A Greek myth evokes the lovely story that the first artichoke was a woman of surpassing beauty named Cynara with whom Zeus was enamored. Zeus decided to make her a goddess but Cynara so missed her home that she would sneak back to earth from Mount Olympus to visit her family. This infuriated Zeus, who exacted a rather awful retribution by turning her into the first artichoke.
The Artichokes earliest cultivation was thought to have occurred in the Mediterranean.
A Greek myth evokes the lovely story that the first artichoke was a woman of surpassing beauty named Cynara with whom Zeus was enamored. Zeus decided to make her a goddess but Cynara so missed her home that she would sneak back to earth from Mount Olympus to visit her family. This infuriated Zeus, who exacted a rather awful retribution by turning her into the first artichoke. According to myth, the beautiful Daphne was changed into a bay leaf after she escaped the clutches of Apollo. Apollo was then said to have made his crown out of bay leaves and branches to remember her forever.
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. The Greeks cabbage creation story is interesting.
They long knew that cabbages keep grape vines from growing, so the story goes that Dionysus and his followers, the Bacchae traveled to a city whose ruler did not like their rowdy ways so had them all arrested. Dionysus used magic to cause the ruler to go mad--so much so that he mistook his son for a grapevine and killed him. When he realized what he had done, his tears fell to the ground and from each, a cabbage sprang. Another Greek story is of Diogenes, who wandered the world looking for one honest man--wholly sustained on cabbages as his food. He never found the honest man, but the cabbages kept him alive until 90! Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean, its Latin name meaning "sea dew." The name may have more to do with the color of its flowers than with any affinity to the sea.
The most famous legend about this plant has it that rosemary's flowers were once white. They turned blue after the Virgin Mary laid her blue cloak over a rosemary shrub while fleeing from Herod. It was also once thought that the long-lived shrub never grew over six feet tall, no matter how old, because it refused to grow to be taller than Christ. One old belief is that rosemary would only grow in the garden of a righteous person; another that if rosemary grew with vigor in a yard, the woman of the household may be stronger than the man. The association with the Virgin Mary may also be connected with rosemary's traditional use to decorate homes and churches at Christmas. Rosemary is the herb of fidelity and remembrance. "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray you, love, remember," as Ophelia said in "Hamlet." With this in mind, rosemary has long been used in wedding ceremonies as an encouragement toward fidelity and to remind the new couple to remember their wedding vows, roots and families. Dried rosemary could also be used in the bedding to promote fidelity. (As an added bonus, a sprig of rosemary under a pillow was also thought to ward off not only bad dreams, but demons.) Sprigs have been tossed into caskets as a promise to remember the deceased. Further illustrating the belief in its powers of memory enhancement, Greek students weaved rosemary into their hair to help them when taking exams. It was also prescribed for relief from mental disorders in ancient Greece. Rosemary also was considered a disinfectant, especially when burned. Church flocks were purified by burning rosemary, and ancient Greeks burned it to dispel evil spirits and sickness. The French burned rosemary and juniper in hospitals during the Middle Ages to clean the air. Historically, rosemary has been used at various times to treat nervous disorders, melancholy and depression, headaches, dizziness, epilepsy or other trembling disorders, arthritis, gout, baldness and even to reduce varicose veins. The origins of the Tomato trace back to the early Aztecs around 700 A.D; therefore it is believed that the tomato is native to the Americas.
It was not until around the 16th century that Europeans were introduced to this fruit when the early explorers set sail to discover new lands. Throughout Southern Europe, the tomato was quickly accepted into the kitchen, yet as it moved north, more resistance was apparent. The British, for example, admired the tomato for its beauty, but believe that it was poisonous, as its appearance was similar to that of the poisonous wolf peach. Marjoram and oregano share the genus "originum," but they are not the same. Although marjoram is a specific type of oregano, it is milder. It develops its best aroma in warm climates. A type of marjoram grown in Jordan, Lebanon and Israel is known as "zahtar."
