25 + 12 Days of Christmas - herbs + history + fun stuff.

Dear Folks,

Syrian Oregano

With my love of all things culinary herbal, two years ago I decided to expand my research and knowledge into the culinary herbs mentioned in the Bible.

The Biblical lands are home to 3 of the world's major religions and those lands are so similar to our own desert southwest, we can grow those herbs here.

You may wish to bookmark this page so you can come back as you wish to look up a day or herb.


So without further ado - check out my "Herbal Advent Calendar" of multi-cultural herbs and celebrations.


25 Days of Celebrating the Multicultural festivities of December, I thought I would pick an herb or spice which is referenced in the Bible (land of three of the Major Religions of the world) and used in many cuisines around the entire world, as a way of gathering together all the wealth of diversity around us - in true celebration.

A note about the herbs and spices I selected. There is agreement on some of the herbs of the Bible (garlic, onion and mint for example) and some continuing discussion on which plant the Bible referred to.  After many years there is a consensus - although still discussed by some - that the Hyssop of the Bible is Syrian Oregano (Origanum maru).  Since Hyssop (Hyssopus officionalis) is not indigenous to the lands of the Bible but Syrian Oregano is, I have included it as the Biblical plant.

I am including some of the most enjoyed songs of the Christmas and secular celebrations of the month.

Herbs of The Bible

Myrtle, Anise, Cinnamon, Cassia, Chamomile, Chicory, Dandelion, Sow Thistle, Horseradish, Sorrel, Coriander, Lavender, Cumin, Dill, Mint, Hyssop, Garlic, Leek, Sage, NIgella, Laurel, Onion, Mustard, Marjoram, and Saffron.

Myrtle
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations.html
Anise
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_2.html
Cinnamon
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_3.html
Cassia (Cinnamomum iners)
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_4.html
Chamomile
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_5.html
Chicory
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_6.html
Dandelion
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_7.html
Sow Thistle (Milk Thistle)
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_8.html
Horseradish
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_9.html
Sorrel
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_10.html
Coriander (Cilantro seed)
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_11.html
Lavender (called Spikenard in the Bible)
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_12.html
Cumin
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_13.html
Dill
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_14.html
Mint
https://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_15.html
Hyssop – of the Bible is generally recognized as Syrian Oregano Origanum syriacum
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_16.html
Garlic
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_17.html
Leek
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_18.html
Sage
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_19.html
Nigella (BlackCumin or Black Caraway)
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_20.html
Laurel (Bay Leaf)
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_21.html
Onion
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_22.html
Mustard
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_23.html
Marjorum/Marjoram
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_24.html
Saffron
http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2015/12/25-days-of-herbs-and-celebrations_25.html

12 Days of Christmas Blog Post links

While some folks, particularly the commercial companies,  celebrate the 12 days of Christmas leading UP to Christmas Day - the 12 days actually begin with Christmas Day and end on January 6th, Epiphany.  Sometimes called "Little Christmas" (our family celebrated this too), these 12 days are usually ended with a "12th Night Feast".

I first posted on the 12 days of Christmas back in 2008.

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2008/12/12-days-of-christmas-christmas-day.html

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2008/12/12-days-of-christmas-2nd-day-of.html 

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2008/12/12-days-of-christmas-3rd-day-of.html 

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2008/12/12-days-of-christmas-4th-day-of.html 

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2008/12/12-days-of-christmas-5th-day-of.html 

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2008/12/12-days-of-christmas-6th-day-of.html 

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2008/12/12-days-of-christmas-7th-day-of.html 

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2009/01/12-days-of-christmas-8th-day-of.html 

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2009/01/12-days-of-christmas-9th-day-of.html 

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2009/01/12-days-of-christmas-10th-day-of.html

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2009/01/12-days-of-christmas-11th-day-of.html

http://edibleherbsandflowers.blogspot.com/2009/01/12-days-of-christmas-12th-day-of.html

A nice site for talking to and teaching your children or grandchildren, about the multicultural celebrations of December, is Education World, with this nice page.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson246.shtml


If you want to grow more culinary herbs - check out my herb planting chart for purchase ($5.00).  It is a PDF so you can have it handy all the time.  I cover 48 culinary herbs with suggested planting times and food pairing information.  Click here to go directly to the page or find it in the side bar on the top right of this blog.

I hope you find this a fun way to explore herb history and fun ideas.

Have a best day in the garden and kitchen!


-- Catherine, The Herb Lady

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