herbal

1 of 2

noun

herb·​al ˈ(h)ər-bəl 

1

: a book about plants especially with reference to their medicinal properties

2

archaic : herbarium sense 1

3

: herbal medicine sense 2

Some herbals may indeed be gentle remedies. But using them with prescription drugs can be a dangerous mix.

—Josh Fischman

herbal

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, utilizing, or made of herbs

Examples of herbal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Very rarely, valerian has been associated with liver injury, most often when taken in combination with other herbals. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 9 June 2026

The breathable material is infused with herbals like ashwagandha, valerian root, lavender, L-theanine, passion flower, lemon balm, and 4 milligrams of melatonin. —Molly Higgins, Wired News, 23 Jan. 2026

Adjective

The vermouth’s herbal notes blend with the bitter tonic for a refreshing way to whet the palate before a meal. —Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

The hotel’s wellness center offers Ayurvedic herbal scrubs, Reiki, hydrotherapy, lymphatic draining massages, colonics and acupuncture. —Sandra Guzmán, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing herbal

• herbal medicine
• herbal remedy

Rhymes for herbal

• gerbil
• verbal
• nonverbal
• preverbal

Kids Definition

herbal

adjective

herb·​al

ˈ(h)ər-bəl

: of, relating to, or made of herbs

Medical Definition

herbal

1 of 2 noun

herb·​al ˈ(h)ər-bəl 

1

: a book about plants especially with reference to their medical properties

2

: herbal remedy

herbal

2 of 2 adjective

: of, relating to, or made of herbs