7 Best Selling Winter Hardy Herbs
These 7 best selling winter hardy herbs can be grown indoors as
well as outdoors.
Thyme (Thymus
vulgaris) is the hardiest of all the herbs. It makes a small,
bushy pot plant and the more the leaves are picked the better it does.
An infusion of lemon-scented thyme, helps relieve coughs and colds.
Use thyme in casseroles and stews, to garnish roasts or added to salad
dressings and salads.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
is a robust herb that stands up well to cooking especially in slow
simmered casseroles, roasts and grills. It also combines well with
cheese. An infusion of sage leaves can be used to treat colds and
coughs and it also makes an excellent gargle for sore throats. To make
a Sage gargle infuse 3 teaspoons fresh leaves in a cup of boiling
water for 15 minutes, strain and cool. Gargle three times a day.
Parsley (Petroselinum
crispum) needs full sun if grown in a pot and the soil should be
kept moist. The leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, E, and Iron. Build
your immune system by eating two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
each day. Sprinkle it on salads, add it to meat, pasta or cheese
sauces at the end of cooking or juice it up in a blender with apple or
tomato juice.
Chervil (Anthriscus
cerefolium) actually prefers cooler weather. Its delicate, fern
like leaves are full of vitamin C and have a slightly aniseed taste.
It’s best used like parsley, chopped as a garnish or added to salads,
soups, sauces, vegetables and meat dishes at the end of cooking. An
infusion of the leaves stimulates digestion, relieves head colds, and
acts as a blood cleanser.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
easily withstands winter frost but likes full sun. The more you
harvest the better it grows. It has a strong aromatic taste ideal for
rich winter food, but use sparingly or it can be overpowering. An
infusion of oregano can be used to treat coughs, tiredness and
irritability.
Hyssop (Hyssopus
officinalis) grows well in pots and tolerates quite cold weather.
It has a bushy form and attractive spikes of blue flowers. Both the
leaves and flowers can be used in an infusion to treat bronchitis and
loosen mucus. The leaves have a peppery taste and are a good addition
to thick soups and stews.
Yarrow (Achillea
millefolium) is principally a medicinal herb
that can be used to bring
down fevers, and helps relieve infections, influenza, and sinusitis.
Both the leaves and flowers of the plant are used as an infusion. Add
peppermint or a teaspoon of honey if you find the leaves a bit bitter.
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