Welcome To The World of Herbs

Herbs (with most flora) have been around for a very long time, and evolving for some 500,000 million years to be precise. Incredibly diverse, herbs act as both food and medicine, and as Hippocrates once proclaimed, ‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.’

There are few plants capable of providing the sheer pleasure of herbs; they are the most generous of plants, aromatic and attractive, useful in both the home and garden, health-giving and calming. What is not to like?

The increasing interest in herbs, is part of a movement towards healthier living, symbolising a desire for a more natural approach to health, one rooted in history.

The most extraordinary feature of herbs is their versatility. You may think of a particular herb as having only culinary or medicinal properties and then discover it has other useful applications. Thyme for example, provides the raw material for cooking, medicines, aromatherapy as well as spiritual significance. We like to think of herbs as the siblings to spice, they are both held in the same high regard, both domains are used interchangeably in the culinary and apothecary arts. Herbs are powerful because they are multifaceted—they defend themselves and their ecosystems, nourish the body, enhance the mind, and sustain entire cultures. Whether used in daily cooking, traditional medicine, or modern scientific research, herbs continue to shape the way we live, heal, and experience the world.

What is a herb?

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"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."
Hippocrates
Ancient Greek Ahysician

What is a herb? Firstly, the word ‘herb’ is a cultural rather than a botanical definition, almost subjective as herbs are what we call ‘useful plants’, as opposed to plants that are not useful. A  chief in the Amazon Jungle will have far more uses for plants than someone who lives in a city. The Oxford English dictionary defines them as ‘Plants of which the leaves, stem or flowers are used for food or medicine, or in some way for their scent or flavour’, i.e - usefulness. To expand on this, a herb can be any plant used as an ingredient in food or drink for flavour or preservative properties, in medicine for health-giving properties or in perfume, cosmetics or aromatherapy as a fixative, for flavour or aroma or as a cleansing agent. Herbs are beneficial and essential for improving health, appearance and general well-being. 

Herbal Variety

We have discovered over 25,000 plant varieties with herbal uses, the vast majority of these are ideal for cooking, medicinal, aromatherapy and sacred ritual practices, and what’s more, they are still being discovered. Over millennia, we have learned how to combine different herbs for different effects. A few examples would be 

Holy Basil & Ashwagandha – Stress and Adaptogen Support
  • Why? Holy basil (Tulsi) and ashwagandha are both adaptogens, meaning they help the body adapt to stress and regulate cortisol levels.
  • Benefit: Reduces stress, improves resilience, and supports energy levels.
Cinnamon & Clove – Blood Sugar and Circulation Support
  • Why? Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar, while clove has antioxidants that support circulation and cardiovascular health.
  • Benefit: Supports metabolic health, improves circulation, and balances blood sugar levels.
Rosemary & Sage – Brain Boosting Duo
  • Why? Both herbs contain compounds that support memory, focus, and cognitive function. Rosemary has been linked to improved concentration, while sage is traditionally used to enhance memory.
  • Benefit: Supports brain function, mental clarity, and may help with cognitive decline.

 

Journey Into Taste

Humans are rather curious animals, and are easily led astray by external stimuli like novel scents, tastes, sounds and sights. As a result, humans (and all animals for that matter), have formed a rather interesting symbiotic relationship with plants ever since we started roaming the earth. We found very early on the wonders and delights of novel objects found on the forest floors. Some gave us physical energy, some made us more focussed, some made us ill, and others simply tasted amazing. 

The taste of herbs is not random, it is the result of various essential oils, phytonutrients, and environmental factors that span so far back into history we will never know the full picture. Each herb has a unique combination of compounds that determine its taste and aroma. Below we list some of the more common associations.

Bitterness

Many medicinal herbs are bitter because their compounds, like tannins and alkaloids, act as natural defences against pests but also benefit human metabolism. Bitter herbs like rosemary, sage, and dandelion leaf stimulate digestion and bile production to name a few.

Sweetness

Some herbs, like fennel, licorice root, and basil, have a natural sweetness due to their anethole and glycyrrhizin content. These compounds interact with taste receptors in a way that balances strong, pungent, or bitter flavours.

