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In March and April of 2009, when telling of Ivy, the Scottish pixie, strewing herbs were mentioned. I knew what she meant, but if asked to expound on the topic I would have been at a loss.

With a little investigating, I’ve learned more about the strewing herbs ~ their purpose, which herbs, and how they were used.

In the Middle Ages in Europe, bathing was put aside, as were other forms of cleanliness and hygiene. Obviously, odors and contamination were wide spread. To counteract bodily odors, as well as those in homes, people began to scatter, or strew, nicer smelling herbs.

Some just smelled good, other have astringent properties. Many of the herbs are also insecticides and disinfectants. Bedrooms, dining halls, and kitchens ~ all were strewn. The herbs were lain on the floors, along with reeds, rushes, or straw. As people walked over them, oils containing their individual pleasant odors were released.

Rich or poor, commoner or royal, all households used strewing herbs. In 1660 King Charles II created the post of Royal Herb Strewer. The last official strewer was Anne Fellowes, who scattered flowers and herbs at the coronation of George IV in 1820. To this day, the Fellowes claim this position for the eldest unmarried daughter of the family.

Thus, our custom of strewing rose petals before the bride as she enters the sanctuary.

Queen Elizabeth I, in the late 1500’s, favored Meadowsweet.

'Queene Elizabeth of famous memory, did more desire it than any other herb to strew her chambers withall.' John Gerard, Gerard's Herbal, published in 1597

In 1557, Thomas Tusser published Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry, including a list of Strewing Herbs. He was a farmer poet, best known for his proverb A fool and his money are soon parted. If you’d like to peruse his book, it’s available for reading on Google Books .

Tusser’s Strewing Herbs Bassell [Basil], fine and busht, sowe in May Bawlme [Lemon Balm], set in Marche Camamel [Chamomile] Catmint Costemary [Costmary/Bible Leaf] Cowsleps and paggles [Cowslips, ?] Daisies of all sorts Sweet fennel Germander Hop, set in Februarie Lavender [Lavendula officinalis] Lavender spike [Lavendula latifolia is very similar to other lavenders, but not as sweet and somewhat stronger] Lavender cotten [Santolina] Marjorom, knotted, [Sweet Marjoram] sow or set at the spring Mawdelin [Camphor Laurel] Mints Peny ryall [Pennyroyal] Roses of all sorts, in January and September Red myntes [Peppermint] Sage Tansey Violets Winter Savory

Other Herbs popular for strewing ~
Anise hyssop

Basil ~ the "king of herbs", a symbol of love
If you've lived or traveled in Asia, you will be familiar with the Thai Basil Seed Drink which has a consistency something like watermelon. Basil being a symbol of love, the bride and groom might consider sharing a cup.

Basil Seed Drink Ingredients 1 cup water 1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste 1 teaspoon honey 2 teaspoon basil seeds Directions Mix the water, sugar and honey together until sugar has dissolved.  This is quicker if you use warm water.  Add the basil seeds and let stand for two or three minutes until they have developed their jelly-like consistency.  Serve immediately. A little coconut milk may be added.

Bay also known as Sweet Bay, this is the laurel wreath of ancient Greece, given as a prize in the Olympic games. It’s also the clan plant of the Grahams, a symbol of Christ’s resurrection, and on the flag of the Dominican Republic.

Burnet

Camphor laurel, known to the ancients as Mawdelin and used by Mary Magdalen to anoint the feet of Jesus.

Catnip

Cedar, both shavings and branch tips

Chamomile, also known as earth apple for the apple like scent. The national flower of Russia, it is sown as grass on the lawns of Buckingham Palace. In Shakespeare’s Henry IV ~ "the Camomile; the more it is trodden on, the faster it grows".

