Broaden Your Culinary Horizons AND Your Health

As we look to jumpstart our health in 2025, it’s tempting to sign up for a new fitness membership, start a new diet, or dive into dry January after a particularly happy New Year’s Eve.

Yet, we often overlook something that could be right outside our door, in our spice cabinets, or growing on our windowsills: herbs. Delivering vibrant flavors that can bring any dish to life, myriad herbs can boost antioxidants, improve circulation and cognitive function, and even stave off cold weather sniffles. So, here is a rundown of healthy, easy-to-grow herbs to boost your wellness in the new year.

I recently sat down to speak with herbalist Andrea Garcia of Inspired Botanical Living. Andrea is a nutritionist and herbalist who teaches classes at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, where she has done a deep dive into various herbs like ginger, basil, chamomile, rose, and more.

Andrea discovered her love for herbology as many do – through the passed-down knowledge of her grandmothers. She studied nutrition in college and found her true passion during the herbalism rotation. After an eye-opening conference during school, she embarked on a program through Austin’s Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine and made a budding dream a thriving reality. Andrea and I discussed some of our favorite plants and their beneficial properties to kickstart a year full of wellness.

Ginger

A warming root used for millennia, garlic is a digestive and nausea aid. It reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, and delivers loads of antioxidants and bioactive compounds. This vibrant spice is as powerful as it is delicious and is used in juice, tea, cocktails, and as a cooking spice in various global cuisines.

Chamomile

Andrea discovered chamomile in a soothing cup of tea from her grandmother’s kitchen, as so many of us do. The aromatic flowering herb is emotionally soothing and relaxing and is beneficial for restful sleep and stress relief. It is also quite helpful in easing digestion.

Lavender

Lavender is not only an aromatic and culinary favorite, but it also has potent medicinal properties. A calming herb, it supports sleep, reduces stress, and naturally improves the body’s melatonin levels. With anti-inflammatory properties, lavender can reduce pain as well as inflammation. Its active chemical compound, linalool, reduces anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and even helps alleviate menstrual pain. With its antiviral and antimicrobial properties, lavender acts as a natural antiseptic and can boost collagen levels. Before modern antiseptics, lavender was actually used to clean hospital wards! Diluted oils can be used topically or as an aromatic, while the culinary variety is one of my favorite ingredients in baking, especially when paired with lemon.

Lemon balm

A delicious herb in the mint family, lemon balm will take over any pot you plant her in. Lemon balm “gladdens the heart,” according to Andrea. With loads of antioxidants and other beneficial chemical compounds, it’s known to alleviate stress, improve cognitive function, aid in restful sleep, relieve indigestion, support cardiovascular health, and even aid in the healing of cold sores; lemon balm is a vibrant and useful herb for your herbal medicine chest. Although lemon balm tea is soothing and widely available, it is simply delightful when used as a fresh herb in a salad or muddled fresh in a drink in place of mint. [Editor’s note: Use it instead of mint in your next julep. You’ll be glad you did!]

Basil

A classic culinary herb, basil is packed with anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, and vitamin K. It’s beneficial for lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar and boosting mental health and cognition. It’s an aid to digestion and has potential as a cancer-fighting anti-carcinogen. An effortless grower in our Texas climate, basil is a standout in cuisines from around the globe. It is a quick, flavorful component in fresh pesto and caprese salad and is essential to Thai curry.

These plants are just the tip of the herbal iceberg. There are countless flavorful medicinal plants to explore, including rosemary, oregano, cilantro, sage, thyme, wild mushrooms, and turmeric. A warning: although essential oils are a powerful way to treat illness and boost wellness, they can be harmful undiluted and have contraindications. Use them with knowledge of dosing or under the guidance of a licensed herbalist like Andrea. But you can never go wrong utilizing herbs to enliven your cooking;  the health benefits are truly incredible. So, get creative in the kitchen to delight your tastebuds and boost your health. A votre santé!