​As Italian foods have become a staple of the U.S. diet, so has this ultimate of Italian herbs, basil. Now available in most markets yearround, basil is an incredibly delicious, pungent herb that of course goes great with Italian dishes as well as an array of other cuisines.

Eggplant's delicious meaty texture, nutty flavor and surplus of health benefits have made it a popular vegetable in many cuisines throughout the world.

Antibiotics have been used for thousands of years, scientists have found evidence of their use in ancient Roman and African civilizations. The use of antibiotics is especially prevalent in traditional medicinal practices, such as Chinese medicine where they have uses plants and plant extracts containing antimicrobials for thousands of years.