why would I use herbs at home?

Currently, I'm doing research on growing herbs. How can I grow them to use them? Can they be contained in an aesthetically pleasing design? How can they be used in making home "spa" recipes? Since it's winter my potted plants are indoors, which includes the herbs I have so far. Right now I only have Rosemary and Parsley. My brother gave them to me ... he started them in one of his horticulture classes at College of the Ozarks. But he doesn't really have a place to keep the fledgling plants so that's how I benefit. I find growing plants to be a small pleasure in life and they definitely brighten my home in these dreary winter months.

Part of the interest in herbs also has to do with flavors in food. I'm a home body ... I like to be at home, have people hang out at my house, work on personal projects but a person still has to eat. I think food should be fairly easy to prepare but should be rich in flavor. Herbs can do that too.