5 Healthy Fall Herbs to Keep on Your Rack

Like pipe-weed for hobbits, we love a little herb action.

A little goes a long way with good quality herbs (organic preferred). So it pays to brush up on your kitchen spices and make sure your rack is well stocked. And peppering your meals with more than just pepper, will make for inspired cooking.

Here are 5 delicious and healthy herbs to put to use this fall:

1. Winter savory. The extremely healthy but lesser known of the savories. The more popular version, summer savory is very flavorful while the winter variety has a distinct herbal flavor. Both are packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals. With the cool season taking root, winter savory can make for an accompaniment to wild meats or roasted vegetables.

2. Cilantro. Love it or hate it – she’s the great debate of the herb world. The good news for those who love the taste is that it’s a natural detoxifying herb, particularly in removing heavy metals from your body. Chop up leaves to sneak in soups, salads and sandwiches. There is some confusion between cilantro and coriander. Coriander is the seed of the same plant, while cilantro is the leaves. Coriander is great to keep on your shelf for soups and stews if you don't have cilantro leaves.

3. Mugwort. Doesn’t sound very glamorous, but this herb is an old standard for soups and stews. Try the delicious alternative of cooking a goose for Sunday night dinner, and add mugwort to the gravy. This herb is great for soothing mild digestive problems and for those who suffer from insomnia.

4. Cloves. They’re not just for baking. Use for seasoning soups, stews, casseroles or brewing hot mulled wine – great for the cooler seasons. This spice is also anti-inflammatory and can help protect the natural flora of your mouth, so take advantage of this natural antiseptic to mix up some homemade clove mouthwash.

5. Mint. An edgier herbal choice for fall. Like cranberry sauce, mint jelly can be used as a tasty condiment for a meat meal. Try it with lamb. It’s good for the stomach, too. Mint as tea is also lovely and soothing when you want a little something but without the kick of caffeinated beverages.

Toss a few of these herbs into your meals and you’re giving yourself a health boost. Much like taking vitamins in the morning, herbs deliver a lot of goodness in a small package.

Just like Bilbo.

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