what is an herb

In botany, an herb is a small, seed-bearing plant without a woody stem in which all aerial parts die back to the ground at the end of each growing season. Usually, the term refers to perennials, although herbaceous plants can also be annuals or biennials. This term is in contrast to shrubs and trees which possess a woody stem. However, in a more popular sense, the term herb is applied to any useful plant that is employed for medicinal purposes, or for culinary purposes in small quantities related to flavor, or even for spiritual uses. In this non-botanical sense, the term generally is used regardless of whether the source of the herb is a woody plant or a herbaceous plant. Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that herbs are used in small amounts and provide flavor rather than substance to food. Some examples of herbs include basil, parsley, rosemary, thyme, and dill.