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Herb of the Month

When researching the herbs to include in the Bible-themed herb garden, one may find different herbs referenced for the same verse. This inconsistency is due to the many different translations of the same verse. One translation may attempt to specifically identify an herb while another translation may refer to it more simply, as in "bitter herb." Below is a listing of herbs mentioned in the Bible or associated with the Christian religion.

Book / Verse Listing:

When the people of Israel were getting ready to leave Egypt, God told Moses and Aaron that the Israelites were to “eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs” (»»Exodus 12:8).

In the first month of the second year after they left Egypt, God spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai, Moses was told that the people of Israel were to celebrate Passover “on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs” (»»Numbers 9:11).

Most modern gardeners think of herbs as plants which are grown for seasoning, fragrance or medicine, but the bitter herbs which are referred to in the Bible may have been leafy vegetables. The term “bitter herbs” may refer to salad greens that the Israelites had developed a taste for during their long stay in Egypt. Ancient Egyptians ate lettuce, endive, chicory and dandelion leaves, all can have a bitter taste at times.

After the Israelites left Egypt, they wandered in the wilderness for a generation. During this time they yearned for the food that they had enjoyed in Egypt. “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost--also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.” (»»Numbers 11:5-6)

The cucumbers that were grown in Egypt are Cucumis Sativus, the same sort of cucumbers which we grow in our gardens today. The term “melons” may refer to the hairy cucumbers (Cucumis chate) that are also known as the “round-leaved Egyptian melon”. When the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, they grew cucumbers or melons, as is indicated in »»Isaiah 1:8. Many scholars think that the term “melon” refers to Cucumis melo, which are known as muskmelons and cantaloupes. Muskmelons are native to Persia and southern Asia, some experts think that they may have been native plants in Egypt. Watermelons have been grown in Egypt since the beginning of written history, and probably in prehistoric Egypt.

It is uncertain whether the leeks of the Bible were the same sort of plants that modern gardeners know as leeks. Some scholars think that they are the same plants; others think that they may have been fenugreeks (Trigonella foenum-graecum). Both plants were grown in ancient Egypt, so either would be appropriate for a Bible garden. The most appropriate sort of Onions for a Bible garden are the Egyptian or Bermuda types, they were, and are, eaten in Egypt as vegetables, rather than just used for seasoning. The garlic referred to in »Numbers 11:5-6 probably included both shallots (Allium ascalonicum) and common garlic (Allium sativum), it is certain that common garlic was cultivated in ancient Egypt. If the Israelites weren’t familiar with shallots in Egypt, they undoubtedly grew them later.

Every Bible garden should include Lentils (Lens esculenta); Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of lentils (»»Genesis 25: 29-34). Broad beans (fabia vulgaris) should also be grown. In »»2 Samuel 17: 27-29, we read, “They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils”. Scholars say that these beans were unquestionably broad beans.

Two herbs that I would include in this garden are coriander and wormwood.

In »»Numbers 11:7, manna is said to be similar to coriander seed.

The Latin name for wormwood is artemisia, Biblical scholars think that the wormwood in the Bible is most likely to be either Artemisia herba alba or Artemisia judaica. It may be difficult to find seeds of these specific species, but there are a number of artemisias that are available in nurseries and they are all wormwoods. Wormwood is mentioned a number of times in the Bible, it is always connected with bitterness. One of the more interesting passages is in »»Lamentations 3:15-19 “He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drunk with wormwood”. A drink called »»absinthe was very popular in 19th century France, it was made using Artemisia absinthium, the Israelites may have brewed a similar drink.

Herb / Plant Listing:

Aloe (Aquilari agalloche) is believed to be the only tree descended to man from the Garden of Eden.

(»»Numbers 24:6) Like valleys that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is referenced several times in the Old Testament.

(»»Exodus 16:31) Now the house of Israel called its name manna; it was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is an herb native to the upper areas of the Nile, mentioned in the Bible, along with Mint (Mentha sp.), when Jesus reproved the scribes.

(»»Matthew 23:23) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."

Garlic (Allium sativum) is mentioned only once in the Bible. It was held in great esteem by the ancient Egyptians.

(»»Numbers 11:5) "We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic."

Hyssop (Sorghum vulgare) is known as the holy herb. Hyssop was used to cleanse the temples and other sacred places of the Egyptians. David mentions hyssop in Psalms 51:7. Hyssop as we know it may or may not be the hyssop mentioned by David. There is some debate since the derivation of the name hyssop is in the Greek word hussopos and the Hebrew esob, meaning simply, "holy herb."

(»»Psalms 51:7) Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Mustard (Brassica nigra) is described in Matthew 13:31 as "the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof."

Rose (Rosa spp.) The name for a rose is almost the same in every European language. Dried roses have been found in Egyptian tombs.

(»»Isaiah 35:1) The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the rose.

