The word perfume has its roots in the Latin “per,” meaning “through” and “fumum,” meaning, “smoke.” Throughout history, people have burned pleasant smelling herbs, sending their prayers heavenward and thus gaining attention of the deities.

Burning frankincense and myrrh resins helped purify the air: thus, when burned in public places of worship, they would help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

• Myrrh (Comniphora myrrha) is native to the area around the Red Sea and used as a preservative for wine and in embalming of the dead.
• Frankincense (Boswellia carterii), native to Arabia and East Africa has been burned as an incense to help clear the mind and respiratory tract.
• Mistletoe (Viscum album) in Europe and (Phoradendron flavescens variety in America) is another herb associated with the holiday season. About 200 years B.C., the Druids celebrated the beginning of winter by gathering mistletoe and hanging it in their homes for good fortune. Considered a sacred plant, which grows as a parasite on oak and several other trees, only the highest-ranking priest collected the plant, using a gold knife. Many scholars believe mistletoe to be” The Golden Bough”.A Nordic legend that tells of Balder, the son of Frigga (goddess of love), who was protected from harm, mistletoe being the only thing that might harm him. An arrow from mistletoe was made and Balder was mortally wounded. So grieved was Frigga, when her tears fell on the mistletoe they were transformed into the white berries, thus mistletoe became regarded as a symbol of peace and was hung high. Whoever should kiss under the plant would receive a blessing and if enemies met under the plant, they must lay down their arms and keep a truce for the entire day. Tradition dictates that with each kiss under the mistletoe, a berry is removed. The plant can be toxic if consumed, so keep away from children and pets.

• Evergreens retain their greenery all year round making them a symbol of eternal life. Decorating trees was to honor and ensure the continuation of the seasons. It is a tradition thought to originate in Germany in the early 700’s. Trees were originally decorated outdoors while still growing. The first ornaments were nuts, fruit, cookies, candles and paper flowers all offerings to thank the spirit of the tree. The star at the top is said to represent the unity of all the elements.For centuries, The Church discouraged the decorating of trees because of its Pagan origins. In 1643, the British Parliament abolished all Christmas festivities. However, when Queen Victoria decorated a fir tree for Windsor castle in 1841, the acceptance for this tradition was gained.

• The “little people” were welcomed into homes by hanging sprigs of holly as hiding places during the coldest months. Holly wreaths are brought indoors to await the arrival of the Winter Elf King, a.k.a. Santa.
• Peppermint has long been symbolic of this season as it was both hot, representing the sun and cold to denote winter. Candy cane was fashioned in more recent years, white for virginity, red symbolizing the blood of Christ and a J for Jesus.
• Poinsettias are the only New World plant included in holiday traditions because of its red and green color at this time of year. It originates from Mexico, and according to a legend, a poor boy wanted to give a gift to the Christ child and the poinsettia blossomed at his feet. During the nineteenth century, Dr, Joel Pointsett, an amateur botanist and ambassador to Mexico, brought them back to the US and the plant was renamed in his honor.

When we bring these colorful members of the Plant Kingdom into our homes to give grace and beauty they are a reminder of our connection with nature.

What are some of your favorite herbal holiday traditions?
Brigitte Mars, a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, is a nutritional consultant who has been working with Natural Medicine for over forty years. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University, Omega, Boulder College of Massage, and Bauman Holistic College of Nutrition. She has a weekly local radio show called “Naturally” on KGNU and a private practice. Brigitte is the author of twelve books, including The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Beauty by Nature, Addiction Free Naturally, Healing Herbal Teas, and Rawsome!. Click here for more healthy living articles, raw food recipes, videos, workshops, books, and more at www.brigittemars.com”

Source: The Huffington Post

Q&A with Author Anna Getty

Q: How can being green save you money?

Getty: When you use less you buy less. If we buy less ipso facto we save money.

Q: How does the book help to teach your kids to be green?

