Organic food sales have increased steadily over the past 15 years, adding up to about 134.76 billion dollars in sales; 6% of the grocery market. The numbers are even higher if you track how many people have resorted to the ultimate organic food source — growing it for themselves.

And while everyone may not have space for a garden, most herbs and spices can be grown indoors. Plus you get the added benefit of pleasant smells and warding off certain pesky insects like mosquitoes. That’s definitely healthier than buying imported spices from a store, after they’ve been irradiated and fumigated.

Today, there’s more awareness of how foods high in sodium affect blood pressure levels and cardiovascular health. In their quest to lower their blood pressure and get healthier, Americans are turning to more low-sodium or salt-free blends that allow them to add flavor to foods without increasing their sodium intake.

Abi Powell with Very Veganish says, “I recently made a salt-free Cajun seasoning for a friend who can’t have salt anymore. She loves it!”

Some cooks just prefer the taste of their own blends. “I’ve started using homemade chili seasoning. I put the chili over fries and baked potatoes in the summer. The seasoning blend really improves the flavor overall and keeps the flavors nicely balanced,” says Tiffany McCauley with The Gracious Pantry.

The Expensive Global Market

The spice market includes dried herbs, salt, salt substitutes, pepper, and other individual spices, including turmeric, coriander, chili powder, and other spices that are popular worldwide. North America accounts for more than a third of the global spice market. The region’s Asian population is increasing, and this group’s desire for the spices used in their home cuisines also drives the market.

Lemongrass, curry leaves, kefir lime, and gojuchang paste are in high demand. These ingredients were once available only in Asian specialty shops but are now showing up at mainstream grocery stores.

Spice blends are also rising in popularity, particularly for home cooks who may not be confident in their skills in combining spices and herbs for the best results. According to Mordor Intelligence, the North American spice market took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, but is recovering. But increased sales also stem from the demand for healthy, good-quality ingredients.

Unfortunately, Powell points out not everything can be grown at home. “For our kitchen, we’ve been loving the Kinder’s seasoning blends. We’ve already run out of the Japanese BBQ blend and the Garlic and Herb.”

Growing Herbs and Spices

One of the other advantages of growing your own herbs is that supply chain issues and political conditions thousands of miles away don’t affect what you’ve planted. Many herbs are easy to grow in windowsill containers or planters, where gardeners can water them or keep them under cover, depending on the weather.

It’s not practical for most gardeners to plant the trees that will produce cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice, but it’s easy to grow basil, dill, sage, thyme, marjoram, oregano, cilantro, mint, and parsley. Garden centers and seed catalogs sell these plants either already started in containers or as seeds.

Garden Center Magazine reports 71.5 million U.S. homes have a garden. More millennials, especially, are interested in gardening and being able to grow their own produce, which includes herbs. Harvesting herbs from their own gardens is satisfying, and the gardeners know their produce is free from harmful chemicals.

Some gardeners swear mint in their yards repels mice and rats. If nothing else, it’s a natural option that will not harm other wildlife in the area.

Herbs as Medicine

The practice of using herbs and spices as medication is thousands of years old and is found in nearly every culture. It makes up a large part of traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic practices in India. With the growing Asian population in North America, it stands to reason that these people want to continue with their cultural medicinal practices, which keeps the herb market growing.

A look in the local supplements aisle confirms that shoppers believe herbs and spices are good for their health. There’s horse chestnut for leg pain, ginger for a sensitive stomach, cinnamon and turmeric to lower blood sugar, and a host of other applications. Some remedies have more science behind their efficacy than others do. Still, many people use herbs for their medicinal properties.

“I use lavender to help me sleep better,” says Adriana Copaceanu with Backyard Garden Lover. “I place a small ‘sleep pillow’ I make from lavender and chamomile in my pillowcase, and it helps me relax into slumber. I also use herbal teas for quick fixes to everyday issues: chamomile and mint help with stomach upset; fennel gets rid of gas, and when I was nursing my children it helped with milk production; thyme helps with heartburn. Pour boiling water over one teaspoon of dry thyme and drink small sips over 30 minutes to calm heartburn.”

—
Michelle Minnaar | Wealth of Geeks

This article was produced by Media Decision and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.