Food families

Leafy Greens & Herbs

Asian leafy greens and fresh herbs — water spinach, gotu kola, bok choy, holy basil, culantro and more. How they're grown, prepared, and eaten.

22 videos

Watch the complete playlist on YouTube

A Concentrated Form of Holy Basil Lowered Cortisol Once
A Concentrated Form of Holy Basil Lowered Cortisol OnceStress markers & cortisol
Thai Sweet Basil: The Anise-Scented Curry Herb
Thai Sweet Basil: The Anise-Scented Curry HerbThe licorice-scented leaf torn into green curry at the last minute
Culantro and Cilantro Have Different Leaf Shapes
Culantro and Cilantro Have Different Leaf ShapesAntibacterial, in-vitro
Lemon Basil Seeds Turn to Jelly in Water
Lemon Basil Seeds Turn to Jelly in WaterStudied for fullness
Water Spinach: Why the Hollow Stems Stay Crisp
Water Spinach: Why the Hollow Stems Stay CrispA source of vitamin A
Yellow Velvetleaf: The Pond Green in Isan Salad
Yellow Velvetleaf: The Pond Green in Isan SaladThe paddy-water green blanched into Isan toasted-rice salad
Sweet Leaf: Always Cook It, Never Drink It Raw
Sweet Leaf: Always Cook It, Never Drink It RawCook it — never raw
Bok Choy: Cook It With Oil for the Carotenoids
Bok Choy: Cook It With Oil for the CarotenoidsCruciferous, vitamin-rich
Cabbage: Vitamin C, K, and Folate in One Leaf
Cabbage: Vitamin C, K, and Folate in One LeafCrunchy cruciferous staple
Chinese Celery: The Skinny Stalk That Lifts Thai Soup
Chinese Celery: The Skinny Stalk That Lifts Thai SoupThe pencil-thin celery Thai cooks scatter over squid and congee
Chinese Chives: The Garlic Green In Kui-Chai Dumplings
Chinese Chives: The Garlic Green In Kui-Chai DumplingsThe garlicky green Thai cooks fold into kui-chai dumplings
Coriander Root: The Part Thai Cooks Prize
Coriander Root: The Part Thai Cooks PrizeThe taproot that anchors Thai curry paste
Thai Dill Was Linked to Lower Cholesterol
Thai Dill Was Linked to Lower CholesterolStudied for cholesterol
Chinese Broccoli: Same Species as Kale & Cabbage
Chinese Broccoli: Same Species as Kale & CabbageStudied for protective enzymes
Gotu Kola's Memory Claim Fell Apart on a Second Look
Gotu Kola's Memory Claim Fell Apart on a Second LookMemory longevity & microbiome
The Mint in Your Kitchen Isn't the IBS Mint
The Mint in Your Kitchen Isn't the IBS MintMay soothe digestion
Moringa in Pregnancy: Skip Root, Bark, Flowers
Moringa in Pregnancy: Skip Root, Bark, FlowersStudied for blood sugar
Gymnema: The Leaf That Mutes the Taste of Sugar
Gymnema: The Leaf That Mutes the Taste of SugarStudied for glucose markers
Spring Onion Regrows From the Root You Toss
Spring Onion Regrows From the Root You TossSpring Onion / Green Onion
Napa Cabbage Raised Defense Enzymes in Animals
Napa Cabbage Raised Defense Enzymes in AnimalsCrisp, low-calorie greens
Pak Liang: The Southern Thai Green In Kaeng Liang
Pak Liang: The Southern Thai Green In Kaeng LiangThe shade-grown leaf Southern Thai cooks simmer into kaeng liang
Vietnamese Coriander: The Laksa Leaf Eaten Raw
Vietnamese Coriander: The Laksa Leaf Eaten RawThe peppery laksa leaf Thai cooks tear over larb