10 Ways to Use Garden Herbs

If you have a garden full of herbs, you might be wondering how to make the most of them. Sure, you can use them for cooking, but there are so many other ways to enjoy the benefits of these fragrant plants. Here are 10 creative and fun ways to use garden herbs:

1. Make herbal tea. Nothing beats a cup of hot tea made with fresh herbs. You can experiment with different combinations, such as mint and lemon balm, chamomile and lavender, or rosemary and sage. Just steep the herbs in boiling water for a few minutes and enjoy.
2. Make herbal vinegar. You can infuse vinegar with herbs to add flavor and aroma to your salads, marinades, and sauces. Simply fill a glass jar with your favorite herbs, such as basil, thyme, oregano, or dill, and cover them with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Seal the jar and let it sit in a dark place for a few weeks, shaking it occasionally. Strain the vinegar and store it in a bottle.
3. Make herbal oil. Similar to herbal vinegar, you can make herbal oil by infusing oil with herbs. You can use olive oil, sunflower oil, or any other oil of your choice. Fill a glass jar with herbs, such as rosemary, garlic, bay leaves, or peppercorns, and cover them with oil. Seal the jar and let it sit in a dark place for a few weeks, shaking it occasionally. Strain the oil and store it in a bottle.
4. Make herbal salt. You can make your own flavored salt by mixing herbs with sea salt or kosher salt. You can use any herbs you like, such as parsley, cilantro, chives, or sage. Chop the herbs finely and mix them with salt in a bowl. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake it in a low oven for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until dry. Store the salt in an airtight container.
5. Make herbal butter. You can make your own herb butter by mixing softened butter with herbs. You can use any herbs you like, such as basil, tarragon, chervil, or mint. Chop the herbs finely and mix them with butter in a bowl. Shape the butter into a log and wrap it in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Refrigerate the butter until firm and slice it as needed.
6. Make herbal soap. You can make your own natural soap by adding herbs to a melt-and-pour soap base. You can use any herbs you like, such as lavender, rosemary, lemon verbena, or calendula. Chop the herbs finely and add them to the melted soap base in a mold. Let the soap harden and unmold it.
7. Make herbal sachets. You can make your own fragrant sachets by filling small cloth bags with dried herbs. You can use any herbs you like, such as lavender, rose petals, lemon balm, or mint. Tie the bags with ribbons and place them in your drawers, closets, or pillows.
8. Make herbal candles. You can make your own scented candles by adding herbs to melted wax in a container with a wick. You can use any herbs you like, such as thyme, sage, basil, or marjoram. Chop the herbs finely and add them to the melted wax in a jar or tin. Let the wax cool and harden.
9. Make herbal wreaths. You can make your own decorative wreaths by weaving fresh or dried herbs around a wire frame or a grapevine wreath base. You can use any herbs you like, such as rosemary, bay leaves, lavender, or oregano. Secure the herbs with floral wire or glue and hang the wreath on your door or wall.
10. Make herbal potpourri. You can make your own aromatic potpourri by mixing dried herbs with spices and essential oils in a bowl. You can use any herbs you like, such as mint, lemon grass, chamomile, or sage. Add some cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, or nutmeg for extra spice. Add some drops of essential oils for extra scent. Store the potpourri in an airtight container or display it in a bowl.

There you have it: 10 ways to use garden herbs that are fun and easy to do. Which one will you try first?