, mucilage, essential oils

Tarragon

Meat and fish dishes, omelets, herb butters, stir fries, grains, herb breads

Bitter principles, tannins, essential oils, liver tonic, cleansing, abortifacient

Thyme

Pasta sauces, meat and vegetarian dishes, cheese dishes, herb breads

Antiseptic, anti-microbial, expectorant, uterine stimulant, tannins, bitter principles, essential oils, saponins