Greek legend has it that marjoram, also known as joy-of-the-mountain, developed its aroma when touched by Venus, the goddess of love. If marjoram grew on a gravesite, it was thought the spirit of the deceased was peaceful and happy. To learn the identity of your future spouse, you could sleep in the presence of the herb, and you would dream of your as-yet-unknown love. Wreaths of marjoram were used to crown newly married couples in ancient Greece and Rome to bring them love, honor and happiness. It was similarly used in the Middle Ages, carried at weddings or displayed in bouquets. As it was also thought to have antiseptic qualities, it was used in the rooms of the sick, and sometimes scattered over the floor at funerals. It has been used for bathing and in the purification of temples in biblical times. Marjoram was another witchcraft antidote as well. It was said that "...no person who had sold herself to the devil could abide it," according to Charles Skinner in the 1915 book "Myths and Legends of Flowers, Trees, Fruits and Plants." Marjoram's medical uses have included drinking honeyed marjoram tea to preserve and strengthen the voice; as a remedy for snake poison; as a mood stabilizer; as a digestive aid; as a toothache cure, by chewing the leaves; and as an inhalant in steam for sinus and laryngitis problems. It has been seen as helpful to ensure a long life. "Life is like an onion. You peel it off one layer at a time; And sometimes you weep."
-Carl Sandburg, American poet. Egyptian mummies set out for the afterlife with a stock of onions carefully wrapped in bandages, looking like another little mummy. Ancient Egyptian leaders took an oath of office with their right hand on an onion. In ancient Egypt, the onion symbolized eternity because of its circle-within-a-circle structure. Paintings of onions appear on the inner walls of the pyramids and in the tombs of both the Old Kingdom and the New Kingdom. The Romans ate onions regularly and carried them on journeys to their provinces in England and Germany. They believed the onion would cure vision problems, induce sleep, and heal mouth sores, dog bites, toothaches, dysentery and lumbago. During the Middle Ages onions were worth so much that they were used to pay rent and were given as wedding gifts. The onion was an ancient symbol of eternity because of the concentric circles that it contains. For this reason, Russian and other orthodox churches are designed with onion domes, a bulb-shaped dome with a pointy top. Turkish legend has it that when Satan was cast out of heaven, garlic sprouted where he placed his left foot, an onion where he placed his right foot. Countless folk remedies ascribe curative powers to onions: An onion under the pillow is thought to fight off insomnia; and chewing a raw onion sterilizes the mouth and wards off colds and sore throat. During World War II, Russian soldiers applied onions to battle wounds as an antiseptic. Dill originated in Central Asia and is usually now imported from Egypt, other Mediterranean countries or Eastern Europe. The variety grown in India is more pungent, so beware if following an Indian recipe; less dill is needed.
Its name came from the Old Norse word "dilla," meaning "to soothe" or "to lull." Ancient Egyptian physicians used dill as a digestive aid, as did traditional Chinese medical practitioners, especially for children. Dill water made from steeping the seeds was used to ease colic in babies, as it has anti-gas properties, as well as being a mild sedative. In ancient Greek and Roman cultures, dill was thought to be a sign of wealth, as well as being known for its healing properties. Burnt dill seeds were applied to the wounds of soldiers to foster healing, as it is an antiseptic, inhibiting bacterial growth. Dill fronds may have been placed over the eyes at night to help one sleep. Talmudic records show that dill was valuable enough to be tithed. In medieval times, dill was both used in witchcraft, notably by burning it to clear clouds and thunderstorms. and as protection from witchcraft. A charm made from dill leaves or bunches of dill hung by the door was the remedy. Drinking dill water was also considered effective in removing a witch's spell. Other past uses include adding it to wine to create passion, or bathing in it to become irresistible to one's paramour. Dill was brought by the colonists to the New World. They used dill water as a folkloric remedy for colic, cough, indigestion, gas, stomachache and insomnia, as well as jaundice, hemorrhoids, scurvy and hiccups. Children were given dill seeds to chew to calm them during long sermons, leading to the moniker "meetin' seeds." Native varieties of basil are found throughout Asia, Africa, and Central and South America.
