Herbs have been valued for thousands of years, with depictions even found in prehistoric cave paintings. It’s no surprise they were commonly used during the time of Jesus, as they were common in Mediterranean landscapes.
While reading about the significance of rosemary at Christmas, I was fascinated to learn about its connection to the Nativity story. Known as the “Rose of the Virgin Mary,” rosemary was often used in homes to repel insects. According to herbal lore, Joseph scattered rosemary in the hay of the manger to protect the baby Jesus from pests.
Rosemary also features in a Christmas legend. It is said that on Midnight Christmas Eve, the plant miraculously bloomed out of season. Its usual white flowers turned blue, and its fragrance was said to have come from Mary draping the Christ Child’s bedclothes over the bush.
Known as the herb of “remembrance”, Rosemary was strewn on the floor at Christmas during the Middle Ages. When it was walked on , a pleasant scent was released. More uses for rosemary can be found in centuries old books and include:
- Place the leaves under your bed and you will be delivered of evil dreams
- Place the leaves in a box, smelling often, and your youth will be preserved.
- If you are feeble, boil the leaves in clean water, and wash yourself. You will shine.
Rosemary is an herb that belongs in every garden. It is a woody, perennial herb that can grow as high as 5 feet, so plan your placement in your garden carefully. It’s flowers can be white, pink, or blue, and it grows as a perennial in zones 7 and warmer. It will need to pruned regularly to prevent it from getting lanky. It needs full sun, and cannot tolerate over watering. If you want to know more about growing Rosemary, Burpee’s has a great article here.
I love the folklore that surrounds herbs and plants. One of my favorite books is China Bayles’ Book of Days by Susan Wittig Albert. It’s a collection of 365 celebrations, exploring the mystery, myth, and magic of herbs. I often find myself reaching for it when I am looking for something interesting and unusual about herbs.
You can get your copy by clicking Here. This is a fascinating book with little known information about herbs. You can also find great recipes inside, making it a perfect gift for a gardening friend. This book not only celebrates the rich history and folklore of herbs but also offers practical ways to incorporate them into everyday life, from cooking to crafting. Its combination of storytelling, herbal wisdom, and recipes would inspire any garden lover, making it a thoughtful and unique gift that keeps on giving throughout the year.*
You may also enjoy reading my article on how to grow yarrow and see some great pictures from my visit to Lavender and Rust Herb Farm.
Happy Gardening
Karen
Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or cooking up a weeknight meal, just grab your clippers and add a burst of flavor to your favorite dish with homegrown herbs. Grab my downloadable/printable Ebook “The No Fuss Herb Garden” For less than a bag of garden soil you will get:
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Detailed Herb Profiles: Learn how to grow and harvest the most common culinary herbs and herbs for tea.
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Tasty Recipes: Add flavor to your meals and discover relaxing herbal teas.
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Customizable Recipe Cards: Keep track of your favorite herbal creations with printable blank recipe cards.
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Herb-Food Pairing Guide: Wondering what herb goes with which food? Eliminate the confusion and confidently pair herbs with your favorite dishes.
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Bonus: Printable Herb Garden Markers and Square Foot Herb Spacing Guide
Download your copy now for only $9
*This post includes a link to Amazon. I am an affiliate which means when you make a purchase I may receive a small compensation.
I love rosemary so much! We use it all the time. I did not know the story of the connection to Christmas.
Thanks so much for that information. Did not know the connection of Rosemary to Christmas
I love Rosemary. The scent is wonderful. I enjoyed ready your story. Really great post.
I love my rosemary! and never thought of it at Christmas. Thanks for sharing