Herb

I was asked, once, “What makes an herb an herb?” I opened my mouth, twice, gave up, and had to admit to the inquirer, and myself, that I had no idea what a herb was.

Of course I “knew” that dill and chives were herbs, and so were tarragon and oregano, and parsley and sage. I even knew some of the more obscure ones, like borage and valerian. But that still didn’t answer the question of what makes an herb an herb. Why is a certain plant considered to be an herb?

So, I went to find out. Had to, really, it became personal! And here’s what I discovered.

Whether you pronounce it with a silent “h” or not, a herb is considered to be any plant that’s prized for its foliage, scent, flavor, medicinal or other properties. A herb can be a grass, a flowering plant, a bush, a shrub, or even a tree.

Based on their usage, herbs typically fall into one of several categories. The most common are the Culinary, Medicinal and Ornamental herbs.

In addition, some are known as Sacred Herbs, and are used by many religions and cultures in spiritual ceremonies. In some cases, the herb is, itself, the subject of worship, such as with a form of Basil, called Tulsi, that is worshipped as a Hindu goddess because of its medicinal properties.

There are also herbs that are prized as pest controllers — natural pesticide, if you will.

Practically any part of a “herb” plant may be made use of for its particular sought-after characteristic or characteristics — some herbs do double or even triple-duty, occupying more than one category.

Culinary varieties, which are used in food preparation, are sub-classified as Herbs, and Spices. “Herb”, refers to the leafy parts of the plant, where as “spice” refers to the seeds, bark, berries, roots or even the fruit of the plant.

Culinary herbs are further differentiated from vegetables because of the way they’re used. Typically an herb is used, sparingly, as a flavor enhancement, rather than a primary part of the meal itself. The same may be said for spices.

Medicinal herbs are those possessing some curative property, and which are often made use of in naturopathic remedies. While western medicine has been slower to acknowledge the health benefits provided by herbs, the plants and their medicinal qualities are becoming more widely accepted by the mainstream, as documentation of their ability to treat certain ailments is compiled. Of course, medicinal herbs have been at the heart of “home remedies” for many, many years.

Ornamental herbs are those that are prized for their appearance alone and, as such, many gardeners argue that they are not to be classified as a true herb, but rather as a ornamental flower, bush, grass, or other designation. However, if we go back to our original definition of an herb — “A plant prized for its foliage, scent, flavor, medicinal or other properties” — the “other” properties thing leaves a ton of room for personal interpretation. I’ll leave the final verdict on that one to you.

A final herbal classification you may hear of is that of the Botanical herbs. Botanicals, also referred to as herbaceous plants, are any non-woody plant that may also possess culinary, medicinal, spiritual or other properties. A botanical herb cannot, therefore, be any woody plant such as a shrub or a tree.

Now, I did get back to the person that asked me why an herb is an herb, and presented them with my findings. They smiled and thanked me and probably thought to themselves, “Sorry I asked!”

Maybe you’re thinking the same after reading this article. If that’s the case, take solace in knowing that the next time someone asks you, “what makes and herb an herb?”, you’ll be fully prepared to subject them to the same level of detail. Pay attention when you do. Watch their faces closely. See if you can spot the exact moment when they started thinking, “Sorry I asked.”

See, with herb gardening, the fun never stops!

Don and his wife, Karen, are both gardening enthusiasts who are actively involved in community gardening. They both believe that gardening is a perfect way to gain enjoyment, relax, unwind and build community.

Their website, Easy Growing Herbs provides wonderful insights into the growing, harvesting and preparation of herbs for culinary, medicinal and other purposes, as well as for the sheer joy of having a garden — even in as little space as an unused corner of your downtown apartment!

Tags: