Herb Basics

Ever wonder how to store cilantro in the refrigerator, and keep it fresh and green? It's common to buy a bunch of fresh cilantro, also called Chinese parsley, for a specific recipe, only to have...

Salvia Officinalis, commonly known as garden sage, is a culinary herb favorite. It contains thujone in the volatile oil, which serves as an antiseptic, antibiotic and a vermifuge (expeller of...

Drying mint plants to make tea is a satisfying way to provide yourself with soothing and refreshing mint tea. According to the website Farm Fresh Living, mint plants should be harvested or trimmed...

Feverfew is a perennial herb that bears feathery, light green leaves and small daisy-like flowers. It is an ancient herbal remedy for pain of all sorts, including migraines, arthritis and uterine...

Grown for thousands of years, mint remains popular for beauty, cooking and medicinal purposes. Mint oil provides the base for many items flavored or scented with mint, such as salves, lotions and...

Oil extracted from mint leaves has many uses. In addition to acting as a flavoring agent for foods, mint oils are also used in lotions, medicines, and candy. If you grow your own mint at home, you...

Bay leaves grow on the sweet bay or laurel tree. Native to Asia Minor, the aromatic laurel tree is now also found in the Mediterranean region and regions of similar climate. Bay leaves are a...

Stevia is an herb native to South America that has quickly become popular with American consumers for its sweeter-than-sugar qualities and safe use by hypoglycemic and diabetic people. Growing and...

There are many differences between spearmint and peppermint plants, from the leaves, flowers and flavor of the two herb plants to their most popular uses. Each dates back 5,000 years to ancient...

Sweet Annie is a decorative plant with fragrant foliage. Well-liked among herb enthusiasts, Sweet Annie's feathery green leaves hold both the color and aroma well when dried. The herb is a...

Scented Geraniums can be used for more than just looking pretty. Use it to spice up your sugar and have an easy afternoon project for you and your little ones. Great for afterschool playdates,...

Recipes often call for fresh herbs. There are many herbs to choose from, each with its own flavor and characteristics. The most commonly used herbs are parsley, sage, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves,...

Fresh bay leaves have long been known to have a narcotic effect when eaten in large amounts. Despite their homely place in spice cabinets today, in ancient times they were associated with the...

Pineapple sage is a tender perennial sage that is hardy from USDA zone 8-11. It's leaves are pineapple scented and it is used in teas and in cooking. This is a very easy plant to grow from cuttings.

Mint leaves have a long history in culinary, health, dental and cosmetic uses in societies all over the world. There are a number of different types of mint plants with their own unique flavors...

Many herbs--basil and sage, for example--have common and widely known uses. However, an herb such as lemon balm doesn't seem to be as well-known and used. Try the ideas listed below to make use...

Don't let all that basil in your garden go to waste! Use these ideas below for creative ways to add the common herb to your day-to-day living.

Learn to harvest your garden grown or potted oregano plants easily, and increase your yield.

Learn to easily harvest your garden grown or potted peppermint or spearmint plants for optimal flavor and yield.

Basil is a flavorful herb used in many styles of cooking, including Italian and Asian dishes. Basil can be grown in the garden or in a pot in a south-facing window. A number of things may cause...

Learn to easily harvest your garden grown or potted basil plants for optimal flavor and yield.

Fresh herbs dried at home usually retain their medicinal properties, nutritional value, aroma and flavor better than commercially dried herbs. Food lovers and herbalists alike understand the...

Lemon balm is a perennial herb also known by the Latin name Melissa officinalis, a member of the mint family. Lemon balm's appearance makes it an unlikely focal point in the garden, but it...

Sage is native to the Mediterranean and Asian regions of the world, but is found throughout Europe and the Americas as well. Its scientific name is Salvia officinalis, and it is a member of the...

Drying herbs is a great way to preserve herbs. When you dry them they can be stored for later medicinal use or used to flavor your favorite foods. Drying and preserving herbs is a simple process...

If you love herb gardening, mint is an easy plant to grow. But be warned; once you plant mint, it can easily overtake the garden! Many people who love herb gardening end up with a huge patch of...

According to Linda Rector Page, N.D., Ph.D., in her book, "Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone," fresh herbs lose volatile oils when exposed to heat or sunlight during drying,...

Have a ton of towering basil and can't use it quick enough? I always have an abundance of basil and wanted to find a way to save it for future recipes. This little trick is great way to do just that.

Having your own garden can be a great way to add fresh herbs to your food. Basil is not a hard herb to grow yourself, but you have to know how to harvest it properly.

If you pick basil correctly, your plants will continue to produce lots of fresh, fragrant leaves. Below, learn how to locate the correct place to harvest leaves from your basil plants to...

Sage, a member of the vast mint family, is a versatile and easy to grow herb. The leaves are used fresh or dried to flavor a variety of dishes including beef, pork and poultry. Native Americans...

Catnip is a mint-type plant used for herbal medicine and to attract cats. According to recent studies at Iowa State University, catnip may discourage mosquitoes. The university has patented...

If you have a garden full of herbs, dry them and you can use them year around. The fragrant herbs will add a delicious flavor to soup and other dishes, and the aroma will fill your house with a...

Lemon verbena is popular with everyone because of its lemony aroma. It was once called the Scarlet O’Hara herb because southern ladies used lemon verbena leaves to wipe their brows. This herb...

Burdock is a thistle that grows wild in North America and is sometimes classified as a weed. If you can tolerate a "weed" growing in your yard, there is a lot to like about burdock. You'll find...

Catnip, an herb related to mint, is known for the affection cats display for it. However, humans also have used catnip for over 2,000 years. Grow some in your garden and you will find several...

The seeds and leaves of the coriandrum sativum plant, what we commonly call coriander, have been in use going back as far as ancient Egypt. Coriander has a powerful, distinctive flavor, and you...

To most gardeners, dandelion is a weed. However, there are plenty of uses for dandelion once they are plucked from the ground. Here are some of them.

Bay is a traditional Greek symbol of glory and reward. In the modern day world, it is most famously used to spice soups. However, it is an extremely versatile herb.

French Tarragon, an aromatic anise-flavored herb, is popular for culinary use as well as in scented perfumes, soaps and cosmetics. You can grow it in your garden and harvest it to sell, create...