How to Start a Simple Kitchen Herb Cabinet

Many of us grew up with a grandmother who always had something in the kitchen for a cold, a sore tummy or a sleepless night. A kitchen herb cabinet is a simple way to bring that habit back, without turning your home into a pharmacy.

Start with six familiar herbs

These are common, gentle and easy to find dried in most stores:

• Chamomile, the classic evening tea.
• Peppermint, a fresh tea many people drink after meals.
• Ginger, warming and popular in cold weather.
• Lemon balm, a mild, lemony herb from the mint family.
• Thyme, a kitchen herb also used in warm drinks with honey.
• Fennel seeds, traditionally chewed or brewed after meals.

What you need

• Clean glass jars with tight lids.
• Labels with the name of the herb and the date you bought it.
• A cool, dark cupboard, away from the stove.
• A small strainer or tea ball.

Dried herbs lose flavor over time. Most are best used within about a year.

How to make a simple herbal tea

Put one or two teaspoons of dried herb in a cup. Pour on hot water, cover the cup and let it steep for five to ten minutes. Covering keeps the scent in. Strain and drink warm.

Safety first, always

Natural does not always mean safe. Before you use herbs regularly:

• Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you take any medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition. Some herbs interact with medicines.
• Buy from trusted sellers with clear labels.
• Start with small amounts and stop if anything feels wrong.
• Be careful with allergies. Chamomile, for example, is related to ragweed.
• Never use herbs instead of seeing a doctor for a serious or lasting problem.

A cabinet that grows with you

Start small. Get to know each herb through its taste, its smell and its story. Over time you will learn which ones you reach for, and your cabinet will become your own.