What is Herb?
[[File:Basil plant in a pot 03.jpg|thumb|[[Basil]] plant in a pot. Basil is a herb commonly used for cooking.]] {{wiktionary}} '''Herbs''' are [[plant]]s that are grown either as a [[food]] (usually as a [[condiment]]), or because they have some use in treating [[disease]]s (or making them better), or for [[spiritual]] reasons (for example, their [[Odor|smell]]). Some herbs may act as an [[aphrodisiac]]. The word herb comes from the Latin word ''herba'', meaning [[grass]], green stalks, or [[blade]]<nowiki/>s. 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 [[perennial]]s. This means that the top of each plant die each growing season, but the roots remain alive and produce new plants year after year. Some herbs are [[annual]]<nowiki/>s. They live for only one growing season and must be raised from [[seed]] each year. == Uses == 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 [[perfume]]<nowiki/>s. 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 == People often grow herbs in their [[garden]]s. Some people grow herb gardens for the patterned beds that they can create with these plants. Many other [[gardener]]s 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. Peo