This is such a huge debate and one that you can deliberate over for many an hour! Great to see someone entering into debate on this. My own rationale is in agreement with the statement ' a herb is any useful plant, not just culinary and medicinal but one that serves an essential ecological role such as providing nectar and nutrition for caterpillars and other humble members of the food chain. ' I have always had a fascination for nature and the many bounties it offers, and feel passionately that we must do something to maintain a balance between uses and replenishment. My interest in herbs is precisely these, what is a herb and what are their uses. I have written an article of my own, about the origins of natures healers. So many civilisations have used herbs both in a culinary sense, symbolically and medicinally there really must be something in it! You can check my article out at my website under articles. Just follow the link below Lynne