We’re all familiar with the fact that herbs are good for you - at least, those that are not poisonous! Many culinary herbs provide not only enhancements to the flavour of our food but also are health-giving. A wide range of plants in the herb garden outside the kitchen door are also medicinal, and indeed for many people that is the primary reason for growing them.

However, research at an American government food research centre has shown that some herbs, including oregano, cloves and thyme, are effective in attacking the E. Coli pathogen. Other troublesome organisms such as Salmonella have also apparently found new enemies in these popular natural food flavourings.

Or maybe they’re not “new”. I wonder whether there is any correlation between countries in which these herbs are widely used and a low incidence of sickness outbreaks caused by those food-borne nasties. I don’t know. Maybe there’s some research somewhere that shows it. Meanwhile, I’m happy to know that in addition to the already well-known advantages of flavour, odour and health there are still further benefits to be gained from the herb garden.

While on this subject of health and healing, there’s a new book about to hit the shops.  Jill Henderson has produced what is described as “equal parts gardening guide and healthy living sourcebook” in The Healing Power of Kitchen Herbs (Published by Ball Publishing ; ISBN-13: 9781883052621; ISBN-10: 1883052629).  It should be in the shops in the UK at the beginning of September, but you needn’t wait to order it.  You can order here from Foyles of London and your copy will be mailed as soon as it becomes available.  Click either on the book graphic or on the title above.

Finally, for now, in the past few days we have launched a new site in the Gardening-Notes.com family called, “Herbs and the Herb Garden”. We didn’t wait until we had it full of dozens of pages but started with just a few, and will be building it up over the weeks and months ahead. Take a look at Herbs and the Herb Garden.