Which herbs do you use? This is a multiple ... - Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating

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Which herbs do you use? This is a multiple choice poll and comments on uses welcome as they are so versatile and fragrant.

123 Voters

Please select all that apply:

70 Replies
GERALDDAVID profile image
GERALDDAVID

I THOUGHT LAVENDER WAS for aroma, didn`t know you could eat it. Don`t see chives in my store much, so use green onions or shallots as they are called. I use a lot of garlic as it is so healthy and tastes great for a lot of my cooking! Use all the rest on the list.

Jalk profile image
Jalk in reply to GERALDDAVID

Only seen it in biscuits

in reply to GERALDDAVID

Hi GERALDDAVID lavender is indeed used as a fragrance and for skin care. It is also culinary and adds flavour to food, it is a member of the mint family.

GERALDDAVID profile image
GERALDDAVID in reply to

Thanks, I use a lavender soap bar for bathing and is delightful!

in reply to GERALDDAVID

I bet it is. 😊

GERALDDAVID profile image
GERALDDAVID in reply to

I used to grow many flavors of mint and lemon verbena to put in my sun tea in the summer. There was a nusery near that had mant different varietys of mint, orange, pineapple, and other flavors.

Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Administrator in reply to

I have a friend who makes lavender bread. Looks really good. Never had it, though.

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584 in reply to Activity2004

Lavender bread! That’s a new one to me. Sounds nice though :).

Ouanne profile image
Ouanne in reply to GERALDDAVID

Chives are really easy to grow in a pot even if you have no garden.

in reply to Ouanne

I agree Ouanne as I grow chives and really like them. 😊

deejames profile image
deejames in reply to GERALDDAVID

I make a killer blackcurrant cheese cake with lavender in the crumb

in reply to deejames

This sounds divine...😀

GERALDDAVID profile image
GERALDDAVID in reply to deejames

I`ve been wanting cheesecake for a long time, so many calories though and I have to watch what I eat. Haven`t heard of black currant cheesecake only strawberry, I bet it is good, one day will breakdown and get some cheesecake again, on my bucket list. When I was young, many years ago, we used to buy Jello cheesecake mix with the graham cracker crust and make those, took about 2 hrs I think. What do you think of mince meat pie? Recently had a key lime pie and a really good lemon marange pie that was low in sat fat per serving, had a really good texture. Edward`s pies are great, also marie calender pies, do you ever see those. Had a great pumpkin pie for thanksgiving!

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584 in reply to deejames

I agree with Jerry, that sounds really nice :).

AndrewT profile image
AndrewT in reply to GERALDDAVID

Dear GERALDDAVID,

Yes It IS quite edible...Makes your breath smell Good too! The French Named it, after they started to use it to Keep clothes fresh. Laver, meaning, To Wash/ Launder....Lava-der, which became, Lavender. Do Try it, it's far from unpleasant- you can make Lavender Scones...CAN do...I Don't though🤢. It's not, a bad 'Mix', with Rosemary mind. Another 'Interesting Plant/ 'Herb', is the Lemon Scented Geranium, again a Pleasant, NON Toxic Plant worth investigating. Actually there are Dozens, probably hundreds, of Edible- and interesting- plants....Buy yourself a book. By the way, is it true that the 'Lady Of Shallot' really knew her Onions?😋

Enjoy 'experimenting' with Different Mixtures- you never know, you might even Like some of them!

Merry Christmas GERALDDAVID

AndrewT

GERALDDAVID profile image
GERALDDAVID in reply to AndrewT

Used to have a good herb book, have to keep my eye out for another. Lady of Shallot, haven`t heard that one , will look it up! I used to grow a lot of herbs but don`t get around as much now. Thanks for all the info, interesting.

Hi Jerry, I use Basil, Chives, Mint Parsley and also dried mixed herbs. I do use others but normally if a recipe calls for them like the fresh Coriander I used in my Vegetable and Coconut Curry this week. I also use garlic on a regular basis i.e. all of my one pot meals have garlic in them.

in reply to

Hi Alicia good choices I eat lots of herbs I also really like fresh and ground coriander and grow chives lavender and rosemary, I have a border off lavender leading to my front door.

Jerry 😊

in reply to

Thank you Jerry. Herbs really do add to a dish and I have to say the fresh Coriander I used in the Vegetable and Coconut Curry really added a lovely flavour. You can't beat herbs in a decent stuffing either.😋

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584 in reply to

Oooh, stuffing. Now you’re making me hungry :).

in reply to Matt2584

Can't beat a good homemade stuffing for sure, think I'll be making myself one for Christmas. :)

Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Administrator in reply to Matt2584

We had gluten free stuffing for Thanksgiving and the night after. The longer it sat in the refrigerator, the better the flavors were blended together. Best part, we still have more leftovers of it for another few more times. :-)

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584 in reply to

I bet the bees love your garden then, Jerry :).

in reply to Matt2584

I hope so Matt and I have fruit trees for next season, I love bees they busy little creatures who do a lot of good. 🐝

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584 in reply to

Everybody should love bees really, they are one of the main reasons humanity even exists.

