Vanilla vs. Herb — What's the Difference?

Vanilla is a spice derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily obtained from pods of the Mexican species, flat-leaved vanilla (V. planifolia). The word vanilla, derived from vainilla, the diminutive of the Spanish word vaina (vaina itself meaning a sheath or a pod), is translated simply as "little pod".

In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal purposes, or for fragrances; excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients. Culinary use typically distinguishes herbs from spices.

A substance obtained from vanilla pods or produced artificially and used to flavour foods or to impart a fragrant scent to cosmetic preparations

A plant whose stem does not produce woody, persistent tissue and generally dies back at the end of each growing season.

A tropical climbing orchid that has fragrant flowers and long podlike fruit.

Any of various often aromatic plants used especially in medicine or as seasoning.

Having no special or extra features; ordinary or standard

(Slang) Marijuana.

Any of various tropical American vines of the genus Vanilla in the orchid family, especially V. planifolia, widely cultivated for its long narrow seedpods, which yield an aromatic substance used especially as a flavoring.

(countable) Any green, leafy plant, or parts thereof, used to flavour or season food.

The seedpod of this plant. Also called vanilla bean.

(countable) A plant whose roots, leaves or seeds, etc. are used in medicine.

A flavoring extract prepared from the cured seedpods of this plant or produced synthetically.

Cannabis.

Flavored with vanilla

A plant whose stem is not woody and does not persist beyond each growing season

Scented with or smelling like vanilla

Grass; herbage.

Lacking adornments or special features; basic or ordinary

A lame or uncool person.

White or off-white in color

A plant whose stem does not become woody and permanent, but dies, at least down to the ground, after flowering.

(Slang) Relating to or engaging in sexual activity that is regarded as conventional or unadventurous; not kinky, sadomasochistic, or fetishistic.

Grass; herbage.

(countable) Any tropical, climbing orchid of the genus Vanilla (especially Vanilla planifolia), bearing podlike fruit yielding an extract used in flavoring food or in perfumes.

A plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests

(countable) The fruit or bean of the vanilla plant.

Aromatic potherb used in cookery for its savory qualities

(uncountable) The extract of the fruit of the vanilla plant.

(uncountable) The distinctive fragrant flavour/flavor characteristic of vanilla extract.

(uncountable) Any artificially produced homologue of vanilla extract, principally vanillin produced from lignin from the paper industry or from petrochemicals.

Someone who is not into fetishism.

An unmodded version of a game.

A yellowish-white colour, like that of vanilla ice cream.

(of flavor, etc.) Of vanilla.

Standard, plain, default, unmodified, basic.

(sexuality) Not kinky, not involving BDSM.

Plain; conventional; unimaginative.

A genus of climbing orchidaceous plants, natives of tropical America.

The long podlike capsules of Vanilla planifolia, and Vanilla claviculata, remarkable for their delicate and agreeable odor, for the volatile, odoriferous oil extracted from them; also, the flavoring extract made from the capsules, extensively used in confectionery, perfumery, etc.

Any of numerous climbing plants of the genus Vanilla having fleshy leaves and clusters of large waxy highly fragrant white or green or topaz flowers

A flavoring prepared from vanilla beans macerated in alcohol (or imitating vanilla beans)

A distinctive fragrant flavor characteristic of vanilla beans