HERBS OF THE BIBLE In the Bible the importance of plants were mention in numerous scriptures. Vegetables such as: onions, cucumbers and beans. Fruit and nut trees such as: walnut, apricot, black mulberry and almonds. Ornamental trees such as: willow, oleander, popular, cypress, cedar, pine, tamarix, acacia and many, many more. But my interest is the study of historical uses of herbaceous plants. I narrowed down the plants that are mostly winter hardy in our area in case you are interested starting your own bible garden. Most of the following plants are the real thing but as always there is question and much debate among scholars.People who lived in Jesus' time were wonderful herbalists. Many herbal plants are mentioned in the bible. They used the herbs not only for food, but to flavor food and also for medicinal purposes. They did not visit the doctor around the corner or the hospital.We know that biblical people set aside plots specifically for herbs: Kings 21:2[And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.]We can start with Adam and Eve. On day three of creation, we read about the earth bringing forth herbs. Genesis 1:11-12 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. Here we read that the Lord says for the earth to bring forth herbs. The garden is such that nothing needs to be planted because the Lord has already set everything in motion. On day six, God creates Adam and Eve and brings them into the garden. The Lord tells Adam that He has given him every green herb for meat. All Adam has to do is walk through the garden and pick some herbs and eat. Adam and Eve have it made in the garden, but it will not last long. In Genesis 3:1-7 we can read about the temptation and fall.The following plants are a few found in scriptures in the bible and a few are just for fun. Hyssop (Hyssops officinalis)A lovely, shrubby low evergreen plant with blue summer flowers. Hyssop as we know it may or may not be the hyssop mentioned by David. Was once referred to as the herb used in purification: Psalms 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. It was also used for ritual cleansing and sprinkling of blood in the tabernacle Lev. 14:4,49 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive [and] clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop.The medicinal use of Hyssop can be found in John 19:29. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Today we know it has mild germ killing properties. A poultice of hyssop is said to help heal wounds and bruises. Teas have been used historically to treat fever, colds, indigestion and asthma and was most likely used for this back then. In Medieval monastery gardens all contained hyssop, which was believed to ward off the evil eye. Lavender (Lavendula angustiofolia)Has been a favorite herb for centuries and my favorite as well.. The historic use and recognition of lavender is almost as old the history of man. As an herb, lavender has been documented in use for over 2,500 years. In ancient times lavender was used for mummification and perfume by the Egyptians and peoples of Arabia. The Greeks and the Romans bathed in lavender scented water and it was from the Latin word "lavo" meaning "to wash" that the herb took it's name.Lavender is often mentioned in the Bible, not by the name lavender but rather by the name used at that time, spikenard. In the gospel of Luke the writer reports: "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment." Another ancient Christian reference to lavender involves how it got its scent. The plant is believed to have been taken from the Garden of Eden by Adam and Eve. However, the powerful perfume came later. According to legend the clothing of baby Jesus when laid upon a bush to dry by Mother Mary bestowed the scent. This may explain why the plant is also regarded as a holy safeguard against evil. In many Christian houses a cross of lavender was hung over the door for protectionRosemary(Rosmarinus officinalis) Has a pine-y aroma and dark green needle-like leaves, very rarely returning after our long wet springs. For centuries people thought that rosemary plants would grow no higher than 6 feet in 33 years so as not to stand taller than Christ. Another Story tells that the flowers were all originally white but changed to blue when the Virgin Mary hung her cloak on a bush while fleeing from Herod鈥檚 soldiers with the Christ child.In medieval times it was burned to cleanse the altar. And was added to love sachets or place under the bed and above the door to protect from harm. Besides the historic uses, rosemary is best known for remembrance and friendship. At one time rosemary was in every wedding, and at funerals mourners tossed fresh sprigs into the grave as a sign that the dearly departed would not be forgotten. Even today rosemary signifies love, friendship and remembrance. Costmary or Bible-leaf (Chrysanthemum balsamita) This whole plant emits a soft balsamic aroma. Since colonial days, the leaves marked the pages of bible verses; however it did not serve as just an innocent bookmark. Sleepy churchgoers would sniff and nibble on the edges and they would be revived during long, boring sermons. I wonder if it could be determined which parish had the most boring clergy by the amount of Costmary grown in the area? Since it also has insect repelling properties I also believe they used as book marks to keep bugs at bay.Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum) Light green sprawling fluffy herb with clusters of airy yellow flowers. Mary is said to have prepared the Christ child's bed with this herb. Thereafter it was known as Our Lady鈥檚 Bedstraw, and the formerly white flower-heads turned to a golden hue. 鈥淎nd she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger... Colonials would also stuff pillows with Lady's Bedstraw to induces sleep with the honey-like vapors. BITTER HERBSBitter Herbs are often mentioned in the Bible with sharp tasting bitter leaves. Considering the quality of their food, these digestive aids were probably very necessary for good intestinal bacteria and health. It is thought, by the scholars of the Bible, that many herbs were used in this manner, including dandelion, sorrel, hawkweed, sow-thistle, wild lettuce, mint, wormwood and chicory, which grow abundantly in the peninsula of Sinai, in Palestine and in Egypt.Ex 12:8 The Israelites were commanded to eat the Paschal lamb "with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs".Mint (Mentha species)Mint was well known as being used for flavoring food as it still is today. Some bible experts say mint was among the "bitter herbs" mentioned. Mint was valued for its fresh aroma and sweet taste and often used to flavor meat. Also an important 鈥渟trewing鈥?herb, mint stems were hung in doorways and thrown on dirt floors to mask the effects of inadequate sanitation. Scholars disagree on which mint was actually the mint of the Bible. There were probably many mints then, as there are today. It freely crosses pollenates and produces great differences. Luke 11:42 鈥淏ut woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone鈥?. Wormwood (Artemesia absinthum) Moth repellent and excellent dried foliage used in herbal wreaths. A very lovely, silvery shrubby perennial that can be used in a shrub border. Once used to flavor alcohol; that use is now banned. The active ingredient, can lead to serious mental disorders if taken internally; do not, under any terms, use this herb internally!Wormwood is frequently mentioned in Scripture, always for its bitterness, sorrow and suffering. According to legend, wormwood grew up in the trail left by the serpent鈥檚 tail as it slithered out of the Garden of Eden.Jeremiah 9:13-15 And the LORD says: Because they have forsaken my law that I set before them... but have stubbornly followed their own hearts and have gone after [other gods]... Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I am feeding this people with wormwood, and giving them poisonous water to drink.鈥?Revelation 8:11In John鈥檚 vision of the end of the world, a star fell from heaven. 鈥淭he name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many died from the water, because it was made bitter.鈥?In conclusion, all herbs are Biblical. However, we have come to think of some as more meaningful to Biblical times. The real beauty of the plants lies in the association with the inspiring stories of the Bible.It is with a garden that the Bible begins....
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