And it’s so awful that bees are dying off at alarming rates due to human acts. I’ve signed some petitions to stop some of these pesticides that kill bees.

People around the world need to plant more.

I had some wildflowers in my garden this year that bees were loving.

I might plant some more next year as well as some lavender :).

in reply to Matt2584

I agree Matt at my last house I had a Virginia creeper on the garage roof and bee's loved it it was like being in an aerodrome in the garage because of their drone it was awesome to have so many bees in the city.

I've moved and now have a row of lavender bordering my drive and I bought the land at the back of me to stop building on it and am planting ornamental and fruit trees. I have left an entrance for the boars so they can eat the fruit without smashing my fence down so at least I'll see the spring blossom and this is what living with nature is really all about, giving something back...😊

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584 in reply to

I can just imagine what it would be like to be in a garage with loads of bees flying around above you, must have been cool to hear all that buzzing.

You bought the land to stop building on it, that was good of you :).

I wish I could do something like that. I wouldn’t know the first thing about buying my own land though and I imagine it must be real expensive too.

It must be cool to have boars come into your garden too. Where in the UK are you? North/midlands I’m guessing?

I’m down in the south and I have got to say that nature quite likes our garden.

We have a robin that comes to visit our garden quite regular. I saw a hummingbird moth once, at least I think it was and the latest cool thing we have had was a sparrow-hawk eating a pigeon :).

I’m glad to hear you are giving back to nature.

A lot more people need to do this kind of thing to cos if they don’t they will take and take and take until there is nothing left :(.

in reply to Matt2584

Thank you Matt it was all very opportune and I'm looking to forward to waking up to seeing cherry apple and pear blossom in the spring so whats a few apples with your neighbours...😊

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584 in reply to

See, this is how I think life should be. People growing their own fruit and veg and trading with their neighbours but it seems more likely growing and making more money and trading with other countries.

HealthSeeker7 profile image
HealthSeeker7

Where's Oregano?

alchemilla12 profile image
alchemilla12 in reply to HealthSeeker7

a bit like marjoram -used in Italian cooking a lot especially in pizza seasonings

niretro profile image
niretro in reply to alchemilla12

I think HealthSeeker7 was asking *where* is it in this poll’s options (I also noticed it was missing) - not *what* it is :-)

alchemilla12 profile image
alchemilla12 in reply to niretro

oh of course -I read what is oregano - duh :) :)

in reply to alchemilla12

LOL 😊

in reply to HealthSeeker7

Good point where indeed...😊

Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Administrator in reply to HealthSeeker7

It can be added under Other/MISC..

in reply to Activity2004

It's often what isn't on the poll thats creates most interest and I like that. 😀

Marianne0915 profile image
Marianne0915

Hi Garlic Turmeric and mixed spice must be added.

Ouanne profile image
Ouanne in reply to Marianne0915

Are they herbs?

Marianne0915 profile image
Marianne0915 in reply to Ouanne

Turmeric medicinal herb/spice and garlic herb/spice.

alchemilla12 profile image
alchemilla12 in reply to Ouanne

not technically -they are spices

jpipw profile image
jpipw

I have all these growing but mostly turn to thyme and parsley, I’ve also never used lavender. I use some for teas especially to deal with sore throats.

suramo profile image
suramoStar

Other than basil and mint are not easily available.

Ninn profile image
Ninn

Black mint in easy to grow and makes lovely refreshing tea.

Ninn profile image
Ninn

Lavender makes nice biscuits and shortbread. Also a syrup for icecream or fruit. Chives are useful for people on low fodmap diet who cant eat onions or garlic

HOBIEONE profile image
HOBIEONE

Garlic ! & as much as I can.

mascotty02 profile image
mascotty02

I grow my own basil and chives, mint and tried rosemary this year but it died on me, ive left the roots there just in case there is life somewhere, if not will have to dig it up, they are in a window box on the outside of my kitchen wall

Blackcat1M profile image
Blackcat1M in reply to mascotty02

Buy one in a pot from supermarket , then pot outside.

I did this on the advice of a friend and now have two lovely pots, bees love it when it is in flower.

in reply to mascotty02

You're so right mascotty02 that herbs can be grown ion very small spaces. 😊

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584 in reply to mascotty02

I’m sure even when a plant dies or if it closes away/hibernates, there is still some life left :).

If there is a root system in the soil still, you will get some growth in time.

