The last two months of 2014, as I was happily immersed in holiday cooking, I kept wondering everytime I would pull fresh herbs from our little container garden what their gifts were.   Everything from the earth has a gift and it is well known what all of the gifts are from many of our leafy green friends, but what about the herbs?  I really don’t run across information on the power of these little cooking companions, so I set out to change that, and here’s what I found…

Thyme has very powerful antimicrobial properties, which are known to be beneficial in treating asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory problems.  It can even clear congestion and soothe sore throats.  It’s can also prevent contamination and decontaminate previously contaminated foods.  It is that powerful!  A very good reason to include it in your homemade vinaigrette’s and salads, because lettuce and other leafy greens can harbor infectious microorganisms and if not washed properly can make us sick.  Even more reason to make your own salad dressings.  Thyme essential oil is an amazing way to ensure your greens are free of these microorganisms by dropping a few drops into a big bowl of water for a wonderfully effective greens bath.  Besides these protective properties, thyme is an excellent source of vitamin C, a good source of iron, maganese, copper and dietary fiber!
Rosemary is a powerhouse when it comes to benefits outside of it’s culinary uses.  It has many brain boosting and brain protective properties, including: enhancing memory and concentration, fighting off free radical damage in the brain, and significantly helping to prevent brain aging.  Nice!  Rosemary is also a rich source of antioxidants and anti-flammatory compounds which have been shown to slow the growth of human leukemia and breast cancer cells and may be an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor agent.   (Oncology Reports and Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry).  It also helps to prevent hardening of the arteries and macular degeneration!
The rosmarinic acid and menthol in mint have been shown to be effective in relieving seasonal allergies and congestion.  It has also been used for thousands of years to aid with indigestion and IBS.  It is definitely one of my favorite herbs and I love to add it to water and especially my green drinks!    
What surprised me the most in researching these herbs is, Oregano has forty-two times the antioxidants of apples.  What?!  Yes!  And, that is due to the rosmarinic acid which is also found in mint.  So, this is a huge immune system strengthener with antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.  
Now I am adding herbs and their essential oils in most of my cooking and even the water I drink.  I can’t believe I was missing out on many easy opportunities to give my health a boost.  And, my little boys have been very intrigued to learn these little plants they have helped tend to through the summer and fall are medicinal little miracles, which, in turn, has made them eager to suggest using them in cooking!  Love that they are becoming more aware of nature’s gifts!