It was possibly first cultivated in India, where it has been considered a sacred herb associated with love and faithfulness. Basil plants are sometimes grown in the homes of Hindus to bring the family happiness. A basil leaf buried with a person was considered his passport to heaven. In India, where the basil is native, it is a holy herb, dedicated to Vishnu, whose wife, Lakshmi, it is in disguise. To break a sprig of the plant fills him with pain, and he commonly denies the prayers of such as trespass against it ; yet it is permitted to wear the seeds as a rosary and to remove a leaf, for every good Hindu goes to his rest with a basil leaf on his breast, which he has only to show at the gate of heaven to be admitted. In Persia and Malaysia basil is planted on graves while in Egypt women scatter the flowers on the resting places of their dead. These faiths and observances are out of keeping with the Greek idea that it represented hate and misfortune, and they painted poverty, in apotheosis, as a ragged woman with a basil at her side. The word "basil" is derived from the Greek word for "king," a reference to its royal fragrance. Alexander the Great may have brought basil to Greece, where it was once thought scorpions would breed under pots of the growing herb. Ancient Romans called the herb "basiliscus", a reference to the basilisk, a very fierce and dangerous dragon that could kill a person by looking at him. Eating basil was thought to be a protection from this dragon, as well as a cure for poison. The Romans also connected basil to love and fertility. The French call it "herbe royale." Medieval Europeans thought it to be a sorcerer's herb. Basil has an association with the Holy Cross. A Christian legend has it that the True Cross was found under growing basil. According to Father Mark on the blog Vultus Christi (see Resources below), "Basil plants were reputed to have sprung up at the foot of the Cross where fell the Precious Blood of Christ and the tears of the Mother of Sorrows. A sprig of basil was said to have been found growing from the wood of the True Cross." But to show that basil doesn't play favorites, it is also associated with Erzulie, a voodoo love goddess worshipped in Haiti. Italians think of basil as a symbol of love. In Romania, if a man accepts a sprig of basil from a woman, they are engaged. There are two kinds of cinnamon. Cinnamomum zeylanicum is called true cinnamon and is native to Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon. The other is from the cassia tree, which grows in Vietnam, China, Indonesia and Central America. This is the cinnamon used in North America. It is more bitter than Ceylon cinnamon.
Cinnamon was used in ancient Chinese medicine for the treatment of fever, diarrhea and menstrual problems. It was also used as incense in Chinese temples. When the Egyptians discovered it, cinnamon was included in their embalming process. Its oil was used in ancient Hebrew anointing rituals. In biblical times, cinnamon was used as a perfume, a spice and to treat indigestion. In the Middle Ages, Arabs brought cinnamon and other spices from Asia to Egypt on caravan trade routes. They concocted stories to hide the source of the cinnamon to justify its scarcity and cost. The mythical cinnamologus bird originated from this practice. The Arabs claimed that the bird made its nests of cinnamon sticks in Arabia, but they didn't know from where the bird brought them. Obtaining the cinnamon required dislodging the birds from their perilous, cliff-hanging nests by various heroic means. At the start of the Middle Ages, Pliny the Elder wrote that 350 grams of cinnamon were worth 5,000 grams of silver. Only the wealthy and powerful had access to the spice. In 65 A.D., Roman Emperor Nero is said to have burned a year's supply of cinnamon at his wife's funeral, possibly in remorse for having caused her death. Cinnamon was once used to help preserve meat, and to mask the odor of its aging. Cinnamon, along with grape vines and ivy, is a sacred plant of Dionysus, the Greek god of ecstasy. The Phoenix, the bird that rises from its ashes in mythology, uses cinnamon, myrrh and spikenard to build the magic fire in which it is reborn. Medicinally, cinnamon has been used at one time or another as a remedy for coughs and sore throats; for the common cold and flu; for uterine problems; and for what 12th century German abbess/herbalist Hildegard of Bingen called "inner decay of slime." The Egyptian queen Cleopatra was famous for her use of seductive oils and scents, and no doubt employed cinnamon oil in her arsenal. It has had its uses in love potions as well. The Aamla or gooseberry tree is dear to Vishnu, because it emerged from his mouth, says the Vishnu Purana.
