Garlic health benefits for men might surprise you. We all know that garlic tastes good, but this member of the lily family also packs in the nutritional benefits for men. It is a safe and inexpensive way to eat well to be well, and it is well documented that people have been eating garlic for its many health benefits for thousands of years. Here is what you need to know about garlic health benefits for men.

Sex Benefits

Garlic just might help your sex life—just make sure your partner eats some too! No really, garlic has long been considered an aphrodisiac. Garlic improves blood circulation, which might improve sexual function, so cook up a nice garlicky romantic Italian meal and see what unfolds.

Heart Hearth

It is not just good for your love life, but for your real heart health as well. Garlic fights heart disease, decreases blood pressure, and prevents blood clots. It has been said to lower cholesterol as well. But these are not the only garlic health benefits for men.

Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Antiviral Properties

Garlic contains allicin, which has many positive effects as an antioxidant, trapping free radicals, and it also helps to rid the body of toxins, improving liver function. Allicin in garlic contains antibacterial and antiviral properties. Studies have shown that people who eat garlic are less likely to get sick. If you do catch a cold, chewing and swallowing a small amount of fresh, raw garlic helps break up nasal congestion.

Athlete’s Foot

The enzymes in garlic can even help with funguses such as athlete’s foot. Crush up two to four cloves of fresh garlic and add to warm water to create a footbath in a container large enough to fit your feet. Add a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Soak feet for 30 minutes. You can also mince a few cloves of garlic and cover with a small amount of olive oil. Cover and let sit for about three days, shaking a few times per day. Using a cotton ball, apply the oil to the affected areas twice a day until the athlete’s foot clears.

Preventing Cancer

The selenium found in garlic helps in preventing many kinds cancer that commonly affect men, including cancer of the prostate, bladder, colon, rectum, lung, and stomach.

Chemical-Free Pesticide

If you are avoiding chemical pesticides, try using garlic to repel fleas and mosquitoes. Garlic is natural and is not associated with the cancer and other health problems that come from chemical exposure.

Garlic Health Benefits for Men

To get the most health benefits for men from your garlic, always eat or use fresh garlic that shows no signs of decay or sprouting. Store in a cool, dry, dark place. Most of the benefit is gotten from eating raw fresh garlic. Garlic supplements remove the odor, if you find it bothersome.

Many of my favourite foods not only taste great, but they’re great for you. Juicy antioxidant-rich fruits, green veggies, slow starches, oily fish and grass-fed meats are daily super foods in my diet. Perhaps one of the most overlooked sources of amazing nutrition are the herbs and spices we use to inject flavour into our main dishes. What would those foods be without them? Spices are what bring my meals to life.

While we don’t often consume herbs and spices in large quantities, even small doses can be powerful providers of nutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, cancer-fighting constituents, vitamins, minerals, and more.

If you’re looking to step up your healthy living game with spices, you’re in the left place. These are my top picks for herbs and spices with the best health benefits.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric has become a hot topic in the health food-o-sphere and for good reason. While its known for being added to delicious curries, its uses are becoming increasingly more versatile. I love it because it is so easy to add to the diet, which simply makes it easier to reap the amazing health benefits of this super spice.

First and foremost, turmeric is an incredible inflammation fighter. It can even make a significant difference in individuals who suffer from rheumatic pain. This is because of constituent curcumin – its active constituent and yellow bioactive compound, lending turmeric its colour. Curcumin has a wide variety of biological interactions when consumed. Its anti-inflammatory benefits make it a good choice for healing leaky gut, improving digestion, and addressing autoimmune issues with inflammatory side effects.

Due to curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties, it has the ability to slow down inflammation-related ageing processes and diseases. Curcumin is also effective at increasing antioxidant capacity in the body. It’s one of the most concentrated antioxidant foods you can consume! This means an overall reduction of oxidative stress. Finally, curcumin can increase immunity with its antibacterial and anti-viral properties, protect against cancer and the development of tumors, and improve heart health.

One of the simplest ways to increase its bioavailability (or absorption by the body) is by using turmeric alongside a dash of black pepper. It may not sound palatable, but you likely won’t notice a huge difference, especially in savoury recipes or a blended smoothie/golden milk drink. This is due to black pepper containing piperine. The combination can boost bioavailability up to 2,000%

2. Ginger

Ginger is another versatile spice that is really easy to use. Fresh ginger and ground ginger are both beneficial. You can even use ginger essential oil. I especially like to use it brewed in teas. It’s commonly known as a powerful remedy for an achy belly, but its benefits extend far beyond that. For me, ginger is often a part of my daily routine. Did you know it’s closely related to turmeric?

