Basil. With its distinct aroma and leafy good looks, this plant is one of the most widely known and grown herbs in the world. Often associated with Mediterranean cooking, basil is native to India and Asia as well as parts of Africa. Sweet basil is the most common, but dozens of other varieties include lemon, cinnamon, and Thai.

This member of the mint family has been used as a medicinal plant, and its oils and extracts are said to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Fragrant fresh basil, for instance, offers a healthy dose of blood-clotting vitamin K -- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil provide 27% of the RDA -- as well as vitamin A, manganese, and magnesium. (You can find more vitamin K in green leafy veggies such as cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and spinach -- but talk to your doctor if you’re taking a blood thinner such as warfarin; you don’t want too much or too little K.)

Use fresh basil whenever possible, and when cooking with it, add to the dish during the last few minutes for maximum flavor.

By Andrea Gabrick | WebMD Magazine