Pungency

Mustard greens, garlic, and horseradish contain sulphur compounds that create a sharp, tingling heat whilst Peppery herbs like nasturtium and watercress get their intensity from isothiocyanates, which also have strong antimicrobial properties. Capsaicin, one of the most  studied plant compounds in chili peppers, is responsible for their pungent (hot) flavor which is loved and loathed around the world.

Cooling and Refreshing

Mint, shiso, and lemon balm contain menthol-like compounds that activate the same cold receptors in the mouth as ice, this cooling effect can balance rich or heavy foods, making them feel lighter and more digestible, this is why mint tea is often offered after a meal, to help naturally aid in digestion.

HERB FAQ

What is a Herb?

The simplest definition of a herb is of any plant that is useful, in the sense that it can be used for cooking, medicine, aromatherapy or perfumery. At Millstone we consider food as medicine and therefore seek out the most potent herbs that have transformative properties to our health and our tongue.

Why should I use Herbs?

 

Using herbs for cooking is an exciting way to transform otherwise bland foods, and with over 25,000 herbs to choose from, we are not short of culinary excitement. In a world that is becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain simple health, using herbs (and spices) as part of our daily cooking rituals is the best way to ensure you're getting all of your micronutrient requirements.

The Gut Microbiome and Herbs?

Health (along with Taste, Design + Culture) is one of the guiding principles at Millstone, everything we do has to be aligned with good Health. Gut health can be obtained easily by giving it what it needs, that is nutrients, minerals and phytonutrients (phytonutrients being the even more obscure and infinitesimally rare nutrients that our bodies need to function properly, such as carotenoids, polyphenols and isothiocyanates).  The gut microbiome is the garden of the body where health is created and distributed by over 100 trillion microorganisms that work in tandem to keep us going and herbs and spices are the best way to ensure this ecosystem is maintained.

Why Millstone Herbs?

Our sourcing philosophy at Millstone is simple. Certified organic and a seed to shelf of no more than three months (it is not uncommon to buy two year seed to shelf spices and herbs from larger suppliers). A short seed to shelf life means spices and herbs that are pungent with aroma and transformative health properties, which as we have mentioned, is absolutely essential to your gut microbiome. 

Millstone also believes in telling the stories of our farmers and our customers, we are simply a gateway between the two.  

Herbs tell a story of place—their flavour is shaped by where and how they grow. Soil, climate, and farming practices all influence their taste.

  • Mediterranean herbs (thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary) thrive in dry, rocky terrain, leading to intense, concentrated oils that give them their robust flavour.
  • Tropical herbs (lemongrass, turmeric, pandan) develop bright, citrusy or earthy notes due to their humid growing conditions.
  • Wild herbs (nettles, sorrel, wild garlic) have sharper, more untamed flavours, reflecting their naturally foraged origins.

Each herb carries the imprint of its environment, offering us a taste of the land it comes from.

Journey Into Health

Health is a guiding principle at Millstone (along with Taste, Design and Culture). Everything has to be aligned with good health. Our selection of organic single origin herbs are not immune in this regard. They say you need to know where you are going before you start your journey, and we also believe that every journey should be loaded with good intentions. Three methods we employ to ensure our herbs (and spices) are loaded with good intentions are:

  1. Organic certified produce from happy motivated farms.
  2. Produce from single origin farms only.
  3. A seed to shelf of just three months. 

What this means is healthier, tastier and more appealing herbs. By working to our three point framework mentioned above, we can ensure our herbs offer the following benefits:

Bioactive Compounds: The Chemistry Behind Their Strength

Herbs are rich in phytonutrients, naturally occurring compounds in plants that serve both as the plant's defense system and as powerful agents in human health. Herbs thrive in diverse environments, from arid deserts to tropical forests. Their ability to survive harsh conditions is a direct result of their chemical defense mechanisms, which humans have learned to harness over time. Many herbs develop strong bitter, pungent, or aromatic compounds to deter herbivores and pathogens, but of course these are the properties which attract us to them. Below we look at some of the most common phytonutrients and the roles they play in human health.

Polyphenols

Some of the most important bioactive compounds include polyphenols which are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents found in herbs like oregano, rosemary, thyme and basil, which all help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. One well-known polyphenol, rosmarinic acid, found in many herbs, but mostly in rosemary and basil, has been found to help with neuroprotection and cognitive health. This is one of over 10,000 known phytonutrients, the true healing properties of herbs are mostly unknown and bewildering at best.

Terpenes

Terpenes are responsible for giving herbs, spices and other foods their zing, making certain foods and plants taste and smell a certain way. The fragrant, aromatic chemicals called hydrocarbons are abundant in herbs, spices, citrus fruits and even root vegetables such as carrots and ginger. Some examples of powerful terpenes include linalool, found in lavender and basil have calming effects on the nervous system. Carvacrol, found in oregano and thyme, has antimicrobial and immune boosting properties. Thymol, found in Thyme, is a potent antiseptic used in natural mouthwashes and medicinal formulations. 

Alkaloids 

Alkaloids are nitrogen containing compounds that can have immensely positive effects on the body. A few examples of such would be berberine, found in goldenseal and barberry, is beneficial in blood sugar maintenance and overall gut health. Caffeine another alkaloid, found in in yerba mate and camellia sinensis is proven to enhance mental alertness and metabolism. 

Essential Oils

Essential oils are the aromatic plant essences which have fascinated us for millennia and continue to attract new research in their transformative properties. These oils are usually classed as volatile, meaning they are easily destroyed, especially with extractions. The essential oils (in their natural state) should be consumed as part of a healthy diet, and with hundreds to choose from, there is an oil for just about any ailment. 

The Role of Herbs in Human Health and Well-Being

Herbs don’t just add flavour to our food; they interact with our gut microbiome, nervous system, and immune system in ways that can profoundly impact health.

Herbs and the Gut Microbiome

The gut microbiome is second to the brain, some say it is the second brain and that it can ‘think’ independently of itself, we wholeheartedly believe this to be so. The gut microbiome is an intelligent and complex system of over 100 trillion microorganisms who each have their own roles in maintaining (and sometimes destroying) our overall health. It is inhabited by bacteria, viruses, fungi and other unknown pathogens and left unchecked or underserved, would wreak havoc on our bodies. 

As with our spices, using herbs daily is one of the most natural ways to feed your gut microbiome. 

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Why the Gut Microbiome Needs Spices , Herbs + Salts

The gut microbiome does not specifically need spices, herbs and salts per se, but what it does need is a continuous and healthy dose of nutrients, minerals and it particularly likes phytonutrients, aka phytochemicals. There are over 10,000 known phytonutrients and the vast majority of them are still lacking in thorough research. In their original form, phytonutrients help keep plants healthy and protect them from bugs, fungi and other environmental threats. But what do they do in your body? At the most fundamental level, phytonutrients help protect our bodies from disease and keep all metabolic and cognitive functions in operation, as well as provide our bodies with anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits. They are essentially foods for the good guys keeping us alive and healthy. Some of the more well known phytonutrients include carotenoids, flavonoids, phytoestrogens, glucosinolates and ellagic acid, just five of the other 10,000 we know of. 

So where do herbs come into all of this? Millstone prides itself on a three month seed to shelf production, essentially what this means is that our herbs, spices and salts are potent with phytonutrients, polyphenols and important volatile compounds that your gut loves. And to add to that, our products are all certified organic, which means no extra work for your body to fight off pesticides, insecticides and herbicides. Herbs count towards your five a day and your thirty a day mix, our herbs, spices and salts in particular are an excellent way to treat your gut to a nourishing meal.

Herbs in the Modern World

And now we come full circle to the present day. The age of discovery is over, to our knowledge, the vast majority of herbs and spices have been discovered and they are available in abundance, never have they been so cheap and so readily available. But this abundance comes at a cost. Quality. 

Millstone was founded to address the issue of quality in the world of spices, herbs and salts. Our mission is to journey into taste and excite all senses, and our principles that guide us are; Taste, Health, Design and Culture. The term ‘quality’ can and will be applied to all of our principles. 

There really are no shortcuts to quality. 

Taste - We watch our crops grow on organic farms in natural environments. 

Health - Our crops are free from chemical fertilisers and dense with essential nutrients and minerals. 

Design - Our design aesthetic and packaging inspires and motivates. 

Culture - We travel the world to learn about other cultures, sharing our journey with you as we go.

Millstone is committed to fulfilling its mission and delivering on its promise of taste, health, design and culture. We are excited to show you our world of spices, herbs and salts.

Come with us as we journey into taste.

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