Knowing the herbs, plants used in Advent wreaths

By Marilyn McKinley

OSU Extension master gardener volunteer

The word Advent means “coming.” Christians celebrate the four weeks leading to Christmas Day, on each Sunday. Advent wreaths made of greens, herbs and candles are popular.

Herbs and plants commonly used in the Advent wreath are: juniper, boxwood, bedstraw, rosemary, lavender, thyme, pennyroyal, rue, sage and horehound. The circle shape of the wreath represents never-ending life.

Juniper and boxwood branches represent long life and immortality. Both are used as the base of the wreath and are associated with everlasting life and hope.

Bedstraw (goose grass or catch weed) is said to have been used as manger hay for the Christ child. Bedstraw is considered a weed, has a soft texture and is yellow in color. It grows wild here as well as the Middle East. It is a perennial that blooms in June and early July. Harvest bedstraw just as clusters of flowers are opening and hang to dry.

Rosemary represents love and loyalty. Known in the Holy Land as “Dew of the Sea,” ancients wore sprigs of rosemary around the head, thinking it would improve memory. Legend tells us that rosemary will never grow taller than Jesus or live longer than he did.

Lavender symbolizes purity and virtue. It is said the bushes were used as a drying rack for Jesus’ swaddling clothing. It has also been told that Mary’s clothing turned blue when it came into contact with lavender flowers.

Thyme is a manger herb that symbolized bravery and courage. It is native to Europe and Asia, and grows wild in the Holy Land. There are many types of sage, some growing upright, some forming ground covers.

Pennyroyal represents wisdom and is native to the Holy Land. It is one of the sweet manger herbs. It has bright green leaves and a pleasant aroma. It has been used to repel mosquitoes and fleas; the flowers attract bees. Legend has it that it bloomed at midnight on Christmas Eve.

Rue is the herb of grace and said to banish evil. Rue is heavily scented, with bitter-tasting leaves once widely regarded as a medical cure all. Be careful when handling rue it may cause a rash.

Sage. It is told that when fleeing, Mary hid behind a sage plant. The soldiers passed her by, since that time sage has been considered sacred and believed to possess many curative powers.

Horehound is listed as an herb found in the manger. It supposedly foretold of sorrows and betrayal to come.