Herbs

Consuming herbs may help to prevent and manage heart disease & cancer.It may also help to reduce blood clots and provide anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties. Research is ongoing but studies have shown that:

Herbs are rich in antioxidants, especially cloves, cinnamon, sage, oregano and thyme.

Fresh herbs often contain higher antioxidant levels compared to processed or dried herbs. If you are using herbs in order to harness their health-promoting aspects first and foremost, aim to add your fresh herbs at the end of cooking or as you serve to preserve these properties.

Here are some traditional pairings in cooking to get you started:

  • basil – pesto, tomato sauce, tomato soup, tomato juice, potato dishes, prawns, meat, chicken and poultry, pasta, rice, egg dishes, strawberries
  • bay leaves – soups, stews, casseroles, meat and poultry marinades, stocks
  • chilli – meat, chicken and poultry, shellfish, tomato dishes, curries
  • chives – salads, chicken, soups, cheese dishes, egg dishes, mayonnaise, vinaigrettes
  • coriander – Asian dishes, stir fries, curries, soups, salads, seafood, guacamole
  • dill – salads, sauces, fish, sour cream, cheese and potato dishes
  • fennel – stuffings, sauces, seafood, salads
  • garlic – soups, sauces, pasta, meat, chicken, shellfish, pesto, salad dressings, bread
  • ginger – cakes, biscuits, Asian dishes
  • lemongrass – Asian dishes, stir fries, curries, seafood, soups, tea
  • marjoram – meat, fish, egg dishes, cheese dishes, pizza
  • mint – drinks, confectionery, meat, chicken, yoghurt, desserts, sauces, vegetable dishes
  • oregano – cheese dishes, egg dishes, tomato sauce, pizza, meat, stuffing, bread, pasta
  • parsley – pesto, egg dishes, pasta, rice dishes, salads, butter, sauces, seafood, vegetable dishes
  • rosemary – fish, poultry, meat, bread, sauces, soups
  • sage – stuffings, tomato dishes, cheese dishes, pumpkin dishes, chicken dishes
  • tarragon – salad dressing, egg dishes
  • thyme – chowders, bread, chicken and poultry, soups, stock, stews, stuffings, butter, cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar.