Most of us are familiar with herbs like Chives which go great with sour cream on a potato or Sage that enhances the flavor of the stuffing on our Thanksgiving table but there are hundreds of underutilized herbs just waiting to find their way into your kitchen! Most herbs are pretty easy to grow and add not only distinctive flavors to your meals but they may even help relieve that tension headache you have as well. Some of these herbs are grown primarily for their flowering capabilities so you may even have these growing in your garden and not even know it! Here are just 5 herbs that you’re probably not growing now…but you should be:

• Calendula - This herb is often referred to as “Pot Marigold” although it is not related to common Marigolds in any way. It enjoys cool temperatures found in the fall and spring and is easy to grow from seed. Both its pretty flowers and its leaves have medicinal value and were often used to treat headaches. The flowers, in particular, were often put in soups and sauces as a preventive medication.  Gravy made from Calendula was the standard sauce served with lamb before mint jelly came along. Lemon juice brings out the honeylike taste of Calendula flowers and they go great together with sweet corn in a salad or a fritter.
• Lemongrass - A popular herb in Thai and Vietnamese cooking you can grow Lemongrass in a glass of water! The next time you buy a stalk at the store look for one that has an intact bottom of the stalk and you can place it in a glass or other container in a few inches of water. Eventually, it will grow roots and shoots that you can use for all of your favorite Asian dishes.
• Catmint - Catmint is related to Catnip but they are actually two different plants. I turned to Catmint years ago as a solution to a very dry area of my yard and it has performed admirably. It is tough as nails, attracts pollinators to the garden and is a good mosquito repellant too. Only recently have I found out that it is actually an herb whose leaves are steeped in boiling water to produce a tea which has calming effects. It is also considered an anti-inflammatory and the leaves can be rubbed on small cuts as an antiseptic and coagulant. Is there anything this herb can’t do?
• Feverfew - This herb’s delicate daisy-like flowers mask a real powerhouse of a plant! For centuries, as the name suggests, it has been used as a fever reducer and some arthritis sufferers consume it for its anti-inflammatory properties. The flowers can be used as a garnish for salads and soups but also can make a soothing and relaxing tea.
• Tarragon - This herb is related to Sunflowers. It is a perennial plant that prefers soil that is fertile and drains quickly. It can be grown indoors but requires a lot of sunlight. It has a flavor similar to Rosemary and Oregano and is useful in stews, chicken and pasta dishes. Its robust flavor means that a little of this herb can go a long way so don’t overdo it!

I am sure there are lots of other herbs that might fit the category of underutilized. Please feel free to share them on our Facebook page!