Oh, sage! Is it just a coincidence that the word “assuage” contains sage? I don’t think so, because sage can help with so many problems, and just the smell of it can calm a stormy mind. If you ask me which is my favorite, I’d say white sage (Salvia apiana), because its strong smoke brings me closer to God. Also, I love pitcher sage (Salvia spathacea), which has huge, bright pink colas that hummingbirds and phoenix moths visit. This plant’s fruity stickiness is so out of this world that it’s almost alien. Kashmir sage (Salvia hians) has a flower that is much bigger than the plant itself. This makes a bright red root that we have come to associate with medicinal power. I bet my wages on sages.
Thymes are equally important to sage, and these too we grow with abandon. There are now 5 different kinds of tulsi, which is known as the “holy basil” of tea. I’m going to rest my case now that I’ve explained the variety of forms. I’m finally happy! Valerian is with me every night when I lay down to sleep, and I know that some people say it gives them both sleepiness and nightmares. I, jaded perhaps by a life of seeking the strange, find valerian dreams quite nice, and entertaining. This group also includes wood betony (Stachys officinalis), nettles (Urtica dioica), Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), and Stevia (S rebaudiana), Sweet Violet (Viola odorata) and Yarrow. It’s as diverse as a good herb garden or a walk through the North Carolina woodlands. How is it possible that so much herbal goodness crowds the end of the alphabet?.
Wilde dagga (Leonotis leonurus), an East African ditchweed with a flower so bright that even bees can’t stand it, is for people who want something a little more out there. Yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica) is a paleoherb that thrives to this day. Taking a close look into its snake-like eye, you might see ancestors who were smarter because they had more time to do less. Yage plants (Banisteriopsis caapi) are the last ones we have. They are a tropical liana that holds the key to both heaven and hell. Play here only if you dare.
Herbs are aromatic plants that add wonderful flavor and fragrance to recipes. Many popular culinary herbs actually begin with the letter S. Growing your own herbs is easy and rewarding. Here are 25 fantastic herb varieties starting with S you can add to your garden!
Top Herbs Beginning With S
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Safflower – Safflower is an ancient herb primarily grown for its yellow flower petals used as a dye and coloring agent. The thistle-like leaves can add flavor to dishes.
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Saffron – The delicate saffron crocus produces the world’s most expensive spice. The red stigmas are hand harvested and dried for use as a seasoning and yellow food coloring.
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Sage – Common garden sage is an essential Mediterranean herb used fresh or dried in stuffing, meat rubs, sauces and more Pineapple sage also has culinary uses.
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Salad Burnet – Salad burnet is a perennial herb grown for its mild cucumber taste It’s perfect for salads, salsas, vinegars, and more
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Sassafras – Sassafras has fragrant leaves used to make tea and Creole filé powder. However safrole oil from the roots is banned for culinary use due to potential toxicity.
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Sesame Seeds – Nutty, crunchy sesame seeds come from the sesame plant’s pods. Black sesame seeds are especially rich, aromatic, and delicious when toasted.
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Savory – Summer savory is a popular annual herb in bean dishes, grilled meats, and sausages. Winter savory is a perennial best used when dried as a peppery accent.
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Sorrel – Garden sorrel has large, tart leaves used like spinach. Sheep’s sorrel has small leaves with a lemony kick, nice for salads or sauces.
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Stevia – Stevia is an herbal alternative to sugar grown for its intensely sweet leaves. Dried and powdered stevia makes a zero calorie sweetener.
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Sweet Basil – This culinary favorite adds its clove-anise flavor and scent to pesto, marinara, salad dressings, and so much more. Try spicy Thai basil too!
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Sweet Cicely – Sweet cicely is a fern-like herb with anise flavored leaves and roots. It was popular in medieval Europe but remains relatively obscure.
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Sweet Marjoram – Closely related to oregano, sweet marjoram shines in Mediterranean dishes, sausages, stews, and vinaigrettes.
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Sweet Woodruff – Sweet woodruff is a low-growing perennial groundcover. The fragrant leaves and flowers are used in May wine punches and German strewing herbs.
