Herb classification as tree or vegetable for kilei zera'im and kilei hakerem
A comprehensive list of common herbs with English, Hebrew, and Latin names, categorizing them as trees or vegetables, to avoid the prohibitions of kilei zera'im and kilei hakerem (interplanting with annuals and vineyards). Since there are different halachic guidelines for vegetables and trees, this is a valuable reference.
Below is a list of common herbs, divided into three categories:
(1) woody perennials, considered trees; the prohibitions of kilei zera'im and kilei hakerem do not apply;
(2) an intermediate category of herbaceous perennials, which grow back either from the root or root collar, halachically classified as a vegetable, so both kilei zera’im and kilei hakerem do apply;
(3) annuals, also treated as vegetables and both kilei zera’im and kilei hakerem apply.
Blessings for fragrance:
- Herbs defined as trees - borei atzei besamim.
- Herbs defined as vegetables - borei isvey besamim.
- In situations of doubt - borei minei besamim.
|
Common Name |
Hebrew Equivalent |
Latin |
Woody |
Herbaceous |
Annual = Vegetable |
|
Alfalfa |
אספסת תרבותית |
Medicago sativa |
|
√ |
|
|
Anise |
כמנון האניס |
Pimpinella anisum |
|
|
√ |
|
Arugula (rocket) |
רוקולה (רוקט, בן-חרדל) |
Eruca sativa |
|
|
√ |
|
Asparagus |
אספרג רפואי |
Asparagus officinalis |
|
√ |
|
|
Basil [1] |
בזיליקום (ריחן) |
Ocimum basilicum |
|
|
√ |
|
Bible Hyssop (Lebanese/Syrian oregano) |
אזוב מצוי |
Origanum syriacum |
√ |
|
|
|
Chamomile |
בבונג דו גוני |
Matricaria recutita (chamomilla) |
|
|
√ |
|
Chives |
עירית (שום העירית) |
Allium schoenoprasum |
|
√ |
|
|
Clover |
תלתן |
Trifolium |
|
|
√ |
|
Coriander |
כוסברה (גד השדה) |
Corriandrum sativum |
|
|
√ |
|
Cumin |
כמון תרבותי |
Cuminum cyminum |
|
|
√ |
|
Dill |
שמיר (שבת) |
Anethum graveolens |
|
|
√ |
|
False rhubarb (rhapontic) |
ריבס הגינה |
Rheum rhaponticum |
|
√ |
|
|
Fenugreek |
חילבה (גרגרנית יונית) |
Trigonella foenum- graecum |
|
|
√ |
|
Fringed rue[2] |
פיגם מצוי (רוטה) |
Ruta chalepensis |
√ |
|
|
|
Garden sorrel (spinach dock) |
חומעת הגינה |
Rumex acetosa |
√ |
|
|
|
Garlic |
שום הגינה |
Allium sativum |
|
√ |
|
|
Hyssop (medicinal plant) |
בן אזוב רפואי |
Hyssopus officinalis |
√ |
|
|
|
Lavender |
לבנדר (אזוביון) |
Lavandula angustifolia |
√ |
|
|
|
Lemon balm |
מליסה |
Melissa officinalis |
|
√ |
|
|
Lemon verbena |
לואיזה לימונית |
Lippia triphylla |
√ |
|
|
|
Lemongrass |
עשב לימון (גראס) |
Cymbopogon |
|
√ |
|
|
Lovage |
לווג' |
Levisticum officinale |
|
|
√ |
|
Mint |
נענע |
Mentha |
|
√ |
|
|
Mizuna (kyona) |
מיזונה |
Mizuna |
|
|
√ |
|
Monks cress (garden nasturtium) |
כובע הנזיר |
Tropaeolum majus |
|
|
√ |
|
Oregano (wild marjoram) |
אורגנו (איזובית פשוטה) |
Origanum vulgare |
√ |
|
|
|
Parsley |
פטרוזיליה |
Petroselinum hortense |
|
√ |
|
|
Rose geranium |
פלרגון חריף (גרניום לימוני) |
Pelargonium graveolens |
√ |
|
|
|
Rosemary (medicinal) |
רוזמרין (רפואי) |
Rosmarinus officinalis |
√ |
|
|
|
Sage |
מרווה רפואית |
Salvia officinalis |
√ |
|
|
|
Tarragon |
טרגון (לענת הטרגון) |
Artemisia dracunculus |
√ |
|
|
|
Thyme |
קורנית (טימין) |
Thymus vulgaris |
|
√ |
|
|
Tree wormwood |
שיבא (לענה שיחנית) |
Artemisia arborescens |
√ |
|
|
|
White micromeria (white-leaved savory) |
זוטה לבנה |
Micromeria fruticosa |
√ |
|
|
[1] Sweet basil is considered a vegetable. As for other varieties, some are considered vegetables while others are classified as trees.
[2] While some are stringent and forbid planting common fringed rue in a vineyard, see the article by Rabbi Ehud Ahituv “Fringed rue in the Vineyard,” Emunat Itecha 96 (5772), pp.33–39 (Hebrew).
