Herbs are plants that are grown either as a food (usually as a condiment), or because they have some use

in treating diseases (or

making them better), or forspiritual reasons (for example, their smell). Some herbs may act as an aphrodisiac.
The word herb comes from the Latin word herba, meaning grass, green stalks, or blades. Botanists use the word to mean any plant
with soft, succulent tissues. But many people use the word to mean only herbs with some economic value.
Herbs are small plants that have a fleshy or juicy stem when they are young. The stems of some herbs develop hard, woody tissue
when they grow old.
Most herbs are perennials. This means that the tops of the plants die each growing season, but the roots remain alive and produce
new plants year after year.
Some herbs are annuals. They live for only one growing season and must be raised from seed each year.
Contents
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1Uses

2Growing herbs

3Related pages

4Other websites

Uses[change | change source]

The leaves, stems, or seeds of herbs can be used fresh, or they can be dried for later use. Dried herbs can be pounded to a fine
powder, placed in airtight containers, and then stored.
Some herbs are used in cooking to flavor foods. Others give scents to perfumes. Still others are used for medicines. Some herbs,
such as balm and sage, are valued for their leaves. Saffron is picked for its buds and flowers. Fennel seeds are valuable in relishes
and seasoning. Vanilla fruit pods yield vanilla flavoring. Ginseng is valued for its aromatic roots.

Growing herbs[change | change source]

People often grow herbs in their gardens. Some people grow herb gardens for the patterned beds that they can create with these
plants. Many other gardeners grow herbs for the flavor that the fresh or dried plants add to food.
Herb seeds and seedlings are inexpensive, and the plants grow easily. People who do not have enough outdoor space for herb
beds can grow most kinds of herbs in containers.
Many kinds of herbs can also be grown indoors. The plants grow well with little care. Gardeners plant herbs in good soil that has
been well-cultivated. They choose a sunny spot near a window.

Related pages[change | change source]

List of herbs

Other websites[change | change source]

Wikimedia Commons
hasmedia related

to: herbs

Wikiquote has a
collection of
quotations related
to: Herb

Herb Information Resources

Wikibooks Cookbook
has a recipe/article on:
herbs

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Herbs and spices

Angelica Basil Basil, holy Basil, Thai Bay leaf Boldo Bolivian coriander Borage Chervil Chives Cicely Coriander leaf
(cilantro) Cress Curry leaf Dill Elsholtzia ciliata Epazote Eryngium foetidum (long coriander) Hemp Hoja santa Houttuynia
Herbs

cordata (gip c) Hyssop Lavender Lemon balm Lemon grass Lemon verbena Limnophila aromatica (rice paddy
herb) Lovage Marjoram Mint Mitsuba Oregano Parsley Perilla
(shiso) Rosemary Rue Sage Savory Sorrel Tarragon Thyme Vietnamese coriander (rau rm) Woodruff

Ajwain (bishop's weed) Aleppo pepper Allspice Amchur (mango powder) Anise Aromatic
ginger Asafoetida Camphor Caraway Cardamom Cardamom, black Cassia Cayenne pepper Celery
seed Chenpi Chili Cinnamon Clove Coriander seed Cubeb Cumin Cumin, black Dill & dill
seed Fennel Fenugreek Fingerroot (krachai) Galangal, greater Galangal, lesser Garlic Ginger Golpar Grains of
Spice
s

Paradise Grains of Selim Horseradish Juniper berry Liquorice Mace Mahlab Malabathrum (tejpat) Mastic Mustard,
black Mustard, brown Mustard, white Nigella (kalonji) Nutmeg Paprika Peppercorn (black, green & white) Pepper,
long Pepper, Brazilian Pepper, Peruvian Pomegranate seed (anardana) Poppy
seed Saffron Sarsaparilla Sassafras Sesame Sichuan pepper Star anise Sumac Tasmanian pepper Tamarind Tonka
bean Turmeric Vanilla Wasabi Zedoary Zest