Mugwort and Wormwood share the genus Artemisia

The name Artemisia is derived from Artemis the Roman goddess of the hunt and the moon, as well as protestor of women’s issues: menstruation, menopause, pregnancy and labor.

Mugwort, considered a Druid sacred herb, is symbolic for happiness and tranquility. It is believed to guard against fatigue and sunstroke, and to prevent attacks from wild beasts and evil spirits.

The word “mugwort” comes from two possible sources: a drinking cup or a natural pesticide. The flowers were gathered and dried, then boiled with malt liquor and was added to beer, thus derives the name “mug”. And, during the days of Discorides, the plant served as a pesticide to ward off moughte (moth) attacks.

During the Middle Ages, mugwort was called Cingulum Sancti Johannis; supposedly, John the Baptist wore a girdle made of it in the wilderness. Mugwort has been associated with foretellers and the moon, and considered one of the nine healing herbs of the Anglo-Saxons. The Romans placed it in their sandals to protest their feet. The herb was also credited with having magical powers and used as a talisman for protection  from evil. In Holland and Germany, mugwort was known as St. John’s Plant due to the belief that if gathered on St. John’s Eve (the evening of June 23rd) it gave protection against diseases and misfortunes.

Wormwood, the bitterest of herbs known, was first mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus, a 1500BC Egyptian medical document, as a treatment to expel worms from human and animal bodies.

The name wormwood derives from either the Anglo-Saxon word wermode or from the German word wermut, both meaning “preserver of the mind”  referring to its ability to alter ones mental state.

Like mugwort, wormwood was once used as an additive to beer and wine; but the practice was banned in 1915 as too much wormwood caused incurable damage to the central nervous system.

Ancient Greeks and Romans used wormwood within secret incantations to call forth spirits of the dead and demons of the underworld. Pre-Christian Europeans used it to burn corpses and later to decorate Christian biers. In the Mexican culture, women wore a garland of wormwood on their head during a ceremonial dance at the festival of the Goddess of Salt.

In the Bible wormwood is referred to numerous times. Christian legend claims that the plant sprang from the serpent’s path upon leaving the Garden of Eden as a barrier to prevent its return, which could explain why the plant symbolizes bitterness of spirit. Perhaps though Eve decided revenge on the serpent would be bittersweet and asked the goddess Artemis for help, as snakes rarely enter a garden where wormwood is grown.

 

 

Jasmine tea with spiritual powers?

Jasmine, native to the Himalayas and Asia, is considered sacred to the people of these areas. The name jasmine derives from the Persia “yasmine” meaning “a fragrant flower.“

History indicates jasmine was introduced into Egypt prior the XXI Dynasty around 1000BC. The Chinese emperor of the Sung Dynasty, 960-1279AD, had jasmine planted on his palace grounds so he could enjoy it’s fragrance. In the 1400s the kings of Afghanistan, Nepal, and Persia had, also, planted it in their gardens. Two-hundred years later, through Spain by Moors, it reached Western Europe.

Since ancient times, jasmine has upheld the title as “Queen of Flowers”  which accounts for the sentiment of elegance and grace. The pleasant scent of the small white flowers is used in perfume soaps, colognes, candles and many other products.

Supposedly jasmine tea has spiritual powers if made by resting the tea leaves strategically beside the powerful scented flowers. The scent, then used in the leaves, captures the essence to create an aromatic effect.

Be very cautious around oleanders

Oleanders are evergreen shrubs and usually grown as  an ornamental in landscapes, parks, and near roadsides. Although cultivated for fragrant and showy flowers, the entire plant contains numerous toxic compounds that withholds its toxicity even when dried.

The plant’s Latin translation of olea means “oil” referring to its milky-white sap. The sap, along with any part of the plant, can cause an adverse response: Both humans and animals are susceptible to suffer a reaction or death from the plant especially if eaten. In 2002 there were 847 reported cases of oleander poisoning within the United States, alone, which implements the sentiments of beware and caution.

