There are endless combinations of produce, grains, and nuts for creating smoothies for taste and for more purposeful uses; commonly touted smoothies are designed to detox, build the immune system, shed weight, clear skin and so forth.
If you’ve ever wondered whether rosemary, basil and other common garden herbs can do more than season savory dishes, if they could enhance your smoothie, the answer is yes.
Herbs are plants traditionally used for seasoning foods and for their health benefits. Since I wrote this article in 2016, more studies have been done, and more called for, on the use of herbs for various medical conditions.
For example, in 2018 Memorial Sloan Kettering reviewed clinical studies on the used of herbs as antidepressants in cancer patients. They state: “Based on available data, black cohosh, chamomile, chasteberry, lavender, passionflower, and saffron appear useful in mitigating anxiety or depression with favorable risk-benefit profiles compared to standard treatments.”
To be clear, I’m not making any health recommendations. I just find it interesting, and gratifying, to see traditionally used plants getting a scientific nod.
That being said, it’s recipe time! Here are four herbs which your garden may’ve grown.
Basil
According to WebMD, basil has been traditionally used to, among other things, eliminate muscle spasms; counter depression; improve mood; stimulate productive coughs; and combat germs.
It pairs well with tomatoes and olives and yes, if you care to search for them, there are gazpacho-y, blood mary-ish smoothies to be found.
But, with a few months to go til Spring, a berry basil smoothie (scroll down to the third recipe) ticks all the boxes for winter skin care and combating seasonal depression. And yumminess.
Rosemary
A staple in herbal medicine, rosemary has a long history of use as an immune booster, germ and fungus killer, digestive aid, and circulation booster.
It is rich in iron, calcium, and B6, making it beneficial for combating anemia. Clinical studies show it also benefits memory and concentration.
TRY: Tuja Wellness’ Amazing Apple Lime & Rosemary Smoothie which uses water and cashews to add creaminess.
Sage
Many benefits are credited to this velvety leaf including reducing anxiety, alleviating menopausal symptoms, lowering high cholesterol, and improving cognition (how well a person reasons and understands things). It is also known as an antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent, and relaxant.
TRY: Healthy Smoothie HQ’s Savory Sage Banana Smoothie which offers add-ons like leafy greens, cinnamon, and protein powders.
Thyme
This tiny, mini-leaf herb has been used for centuries for respiratory conditions, anemia, cholesterol (it has a high fiber content), and digestion. It is high in antioxidants.
TRY: Paleo Plan’s Blackbery Thyme Smoothie which teams the herb with spinach, bananas, coconut milk, and blackberries.
Disclaimer
Any mention of herbs and medicinal use must come with a disclaimer. As mentioned earlier, I’m just commenting on how herbs have been used in the past and what the current science has to say. But:
- Herbs haven’t been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of medical conditions although many did appear in medical texts of the past and such use has been shared anecdotally across time and culture for centuries.
- If you take prescription medications, be aware of food-drug interactions; some foods interfere with the way a prescription drug works. WebMD’s interaction checker comes in handy.
Bottom line: Know your meds, know your foods.
Smoothies, Warm, Green, and Herbal
Herbs can bring a new dimension of taste to your daily smoothie. If you need more inspiration, check out Learning Herb’s short tutorial on creating herbal smoothies.
If you’re mad that you didn’t grow herbs this past summer, get a jump on the next growing season with an indoor herb garden kit like this one from Nature’s Blossom. Or you could start on that basement garden project and grow your own greens, veggies, and herbs for year-round smoothie bliss.
Of course, the herbs will rock a soupie, too. The point is, if you had a bountiful summer harvest and are wondering what to do with all those dried or frozen herbs, don’t overlook your blender. Cold, hot, or warm, an herbal smoothie could be just the thing.
What herbal smoothie combos are you inspired to try?