Like turmeric, it’s also anti-inflammatory. This is why it’s so soothing for an upset stomach which can often be traced to a root cause of inflammation somewhere down the line. Ginger can decrease markers of inflammation such as C-reactive protein. Additionally, ginger can protect against stomach ulcers and treat menstrual cramps. It can also relieve nausea and diarrhoea. Ginger tea is great for relieving flu symptoms as well.

Raw ginger is relatively high in minerals like potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium, niacin, phosphorous, and iron. Compared to other spices, it’s easier to get a substantial amount of vitamins from ginger because you can use the raw root which provides the most bioavailable source of these minerals. In terms of vitamins, you can get a vitamin B6 and vitamin C boost from ginger. This may be why it’s so great for immunity.

3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another spice I find quite easy to use, and lucky for me, it’s slightly sweet and pretty darn good for you. I love its versatility and try to use it in savoury recipes as well, but I especially love the ease of sprinkling some on raw or baked fruit for a healthy dessert or having some in a comforting and warming tea blend. Fresh ground cinnamon tastes best, and I also like to have sticks handy for brewing or grating which makes for absolutely explosive flavour. It’s one of my top 5 recommended spices for every kitchen.

Cinnamon is notoriously packed with antioxidant capacity. It’s actually one of the most concentrated sources meaning that even just a little cinnamon – around 1 teaspoon per day – can help you get a healthy boost. Antioxidants help slow the ageing process, reduce oxidative stress and rid the body of toxins. Like turmeric and ginger, cinnamon is also anti-inflammatory. If you really want to reap the benefits, have all three together. They just so happen to complement one another very well!

It’s also thought that cinnamon might be a good fighter of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It may protect the neurons in our brains, inhibit proteins connected to these diseases, and even improve motor function. Overall, cinnamon is an awesome food for the brain and body.

Cinnamon may aid in healthier skin, improve brain function, and fighting infection. It’s great for managing blood sugar and insulin levels which is why I love adding it to fruits, sweet potatoes, oats, and other healthy carbs. Finally, cinnamon is a powerful cancer fighter. It may inhibit the growth of tumours, prevent DNA damage, and cell mutation.

4. Sage

Sage is one of the most beautiful herbs, and it’s so simple to grow at home. It smells great and tastes even better. I love it fresh, but it also works its magic dried and ground for easy use, especially outside of growing season. It adds a certain depth to meals, and a crispy sage leaf garnish can turn an ordinary meal into something extraordinary. No – sage isn’t just meant for the Thanksgiving or Christmas table! Use it all year-round for its awesome health benefits.

Sage can be used to boost cognition, so whether you choose to consume it or inhale the scent of it, you can expect a brain boost. It’s been known to increase memory recall and retention, so it may be a super food for the mind. This may also be linked to potential for sage to be a preventative food for degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Sage is relatively high in vitamin K; just two grams provides 43% of the daily recommendation. It may also normalise cholesterol levels, treat symptoms of menopause, and improve blood sugar which is particularly helpful for those with diabetes. Lastly, like most herbs and spices, sage has anti-inflammatory properties as well as plenty of antioxidants. My mum always made a strong sage infusion for gargling in the mouth whenever we had a sore or inflamed throat, or achey teeth. It works!

5. Parsley

Most leafy greens are fantastic for you, and parsley is no exception. This super food really fits the definition because it is a concentrated source of nutrition, antioxidants, and more. Plus, it tastes amazing. It is extremely high in vitamin K, and a single half cup of parsley contains upwards of 500% of the daily recommendation.

Parsley also contains vitamin C, vitamin A, some folate (a B vitamin), and iron. It’s high in antioxidants which can reduce free radical damage and oxidative stress markers. It’s even considered a chemo-protective plant due to its properties being able to fight damage to DNA. Like most other herbs, parsley is high in minerals such as calcium.

If you’re feeling bloated, parsley’s anti-inflammatory properties can be helpful. Parsley even acts as a natural diuretic and stimulates the kidney which can help you shed some water weight and reduce bloating. Finally, it is both antibacterial and antifunfal; parsley oil is great for the skin because it can fight bacteria and clear blemishes.

