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.”

Matthew 17:20 “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Mustard is a bit confusing to some.

When we spread mustard on a sandwich we seldom stop to think of it as being a garden green that can be cooked like turnip greens or used as salad greens.

The entire plant is useful…the flowers and leaves for cooking and for salads. The seeds for sauces and spreads.

Those who juice or go the smoothie route…don’t forget the mustard.
Green, right from the garden with a sweet apple…yummy!

Mustard greens have a peppery flavor and add spice to salads that tend to be bland.

Medicinally it is used for many things…one being inflammation and pain.

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.
~
**Hyssop is not a culinary herb.**

It grows to 3 feet high and looks much like a lavender plant.

It has many medicinal uses, both old and modern updates.

Some of well known uses are for colds, coughs, and chest infections.

The flowers in your bath water are aromatic and eases the pain of rheumatism.
The green tops, cut and bruised will heal cuts promptly.

Hyssop is not recommended for those with epileptic issues or for pregnant women.

Expectorant, diaphoretic, stimulant, pectoral, carminative. The healing virtues of the plant are due to a particular volatile oil, which is stimulative, carminative and sudorific.

The infusion has an agreeable flavor and is used by herbalists in pulmonary diseases.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is mentioned only once in the Bible. It was held in great esteem by the ancient Egyptians.
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(Numbers 11:5) “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.”
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Garlic is one of the best preventive options we have at our disposal to build a strong immune system.

Include garlic in all your meals and know that you are doing something wonderful for yours and your family’s health.

1 to 5 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped oregano
1/4 cup chopped basil
1/4 cup chopped thyme
sprinkling of pink or kosher salt
sprinkling of fresh ground black pepper
sprinkling of cayenne (optional)

Toss a desired amount into any dish from scrambled eggs to your dinner dish of stews, soups, and casseroles.

This blend is delicious mixed with a small amount of mustard,( or mayo) spread on a french roll and layered with ham or pastrami, wrapped with baking foil and steamed until hot.

Serve with hot unpasteurized Apple Cider…you’ve just had a heaping dose of immune building goodies for the day.

PS: to eliminate the odor of garlic just swish with water and baking soda…or chew a few sprigs of oregano or parsley.

HERBS of the Bible~Day Four~~
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.”~

(Old Testament) “For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.
~
Cumin (pronounced “KYOO-min”) is a spice made from the dried seed of a plant known as Cuminum cyminum. A member of the parsley family.

Ancient Romans used cumin the way people do pepper today, as an all-purpose seasoning for nearly every food.

Cumin is well loved in Middle Eastern and Indian dishes.

Lamb, curries and yogurt are among the most popular foods that call for Cumin.
Black Cumin, while not easy to find in certain locations, imparts a milder flavor…I find it best for those foods that don’t need a strong influence.
It’s also used to flavor liqueurs and for pickling.

The seed is used in perfumery and veterinary medicine.

It’s medicinal uses are for flatulence, colic, indigestion and diarrhea.
This is my favorite blend for Indian food or any food that you wish to impart a good bite.

**Equal amounts of: cardamon, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.**
Just blend well and store in an airtight jar…I make small batches as needed for a few weeks use.

Does wonders for a basic Chili recipe.
And it spices up a cup of plain tea or hot chocolate cup.
Enjoy~

Coriander-A Bible Herb~

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.
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Coriander/Cilantro is fast becoming one of the most popular fresh herbs in the U.S. The foliage is called Cilantro, while the edible seed is Coriander.
( the plant looks very much like the Italian parsley plant.)But…can easily be identified by the aroma. Very pungent.

Coriander seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen, dating back to around 1300 BC.

The plant was brought to Britain by the Romans; in the first century AD.

The Coriander seeds are delicious in soups and breads and is a main ingredient in a good “curry powder.”

Mix together:

1oz dried ginger
1oz coriander seed
1oz cardamon seed
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1oz turmeric powder

Grind to a fine blend with pestle and mortar/store in an air tight glass jar.

( this blend is wonderful added to sour cream for a spicy dipping bowl.)

Medicinal use:

The seeds are most potent for calming indigestion and helps digest fatty foods.

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy massage for muscular aches and stress related indigestion.

We usually have at least one Mexican meal during the holidays and this blend is a staple.

Enjoy….experiment~

For those who doubt the benefits from using herbs in the kitchen….ponder the fact….in the times we are discussing….herbs were entirely for medicine-culinary usage did not come into play until much, much later.

For example…nothing better for our system than the Warm herbs…ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, clove, etc.
Just a shake in everything you consume will pack a wallop at the end of the day.

There are at least twelve herbs that are mentioned in the Bible.

I think the Holiday Season is a perfect time to ponder these.
 

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.
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Aloe today is a major herb in the field of Natural health and medicine.

The most well know uses are the benefits in treating burns, from small mishaps to badly burned cases, sunburn, eczema, psoriasis, and any other skin inflammation.

Mixed with cucumber juice it can be used to help immune function, digestive function and conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

Keeping an Aloe Vera plant in your garden or a small pot in the kitchen can be a fast and helpful remedy for small bites and scrapes from everyday activities, especially if you have small children.

It’s also great for a soft and healthy complexion.

The leaves can be broken and the gel applied directly to the skin.

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