When it comes to spices, it's a case of use 'em or lose 'em because most lose potency aftar a year or so. Here's a list of easy-to-find spices and some dishes they can enhance from the American Spice Trade Association.
An easy way to dry small quantities of herbs is in the microwave. Follow the directions that come with your microwave.
The method to determine when herbs are dried enough to be packaged and stored is when the leaves are crispy dry and crumble easily between the fingers. Place herbs in tight airtight containers and store in a cool, dry, dark area to protect color and fragrance.

Allspice:Sausages, Jamaican stews, fruit pies, honey-glazed winter squash, baked pears.

Anise:Fish and shellfish (put seeds in the poaching water), cottage cheese, cream-cheese dips, fruit pies, applesauce.

Caraway seeds:Cabbage, por or veal stews, roasted potatoes, sauerkraut, potato salad.

Cardamom:Cakes, pastries, fruit dishes, curries, pilafs, punches, spiced wines.

Celery seeds:Tomato juice cocktail, chicken chowder, Southwestern chicken and dishes, meat pies, cabbage and carrot slaw.

Chervil:Fish, shellfish, creambased soups, scrambled egges, chicken, green salads.

Coriander:Lentils, curried chicken, Indian rice pilaf, coffeecake.

Cumin:Guacamole, bean soups, Mexican dishes, black beans, curries, chili, tuna salad.

Fennel:Italian tomato sauces, beef stew, seafood salad.

Fenugreek:Indian curries, pilafs.

GingerAsian dishes and stir-fries, carrot soup, sweet potatoes, apples, poached winter fruits.

Mace:White cake, chicken pie, cream sauces for vegetables.

Marjoram:Clam dip, split pea soup, roasted potatoes, vegetable salads.

Saffron:Rice dishes like paella, arroz co pollo, risotto; chicken, fish.

Sage:Turkey burgers, stuffed peppers, bean soup.

Savory:Lentils, white beans, broiled veal.

Star anise:BBQ or roasted chicken, broths, rice pudding.

To keep you out of the doctor's office here are seven easy herbal remedies or shall I call the "Secret Weapons That Are Better Than Medicine!

Licorice:An ancient remedy that quiets coughs.
How it works: Generates a "productive" cough that speeds recovery.
How to take: In lozenge form (make sure it contains real licorice) or as a tea.

Echinacea:Prevents a cold from taking hold.
How it works:Activates virus-fighting blood cells and stops a cold virus from spreading.
How to take:In capsules or as a tincture. Take at the first hint of a cold.

Chamomile:Soothes an upset stomach.
How it works:Contains an oil that relaxes the smooth muscles in the stomach.
How to take:As a tea. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of leaves in 1 cup of boiling water.

St. John's Wort:The herbal antidepressant.
How it works:Alters certain brain chemicals that affect mood.
How to take:In capsules or as a tea. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried flowers to 1 cup of boiling water.

Feverfew:Relief from headaches.
How it works:Contains ingredients that help constrict blood flow and reduce inflammation.
How to take:In capsule form. Take 125 milligrams (mg) daily for pain relief.

Garlic:Real power against heart disease.
How it works:Contains allicin, which inhibits the production of cholesterol.
How to take:Take 4 grams (g) (1 crushed clove) daily or equivalent in coated tablets.

Bilberry:The herbal sight saver.
How it works:Many vision problems are the result of minute ruptures of capillaries in the eyes. The purple pigments of the bilberry contain anthocyanins, antioxidants known to help maintain capillary strength.
How to take:As a tea. Use 3 Tablespoons of dried bilberries in 1 cup of boiling water. Strain and drink.