Protea flowers resemble pincushions

Known to exist during prehistoric times, protea plants are one of the oldest and have one of the most unusual flowers of all botanical species. More than 1400 different types of protea exist with strong names such as king, queen or duchess. Despite the protea’s age, the plant is so diverse that it defied classification until 1735 when botanist Carolus Linnaeus dared to give it the family name Proteaccae after the Greek god Proteus, the sea god who had the power of self-transformation: This alludes to the diversity of appearance within the flowers.

Protea plants originated in Australia,  southern Africa, and South America, and are available year-round in an array of colors.

Daring is the sentiment for protea: Their pincushion shape flowers resembles pins, just daring to be touched.

Cinquefoil is symbolic for beloved child

The name cinquefoil derives from an Old French word meaning ‘five leaf’ which accounts for the number of leaflets within a compound leaf; however, some species have three to seven leaflets. Cinquefoil’s botanical name Potentilla comes from the Latin potens meaning ‘powerful’ due to the plant’s medicinal value.

Theophrastus, a Greek naturalist (B. 371 BC – D. 287 BC), first recognized the medicinal properties of the cinquefoil. An infusion made from the root provided an astringent, an antiseptic, and a tonic. These substances were used as a mouthwash to treat orthodontic purposes and periodontal diseases, for dysentery and diarrhea, and to lower fevers.

A mythical story from Ta’Loenthra (one of the seven culture centers built by the Elven Nations) seems the source of the cinquefoil’s sentiment of beloved child and maternal affection. Supposedly, an Ardenai merchant briefly courted a human woman. However, when the Ardenai departed from the area he had no knowledge that the woman was with child. Alone, she raised their daughter and died before the merchant’s return. When he finally came back to the small village, his daughter paid court to him unaware of their relation. When he told her the truth, he handed her a bouquet saying, “You will forever be cherished to me as this tiny cinquefoil flower was cherished by its plant.”

Depressed? Saint John’s Wort may help

Saint John’s Wort, which grows as herbs and shrubs, means animosity and superstition. This common wildflower has a rich history and is a superstar amongst herbal remedies.

Throughout time the plant has been known as Devil’s scourge, Witch’s herb, and Touch ‘n heal. Wort is an old English word for the plant but, today, its common name, Saint John’ Wort, honors John the Baptist (from the Bible). Legend claims that on August 29th, the day he was beheaded, red spots appeared on the plant. Its botanical name, hypericum, is Greek meaning “over an apparition,” which refers to the plant’s offensive odor to ward off evil spirits and cause them to flee.

During midsummer festivals, Saint John’s Wort was hung above religious images or in windows of homes to keep wickedness at bay. At one time, other than guarding evil, young women used it to foretell the time of their marriage and who their groom would be.

For over 2,000 years Saint John’s Wort has been used medicinally as an antiseptic and calming remedy. Today it’s commercially produced and is one of the most widely-taken herbal uses to ease depression. However, depression is a very serious condition, so please consult your doctor before taking any herbal products.

 

Depending on color, the gerbera daisy has numerous messages

Gerbera daisy is a genus of approximately forty species extending from Africa across to Madagascar into tropical Asia and South America. The plant was discovered near Barberton, South Africa in 1884 by Robert Jameson. The name gerbera commemorates Traugott Gerber, a German botanist, and the scientific name, jamesonia, recollects its founder. During the late 1800s breeding programs in England enhanced the flower’s quality and color variations. Today, gerbera daisies are the fifth most popular cut flower in the world and used as a decorative garden plant. Like other daisies, the gerbera has similar meanings such as beauty, innocence, purity, and strength.

Various colors also suggest a special meaning:  Orange: “You are the sunshine of my life” ; Red: unconscious ; White: innocence, and truth;  Yellow: “I will try harder to win you”

Datura has a barbaric history

Datura, also known as angel’s trumpet and/or thorn apple, has an ominous history. At one time, prison officials used datura to execute criminals: it has excessive alkaloid content, mostly found in the flower and seed, which makes the plant highly poisonous. Native Americans used it more gently as an anesthetic and narcotic medicine. However, those employing the plant needed to have a great deal of experience and detailed knowledge so no harmful results would be administered. Young Indian men drank a tea brewed from the roots that had been soaked in water for more than ten hours. After drinking the tea, they fell into a dazed state that was accompanied by hallucinations; therefore, their “vision quest” began. Today, various species are used for medicinal benefits. Scopolamine, acquired from died leaves, is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a base substance for spasmolytic (having the power to relieve spasms or convulsions), and also used as a remedy for motion sickness. The word datura comes from several possible sources: the Arabic name tator , or its Indian name dhat , in which both names indicate an inhuman outcome. Carolus Linnaecus did not want to use the “barbaric” name so he modified it to the Latin word dare meaning “to give” as datura was dispensed to those suffering  from an overactive sex-drive. Such accounts of the datura’s influence has acquired the sentiments of deceitful charms and delusive beauty.