6. Chilli

Chilli is one of my favourite ways to spice things up. I love fresh chillis, ground chilli powder, and chilli flakes alike. Many spicy foods have unique health benefits – most notably, weight loss benefits – and chilli is no exception. Since this spice is derived from peppers, you also get many benefits of the veggie itself.

First and foremost, peppers contain even more vitamin C than an orange does. If you want some serious immune-boosting action, chillis are the way to go! In fact, chillis contain up to seven times the amount of vitamin C of an orange. Moreover, chilli contains some vitamin A and vitamin E.

The capsaicin found in spices derived from pepper is particularly beneficial. It helps to inhibit the neuropeptides associated with inflammatory processes that take place in the body, and it may reduce pain in individuals with symptoms from sensory nerve fibre disorders (arthritis, psoriasis, etc.). You may already be familiar, but capsaicin can also reduce congestion and relieve a stuffy nose. It goes without saying that the spicier the pepper, the more capsaicin a.k.a. the more benefits you reap. If you can handle the heat, it may be worth the sweat.

7. Cumin

Cumin is a staple seed or ground spice in so many recipes. Its warm and earthy flavour is perfect for deepening the flavour profile of many different types of cuisine. Of course, you know exactly what cumin tastes like if you’re a taco enthusiast (and who doesn’t love tacos?). It tastes great, and it’s great for you.

Cumin is a great seed for digestion. One of its main compounds – thymol – aids in the production of bile, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes. This can improve efficacy of digestion, naturally treat hemorrhoids or help prevent them, and reduce severity of gas. Moreover, some of these benefits can be attributed to the fibre content found in cumin.

Vitamin E which is found in cumin acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin E is particularly good for healthy, glowing skin. It’s also pretty high in vitamin C, so like many spices on my list today, it can be a powerful immune booster. Lastly, cumin is anti-congestive, antiviral, and antibacterial meaning it’s great for warding off infection or clearing up the airways while under respiratory stress.

8. Rosemary

Rosemary is a delightful, aromatic, and healthy herb I always save a spot for in my herb garden. It looks gorgeous, smells gorgeous, tastes great, and even has a few sneaky benefits to boot. In Roman, Greek, and Egyptian culture, it’s regarded as sacred. What’s not to love about this vibrant green plant? You can use it fresh, ground, or in essential oil form to receive the benefits. However, fresh rosemary will have the most bioavailable nutrient profile.

In terms of vitamins, fresh rosemary contains vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and other B vitamins such as folate and thiamin. It’s also high in fibre. In combination with its anti-inflammatory properties, these properties make rosemary a great herb for gut health and digestion. Rosemary may actually increase bile flow which improves digestion overall, and conditions like IBS or Crohn’s disease. Rosemary can be brewed in a tea to treat upset stomach or nausea as well.

Rosemary oil – one of my favourite essential oils – is fantastic for skin, hair, and sore spots. It’s a soothing remedy for dryness, dandruff, and healing. When using rosemary oil as a topical treatment, make sure to properly dilute any essential oils. Oh, and did you know that rosemary has long been used as a cognitive booster? Perhaps adding a bit to the diet is the key to a little extra brain power, focus, and mental clarity. Even just catching a lovely whiff can give me a little more energy!

Spice up your life with these herbs, roots, and plants that benefit your health as much as they do your taste buds: From keeping your heart healthy and your arteries clear to reducing pain and warding off cancer, these everyday flavors will add a healthy punch to all your breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

1. Chili Peppers

Add some heat to your dish with chili peppers — and choose versions that are especially spicy to get the maximum amount of capsaicin. Capsacin, the ingredient that provides the plants with their spice, also has medical benefits that include pain relief, heart health, fighting prostate cancer, and stopping ulcers. If you’re ready to take on the hottest peppers out there, try habanero or Scotch bonnet; for less of a jolt, try jalapenos, Spanish pimentos, or cherry peppers.

2. Cinnamon

You already love cinnamon in pumpkin pie, cinnamon rolls, raisin bread, and cinnamon sugar topping, but there are healthier ways to reap the benefits of this power spice: Add it to your coffee, sprinkle it on oatmeal, stir it into peanut butter for celery sticks, and dash on sweet potatoes or carrots. While it brings out (and warms up) the flavors in the foods it is paired with, cinnamon will also help keep your arteries healthy, manage blood sugar levels, and lower cholesterol.

