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

Red is a blend of citrus and aromatic herbal, with notes of patchouli, cedarwood and white musk. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 12 Dec. 2025

In a similar vein, authors of early modern herbals such as John Gerard(e) instructed their readers to use different parts of the plant—its juice, flowers, rind, and seeds—to address stomach concerns, dysentery, dental health, wounds and bleeding, and menstrual health. —Demir Alp, JSTOR Daily, 29 Aug. 2025

Adjective

In addition to tending to and harvesting from her pecan groves, my grandma and other elder women in the community would mix herbal concoctions at a moment’s notice using herbs, tree leaves, and other tree parts, as well as the aloe vera plants that were ever present on their kitchen windowsill. —Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026

Beauty of Joseon’s Glow Serum leans on that idea by pairing hanbang herbal ingredients with modern actives that help skin hold onto moisture, rather than just looking glassy for a few minutes. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Jan. 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