Herb

An herb is a plant grown for culinary or medicinal value. Typically, the green, leafy part of the plant is used. By contrast, spices are the seeds, berries, bark, or other parts of the plant. Herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that they are used in small quantities and provide flavor rather than substance to food.

The term is also used to describe plants that do not produce woody stems.

Common culinary herbs:

• Angelica
• Anise hyssop
• Basil
• Bay leaf
• Caper
• Chervil
• Chives
• Cilantro (Coriander)
• Curry leaf
• Dill
• Fennel
• Hyssop
• Lavender
• Lemon balm
• Lemon grass
• Lemon verbena
• Lovage
• Marjoram
• Mint
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Savory
• Sorrel
• Tarragon
• Thyme

Common herb mixtures:

• Fines herbes
• Herbes de Provençe

Medicinal herbs:

• Chamomile
• Digitalis
• Echinacea
• Feverfew
• Horehound
• Valerian