The Myths and Legends of Herbs and Plants
Throughout history, herbs have provided many practical uses. Their aromatic leaves have been used for cooking, decorating, medicinal purposes and many myths and legends have come to be associated with them.
With their natural beauty, fragrance and legendary healing properties, people throughout the ages, have believed that plants possess many magical qualities often identified with their gods..
Bay Leaf
From the bay laurel tree
1.Bay Leaf. According to myth, the beautiful Daphne was changed into a bay leaf as she escaped the clutches of Apollo. Thus, Apollo made a crown out of bay leaves and branches and wore it in her honor.Ancient Greeks and Romans crowned victors with wreaths of laurel, otherwise known as bay leaf. The term "baccalaureate," means laurel berry, and refers to the ancient practice of honoring scholars and poets with garlands from the bay laurel tree.
In the 17th century it was believed that bay leaves repelled witchcraft. Pots of bay were placed in front of doorways in order to ward off evil spells and curses.
It was also believed that bay would prevent one's house from being struck by lightning.
Cinnamon
Medicinal and Magical
2.Cinnamon was first used by the Egyptians and Europeans around 500 BC..
The Egyptians used it in the mummification process.
It was applied as a holy anointing oil in ancient Hebrew rituals.
The Romans believed cinnamon to be sacred, and the emperor Nero burned a year's supply of it as a sacrifice, at his wife's funeral.
In mythology, the Phoenix collected myrrh, spikenard and cinnamon to create the magic fire, in which it was reborn.
Cinnamon was also sacred to Dionysus, the Greek god of ecstasy.
In the ninth century AD cinnamon was used in mulled wine and love potions, and also given to women during labor, as it increased contractions.
In the Middle Ages, cinnamon represented wealth and power. At large banquets, hosts served cinnamon in order to impress the guests.
Dill
3.Romans thought dill was an effective stimulant for gladiators. Dill also represented wealth to the ancient Greeks.During the Middle Ages, dill was believed to possess magical powers and could destroy evil spells. In fact, the name is derived from the old Norse word "dilla" meaning "to lull" because it was used to lull babies to sleep, and as an antidote to witchcraft and sorcery. A drink made from dill leaves was the remedy for anyone who believed that a witch had cast a spell on them.
People also wore charms made from dill leaves to protect themselves from evil spells.
Dried Herbals
10 Herb Wreath
Amazon Price: $66.75 (as of 12/19/2009) 
Herb Garden Bunch Hanger - 18"
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Herb Garden Wreath - 16"
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Herb Garden Bow Basket - 15"
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Culinary Herb TT Basket - 12"
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Fennel
4.Fennel. The name comes from the Greek word for "marathon" because the famous battle at Marathon (490 BC) against the Persians was fought on a field of Fennel. Because the Greeks defeated the Persians at Marathon it was believed that fennel inspired courage and strength. Greek and Roman soldiers chewed fennel seeds before entering battle.
During the Middle Ages, fennel was hung above doorways and on rafters in order to ward off the devil. Fennel seeds were also placed inside keyholes in order to prevent ghosts from entering the house.
Backyard Herb Garden
Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener's Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, Crafts, Companion Planting and More
Amazon Price: $12.91 (as of 12/19/2009)
List Price: $18.99
"A skilled gardener and teacher, Miranda Smith knows her subject well, writes about it easily, and obviously enjoys the special charms of herbs. She conveys all this in Your Backyard Herb Garden. Her no-nonsense advice on soil building, fertilizing, pest control, and watering is pure gold. She also covers harvesting and using herbs in teas, vinegars, cosmetics, potpourris, crafts, and more. Do try Miranda's rose geranium jelly!"-Bertha Reppert, author of Growing Your Herb Business and Herbs with Confidence, and herbarist in residence at The Rosemary House, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
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Lavender
5.The name Lavender comes from the Latin word 'lavare', which means to wash. The Romans used lavender water to bathe in.Legend says that the pleasant smell of lavender comes from the baby Jesus. After washing his swaddling clothes, Mary hung them to dry on a lavender bush. Thus, the plant was given the "smell of heaven".
In the Middle Ages, lavender was burned to keep away witches and brides were told to bring it into the house to protect against cruelty. It was also believed that couples who placed lavender flowers between their bedsheets would never fight.
Aromatherapy
Gifts That Bloom ~ Aromatherapy Rose Garden
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Lavender Aromatherapy Candle- 24 hr. burn time- made with 100% pure essential oils
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Cinnamon Spice Aromatherapy Candle- 50 hr. burn time- made with 100% pure essential oils
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Clove Orange Reed Diffuser
Amazon Price: $16.00 (as of 12/19/2009)
Mint
6.Mint. According to myth, Hades had developed a lust for a water nymph named Minthe.Hade's wife Persephone found out and angrily transformed Minthe into a plant to be trampled on. Hades could not undo the spell, but he was able to ease it by giving Minthe a wonderfully sweet fragrance, which would be released whenever her leaves were trampled on.
