Herbs

Herbs are Plants which lack a permanent woody stem and whose one or all parts are used for culinary, medicinal, wellness and spiritual purposes. Herbs are also known as 'Herbaceous Plants'. Most Herbs are low growing Plants which bear seeds. Some are Flowering Garden Plants while others have medicinal properties or are pests. Some Herbs grow into small Shrubs as well and have woody stems. Records of the use of Herbs date from ancient Egypt and Biblical times. The Greeks and Romans studied and wrote about Herbs and their uses in medicine and cooking. Early physicians used hundreds of Herbs to treat a variety of ailments. Herbs were also used to mask unpleasant household odours and to enhance the taste of dull food. All in all Herbs are are multi-purpose Plants. The study of Herbs for traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice is known as Herbalism. A person trained or skilled in the therapeutic use of Herbs is known as Herbalist. Herbs include Plants like Alpine Wormwood, Black Cardamom, Cumin, Lemon Grass, Large-flowered Skullcap, Mountain Skullcap, Rosemary, Sweet Woodruff, Wild Baby's Breath, Woodruff etc.

Types of Herbs

Culinary Herbs - Herbs that are use in flavouring the food are known as Culinary Herbs. Some of the Culinary Herbs are Stevia, Lemongrass, Garlic, Savory, Bay, Parsley, Oregano, Cilantro etc.

Medicinal Herbs - Herbs which are used for therapeutic purposes are known as Medicinal Herbs. Some of the Medicinal Herbs are Feverfew, Jewelweed, Elderberry, Slippery Elm, Mullein etc.

Ornamental Herbs - Herbs that used for decoration purposes in a garden or a park. Ornamental Herbs are used for many types of gardens; from small container gardens to landscaping entire parks and public areas. Some of the Ornamental Herbs are Lavender, Fennel, Bee Balm, Blue Cohosh, Comfrey, Yarrow, Chicory, Echinacea etc.

Characteristics and Features of Herbs

• General Lack of Woody Stem - Herbs are Plant whose Stem is soft and green and shows little growth or no growth of wood.

• Limited Life Span of Stems and Leaves - Herbs can be Annual, Biennial or Perennial. Herbs have Leaves and Stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level but parts of the Plant survive under or close to the ground from season to season (for biennials, until the next growing season, when they flower and die). New growth develops from living tissues remaining on or under the ground, including roots, a Caudex (a thickened portion of the stem at ground level) or various types of underground stems, such as bulbs, corms, stolons, rhizomes and tubers. Annual Herbs die completely at the end of the growing season or when they have flowered and fruited, and they then grow again from seed. Some Biennial Herbs include Carrot, Parsnip and Common Ragwort. Some Perennial Herbs include Peony, Hosta, Mint and Most Grasses.

• Production of Secondary Metabolites - All Plants produce chemical compounds as part of their normal metabolic activities. These are divided into Primary Metabolites, such as sugars and fats, found in all Plants, and Secondary Metabolites, compounds not essential for basic function found in a smaller range of Plants, some useful ones found only in a particular Genus or Species. It is the Secondary Metabolites and pigments that can have therapeutic actions in humans and which can be refined to produce drugs. Some of the Secondary Metabolites can be divided into Alkaloids, Phenolics, Terpenoids, Glycosides etc.

• Small Size - Most Herbs are small in size with few exceptions like the Musa genus, to which the Banana belongs.

Some Popular Herbs

• Aloe Vera.          
• Basil.
• Caraway.     
• Chamomile.     
• Coriander.    
• Calendula.     
• Cayenne.         
• Dill Borage.
• Gingeroot.
• Mustard. 
• Parsley.
• Sage.
• Spearmint.
• Thyme.

Importance and uses of Herbs

• Herbs are used to prepare exotic, gourmet dishes, and cultural meals. They add to the taste and flavour of the food.

• Herbs are used in producing various medicines. Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available to physicians have a long history of use as Herbal remedies, including opium, aspirin, digitalis, and quinine. Some Herbs are themselves a medicine in itself.

• Using Herbs can moderate dietary levels of fat, sugar and sodium. The calories in Herbs far less than in breadings and fried foods. They are a healthy way to cut or save calories and fat in cooking.

• Many Herbs have Phytochemicals. These Phytochemicals often have antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal and antihelminthic properties. Sick Animals tend to forage on these Plants to heal themselves.

• They help in getting sleep, regaining lost memory and having a body to die for. Lets just say, they are multi-purpose.

• Some Herbs are beautifully coloured and as such are used by gardeners use them to add colour and texture in gardens, parks etc. These also make excellent borders and ground covers, because they tend to grow rapidly and they take well to shaping with careful pruning and clipping.