Aromatic Herbs & Spices

Rosemary

• Rosemary leaves and flowers are used in cooking and in aromatherapy. Fresh or dried leaves are used to flavor meats, vegetables and breads. Flowers are added to salads and fruit desserts. Rosemary can also be used to flavor sugar. An infusion of this herb when used as a tea or added to bath water, alleviates head colds or sinus congestion and increases circulation.

Lavender

• Lavender flowers are used in their dry form for aromatherapy and cooking. The scent created from this beautiful herb has a calming effect and has been traditionally used as a mild sedative and to relieve insomnia. Dried flowers or live plants, placed throughout the home, create a calming environment and decrease depressive moods. Sachets placed in pillow cases at night or made into a tea, help to promote sleep and alleviate stress, anxiety and headaches. Add a couple tablespoons of dried lavender to lemon flavored cookie dough for a tasty, aromatic cookie.

Mints

• Peppermint and spearmint leaves are used in both aromatherapy and cooking. The strong scent from live or cut plants will keep away mice and ants when placed in doorways, windowsills and kitchen cabinets. Relieve headaches and respiratory irritations by breathing in the aroma of fresh or dried leaves, infused or in a sachet. Mints leaves are used in cooking to flavor meats, teas, sauces, jellies and vinegars. Fresh mint flowers also can be added to fruit salads, cakes and desserts.

Cinnamon

• Cinnamon is an aromatic spice commonly used in recipes, particularly in baking. The aroma of cinnamon is considered to be both warming and cooling at the same time, creating a stimulating effect on the stomach and intestines. Baked goods use the dried ground bark of cinnamon, whereas whole cinnamon sticks can be steeped for aromatherapy uses.

Basil

• Fresh and dried basil leaves are used to flavor foods and are most commonly used in making pesto. Using the freshly scented leaves in tea will help alleviate gas, anxiety and coughs. Containers of live plants grown on patios, decks and doorways will repel flies and mosquitoes. Added to bath water, basil has energizing properties and helps alleviate headaches.