3. Tumeric

Brightly-colored turmeric comes from the same family of spices as ginger — which means both plants can reduce inflammation in arthritis patients (and may block the formation of some cancers). Try it in a curry chicken dish from Planet Green’s Kelly Rossiter — and then add black pepper, since that tabletop staple is believed to help the body absorb turmeric for maximum effect.

4. Parsley

It’s easy to ignore that little piece of parsley that always arrives next to your main dish, especially when it seems little more than a decoration (even if the bright flavor does fight bad breath).

But this early spring green has been connected to health since the days of the Romans, and today its supporters believe the herb helps pass kidney stones, battle deafness, and prevent buildup in the arteries.

5. Oregano

When you shake extra oregano onto your slice at the local pizza joint you aren’t just adding some classic Italian flavor to your pepperoni-and-mushroom: Oregano is a major source of thymol and carvacol — two antibacterial agents that fight off infection — and has quadruple the antioxidants of blueberries. Like thyme, it’s easy to grow at home and adds traditional flavor to any dish whether you use it fresh or dried.

6. Garlic

Love garlic or hate it, you can’t deny that it’s good for you: As a staple of natural remedies and traditional medicine, garlic has anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral effects, and some studies show that it can stop blood clots from forming in your arteries. It’s also an easy spice to add into your diet: Try it in pasta sauce, on pizza, roasted with other vegetables, or finely chopped in homemade spreads.

7. Thyme

The strong flavor of thyme pairs well with comfort food — think wintry soups, stews, and roasts — and it’s easy to grow at home with full sun and well-drained soil, so you can use it fresh or dried all year-round.

But the health benefits go beyond warm soup on a cold night: The herb’s oil is antiseptic and antibacterial, and recent studies show thyme can kill MRSA infections, which are resistant to other antibiotics.

Even when our food choices aren’t the best, herbs and spices do more than just improve taste.  They give any meal a nutrition boost.  And according to a new study they may even reverse the damage from an unhealthy meal.

Researchers from Penn State University cooked up coconut chicken, cheese bread and a dessert biscuit for six men. The subjects were aged 30 to 65 and overweight but otherwise healthy.  On one day the meal was served plain.  On another day researchers added two tablespoons of a blend of nine herbs and spices to the meal.

After each meal the researchers drew blood from the subjects every 30 minutes for four hours.  They found that antioxidant activity in the blood increased 13% after the spicy meal compared to the plain meal.

The spices and herbs also decreased post-meal insulin levels by 21% and triglyceride levels in the blood by as much as 31%.  That in turn could reduce heart disease risk.

The spices used in the Penn State study included garlic powder, rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, cloves, paprika, turmeric, ginger and black pepper.  Besides heart benefits, each of these spices has its own proven health benefits.

9 Herbs and Spices With Proven Health Benefits

1. Cinnamon Balances Blood Sugar

Cinnamon normalizes blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics by improving the ability to respond to insulin. It works by slowing the rate at which the stomach empties after eating.  In one study people ate about a cup of rice pudding with and without a teaspoon of cinnamon. Adding the cinnamon slowed the rate the stomach emptied from 37% to 34.5% and significantly slowed the rise in blood sugar levels.

And a 2003 USDA study found that after 40 days of eating between just 1 and 6 grams of cinnamon (about 2 teaspoons), type 2 diabetics reduced their blood sugar levels by 18-29%.

2. Garlic Slows Atherosclerosis

The Penn State researchers noted that studies associate garlic use with a 38% decrease in the risk of heart problems.  Other studies show aged garlic helps slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

Most studies showing the heart benefits of garlic use doses of 600 to 5600 mg of garlic powder, 9 to 18 mg garlic oil, 1000 to 7200 mg aged garlic extract, or 4 to 10 grams of raw garlic.

3. Rosemary Protects Eyesight

A relative of mint, rosemary has traditionally been used to stimulate the immune system, improve digestion, increase circulation, boost memory and act as an anti-inflammatory.

Animal studies show it acts as an antidepressant, improves type 1 diabetes and even prevents weight gain from a high fat diet.

