Using Herbs in Unusual Ways

We’ve all had this problem when we first begin growing herbs: we go into the garden, and suddenly discover that we have many more herbs, and much more of each herb, than we know what to do with: the mint has taken over the yard, or the pineapple sage is now six feet tall, or the rosemary is out of control. Our families are sick of spaghetti sauce with fresh herbs, and suddenly we can’t remember why we started growing herbs in the first place. However, all is not lost — there are clever and innovative ways to use herbs that you may not have thought of, and that provide all of us with ways to enjoy all the benefits of those luscious herbs! If you’re suffering from herbal overload, read on!

One way to use up a lot of herbs is with one of those iced tea makers. You can make great herbal iced tea in minutes, in the same way that you make regular iced tea. Herbs from your garden are also great in hot tea in the wintertime, whether added to regular tea, or on their own. You can use either sweet herbs or savoury herbs for tea. Simply pour boiling water over the herbs, crush them lightly with the back of a spoon, let steep a few minutes, and then if you like, add sugar, stevia or honey to taste.

Another way to use all those herbs in your garden is to flavour sorbets — whether singly or in combination, such as a lemon balm, mint and sorrel sorbet. Sorbets are easy to make, and can be made into either sweet or savoury varieties. As a dessert sorbets add a refreshing twist to the end of a meal. As an appetizer sorbets provide a welcome surprise, especially when the temperature outside is scorching! Fresh herbs can be added to any sorbet recipe. And you can flavour whipping cream with fresh herbs before you whip it up, and add it to any dessert.

While we’re on the subject of herbs in the kitchen, don’t forget about herb sugars and herb salts. Herb sugars add a welcome complexity to sweeten teas, coffees, French toast, and baked goods. And herb salts can be used in almost any recipe in place of regular salt, to liven up your family’s tastebuds. Don’t forget that herb sugars and herb salts, made with fresh herbs from your garden, make wonderful and inexpensive presents for family, friends, secret Santas, teachers, and more!

Yet another way to use up those fresh herbs from your garden is in your bath. Add a handful of bruised herb leaves to the hot water, relax, and let your skin gently absorb the essential oils those herbs contain. Prefer a shower? Make a small bag from cheesecloth and fill with fresh herbs from your garden, and rub it across your damp skin. You can also make your own herbal soap and use herb leaves as lovely little inclusions in the soap.

And you can use those herbs as aromatherapy, too. Use a handful of herbs in the bottom of a facial steamer, or put them in a pot of steaming water, bend over it, and drape a towel over your head and breathe in the fragrance. You can also simmer herbs in a pot of water, or in water over a candle in one of those potpourri simmerers to add a fresh and lovely fragrance to your whole house!

Now you can begin harvesting all those lovely herbs, and by using them in unexpected ways, add variety to your family’s diet, as well as having lots of lovely gifts to give other people!