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A herb is a plant that is valued for flavor, scent, or other qualities. Herbs are used in cooking, as medicines, and for spiritual purposes.

Science is just beginning to uncover the myriad benefits and countless applications of various herbs and herbal extracts in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle. As the benefits of herbal supplements are becoming more widely known and accepted, more and more people are turning to these natural remedies instead of pharmaceutical drugs to improve their health and promote general well-being.

Herbs are an integral part of eastern medicine, and their benefits have been known for centuries. Herbs can promote general health and well-being by aiding in digestion, providing antioxidant protection, boost energy, supplement the immune system, support memory and neural processes, reduce stress and improve vision. Herbs can also be used to enhance sexual libido and promote tranquility and general sense of well being.

Herbs have a variety of uses including culinary, medicinal, or in some cases even spiritual 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 of the plant.

Herbs are generally safe, but some interact with each other. It is important to talk with a doctor trained in herbal medicine before you combine herbs or take herbs with conventional western medications.

Herbs such as aloe vera, bitter orange, milk thistle, ginger root, gingko biloba, green tea, black cohosh, and dong quai are well known for their power in fighting disease. Natural food stores and vitamin shop’s shelves are lined with herbs, so many that often, the consumer is overwhelmed with a variety of herbs that are available on the shelf.

The problem with the increased popularity of herbal medicine comes with their regulation, or lack thereof. Herbal nutritional supplements are not strictly regulated in the United States, making their safety, efficacy or even the true content of their ingredients subject to scrutiny. For many products, there is no guarantee of the quantity or quality of the herb included. There is no way for you to know if it is organic, or pesticide free, or even fresh.

Working with an integrative MD can help you sort out what herbs you need and what products are quality products worth your hard earned dollar.

Types of Herbs

Culinary use of the term "herb" 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 or roots. 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 culinary 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. Some plants are used as both a spice and a herb, such as dill seed and dill weed or coriander seeds and coriander leaves.

Plants contain phytochemicals that have effects on the body. Throughout history, from the Bible, Koran, Vedas and other old texts, the medicinal benefits of herbs are quoted.

There may be some effects when consumed in the small levels that typify culinary "spicing", and some herbs are toxic in larger quantities. However, large amounts of these herbs may lead to poisoning, and should be used with caution. One herb-like substance, called Shilajit, may actually help lower blood glucose levels which is especially important for those suffering from diabetes. Herbs have long been used as the basis of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, with usage dating as far back as the first century CE.

Some herbs are used not only for culinary and medicinal purposes, but also for recreational purposes; one such herb is cannabis.

Herbs are used in many religions – such as in Christianity myrrh and frankincense which was used to honor kings. (Commiphora myrrha), ague root (Aletris farinosa) (Boswellia spp)) and in the Anglo-Saxon pagan Nine Herbs Charm. In Hinduism a form of Basil called Tulsi is worshipped as a goddess for its medicinal value since the Vedic times. Many Hindus have a Tulsi plant in front of their houses. Many Rasta consider Cannabis sativa as being a holy plant set aside by God for man.

The shamans in Siberia also used herbs for spiritual purposes. Drugs and plants have been used world wide to induce spiritual experiences.

Herbs are also known amongst gardeners to be useful for pest control. Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint, and Pennyroyal are a few of such herbs. These herbs when planted around a house's foundation can help keep unwanted critters away such as flies, mice, ants, fleas, moth and tick amongst others. They are not known to be harmful or dangerous to children or pets, or any of the house's fixtures [3].

In botanical usage a herb or herbaceous plant is any non-woody plant, regardless of its flavor, scent or other properties. A botanical herb cannot therefore be a woody plant such as a tree or shrub.