Cooked garlic will not have as much benefit as raw and whole garlic cloves have little benefit at all. Another way to incorporate garlic into your meals without cooking is to make a garlic bread where you crush gloves into a paste and toast bread - butter toasted bread and spread garlic on it - Yum!

Garlic can have an affect on blood clotting, so don't start taking supplements unless you discuss it with your physician first especially if you are on blood thinning medication or due to have surgery in near future.

Here's some food and herb combinations that I like to use when cooking with fresh herbs:

• Eggs with dill

• Pesto with basil

• Mint in any tea or punch

• Parsley with salad

• Rosemary and Thyme on oven roasted potatoes

• Basil and sage added to flavor butter

If you have a special condition or illness that might be treated with herbs, then feel free to incorporate herbs into your usual cooking. Start by adding a small amount of herb(s) and taste - add more to suit. This is a great way to realize healthy benefit of herbs without having to remember to take pills.