Mint Tea
Numi Tea Simply Mint, Moroccan Mint Herbal Tessan, Loose Leaf, 16-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)
Amazon Price: $30.18 (as of 12/19/2009)
Moroccan mint has a bright vibrant flavor that tastes like a fresh picked leaf. Completely pure and natural, its refreshing spear-minty taste is a soothing all-day or after-dinner delight.
Oregano (Marjoram)
7.Oregano. The ancient Greeks believed that Aphrodite created oregano. They thought that if it grew around a grave, the deceased would have eternal happiness.
In Germany, oregano was hung over doorways to protect against evil spells.
In the Middle Ages, oregano symbolized happiness and love.
Oregano Wreath
Mama Mia Oregano Wreath
Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)
One red-hot mama, this fragrant dried wreath makes a bold addition to any wall or door with its festive sprinkling of sizzling chili peppers. The beautiful blend of Mexican and Greek Oregano that forms the base of the wreath makes an aromatic and lasting impression!
Rose
8.Rose. For the ancient Romans, and Greeks, the Rose was a symbol of beauty, and the flower of the goddess Venus (Aphrodite).According to myth, the first roses did not have thorns.
While Venus' son Cupid was smelling a rose, a bee came out and stung him on the lip. Venus then strung his bow with bees. She removed their stingers and placed them on the stems of the roses.
Greek Myth also says that all roses were originally white until Venus tore her foot on a briar and all the roses were dyed red with her blood. In Roman myth, the first red roses are said to have grown from the blood of Adonis for the love of Aphrodite; thus, they have become symbolic of love, and often eternal life.
In Christian legend, the red color of roses comes from the blood of Christ.
Renaissance Rose Wreath
Rosemary
9.Rosemary.The Latin name, 'Rosmarinus' means "dew of the sea". It was so called because it grew around the Mediterranean and became associated in ancient Rome with Venus, the Goddess of Love, who was supposed to have sprung from sea foam.Because of that legend, it became the symbol of faithfulness and was used at weddings.
At funerals it was thrown into coffins so that the dead person would be remembered.
From the times of ancient Greece through the Middle Ages, it was believed that rosemary strengthened the brain and memory. When they needed to take exams, students braided rosemary into their hair in order to help their memory.
The ancient Greeks burned rosemary in order to expel evil spirits and illness.
In some parts of Europe, it was believed that if an unmarried woman placed rosemary under her pillow, her future husband would be revealed to her in her dream.
Rosemary Print
Joan Sanders - Rosemary Size 8x20 by Joan Sanders. Size 20.00 inches width by 8.00 inches height. High Quality Art Poster Print
Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)
Potted Herbs
Thyme
10.Thyme. Ancient Greeks considered Thyme a symbol of courage and sacrifice.
Tradition tells that Thyme was in the straw bed of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus.
During the Middle Ages it was believed that the scent of thyme inspired bravery. Knights wore scarves with thyme leaves sewn on them during jousting tournaments.
In English lore, if a person collected thyme flowers from hillsides where fairies lived, and rubbed the flowers on their eyelids, they would be able to see the fairies.
Herbs and Botanicals
Medicinal Herbs Floral & Botanical Poster Print, 24x36
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HERBS ROSEMARY SPICE KITCHEN DRAWER PULLS KNOBS
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/19/2009)
Culinary Herbs Floral & Botanical Poster Print, 24x36
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Herbs Floral & Botanical Art Poster Print, 24x36
Amazon Price: (as of 12/19/2009)
HERBS FENNEL SPICE KITCHEN DRAWER PULLS KNOBS
Amazon Price: $2.99 (as of 12/19/2009)
Your Thoughts and Favorite Herb?
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Reply
- papawu papawu May 28, 2009 @ 2:26 am
- Being an avid student of history, I am reluctant to admit complete ignorance of the information contained herein. I knew absolutely nothing about the history of these herbs, but now I do. Fabulous lens.
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- 0ctavias0fferings 0ctavias0fferings May 17, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
- Love this lens, very well laid out and informative 5* and a sprinkling of Angel Dust
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- CleanerLife CleanerLife May 14, 2009 @ 12:41 am
- I love lavender. I defuse lavender essential oil in my bedroom every night, never tried adding it to food yet, though. Mint tea is great, and I like adding rosemary and thyme to my cooking. Cinnamon is probably the ultimate. I love it in many foods, mainly deserts. My dad has always added it to coffee before brewing, and I use toothpaste and mouthwash with cinnamon.
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- WhiteOak50 WhiteOak50 May 13, 2009 @ 6:06 am
- I am such a fan of yours!! Thank you for adding this to the Kitchen!!!!
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- spirituality spirituality May 11, 2009 @ 1:33 am
- Great lens - blessing your lenses is becoming a regular thing :) but you might want to add that these are the herbs of the Gods in the Western European (probably mostly UK) tradition.
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