Fresh herbs are increasingly appearing in our kitchens as an alternative to dried and packaged spices. But do the things we buy and use daily to enhance the flavor of our dishes also have health benefits and can improve skin condition? Let's take a look at some of the most popular plants that grace our plates.

Basil

Known primarily for its exquisite flavor and aroma, which pairs perfectly with Italian dishes. Beyond its deliciousness, however, it's worth emphasizing its health benefits stemming from the plant's rich composition. Basil contains many valuable compounds, vitamins, and minerals, such as potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, vitamins C and E, provitamin A, and B vitamins. Eating basil has a beneficial effect on the digestive system, including stimulating the secretion of gastric juices, which in turn helps speed up the digestive system. It supports the absorption of nutrients, exhibits antibacterial and antifungal properties, and lowers glucose and lipid levels in the blood. It is also recommended as an antiemetic. Furthermore, the volatile oils contained in the plant exhibit analgesic, sedative, and even antidepressant properties. Basil oil, obtained through steam distillation, is used in the cosmetics industry for the production of perfumes and soaps.

Parsley

A valuable and desirable plant, which, in addition to its spice and flavoring properties, contains valuable components essential for the proper functioning of the body. These include B vitamins, vitamin C, and minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, iron, and calcium. Parsley, specifically the essential oil and other compounds contained in the plant, exhibit diuretic and disinfectant properties, while the flavonoids it contains have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system. Furthermore, parsley has a beneficial effect on the skin and liver. It is also effective in treating respiratory diseases, hypertension, and rheumatism. In cosmetics, it is used in skin brightening and tone-improving products.

Fun fact

You can make your own parsley water at home. Simply chop the parsley—preferably organic—and pour water over it, cover, and refrigerate for about 12 hours. After that time, strain the parsley and pour the water into a container suitable for daily use. It has a shelf life of about two weeks.

Peppermint

A plant with a strong and refreshing scent, it is used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Peppermint leaves contain approximately 3% essential oil. Furthermore, it contains tannins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. This plant is excellent as a herbal infusion for digestive disorders, biliary tract diseases, and liver diseases. Peppermint is also valued as an antiseptic, used for colds, stomatitis, sinusitis, and dermatitis.

Fun fact

Peppermint is a quick and easy way to make homemade cosmetics. Simply pour boiled water over torn mint leaves and let steep for a few hours to create a natural, refreshing toner.

Mint, parsley, and basil are just some of the herbs that, in addition to their flavor, offer a wide range of health-promoting properties. They're perfect for cooking, but they can also be a great way to provide your body with essential vitamins and minerals, as well as prepare homemade cosmetics. Sometimes, it's not worth spending a fortune to improve the condition of your skin and body—just embrace nature's gifts and create your own tonic, mask, or infusion.

Beata and Patrycja – creators of the blog Z Pamiętnika Dietetyka (Dietetics' Diary) , authors of a book about healthy eating, and sisters in private. They are a harmonious duo, despite their different worldviews. Beata, a dietitian by profession, loves to set high goals for herself, which is why she turned to dietary catering as a career, wanting to take care not only of her own health but also of all Warsaw residents. Patrycja, on the other hand, has a journalism degree and loves cooking and documenting her adventures in the kitchen. She works on the artistic side of the blog daily, and as she herself admits, nothing is impossible for her. She always strives for her goal, even though it's often uphill.