Herbs of the Zodiac - ARIES

From The Essential Herbal Mar/Apr '10

The beginning of a series from Susanna Reppert Brill of The Rosemary House

The Herbs of the Zodiac are those botanicals that are planted or grow or are harvested during a certain sign of the Zodiac and are considered essential to the well being of those born under that particular sign. Practiced in Europe 300 years ago, Astrological Herbology provided remedies for most ailments. Physicians of that period were expected to be proficient in the study of medicine and botany and astrology. Today centuries of accumulated knowledge makes it difficult to keep up with even one of these three subjects.

Nicolas Culpepper (1616-1654) was the most famous of the Astrologer-Physician of that era. His “Complete Herbal” is still being reprinted and is recommended reading for those interested in further study of Herbal Astrology.

This is the first in a series of twelve articles on Herbs of the Zodiac. We will take a look at twelve herbs for each sign starting with the first sign in the Zodiac year. The Vernal Equinox heralds the advent of Spring. Many of us prefer to start our year with the “natural year” beginning with the greening and growing world.

Born between March 21 and April 19, Ariens are children of energy, heat and activation. They are best as pioneers and try new things enthusiastically. A Fire Sign, ruled by the Planet Mars. Ariens enjoy easily prepared foods, but also well-flavored and elegantly presented foods. They find closest friends among Aquarians.

Twelve of the Herbs for Aries:

Nettles , Urtica dioica, very nutritive used in soup or on the skin
Burnet, Poterium sanguisorba, cucumber flavor without the peptic effect, grow in your garden and harvest year round
Rosemary, Rosemarinus officianalis, That’s for remembrances as well as to season chicken and to stimulate circulation in an invigorating bath
Cayenne: Capsicum Annuum , A seasoning that aids circulation, cayenne pepper also deters insects
Broom: Sorghum vulgare, Sweeps clean. Garlic: Allium sativum, The healthiest of all herbs, garlic helped to build the pyramids; a herb “food for man or beast”
Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica Signifies love and domestic happiness, sweet to man and bees
Mustard: Brassica alba, Ancient symbol of faith, mustard conquers all; an aid to digestion and pretty in the fields
Hawthorne: Crataegus oxycantha, there is no plant more useful; use the flowers or fruits to make tea, jelly or bouquets
Horseradish: Cochlearia armoracia, Few remedies can compare to this horse of a radish; delicious on roast beef, indispensable for cocktail sauce
Tobacco: Nicotiana affinis, Starry white flowers with a heavenly fragrance, found growing here by Columbus, a marvelous insecticide, for it’s a killer
Blessed Thistle: Silybum marianum, the root expels melancholy.

Zesty Aries Mustard

1 pt salad dressing style mustard
¼ C prepared horseradish
1 T garlic powder
2 t cayenne

Mix together and store in the refridgerator overnight until the flavors marry. Serve with small cubes of mild cheese or use any way you would use mustard. Great on Roast Beef.

Article submitted by Susanna Reppert Brill, The Rosemary House, Mechanicsburg, PA. This Herbs of The Zodiac series was originally written by Bertha Reppert (1919-1999) in 1984.

The book, written by Bertha Reppert is available (and VERY reasonable) here: http://www.therosemaryhouse.com/category/Books-By-Bertha-Reppert-5