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13 Feb 02 - 01:16 AM (#648887) Subject: symbolism of herbs and spices From: Haruo I know there's a lot of stuff in the archives about the meaning of "thyme", but what about the symbolic meaning of spices that aren't in Scarborough Fair? What about bay leaves, for example? Liland |
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13 Feb 02 - 02:49 AM (#648907) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: mouldy Well just to start things off, bay leaves (a member of the laurel family) were used in ancient times for the laurel wreaths we see on people's heads. According to the section on "tussie-mussies" in one of my books, it symbolises nobility. (A tussie-mussie is a posy with its contents chosen for their symbolism and/or healing properties). Example of an invalid's posy from my book: scarlet geranium in centre (comfort), trimmed with lemon baln (sympathy),camomile (energy in adversity),thyme (courage), hyssop (cleanliness), fennel (strength) and lady's mantle (protection). Disinfectant herbs such as eucalyptus can, it says, be added to speed the patient's recovery. Andrea ps - the book I've looked at is "The Complete Book of Herbs" by Lesley Bremness. |
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13 Feb 02 - 03:13 AM (#648911) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: katlaughing Good stuff there, Andrea! All my books on this are packed! Darn it! I do have a very old one which has some stuff on flowers. I will dig it out, tomorrow and see if it has herbs as well, I am pretty sure it does. In the meantime, maybe this will be of interest: Symbolism of Plants, Trees, and Herbs, and maybe this peek at my favourite place from which to buy herbs: Caprilands. They have special "Shakespeare" gardens there, done up after the plants in specific plays and the woman who owned it (I don't know if she is still alive or not, she was very old) used to spend part of her summers giving lectures at Oxford. It's a very magical place. Here's a nice writeup on it, with a virtual tour, to boot! Writeup & Tour of Caprilands kat
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13 Feb 02 - 11:22 AM (#649143) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: Gypsy Rosemary for memory, violets for constancy. A yellow rose for friendship, red for love. |
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13 Feb 02 - 11:41 AM (#649150) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: Mrrzy The bay is Apollo's laurel, indeed. For your Asterix lovers, Asterix once stole Caesar's laurel wreath and replaced it with a wreath made of fennel. There went Caesar on his triumphant ride, thinking to himself Hmmm, I think I'd like some grilled fish! And aren't white roses for death? |
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13 Feb 02 - 03:20 PM (#649308) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: mack/misophist The Oddessey mentions "holy moly", said to be a panacea. I've seen at least one plant book that connects it with dittany of Crete, not a panacea. |
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13 Feb 02 - 03:23 PM (#649311) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: MMario the meanings of various coulours of roses varies greatly. white roses may mean "death" or they can mean "pure (platonic) love) |
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13 Feb 02 - 06:39 PM (#649468) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: GUEST,gwi Bay Laurel Leaves can also be used to make wishes. First you clear your mind of all thoughts except that for which you are wishing. Concentrating on your wish... Light the bay leaf on fire.. hold it for a bit to get it burning well, then set it in an ashtray or incense burner and allow it to burn away. The smoke will carry your wish to the heavens where it can be answered. Geraniums are pretty and edible. IF you wnat to increase someones lust feed them red geranium blossoms to decrease it feed them white ones. |
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13 Feb 02 - 07:03 PM (#649484) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: Haruo Thank you all very much. This was actually started as a test thread to demonstrate to my church's secretary, who is very much into certain kinds of music (esp. Bluegrass) how the Mudcat café works. By now it will have adequately served its initial purpose. However, feel free to continue adding herbs or meanings. Liland |
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13 Feb 02 - 10:54 PM (#649656) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: Rustic Rebel Bay is used in clairvoyance and wisdom brews. Placed beneath the pillow to induce prophetic dreams. Basil given as a gift brings good luck to a new home.It was said witches would drink basil tea before they took off in flight.Anise seeds are used in purification baths especially with bay. Mint is kept in the home for protection, can be rubbed on the forhead to relieve headaches. (I use the oil,and smell the oil to relieve headache) Hops can be stuffed in a pillow to bring good sleep. I could go on and on about herbs. I study them, grow them, use them, give them with love! It's one of my things. Rustic |
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13 Feb 02 - 11:06 PM (#649665) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: Gypsy Oooohhhh, good! Rustic Rebel, do you recollect how to tear apart a bleeding heart flower? I can find the lady in her bath, and the slipper, but not the key. Do you remember? please! We grow a ton of herbs as well, medicinal, as well as culinary. |