A recent study showed that rosemary also protects against age-related macular degeneration.

4. Oregano Reduces Viral Activity

You may know oregano as the essential herb for Italian cooking especially for tomato sauces and pizza.  But it’s also a powerful medicinal herb. Studies show oregano supports the immune system, and has antifungal, antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. It also increases liver regeneration.

The oil from oregano contains an antiviral compound called carvacrol.  It can significantly reduce viral activity within 15 minutes of exposure.  Look for oregano essential oil standardized to 60-75% carvacrol.

5. Cloves Fight Pain

Cloves are rich in eugenol which has been proven to fight environmental toxins and inflammation. Studies show it may also trigger programmed cell death of colon cancer cells.  And the oil is an effective mosquito repellent.

Cloves are also a mild pain killer.  They’ve been proven to be as effective as benzocaine as a topical anesthetic.  That’s why it’s added to over-the-counter sore throat sprays and mouth washes.  It’s also a good addition to your homemade toothpaste.

6. Paprika Battles Multi-Drug Resistance

Paprika is more than a decoration for deviled eggs. It’s made by grinding red chili peppers and is full of vitamin C and carotenoids. The carotenoids from paprika have been shown to combat ulcer-causing H. pylori and help reverse multi-drug resistance.

Use paprika as a rub for meats and fish, or add a teaspoon to hummus for extra spice.

7. Turmeric Improves Memory

There are now over 600 documented health benefits to eating turmeric.

Researchers in Taiwan just added one more.  They found that just one gram of turmeric at breakfast helps improve the memory of people in the early stages of diabetes. The turmeric improved working memory over the following six hours.  Other studies have found that turmeric also reduces the risk of dementia.

8. Ginger Soothes Muscle Pain

The Chinese have used ginger for thousands of years to treat stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea.  Today it is known to relieve nausea due to seasickness, motion sickness, morning sickness and chemotherapy nausea. One study showed ginger root to be more effective for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy than Dramamine, a commonly used over-the-counter and prescription drug for motion sickness.

Ginger also contains anti-oxidant compounds known as gingerols which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. In addition to reducing muscle pain from exercise, they have been shown to reduce pain and swelling, and improve mobility in those suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  Gingerol have also been found to :

• reduce the number and size of colon cancer tumors
• inhibit the metastasis of breast cancer cells
• combat chemotherapy resistant pancreatic cancer cells
• reduce knee pain from osteoarthritis

9. Black Pepper Reduces Cigarette Cravings

Black pepper improves digestion by signaling the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid. It also helps prevent intestinal gas and acts as a diuretic.  And inhaling the vapors from black pepper has been shown to help people stop smoking.

You may see black pepper added to some of your supplements. That’s because one of its active ingredients piperine enhances the bioavailability of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

For more information visit GreenMedInfo’s page on the health benefits of culinary herbs and spices.

Sometimes, in fact, most of the time we get stuck on the macros, and forget the micros. No, I am not talking about life issues here, but about the food we eat.

The messages about veg versus non veg protein, good versus bad fat, how much fibre is enough, are carbs best avoided or eaten, sugar or saturated fat – which is a bigger devil et al cloud our mindset so much that the real issue, about the micronutrients that are body needs, just as importantly, maybe even more than the major nutrients, gets lost amidst those heavy-weight headline grabbers.

But the fact is that our body needs all the essential minerals and vitamins, both major as well as trace everyday too – to keep chugging along efficiently. Every single action in the body requires these. And this “need” can be met well very easily by using herbs and spices liberally in our cooking.

The benefits are many

Herbs and spices are potent potions with nuanced sweet-sharp flavours, which make the food delicious and are a perfect way to add taste, flavour and zest to low-fat or low-sodium diets. In fact, even to regular diets. Plus they stimulate all our senses, open up tastes that are unusual, and also boost the health quotient of the food exceptionally. Precisely why they have been used extensively since ancient times. Our own Ayurveda swears by them, as does ancient Chinese medicine.

Though herbs and spices have been used for hundreds of years to heal, science is finally substantiating their healing powers: to alleviate arthritis ache, reduce high blood sugar and cholesterol, and to help prevent and even treat multiple other conditions.

Research has also uncovered their amazing new power: ability to kill cancer cells. Yes! Now, of course, it is well known that they are loaded with hard to find antioxidants too, besides hard to find trace minerals and vitamins.