More Herbs Starting With S
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Scarlet Beebalm – With its bright red blooms, scarlet beebalm is a hummingbird magnet. The leaves impart a refreshing minty citrus flavor.
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Selfheal – Selfheal is an ancient medicinal herb used topically for wounds and internally for sore throats or stomach ailments. It has mild minty flavor.
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Shepherd’s Purse – Shepherd’s purse is named for the heart-shaped seed pods. Young leaves add a mild mustard-like bite to salads and other dishes.
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Skullcap – There are two types of skullcap herb: American skullcap and Chinese skullcap. Both have medicinal uses as nervous system tonics.
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Smartweed – Considered an herb in some regions, smartweed has a tangy, peppery taste and is used as a green, grain, or pickled vegetable.
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Southernwood – Southernwood is a woody perennial grown for its fine, gray foliage and lemon scent. It deters insects so makes a good garden border.
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Spearmint – Spearmint is the most common mint for cooking like the classic pairing of lamb and mint sauce. It’s also nice in cocktails and teas.
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Spider Flower – Spider flower, also called cleome, is an annual with unique, spidery blossoms. The leaves add kick to salads with their mustard-like pungency.
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Spikenard – Spikenard has historical significance in aromatherapy. Oil from the roots is used in perfumes.
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Spotted Deadnettle – A member of the mint family, spotted deadnettle has no sting. The leaves make a vitamin-rich addition to wild green salads and soups.
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Sweetgrass – A sacred plant to Indigenous peoples, sweetgrass is used for weaving baskets and its essential oil production. It has a sweet, vanilla-like fragrance when burned.
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Syrian Oregano – Compared to common oregano, Syrian oregano has a more dominant lemony flavor. Use it Mediterranean dishes for a citrusy note.
How to Use and Care for Herbs Starting with S
Many herbs starting with S are easy to grow right in your garden. Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. Space plants according to mature size. Keep watered but not soggy. Pinch back leggy growth to encourage bushiness.
Harvest leaves before flowers appear for best flavor. Either use herbs fresh or air dry for storage. Dried herbs retain their flavor when stored in a cool, dark place.
With their incredible diversity, herbs starting with S offer something for every palate and gardening skill level. Start with a few favorites and soon you’ll have fresh herbs from A to Z!
Herbalism- How to get Started?!?
FAQ
What is a Mexican spice that starts with an S?
What herbs start with s?
We found quite a few herb names beginning with S. There are 25 of such herb names in total. Here are the herbs beginning with S. Silky afgekia has a scientific name of Afgekia sericea. It is a climber plant. This is found in sub-tropical and tropical areas. Their natural habitats are monsoon forest. Silky afgekia thrives in well-drained soils.
What healthy seasonings can I use this new year?
All natural seasonings are healthy, like onions, garlic, herbs, dried herbs and their mixtures. My favorites are thyme, rosemary, garlic, onion, freshly ground pepper and curry.
Which herbs are used in cooking?
Garlic is probably one of the most popular herbs and is widely used herbs in cooking. It is in the lily family like onions and shallots. When eaten raw garlic has a very strong flavor. Garlic is also widely used for medicinal purposes.
Where are our herbs and spices sourced?
Our herbs and spices are sourced from many regions around the world, and with so many different types of spices and culinary herbs, it can often be difficult to find what you’re looking for. Below is our complete list of spices.
What are the best herbs to grow?
With this list of herbs, you’ll have plenty of choices. Whether you have a large space or just a few pots on a patio, growing a crop of herbs like basil, oregano or thyme to harvest gives a feeling of accomplishment. Once you’ve mastered the basic herbs, try the more exotic types. Here’s our comprehensive list of herbs to choose from!
What is the ancient herb salep?
The ancient herb salep is a type of orchid. The plant has been around for centuries and was originally used to make a drink, which could have health benefits. Salep (Orchis mascula) is an old type of orchid that people used to use as the main ingredient in their favorite drink – salep.