Another story links the tree to Brahma. Whatever the story, Aamla enjoys a Divine status. The ninth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika is observed as the Amla Navmi.It is said that on this day, Gods and Sages reside on the Amla tree. Prayers are offered to the tree as worshipping the tree is believed to destroy sins and ensure prosperity.Also, ghosts and other evil spirits dont trouble a house where Amla fruits are kept. Charaka Samhita the ancient treatise on Ayurveda, recommends the use of Amla fruit to improve vigour, vitality, and soundness of mind and soul. Used in most Ayurvedic medicines, Amla is a rich source of Vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant. Amla can be eaten raw, cooked or candied. The polyphenols present in Amla are effective in controlling blood sugar leves, blood pressure and lowering lipids and fats in the body. Doctors say that regular consumption of Amla juice in the morning before meals checks hypertension and diabetes. Amla pacifies all three doshas - vata, kapha,pitta. As it works more gently than the ginger or other digestion enhancing herbs, Amla can be taken by people with a lot of pitta without fearing hyper-acidity. Amla boosts absorption of iron and calcium from the food we eat. It is used in treating many types of fever and inflammation Amla keeps the menstruation regular and healthy. As Amla helps the liver detoxify, it moisturises the skin and protects it from any bacterial infection. By strengthening hair follicles, Amla prevents premature greying. The aromatic plant that is native to parts of Europe, Africa and Asia has a history of over 5,000 years. There are references in Sanskrit texts about coriander's culinary and medicinal value. In the Bible, coriander is compared with manna* *(There are a great many people who would never consider the use of visionary plants to be a spiritual experience. These people believe that spiritual experiences must come directly from God and that the use of visionary plants goes against the teachings of the Bible. Contrary to this notion, the Bible never explicitly prohibits the use of visionary plants or potions. What you will find however, is many curious references to a spiritual food sent down from heaven by God, called manna Ref : http://deoxy.org/manna.htm ) The Chinese associated it with immortality. Coriander is used to garnish the dishes all over the world. All parts of the plant ; leaves, stem, and seeds are used. The aroma and taste of the leaves is quite different from the dried seeds. The stems are used to flavour many south-east Asian dishes. In the US, the seed is generally referred to as coriander, and the leaves as cilantro. Coriander seeds are used in brewing some Belgian wheat beers. Both coriander seeds and leaves are a rich source of minerals and vitamins, including thiamine, Vitamin C, riboflavin, phosphorus, calcium, iron, niacin, sodium, carotene, oxalic acid, and potassium. Coriander seeds are known to have anti-bacterial properties, and are used in traditional medicine to relieve anxiety or insomnia. Roasted coriander seed powder helps clear the body of lead, mercury and aluminium toxins. Coriander seeds are effective in treating blood sugar and cholesterol. A poultice of hot coriander seeds can be applied externally to get relief from painful joints.
Coriander powder helps balance pitta dosha http://www.chopra.com/pitta and kapha dosha http://www.ayurveda-holistic-medicine.com/kapha-dosha.html It enhances digestion without aggravating pitta dosha, and also strengthens the liver. Ayurvedic doctors recommend a glass of juice made from coriander leaves to prevent heat-stroke. A spoonful of fresh coriander leaves' extract mixed with a pinch of camphor, taken three times a day controls excess menstrual bleeding. As the Arab women use henna juice to redden their palms and soles, so the egg-plant is used to blacken the teeth of
women in Japan, but for a different purpose. Whereas the henna stains are regarded as beautiful, the blackenedteeth are a confessed disfigurement. Tradition says that the custom arose from the wish of a handsome young wife to cure her husband of a causeless jealousy. The color is obtained by dropping peel of egg-plant into water that contains a red-hot iron. After applying it to the teeth, they are brushed till they shine like metal. The practice was continued until the empress appeared in public with white teeth, when society in Tokyo dutifully followed her example. Among the commoners, however, the use of toothdye is continued to a considerable extent. The variety of egg-plant known as the apple of Sodom, or Dead Sea fruit, is often pierced by an insect, whose sting has the effect of shrivelling it and converting its inside to bitter dust. The name of Dead Sea apple, however, is applied to a gall nut, like that borne on our oaks, which also results from the stings of insects. The true egg-plant which bears that name because of its shape, and not for its flavor, was anciently believed to be a poison, especially to wits, wherefore it had the names of raging apple and mad apple. |
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