Janet Hackert, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Harrison County, University of Missouri Extension
The new dietary guidelines recommend that Americans use less sodium — 1,500 mg a day for children and the majority of adults. Using herbs instead of salt can help us achieve the lower sodium recommendations.
Many herbs can be grown in a small quantity in a pot, or for more production, in a garden. Some herbs can even be grown indoors, given plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil.
Harvesting herbs like basil, cilantro, mint, oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme for their leaves is typically best done when the flower stems are just beginning to open. This is when the essential oils that give them their fragrance and flavor are at their peak. It is also best to harvest herbs in the morning, just after the dew has evaporated, on a day following at least two sunny days.
Many herbs can be dried…
For information on drying and freezing herbs, see the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut441.htm
