Homonym: 香草 (Vanilla)
香草 (xiāngcǎo) refers to a variety of aromatic plants commonly used in cooking and herbal medicine. The term often translates to "vanilla" in English, but it can also encompass other herbs like 薄荷 (mint) and 罗勒 (basil). These plants are valued for their fragrant leaves and are frequently used to enhance the flavor of dishes, desserts, and beverages.
In addition to culinary uses, 香草 has applications in traditional medicine. Many of these herbs are believed to have health benefits, such as aiding digestion or reducing stress. The popularity of 香草 extends to the fragrance industry, where extracts are used in perfumes and essential oils.