Herbs, Greens and Fruits of the Mediterranean -

Herbs, Greens and Fruits of the Mediterranean

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 may be considered "herbs", including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, resin, root bark, inner bark, (cambium,) berries and from time to time the pericarp or other portions from the plant.

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, together with seeds, berries, bark, root and fruit. Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that, like spices, they're utilised in small amounts and provide flavour rather than substance to food.

Many culinary herbs are perennials such as thyme or lavender, while others are biennials such as parsley or annuals like basil, and some 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, for instance dill seed and dill weed or coriander seeds and coriander leaves. Also, there are a few herbs like those in the mint family that are used for culinary purposes as well as medicinal.

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

There might be some effects when consumed in the small levels that typify culinary "spicing", and some herbs are toxic in larger quantities. For example, some kinds of herbal extract, such as the extract of St. John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum) or of kava (Piper methysticum) can be used for medical purposes to alleviate depression and stress. 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 particularly important for those suffering from diabetes. Herbs have long been used as the basis of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, with usage dating way back to the 1st century CE and far before.

Some herbs are used not just for culinary and medicinal purposes, but additionally for psychoactive and/or recreational purposes; one such herb is cannabis.