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
Josh FischmanExamples of herbal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebMicah A Leal, Southern Living, 12 July 2023
To offset the heat, there are flaky roti and thick wedges of buttered white toast, plus cold bottles of Indian beer and mango lassis, which become a dessert called Mastani with the addition of vanilla ice cream, nuts, and bright-green, herbal-tasting khus syrup, made from vetiver grass.
—Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2023
The cliche is that cider is sickly sweet and with a high alcohol level — but Scion’s selection includes draft ciders that range from 4 to 12% ABV, and the flavor profiles range from extremely dry and tannic to tart to herbal to sweet.
—Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Jan. 2023
There are so many possibilities for their daily cup of tea with this sampler of nine varieties, including black, green, white, and herbal.
—Samantha Lawyer, Woman's Day, 3 Jan. 2023
Its user-friendly design includes pre-programmed temperature settings for different types of tea, including oolong, green, black/herbal, and white, as well as a general boil setting.
—Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2022
Luckily for tea lovers, these tea advent calendars are decked out with black, green, herbal and tons of other teas and blends from your favorite brands such as Pukka, DAVIDsTea and more.
—Katarina Avendaño, Good Housekeeping, 27 Sep. 2022
Well structured, round with dense yellow fruit, a little waxy and herbal.
—Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 3 June 2022
From sweet to savory to spicy to herbal, this spread hits an impressive number of notes.
—Gabriela Aoun, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2020
David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024
Avoid powders that contain herbal blends and adaptogens or other additives that may not be safe to consume during pregnancy.
—Alexandra Paetow Ms Rdn, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024
The fair features herb plants and herbal products for sale and seminars.
—Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
An herbal supplement containing Ma Huang-Guarana for weight loss: a randomized, double-blind trial.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Form: Oral constipation supplements are sold as various types of chemical, herbal, and bulk (fiber) laxatives.
—Suzanne Finkel, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024
When to use it The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recognized the use of milk thistle seeds and its derivatives in traditional herbal medicinal products to alleviate the symptoms associated with digestive disorders, while also supporting liver function.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2024
It was brought to the U.S. for erosional control as well as its herbal qualities.
—The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024
Fresh thyme delivers a strong herbal flavor, with floral notes similar to lavender and rosemary.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
There is a wide range in taste from one extra-virgin olive oil to another, from herbal and fruity to bitter and peppery, depending on the olives harvested.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 12 July 2023
To offset the heat, there are flaky roti and thick wedges of buttered white toast, plus cold bottles of Indian beer and mango lassis, which become a dessert called Mastani with the addition of vanilla ice cream, nuts, and bright-green, herbal-tasting khus syrup, made from vetiver grass.
—Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2023
The cliche is that cider is sickly sweet and with a high alcohol level — but Scion’s selection includes draft ciders that range from 4 to 12% ABV, and the flavor profiles range from extremely dry and tannic to tart to herbal to sweet.
—Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2 Jan. 2023
There are so many possibilities for their daily cup of tea with this sampler of nine varieties, including black, green, white, and herbal.
—Samantha Lawyer, Woman's Day, 3 Jan. 2023
Its user-friendly design includes pre-programmed temperature settings for different types of tea, including oolong, green, black/herbal, and white, as well as a general boil setting.
—Adria Greenhauff, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2022
Luckily for tea lovers, these tea advent calendars are decked out with black, green, herbal and tons of other teas and blends from your favorite brands such as Pukka, DAVIDsTea and more.
—Katarina Avendaño, Good Housekeeping, 27 Sep. 2022
Well structured, round with dense yellow fruit, a little waxy and herbal.
—Lana Bortolot, Forbes, 3 June 2022
From sweet to savory to spicy to herbal, this spread hits an impressive number of notes.
—Gabriela Aoun, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2020
Adjective
There are also hydrotherapy pools, cold plunges, a snow shower, a salt mist cave, an herbal inhalation room, and the like.
—David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2024
Avoid powders that contain herbal blends and adaptogens or other additives that may not be safe to consume during pregnancy.
—Alexandra Paetow Ms Rdn, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024
The fair features herb plants and herbal products for sale and seminars.
—Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
An herbal supplement containing Ma Huang-Guarana for weight loss: a randomized, double-blind trial.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Form: Oral constipation supplements are sold as various types of chemical, herbal, and bulk (fiber) laxatives.
—Suzanne Finkel, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024
When to use it The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recognized the use of milk thistle seeds and its derivatives in traditional herbal medicinal products to alleviate the symptoms associated with digestive disorders, while also supporting liver function.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2024
It was brought to the U.S. for erosional control as well as its herbal qualities.
—The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024
Fresh thyme delivers a strong herbal flavor, with floral notes similar to lavender and rosemary.
—Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'herbal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Herbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herbal. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical 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
2 of 2 adjective
: of, relating to, or made of herbs
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