Getty: This book is about creating family traditions. This book is about being more green during a very wasteful time of year. If we incorporate our children into these new traditions of crafting with what we already have, making gifts and not buying gifts, we help our children become more green and more conscientious about respecting the planet. Children learn through example. If we make changes with our own wasteful habits , our children will adopt these changes as their own.

Q: What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Getty: Baking Christmas cookies with my daughter and her little friends.

Q: What is a good place to start if you are new to the green movement?

Getty: Start with easy doable steps. If you are not recycling, start recycling, if you still use stores plastic bags switch to paper (many paper bags are now made from recycled paper) or better yet bring your own cloth bags. Do one or two things and let them become a part of you rather then too many at once and then give up. In terms of the holidays, ditch the store bought wrapping paper. Most store bought wrapping paper uses virgin paper stock and toxic dyes or ink. Go for recycled wrapping paper or reuse paper (just be careful when you open gifts so you can save it to rewrap). Or find alternative ways of wrapping like using old maps or music sheets, or pages out of magazines or old newspapers and books.

Q: Are there any tips from the experts in the book that surprised you?

Getty: Darren Moore of www.ecovations.com surprised me with the information that having ones home Energy Star Home Performance tested could cut ones energy consumption in half. I also really loved Jeffrey Hollender of Seventh Generation’s tip about being reflective and appreciative during the holiday time.

Q: What’s your favorite recipe or craft from the book?

Getty: Hard to pick as I love so many of them but my favorite recipe hands down is the Trufled Goat Cheese Macaroni and Cheese and the Recycled Christmas Card Gift tags is pretty high up there in the crafts.

Responsible red The Cooper Mountain Vineyard composts grape skins and stems to nourish the soil naturally. Its Pinot Noir ($25; CooperMountainWine.com) benefits your body, too: Organic reds have more antioxidants than conventional ones do. Post-party, send stoppers to TerraCycle to turn them into corkboards.

A better brew Fight global warming with a cold one! The Sierra Nevada Pale Ale ($8 for six) brewery converts oil from its on-site restaurant into biodiesel for its trucks. Stash beer in a cooler to keep the fridge from losing its chill every time you open it.

Earthwise white Wind and solar energy power the Parducci Wine Cellars. Please your palate with its Sustainable White ($11; Parducci.com) in enviro-chic cups, such as stemless glasses made from recycled car windows ($22 for two; UncommonGoods.com).

Green spirits The maker of TRU Straight Vodka ($35; TRUVodka.com) plants a tree for every bottle sold. Mix with juice from fresh, in-season grapefruit and garnish with a swirl of honey.

Source: Self.com

Green living isn’t just for at home. Starting a green workstyle isn’t hard. You may not have total control over everything in the workplace ,but you can start small and share your new found earth-friendly attitude with your co-workers. Start by using less paper products and cut down on your energy use. Check out this video and manage your carbon footprint on the J.O.B.

The packaging is 100% biodegradable. Plus, 100% of the proceeds will help protect waterways from polluters by way of the Waterkeepers Alliance. The lotion retails at $55.00 and is great for dry skin and eczema.

This lotion may be green but who can afford the green to buy it. I’ll be looking around for the hook-up.

 Get a jump start on spring and give your room a floral view. Set up a mini-herb garden on a windowsill, counter or breakfast bar. Bringing the outside in will boost your mood.

Plus, discover your inner chef by using the herbs as you cook or blend a few to make tea. Collect your favorite herbs in small pots…display and use. There you have it…instant-bliss!

Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste. Opt for a reusable water bottle made of aluminum rather than plastic when you are on the go.

Aubrey Organics

Carol’s Daughter

Kiss My Face

Arbonne

Origins

Saffron Rouge

Aveda

M.O.P. Modern Organic Products

Giovanni Cosemetics

Green fact: wearing out a single rechargeable has 28 times less impact on global warming than using alkalines.