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13 Feb 02 - 11:19 PM (#649673) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: Helen My 12 year old cat has just come home from a short hospitalisation for renal failure. The vet mentioned a special kidney diet so I hunted out my two favourite herbal/natural remedy books by Juliette de Bairacli Levy: The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat(first published 1955, reprinted lots of times); and The Illustrated Herbal Handbook (first published 1974). If you want a good read as well as some really good info, find these books and read them. I have to warn you though, if you borrow the books you may not want to give them back - they kept sticking to my hand when I tried to return them to the library, where I worked about 10 years ago, so I went and bought them. Interestingly, other (later) references to a complete natural diet for kidney problems in cats and dogs are almost word-for-word out of the first book, but so far I haven't seen her credited with the information. Helen |
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14 Feb 02 - 03:00 AM (#649745) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: mouldy Just a quick horticultural aside for any Brits who confine their bay plants: I planted one 12 years ago and purposely left this "slightly tender" bush in a sheltered and shady corner of the garden. It's now about 15 feet high and growing well! It flowers regularly too, and now the top of it is exposed to the elements it's still doing well. I do, however, keep a clipped one by the front door. One or two more meanings: poppy (consolation), parsley (festivity), wormwood (absence; - hey, shouldn't that be "absinthe"?), lavender (luck), broom (humility), ivy (fidelity), mint (purity). Andrea |
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14 Feb 02 - 04:36 AM (#649775) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: Nemesis The Juliette de Bairacli Levy book is brilliant and a good read to boot... ISBN 0-571-11894-1 . A dear little book I picked up a while ago is 'Garden Spells' by Claire Nahmad, Parkgate Books ISBN 1-85585-548-8 She says that 'wherever the Bay flourishes that garden and the dwelling it graces will be protected from flash and flood. It is a tree of the old gods, a tree of the Lord, and its spirit is valiant. Its fragrance and essence celebrate holy valour and human triumph.' and then gives a lovely Moon spell with bay to nourish and benefit the garden. Although, I don't know if this is quite what the Church Secretary was expecting? :) Blessings be |
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14 May 11 - 02:52 PM (#3154113) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: GUEST,Anemone Hello to all (: Any idea to pepper's symbology? It'd be greatly helpful, thanks in advance. |
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14 May 11 - 03:25 PM (#3154131) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: Jim Carroll From Funk and Wagnall's Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend. Jim Carroll Pepper (1) An aromatic spice made from the berries of the pepper plant (genus Piper) coming originally from the Indian Archipelago. This was one of the earliest known spices and has continued a staple of commerce between India and Europe since earliest times. The ransom of Rome was paid partly in pepper. Its high price at Venice induced the Portuguese to explore the route around the Cape of Good Hope, and was responsible, among other things, for Columbus' voyage. The finest pepper comes from Malabar, and to secure the finest flavor it should be ground fresh at the table. Both black and white pepper come from the same source, the outer skin being removed for the white; this is said to remove much of its value. In the 13th century pepper was a panacea for all the ills of mankind, from weak eyes to the plague. However, in 1563 Garcia da Orta was seriously doubting some of the uses to which it was being put, and of the Greeks he says, "All agree with one accord not to tell the truth." In Bavaria a paste of black pepper and sugar was used to fill the cavity in an aching tooth. For ague you are advised to swallow a whole peppercorn on each of seven successive mornings, preferably beginning the dosage before beginning to shake. A favorite general medicine was a pepper posset made of peppercorns boiled in whey. In Mexico and Texas, peppercorns are often placed in a wound suspected of being poisoned, as by arrows. In Texas a piece of cotton filled with black pepper is placed in the ear to cure earache. An excess of pepper is said to be aphrodisiac. (2) The fruit of a plant of the nightshade family (genus Capsicum). This is the pepper from which red pepper, Cayenne, and paprika are made. For success in growing these peppers it is well either to plant them while in a rage, or to hire a red-headed person to do it for you. Strong red-pepper tea is good for a horse with a bellyache. In Texas and Mexico, eating plenty of chili peppers is good for ague, and swallowing whole, small, chili peppers like pills will cure a cold. Boiled pods mixed with buffalo tallow are good for burns. All manner of peppers are said to have strong aphrodisiac properties. |
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14 May 11 - 08:07 PM (#3154233) Subject: RE: Help: symbolism of herbs and spices From: GUEST,Ann Lovejoy Where rosemary flourishes, the woman rules the home; rosemary is for remembering, pansies for loving thoughts, thyme for healing (especially for women). |