They're different. Neither is better; it just depends on how you want to play your game.

I can't tell much difference yet, except the 6th herb...but I am not finished yet. I still have to wait and see if I prefer one over the other.

I'm not saying either one is better, but according to the VV3 What faction did you choose? poll more people picked nature.

I chose magic, because I figure that the the tribal leader can already create more food if needed at Level 1. That, and - okay, I confess, I'm impatient when it comes to amassing tech points.

I think this is an important thread. Im just starting and am at the point where I think I should choose a faction. I think Nature appeals to us beginners because of the food issue. Also, I am more interested in a longer-lived population rather than a huge one. On the other hand, I am very impatent for tech points. It seems the balance of my pros vs. cons rests on the herb. Im not sure yet even what they do--probably for making potions which I haven't even started doing yet--too busy surviving. Is one herb different from the other in the faction tracts? Some more feedback here would be very helpful. Thanks.