Herbs are especially full of natural active compounds which are used in the body in various subtle and not so subtle ways. The following paragraphs detail some of the properties and non culinary uses of the active compounds contained within herbs. After which details are given on individual herbs and spices. Active Ingredients Herbal compounds belong to a number of different groups of chemicals. Some may be found either throughout the plant or in specific parts of the plants.
Most herbs contain more than one active ingredient.
Some of these ingredients may have no effect when alone but when working in tandem with other active parts of the plants support and amplify the effects of the other ingredient. Some chemicals within plants produce such strong effects on the body that they are labelled as poisons. This however is beyond the scope of this page. Essential oils these oils usual have a characteristic often pleasant smell. They are best taken into the body through water or steam.