ABSTRACT
What exactly is an herb? Do I say “herb” or “erb?” Why do herbs have both a “common name” and “scientific name,” and should I care? Are they different from botanicals? And why do people call them “dietary supplements?” If this isn’t confusing enough, how am I supposed to pronounce words such as Hypericum perforatum? These and other terms are often used in the herbal literature, so you’ll benefit from a basic understanding of why they’re used and what they mean. This chapter will help you understand the words you’ll frequently come across and point out some useful Web sites that you should visit for further information.