I have already written about the multiple benefits of the golden spice turmeric, ginger and garlic a lot, below are my other favourites. Read on as I explain why I believe why these nine need to be part of everyone’s diet.

Cinnamon: Seasoning a high-carb food with cinnamon can help lessen its impact on our blood sugar levels.

Cinnamon slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. Studies also show that it helps lower LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides.

Rosemary: This herb has a lot of cancer-protective potential.

It helps prevent carcinogens that enter the body from binding with DNA, the first step in tumor formation.

Plus it is known as the herb of remembrance too, as it improves memory.

Holy basil (Tulsi): most of us grow Tulsi in our homes. It helps reduce stress by increasing adrenaline and nor adrenaline and decreasing serotonin; plus it inhibits breast cancer.

Ajwain: also known as carom seeds helps in maintaining our digestive health.

They also stimulate appetite, and are rich in fibre, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.

Saunf: also known as fennel seeds are used to prevent flatulence and upset stomach (that is why it is often taken after meals).

Plus iron and histidine (an amino acid) found in fennel are both helpful in treatment of anemia.

Cardamom: helps to protect the gastrointestinal tract, cleanse the blood of bad cholesterol, improve circulation, and even prevent some forms of cancer.

Coriander seeds: stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin which leads to a more balanced blood-sugar, and thus is diabetes preventive. It also keeps a lid on the blood-lipid levels, by helping the liver in balancing and improving overall cholesterol levels.

Cloves contain a chemical called eugenol that is anti-inflammatory and helps the heart.

They are also ranked very high in antioxidant properties.

Nutmeg: Like cloves, nutmeg also contain eugenol, has strong antibacterial properties and myristicin in it inhibit an enzyme in the brain that contributes to Alzheimer’s disease.

Next week: Habit 4: Make friends with fat

It’s almost time to consider harvesting all the herbs that have been growing during these warm days. If your herb garden is thriving, thanks to epic rain and plenty of summer sun, there are some tried-and-true ways to enjoy those freshly grown herbs all season long. Here, our experts explain three workable options.

1. Deep-freeze them

While almost no method will perfectly match eating or cooking with freshly harvested herbs, freezing them gets pretty close, says Kevin Espiritu who runs Epic Gardening, an urban gardening site. You’ll lose the texture, but the flavor will remain very close to how they would taste freshly picked.

“The best way I’ve found is to chop them up and freeze them in olive oil in an ice cube tray,” Espiritu says. “When they’re frozen, transfer them to a plastic bag or container. This works better than chopping them and putting them in a bag due to freezer burn, and it’s better than freezing in water because of how long it takes to thaw.”

For Michelle Polk, an acupuncturist and herbalist who runs Houseplant Girl, a site dedicated to educating people about the importance of plants and herbs, harvesting herbs is all about preserving flavor.

“You can puree and freeze fresh basil using a food processor and mixing the leaves with olive oil,” she says. Use one tablespoon of olive oil per one cup of herbs. “Then freeze the pureed basil in an ice cube tray and store in a plastic bag. Just make sure you don’t mistake these ice cubes for cocktail cubes. It could make for an interesting drink!”

2. Dehydrate them

The downside of dehydrating herbs is that this method won’t work for all herbs and you may end up with herbs that have a less intense flavor. Still, lots of people opt to dehydrate them anyway — they do look good as a decorative item during the dehydrating process.

To do this, tie the stems of your herbs together and hang them in bunches upside down. Just be sure to place them in a warm, dry environment.

“For the herbs to fully dehydrate they need a lot of air circulation, or they either won’t dry or will develop mold or fungus,” Espiritu says.

Keep in mind that this process will take a few days. Once the herbs are dehydrated and are dry to the touch, separate the leaves from the stems and either store them as-is, chop into fine pieces or grind into a powder and store in spice containers.

3. Oven dry them

You can use your oven to dry herbs, but this process can be a bit more challenging than it sounds, Polk says.

“You will need to put your oven at around 100 degrees [Fahrenheit], which is so low that many ovens don’t have that option,” she says. “The herbs also need air circulation or a vent, and some ovens don’t come with that option either.”

When in doubt, try. “What I always recommend is to place your oven on the lowest heat setting and keep the oven on its lowest heat setting,” she says. “It’s trial and error at its best!”