In general use, herbs area unit plants with savory or aromatic properties that area unit used for seasoning and garnishing food, for healthful functions, or for fragrances; excluding vegetables and different plants consumed for macronutrients. preparation use generally distinguishes herbs from spices. Herbs usually refers to the foliaceous inexperienced or flowering components of a plant (either contemporary or dried), whereas spices area unit typically dried and made from different components of the plant, as well as seeds, bark, roots and fruits.

Herbs have a range of uses as well as preparation, medicinal, and in some cases, spiritual. General usage of the term "herb" differs between preparation herbs and healthful herbs; in healthful or religious use, any components of the plant may well be thought-about as "herbs", as well as leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, root bark, inner bark (and cambium), organic compound and covering.

The word "herb" is pronounced /hɜːrb/ in Commonwealth English,[1] however /ɜːrb/ is common among North American language speakers and people from different regions wherever h-dropping happens. In botany, the noun "herb" refers to a "plant that doesn't manufacture a woody stem", and also the adjective "herbaceous" suggests that "herb-like", relating components of the plant that area unit inexperienced and soft in texture".