I have selected these herbs as first choice to begin with and as your baby gets older you can use more spicy ingredients such as ginger, paprika, black pepper and more aromatic ones such as cumin, coriander and turmeric as examples but do experiment with flavours later on. There is a range of spices and herbs out there but be selective in where you get your herbs from. Preferably grow your own; alternatively buy them in dry form from an organic wholefoods store or supplier. The following herbs listed below are the ones I started using in my children’s food from around 6 to 7 months. Breastfed babies may be familiar with these tastes via your breastmilk. Just remember to avoid the use of salt and sugar in your baby’s food for the first 12 months and beyond 12 months would be so beneficial.
Oregano
Oregano has many antioxidants; it helps fight infection, tastes great in most sauces and stews. Just a pinch of this lovely herb brings lovely aroma and taste. Or add a leaf or two to food while cooking and remove at the end when serving or blend together with food so baby doesn’t choke.
Thyme
Thyme helps boost immunity, works well in stews, soups and sauces. Place a stalk in your sauce, soup or stew and leave to simmer with food. Do not serve the actual thyme leaf to baby the food will have absorbed the flavour from the herb. Thyme tea is also a great tea for older children (from age 2 upwards) in supporting their immune system. Leave a couple of thyme stalks with the leaves on in boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. You can add ½ to 1 teaspoon of honey and squeeze a little lime or lemon then stir the tea.
Mint
Mint is great for digestion, can also be offered as a tea, try some in stewed fruits, fruit smoothies, soups. Leave a couple of leaves to sit in the food so the flavour comes out.
Basil
Basil is aromatic and flavoursome in tomato sauces, stews and most pasta dishes. It is also great to make your own pesto sauce. Cook with a couple of leaves or if using dried herb then use ¼ of a teaspoon.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has antioxidants that also help fight infections; it is great if you add it to porridge, stewed fruits, smoothies and baked vegetables and cakes. For your baby’s food just a pinch for flavour is great!!
Fennel
Fennel has many uses and benefits but I used it for the following; I have used fennel as a tea to relieve digestion issues for myself and baby I tend to steep the leaves and other parts of the plant in boiled water for 10 minutes. Fennel gives that lovely liquorice taste see what you think!
Try roasting it until very soft then mix with baby’s mashed or pureed meal. Or just left to sit in food for flavour until finished cooking and remove when you serve. Great roasted together with vegetables or white fish.
Let me know what you have also tried or if you have any questions about those herbs listed. Hope you will find this small list useful and let me know how you got on.