Kathush profile image
Kathush

I use parsley both dried and fresh. :)

learn-2016 profile image
learn-2016

Hi my preference is Basil, Sage and mint

Blackcat1M profile image
Blackcat1M

My son once used lavender instead of rosemary on his leg of lamb, said it was delicious, and still uses it.

I love using any herbs or spices in cooking .

in reply to Blackcat1M

This sounds delicious to me Blackcat1M so good for you. 😊

I grow chives rosemary and lavender and have a border of lavender leading to my front door which I really like.

I eat lots of herbs and chives parsley coriander and oregano are my most used, I eat a lot of garlic but that is really a vegetable. A very healthy one too.

Herbs are a great way to add flavour and nutrition naturally to meals. 😊

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584 in reply to

As I said in another comment, I expect the bees love your garden :).

Yes, garlic is more of a vegetable and is from the same family as the onion. Both vegetables are very very good for your health.

Beek profile image
Beek

Fresh coriander is the biggest staple in my kitchen. (Frozen too if needs must and I've run out of fresh!) All of the above but less often.

MTCee profile image
MTCee

I tend to use spices more than herbs. My favourite combination is ground coriander, cumin, turmeric, smoked paprika and chilli 🌶 😋

in reply to MTCee

Hey MTCee good choices and you obviously really like curries...😀

MTCee profile image
MTCee in reply to

It's true ☺️. I think I'm going to try growing my own chilli's soon. I usually grow chives and rocket during the summer, which I add to all my salads. Forgot to add those before. Next year I'm going to try growing sorrel, edible flowers and some Japanese salad leaves too. Then there's also bay leaves which I add to my stews. Heck the more I think about it, I use herbs quite a lot 😂

in reply to MTCee

Hey good for you MTCee and I for one would love to see some photo's of your Japanese salad leaves. I use lots of heres too as they add flavour and nutrition.

Jerry 😀

MTCee profile image
MTCee in reply to

Ok. It says shiso purple on the seed packet. I've also got some seeds for red orach. Hopefully they'll both sprout and thrive next year ☺️

Matt2584 profile image
Matt2584

I sometimes grow chives and mint/peppermint in the garden. The chives give a nice flavouring to certain foods and the mint peppermint adds flavour to certain drinks.

A mint/peppermint tea is food to drink after a main meal as well as it can settle the stomach.

I use peppermint essential oil if I have a cold.

Peppermint and menthol is excellent for colds.

I inhale the peppermint so that it makes me cough. Coughing is the bodies way of getting rid of the bad. Also, it can make me sneeze too. Sneezing and coughing up as much phlegm as you can is one of the best things to do to get over a cold quickly.

I have menthol crystals which are shards of concentrated peppermint and they are really good to use as well.

Put one shard in a cup and cover with boiling water and inhale the fumes. It’s much more powerful than essential oil and practically blows your head off :).

We also grow Rosemary too. We don’t normally use it to flavour food but more really to rub it and smell the fingertips. Some sources will tell you that Rosemary can improve the memory.

I don’t normally grow lavender but I think I might next year. I usually use the essential oil.

Lavender is great stuff for relaxing the body and putting you to rest. It relaxes the muscles and so if you are a sufferer of cramps you might want to use lavender. Either inhale it or use it topically.

Another muscle relaxing essential and is also brilliant for brain injuries is frankincense.

Fatigue is a common symptom to brain injury survivors and I used to get fatigued quite easily too... USED TO. Not any more though thanks to Frankincense :).

Fran182716 profile image
Fran182716Prediabetic

I ticked all except Lavender, can’t stand it as fragrance or for anything else, I think it looks pretty growing though. I’d also add oregano (and bay leaves but not sure they’re technically a herb?)

Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Administrator

I use mint, parsley and basil for certain items.

Fantastic poll, Hidden ! Thank you for posting it. :-)

in reply to Activity2004

Thanks Leah, it would be interesting to know how members use herbs other than in food... Jerry 😊

Activity2004 profile image
Activity2004Administrator in reply to

That’s good!😀👍

Tibblington profile image
Tibblington

If my wife wakes in the night and finds it difficult to get back to sleep she finds that a lavender bag on the pillow solves the problem.

We eat fresh parsley sprinkled over our salad every day..

AndrewT profile image
AndrewT

Dear Jerry,

You DO get some, very interesting, Polls. There ARE a, very good, number of Plants that can Enhance Cooking...Lemon Mint, Lemon Balm, Lemon Geranium, Peppermint, Spearmint...... even Rose Petals.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

AndrewT

in reply to AndrewT

Hey thanks AndrewT polls are fun and our members enjoy them and a great choice of herbs and plants. Christmas plants is an interesting subject so thanks for the idea.

Jerry 😊