Herbs in Pasta and Their Health Benefits

Basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme are some of the leafy herbs that are added to pasta recipes.

Apart from their contributions in food flavours and digestive properties, these herbs also contain a lot of beneficial nutrients.

Basil, Ocimum basilicum, a commonly used herbs in pasta cooking or salad, is ideal for nerve tonic, remove fatigue, anxiety and depression. It also good for fighting bronchitis, cold, fever, gout and stomach indigestion.

Parsley, Petroselinum sativum, being a widely used garnishing and culinary use, is a diuretic herb. It helps kidney, urinary problems and water retention. It is rich in iron and other minerals. Iron is essential for blood cell formations and liver functionality. Parsley also contains vitamin A for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and eyes.

Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, another commonly used herbs in pasta baking, is popular for its antiseptic qualities. The oil is steamed and distilled from the flowers and leaves, and has a powerful, woody aroma. Rosemary helps counter obesity, bronchitis, colds, diarrhoea, flatulence and headaches. It has therapeutic effect of a stimulant used to stimulate memory and circulation.

Sage, Salvia officinalis, and thyme, Thymus vulgaris, are both mild antiseptics and have a wide medical application in liver disease and respiratory tract infections. They helps to ease throat infection and bacterial infection. Sage also helps reduce water retention. Thyme is also good for helping to relieve fatigue and anxiety, ease aches.

Knowing all the benefits of such herbs, don't forget to sprinkle some of these leafy herbs at a moderate amount on your pasta recipes. When herbs are stated in a recipe, you can always consider alternative herbs or combination of herbs to cater to your personal taste.

The amount of herbs used is also a matter of your personal preference. In the case of when you are substituting dried herbs with a fresh one, the fresh herbs are normally not as strong as the dried, therefore you may want to use two times more of the portions of the dried herbs.