List of Herbs

If you love to cook, then you know how much herbs and spices are essential for cooking. They might look small but they pack quite a punch. Herbs and spices are used for flavoring food and without it a dish will simply not taste the same. However not all herbs are culinary in nature. Some herbs are used for their medicinal and therapeutic properties too. Many people ask what is the difference between herbs and spices. Although we use the term herbs and spices quite interchangeably, there is a subtle difference between the two.

When the leaves of a herbaceous plant is used for flavoring food or for medicinal purposes it is known as a herb. On the other hand, if the roots, bark, seeds and fruit are used in food or medicine it is known as a spice. Spices are more potent and have a greater intensity than herbs and as such are used in lesser quantity. Sometimes a particular herb can also be a spice. For example the dill leaves are herbs that is used in garnishing soups and salads. But at the same time dill seeds are spices that has many culinary uses.

List of Herbs and their Uses

Herbs are used both for cooking and medicinal purposes. Some cooking herbs are used extensively in a particular region, depending upon the cuisine. This is the case with Thai herbs and spices and Mexican herbs and spices. Herbs are not only used for flavoring but they are used for their medicinal properties.

Herb Name	Uses
Angelica	Used for flavoring baked goods, stalks used for medicinal properties
Arugula	Used as a salad green
Bay leaf	Used for flavoring meat, poultry and vegetable dishes, used for treating headaches and migraines, has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties
Basil	Used in making pesto and flavoring soups, it is used for treating asthma and stress related disorders
Bergamot	Begamot oil is used for making perfume
Chervil	Used for flavoring dishes, for lowering blood pressure, as blood purifier
Cicely	Used for flavoring dishes in Scandinavian cuisine
Chamomile	Used in making tea, has sedative properties and is used for curing insomnia, for treating skin rashes
Calendula	For treating skin infections, for flavoring tea
Catnip	Used in teas and in salads
Chives	For garnishing food
Coriander	Flavoring dishes, aids in digestion
Dandelion	Stimulates the digestive system, helps to remove toxins from body
Dill leaves	Used for garnishing, aids to soothe stomach and provide relief from indigestion
Fennel	Flavoring in food, herbal teas, oil is used in perfumes
Hyssop	For stimulating appetite, aids in digestion
Lavender	For flavoring tea and pastries, Lavender oil used in aromatherapy, aids in sleep
Curry Leaves	Used in South East Asian cuisine, as an antiseptic
Lemon Balm	Flavoring herbal teas and candies
Lemon Verbena	For making flavored teas, essential oil used in aromatherapy
Lemongrass	Used extensively in Thai cuisine
Marjoram	Flavoring soups and stews
Mint	Used in teas, for making relishes and flavoring food
Oregano	Flavoring meat and poultry dishes, also used as an antiseptic
Parsley	Used in many cuisines for garnishing as well as flavor
Pandan leaves	Used in South East Asian cuisines
Rosemary	Used in meat and poultry dishes as flavoring, as an astringent, for making essential oil
Sage	Used in Italian and Mediterranean cooking
Savory	Used as an expectorant, also for flavoring soups and stews
Sorrel	Used in salads, soups and stews
Thyme	Used in many cuisines for flavoring meat and poultry dishes
Tarragon	For flavoring meat and poultry dishes

Having a handy list of herbs and spices helps you to decide which herbs to use while preparing a dish. Medicinal herbs and spices should be used for treating a particular disease only under expert guidance.