Basil, a common herb

A(n) herb (pronounced /ˈhɝb/ or /ˈɝb/; see pronunciation differences) is a plant that is valued for qualities such as medicinal properties, flavor, scent, or the like. Differences in Pronunciation between American English (AmE and British English (BrE can be divided into differences in accent (i ^[1]

Herbs have a variety of uses including culinary, medicinal, or in some cases even spiritual usage. General usage differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs. See also Herbalism Medicinal plants of the American West List of culinary herbs and spices In medicinal or spiritual use any of the parts of the plant might be considered "herbs", including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, resin, root bark, inner bark (cambium), berries and sometimes the pericarp or other portions. In Botany, a leaf is an above-ground Plant organ specialized for Photosynthesis. ROOT is an object-oriented program and library developed by CERN. A flower, also known as a bloom or Blossom, is the reproductive structure found in Flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also A seed (in some plants referred to as a kernel) is a small embryonic Plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat usually with some stored Resin, not to be confused with Rosin, is a Hydrocarbon Secretion of many Plants particularly coniferous trees. The word berry has two meanings one based on a botanical definition the other on common identification A Fruit in Botany refers to a mature ovary. In fleshy fruits the outer often edible layer is the pericarp, which is the tissue that develops

Culinary use of the term "herb" is more restricted. Culinary use typically distinguishes between herbs, from the leafy green parts of a plant, and spices, from other parts of the plant (including seeds, berries, bark, root, fruit, and even occasionally dried leaves). A spice is a dried Seed, Fruit, Root, Bark or vegetative substance used in Nutritionally insignificant quantities as a Food additive A seed (in some plants referred to as a kernel) is a small embryonic Plant enclosed in a covering called the seed coat usually with some stored The word berry has two meanings one based on a botanical definition the other on common identification Bark, also known as periderm is the outermost layer of stems and Roots of Woody plants such as Trees It overlays the Wood and consists ROOT is an object-oriented program and library developed by CERN. The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that like spices they are used in small amounts and provide flavor rather than substance to food. The term " vegetable " generally means the edible parts of Plants The definition of the word is traditional rather than Scientific, however Flavor or flavour is the sensory impression of a Food or other substance, and is determined Food is any substance usually composed primarily of Carbohydrates Fats water and/or Proteins that can be eaten or drunk by an

Some herbs are shrubs (such as rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis), or trees (such as bay laurel, Laurus nobilis) – this contrasts with botanical herbs, which by definition cannot be woody plants. A shrub or Bush is a horticultural rather than strictly botanical category of Woody plant, distinguished from a Tree Rosemary ( la Rosmarinus officinalis) is a woody perennial Herb with fragrant evergreen needle-like leaves. A tree is a perennial Woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or The Bay Laurel ( Laurus nobilis, Lauraceae) also known as True Laurel, Sweet Bay, Grecian Laurel, Laurel, or A herbaceous plant (or in botanical use a Herb) is a Plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of

Many plants contain phytochemicals that have effects on the body. Phytochemicals are plant-derived chemical compounds under scientific research for their potential health-promoting properties but with unproved benefits There may be some effects even when consumed in the small levels that typify culinary "spicing", and some herbs are toxic in larger quantities. For instance, some types of herbal extract, such as the extract of St. John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum) or of kava (Piper methysticum) can be used for medical purposes to relieve depression and stress. St John's wort (pronounced) used alone refers to the species Hypericum perforatum, also known as Tipton's Weed or Klamath weed, but with qualifiers is KAVA (1480 AM) is a Radio station broadcasting a Regional Mexican format However, large amounts of these herbs may lead to poisoning, and should be used with caution.

Herbs are used in many religions – examples include myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), ague root (Aletris farinosa) and frankincense (Boswellia spp). A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Myrrh is a reddish-brown Resinous material the dried sap of the tree Commiphora myrrha, native to Yemen, Somalia Aletris ( Colicroot, Colicweed, Crow corn, Unicorn root) is a Genus of Flowering plants in the Melanthiaceae Frankincense or olibanum ( Arabic language: لبٌان, lubbān) is an aromatic Resin obtained from trees of the genus

See also

• Herbaceous plant
• Pot herb
• Apothecary
• Herbalism
• Herb garden
• The Herb Society of America
• International Herb Association
• List of herbs and spices
• Remedy
• Prehistoric medicine

References

External links

• All about Organic Herb
• Guide to Herbal Medicine
• Research and Find Herbs
• The Herb Hunters Guide American Medicinal Plants Of Commercial Importance
• Guide to Growing Herbs
• How to Grow Herbs Information about planting, propagating and growing herbs
• Encyclopedia of Herbs