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Herbs & Spices Guide

Culinary Herbs

From the United States Department of Agriculture

Culinary Herbs

Culinary herbs are used to enhance the flavor of dishes. Many of the  flavorful herbs are in the mint family and the carrot family. Both of these families have the presence of volatile oils that are formed in specialized glands or ducts in the leaves and fruits.

Native North American plants that have been used as culinary herbs include:

  • Wild mint
  • Horsemint
  • Loveroot
  • California bay
  • Tarragon
  • Sagebrush
  • Juniper
  • Wild onion