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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.[1]
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Use
Herbs have a variety of uses including culinary, medicinal, or in some cases even spiritual entheogen usage. General usage differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs. 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.
Culinary
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). Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that like spices they are used in small amounts and provide flavor rather than substance to food.
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.
Many plants contain phytochemicals that have effects on the body. 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. However, large amounts of these herbs may lead to poisoning, and should be used with caution.
Religious
Herbs are used in many religions – such as in Christianity (myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), ague root (Aletris farinosa) and frankincense (Boswellia spp)) and in the partially Christianized Anglo-Saxon pagan Nine Herbs Charm.
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
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References
- ^ Dictionary.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-19.
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
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Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 3 July 2008, at 19:34.
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