Why do we kiss under mistletoe at Christmas? What are the Christmas mistletoe plant facts? The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started way back in 16th century England. The custom traveled to early America, where kissing under the mistletoe was mentioned in a Washington Irving short story, “The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent.” In Irving’s day, whenever a couple kissed under a mistletoe sprig, they took off one of the white berries. When all of the berries were gone from the sprig, the kissing power stopped. How’s that for good luck? Mistletoe Once Symbolized Romance, Fertility, and Vitality At Christmastime, we think of kissing under a sprig of mistletoe. In the 21st century, that mistletoe sprig might be artificial. Yet, most folks (like me!) prefer the real thing and order fresh or dried mistletoe to carry on the "kiss under the mistletoe" tradition. Some scholars believe that the ancient Greeks started the kissing tradition when they celebrated … [Read more...] about Why We Kiss Under Mistletoe–Christmas Mistletoe Plant Facts
history
Frankincense and Myrrh: History and Uses
Frankincense and myrrh are two ancient resins with rich histories and profound cultural significance. But what exactly are the frankincense and myrrh history and uses? And why was the baby Jesus given these two substances as birthday gifts? Frankincense and myrrh history and uses have captivated human civilization for thousands of years. These aromatic substances, harvested from the resin of specific tree species, have been cherished for their diverse uses and symbolism throughout history. Frankincense: Origin and Plant Source Frankincense is not an herb. Rather, it is a resin obtained from trees of the Boswellia genus, predominantly the Boswellia sacra and Boswellia serrata species. These trees grow in arid regions of the Middle East and Africa, including countries such as Oman, Yemen, and Somalia. The resin is harvested by making small cuts in the tree's bark, allowing the aromatic sap to ooze out and harden into droplets, which are then collected. Myrrh: Origin and … [Read more...] about Frankincense and Myrrh: History and Uses