Kinds Of Herbs

You don’t have to be an experienced botanist or a skilled gardener to know that there are numerous kinds of herbs. Some of them are cultivated for their wonderful taste or fragrance, others for their therapeutic properties and for their aesthetic side, while others are considered sacred and are being utilized during religious ceremonies. Based on their main purpose, one could easily divide some of the most common herbs in four categories

1) Culinary herbs

Nothing compares to a healthy, nutritious meal, based on the right ingredients. For hundreds of years, people have tried to improve the taste of their food by adding several kinds of herbs and special spices.

Rosemary- a perennial culinary herb with pointy leaves which look like bigger needles. It doesn’t need a lot of water to grow; it originates from Mediterranean regions. In the kitchen, it is mostly used to intensify the taste of mouth-watering meat-based dishes.

Basil- this special herb, considered royal (its name is the Greek term for “king), is a part of the Lamiaceae family. It has a unique sweet flavor and a pleasant perfume. It can be added fresh or dried to improve the taste of various kinds of dishes which require a basil-based sauce including meat, pizza, salads and pasta. There are four types of basil: sweet basil, a top ingredient in the famous Italian cuisine, holy basil, lemon basil, cultivated in mostly in Africa and Asia, and Thai basil.

Parsley- curly parsley and flat leaf parsley are common culinary herbs, which are used frequently due to their sweet taste which preserves its intensity right until the food is served and also due to their intense fragrance. They are added to salads, soups and vegetable-based dishes.

Mint- with its unique, memorable flavor, mint will always occupy a special place in every kitchen. It is used to prepare delicious deserts, sweets creams, toppings, chocolate and ice cream. It can also be added to improve the taste of fruit salads, soups and to prepare aromatic tea and lemonade.

Oregano- this is a special ingredient, also a part of the Lamiaceae family, which will make almost any kind of pizza instantly delicious. These kinds of herbs are perennial; they also grow in the Mediterranean area, and are very popular due to their mild, sweet taste and their compatibility with numerous types of delicious dishes (omelets, pasta, pizza, and so on).

Thyme- thyme is one of those kinds of herbs which are just perfect for marinades, but also for salads and different other dishes based on meat and vegetables. It can be used fresh or dried and it is considered an essential ingredient in the Mediterranean cuisine.

Sage- most people count on several kinds of herbs to prepare mouth-watering sauces. Sage is definitely one of them. It favors a trouble-free digestion and its long, dark green leaves are added during the first cooking phases, mostly due to their amazing peppery taste. The leaves can be added fresh or dried, to condiment meat-based dishes and numerous home-made sauces.

2) Medicinal herbs

Many kinds of herbs widely known as culinary ingredients are also very appreciated for their healing properties.

Parsley- used to prevent weight loss, to detoxify the body and to reduce cellulitis.

Mint- favors a fast detoxifying process, fights stomach problems, and eliminates diarrhea and bad breath.

Sage – a powerful ally in controlling diverse inflammatory problems and it also improves digestion.

Basil – a tremendous source of antioxidants and an important anti-aging factor. It also helps people regulate their blood pressure.

Damiana- these kinds of herbs with yellow flowers and light green leaves are known for their essential role in treating impotence, infertility and, anxiety and depression. Lavender reduces fever, improves digestion, decreases stress levels and eliminates irritation and anxiety.

Butternut – one of the kinds of herbs from the Juglandaceae family, used as an effective laxative, and also as main ingredient in a natural method of treating ulcers.

3) Ornamental herbs

Oregano -a  special ornamental herb which preserves its beautiful, small flowers for a long time; therefore it is ideal for any garden located in an area with friendly climate.

English thyme- the perfect choice for people who want to plant a perennial shrub in their gardens. These kinds of herbs make beautiful light pink, small flowers and have amazing greyish leaves.

Silver thyme – easily harvested all year long, if it is planted in the right region. It looks amazing in the garden and it is also a one-of-a-kind ingredient for a great variety of seafood-based dishes.

Dill – will definitely beautify any outdoor space with its small yellow flowers and will also enchant the senses of people who love to cook tasty egg and fish-based dishes.

Chives- these kinds of herbs are extremely appealing. They make gorgeous bright pink flowers, they improve the taste of your salads with a softer onion-like taste and they even help you get rid of pesky insects.

4) Sacred herbs

A few plants are considered sacred herbs in different cultures. Due to their powerful symbolism and/or potential healing powers, they are used in religious ceremonies and pagan rituals.

Holy Basil- one of the many kinds of herbs considered sacred, which plays an important part in religious ceremonies.

Hyssop- known as a powerful purifying herb, mostly due to extensive Biblical references.

Frankinsence and Myrrh- according to the Holy Bible, Frankinsence and Myrrh were the gifts given by the Three Wise Men to Baby Jesus. Frankinsence is a type of resin with a beautiful fragrance, obtained from endangered Boswellia trees. Myrrh resin comes from

Commiphora trees – these resins are often burned during some of the most important religious ceremonies.