Rue (Ruta graveolens) has long been the symbol of sorrow and repentance, and may have been nicknamed the "herb of grace" in Christian times for the grace given by God following repentance for one’s sins. Brushes made from rue were once used to sprinkle holy water at the ceremony preceding High Mass.

(»»Luke 11:42) "But woe to you Pharisees! for you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God; these you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is frequently mentioned in Scripture, always for its bitterness. According to legend, wormwood grew up in the trail left by the serpent’s tail as it slithered out of the Garden of Eden.

(»»Jeremiah 23:15) Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: "Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and give them poisoned water to drink; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone forth into all the land."

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a symbol of fidelity and remembrance once used in the holiest of Christian ceremonies, the wedding and the funeral. For centuries people thought that the rosemary plant would never grow higher than 6 feet in 33 years so as not to stand taller than Christ. Another story tells that the flowers were originally white, but changed to blue when the Virgin Mary hung her cloak on the bush while fleeing from Herod’s soldiers with the Christ child.

Costmary (Chrysanthemem balsamita) is also known as Bible leaf because in Colonial times a leaf served as a bookmark in Bibles and prayer books. When drowsiness set in, the sleeper treated himself to the minty leaf to stay awake.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and Dill (Anethum graveolens) were carried to prayer meetings in Colonial times in small pouches. The seeds were used to curb the appetite. They were called "meeting seeds."

This list was compiled by Jane Dole of Indiana, Pennsylvania. Her article appears in Phyllis V. Shaudys’ Herbal Treasures (Storey Communications, Inc. Schoolhouse Road, Pownal VT 05261: 1990)

Read our Archived Herb Articles

	Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum Coriander, Cilantro was our herb of the month in September 2007. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm was our herb of the month in August 2007. CLICK HERE
	Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2007. CLICK HERE
	Epazote, (Chenopodium amborsiodes) Epazote was our herb of the month in June 2007. CLICK HERE
	Sage, (Salvia species) Sage was our herb of the month in May 2007. CLICK HERE
	Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in April 2007. CLICK HERE
	Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis Our herb of the month in March 2007. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis Our herb of the month in February 2007. CLICK HERE
	Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa Our herb of the month in January 2007. CLICK HERE
	Ginger, Zingiber officinale Our herb of the month in November 2006. CLICK HERE
	Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita Our herb of the month in October 2006. CLICK HERE
	Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus Our herb of the month in September 2006. CLICK HERE
	Horsetail, Equisetum arvense Our herb of the month in August 2006. CLICK HERE
	Cayenne, Capsicum frutescens Our herb of the month in June 2006. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriodoro Our herb of the month in May 2006 . CLICK HERE
	Scented Geranium, (Pelargonium species) Our herb of the month in April 2006 and Herb of the Year 2006 . CLICK HERE
	Mexican Mint Marigold, (Tagetes Lucida) Our herb of the month in March 2006. CLICK HERE
	Rose, Rosa Species Revisit Rose, our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE
	Sweet Bay, (Grecian Laurel) Laurus nobilis Our herb of the month in January 2006. CLICK HERE
	Herbs of the Bible Our herb of the month in Decembers 2005. CLICK HERE
	Sage, (Salvia species) Sage was our herb of the month in November 2005. CLICK HERE
	Lemongrass, (Cymbopogon citratus) Tender perennial Lemongrass was our herb of the month in October 2005. CLICK HERE
	Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale Dandelion was our herb of the month in September 2005. CLICK HERE
	Borage, Borago officinalis Borage was our herb of the month in August 2005. CLICK HERE
	Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2005. CLICK HERE
	Scented Geranium, Pelargonium species Parsley was our herb of the month in May/June 2005. CLICK HERE
	Parsley, Petroselinum sativum Parsley was our herb of the month in March/April 2005. CLICK HERE
	Rose, Rosa Species Rose was our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE
	Arugula, Roquette, Eruca vesiceria sub, sativa Arugula was our herb of the month in January 2005. CLICK HERE
	Calendula, Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis Calendula was our herb of the month in December 2004. CLICK HERE
	Winter Savory, Satureja Montana Winter Savory was our herb of the month in November 2004. CLICK HERE
	Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum Echinacea was our herb of the month in October 2004. CLICK HERE
	Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Echinacea was our herb of the month in September 2004. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Verbena Mint was our herb of the month in August 2004. CLICK HERE
	Mint Mint was our herb of the month in July 2004. CLICK HERE
	Hoja Santum Hoja Santum was our herb of the month in June 2004. CLICK HERE
	Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in May 2004. CLICK HERE
	Thyme Thyme was our herb of the month in April 2004. CLICK HERE
	Oregano Oregano was our herb of the month in October 2003. CLICK HERE
	Peppermint Ideas Peppermint was our herb of the month in August 2003. Our readers sent in these ideas on how they use peppermint. CLICK HERE
	Fall Herb Gardening CLICK HERE