A herb (see also pronunciation differences) is a plant grown for culinary, medicinal, or in some cases even spiritual value. The green, leafy part of the plant is typically used. General usage differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs. A medicinal herb may be a shrub or other woody plant, whereas a culinary herb is a non-woody plant. By contrast, spices are the seeds, berries, bark, root, or other parts of the plant, even leaves in some cases; although any of these, as well as any edible fruits or vegetables, may be considered "herbs" in medicinal or spiritual use. Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that they are used in small amounts and provide flavor (are spices) rather than substance to food.
Botanical definitions
In
botany, a
herb is a plant that does not produce a
woody stem, and in temperate climates usually dies, either completely (annual herb) or back to the roots (perennial herb), at the end of the growing season. Examples include bulbs,
Peonies,
Hosta,
grasses and
Banana.
The term herbaceous means either having the characteristic of a herb or being leaf-like in color and texture. A related term from American English is forb, which means a non-woody plant that is not a grass and is not grass-like. This means that the term forb excludes sedges (Cyperaceae) and rushes (Juncaceae) along with true grasses (Poaceae). Non-herbaceous plants are woody plants which have stems above ground that remain alive during winter and grow shoots the next year, such as trees, shrubs, and woody vines.
More on
[ Herb ]
Herbs & Herbal Treatments
Nutrition :: Health
Pharmacy :: Health
Herbs - Twitter SearchRT @disneywords: People always do crazy things when they're in love. âMegara (Hercules)healthy_herbs (gem ) Thu, 17 May 2012 04:01:18 -0000
RT @disneywords: People always do crazy things when they're in love. –Megara (Hercules)
Strong Mustard with Provence Herbs: Delouis fills has built a solid reputation for their high quality condiments... http://t.co/dXkrj58zDanyellefha (Danyelle Ngyun) Thu, 17 May 2012 04:01:10 -0000
Strong Mustard with Provence Herbs: Delouis fills has built a solid reputation for their high quality condiments... http://t.co/dXkrj58z
@jojotwisty direct msggggerbs_n_herbs (Michael Gerbo) Thu, 17 May 2012 04:01:09 -0000
@jojotwisty direct msggg
RT @PrayInFaith: Pray & let God worryhealthy_herbs (gem ) Thu, 17 May 2012 04:01:06 -0000
RT @PrayInFaith: Pray & let God worry
RT @DAILYDlARY: If you ignore someone you like, then someone else will give them the attention you didn't.healthy_herbs (gem ) Thu, 17 May 2012 04:00:59 -0000
RT @DAILYDlARY: If you ignore someone you like, then someone else will give them the attention you didn't.
RT @TheDailyLove: Love is so selfness, so precious & free, let things take their course, let things be. #TDLhealthy_herbs (gem ) Thu, 17 May 2012 04:00:48 -0000
RT @TheDailyLove: Love is so selfness, so precious & free, let things take their course, let things be. #TDL
Subscribe to Herbs RSS feed 
National Institute of Medical Herbalists - Professional association of practitioners of herbal medicine. Includes lists of practitioners, training courses, subsidised clinics, and research summaries.