Phlox, an agreeable flower, says, “We think alike.”

In Greek the name phlox, meaning flame, alludes to the brilliant colors of the flowers or perhaps to the twisted flower buds that resemble torches. Both annual and perennial phloxes have extremely fragrant flowers and attract bees, butterflies and birds.
Perennial phloxes, native to North America, arrived in Britain from the east coast. Several botanists are credited for the plant’s description. In 1732, Dr. James Sherard commissioned German botanist Johann Jacob Dillenius to describe the plants (that included phlox) in his garden at Eltham. During this time, Dr. Sherard introduced Dillenius to Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus. Since the two botanists didn’t share the same language, their initial meeting was a bit of a disaster: Dillenius accused Linnaeus “of throwing all botany into confusion.”; apparently Linnaeus was not about to allow a fellow colleague crisis his work, as Dillenius became so upset he left “in tears.” Their disagreement, however, did not prevent Dillenius from presenting to Linnaeus copies of his most notable works, Hortus Elthamensis and Historia Muscorum.
In 1831 Thomas Drummond, curator of the Belfast Botanic Garden, went to America and sent the first annual phloxes back to Britain. Although Drummond faced many hardships while in America, he applied for a Texas land grant, with the intention to bring his family to America. But, while waiting for the grant, in 1835 he went to Cuba and died from unrecorded causes.
Long before the discovery of America, Greek philosopher Theophrastus originally applied the name phlox to another flower known as the lychnis which, like the phlox, is also symbolic for unanimity. Star-shaped phloxes, however, means agreement, sweet dreams, and united souls.

“Swiftness and lightness,” says the Delphinium and Larkspur

The delphinium and larkspur have earned the title “Queen of the Border” due to their majestic display of height and color in gardens. They also share the same sentiments of swiftness and lightness. They are closely related: both belong to the Ranunculaceae family and both are named for the shape of their flowers. Ancient botanists thought the delphinium blossom resembled the bottle-shape nose of a dolphin. As a result, the name delphinium derives from the Greek word delphis meaning dolphin. The larkspur flower reminded botanists of a lark’s claw; thus they called the plant larkspur.
Delphinium, native to Europe and Siberia, has several mythical claims such as the Greeks named it after Delphinium Apollo, the god of the city of Delphi. Also, according to legend, the delphinium originated during the Battle of Troy. Achilles’ mother requested that her son’s combat attire be presented to the bravest of Greek warriors: Ulysses received the armor. Ajax expected the honor, but became dismayed when he was rejected and threw himself upon his sword and blue delphinium began to grow from where Ajax’s blood had spilled. The ancients used delphinium seeds and leaves, which were thought to have great powers, as a strong external medicine believed to repel scorpions. Seeds, ground into a powder form, were used to treat toothaches. In 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo soldiers treated their wounds with a poultice made from delphinium. Here in America, the West Coast Indians used delphinium to make blue dye, and the European settlers made ink, from ground flower petals. During the Civil War soldiers applied the ground delphinium to rid head lice. If consumed, delphinium is very poisonous.
The larkspur was discovered across of prairies of North America in the 1800s. Legend claims that during the time of the California Gold Rush, the Crane brothers, a pair of ambitious youths in hopes of striking it rich, began their adventure across the Midwestern plains to California. As the duo encountered poisonous snakes, scorpions, and other harmful species, they positioned larkspur plants as a safe-guarding tool around their campsite to ward-off attacks.
Both flowers also have their own sentiments: delphinium means boldness and airy; and larkspur means beautiful spirit and levity.