Clove pinks render a spicy, clove-like scent, available in many colors, each having a separate meaning ~

• Light red carnations ~ admiration
  
• Dark red ~ deep love and affection
  
• White ~ pure love and good luck
  
• Striped or variegated ~ regret that a love cannot be shared
  
• Purple ~ capriciousness, while in France it is a traditional funeral flower, given in condolence for the death of a loved one
  
• Pink ~ a mother’s undying love, with tradition claiming that as Mary, the mother of Jesus, shed her tears as Jesus carried the cross, pinks sprang up where each tear fell

Costmary, also known as Bible Leaf, used in Medieval times as a place marker in Bibles and widely grown in Elizabethan knot gardens

Cowslips, or primulas, which grow in Sutherland and on Orkney, used to flavor country wines. Some other intriguing names are Peggle, Key of Heaven, Fairy Cups, Plumrocks, and Lady's Keys. A favorite food of wild rabbits, they were also used as garlands on Maypoles.

Feverfew, better known to us as pyrethrum, an insecticide, but also know as featherfew.

Fir

Fleawort, also known as ripple grass or plaintain

Scented Geranium, also known as Cranes bill and Dove’s foot

Germander Speedwell, also known as men's faithfulness and Bird's eye

Hyssop. Biblically refers to cleanliness in Psalm 51

Juniper

Lady's Bedstraw also known as Maid’s Hair, smells of new mown hay

Lady’s Mantle which grows along many rivulets in Scotland

Lavender, also called nard and spikenard which was one of the holy herbs used to prepare the holy essence used in the temple and mentioned in Song of Solomon as a fine spice

A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

At weddings, it has become a popular confetti to toss upon the bride and groom as they depart the celebration, in lieu of rice.

Lavender flowers can be candied and used as cake decorations.

Lavender Cotton, also known as Santolina

Lemon Peel

Lemon Balm

Marjoram, used to sweeten bedsheets

Meadowsweet, also known as Queen of the Meadow and Bbridewort, because it was strewn in churches for festivals and weddings, and often made into bridal garlands. Chaucer called it Meadwort, an ingredient in a drink called "Save".

Mint

Orange Peel

Oregano Origanum vulgare

Pennyroyal, also known as Lurk in the Ditch, Pudding Grass and Run by the Ground
One of its popular names, Pudding Grass, is from pennyroyal being an ingredient in hog's puddings. Often grown in cottage gardens and often hung in bedrooms, doctors thought it better than roses for maintaining general health.

In folklore, a garland of Pennyroyal made and worn about the head relieved swimming, pain, and giddiness in the head.

Pennyroyal ~ A Carol 'Far away in Sicily!' A home-come sailor sang this rhyme, Deep in an ingle, mug on knee, At Christmas time. In Sicily, as I was told, The children take them Pennyroyal, The same as lurks on hill and wold In Cotsall soil. The Pennyroyal of grace divine In little cradles they do weave Little cradles therewith they line On Christmas Eve. And there, as midnight bells awake The Day of Birth, as they do tell, All into bud the small buds break With sweetest smell. All into bud that very hour; And pure and clean, as they do say, The Pennyroyal's full in flower On Christmas Day. Far away in Sicily! Hark, the Christmas bells do chime! So blossom love in thee and me This Christmas time! ---W. B., Punch, December 19, 1917

Pine

Rose, a favorite strewing herb of Cleopatra

Rosemary was often strewn in churches, a symbol of remembrance, its name originally meant dew of the sea. In the Middle Ages, a bride would wear a rosemary headpiece and the groom and wedding guests would all wear a sprig of rosemary. Newly wed couples would plant a branch of rosemary on their wedding day. If the branch grew it was a good omen for the union and family. In ‘A Modern Herbal’, Mrs. Grieves says "A rosemary branch, richly gilded and tied with silken ribands of all colours, was also presented to wedding guests, as a symbol of love and loyalty."

Rue, in Lithuanian folk songs, known as an attribute of young girls, associated with virginity and maidenhood.

Sage, an ingredient in Four Thieves Vinegar, believed to have warded off the Plague. Some church-goers relied on the herb's sharp scent to keep them awake during long sermons

Sweet Flag, long a symbol of love and a favorite of Henry Thoreau and Walt Whitman. Known in the Bible as calamus, there are several references including Song of Solomon 4:14 mentioned above under lavender.

Sweet Woodruff, also known as wild baby's breath and master of the woods

Tansy, also known as Bitter Buttons and Golden Buttons

Thyme, ladies would often give knights and warriors gifts that included thyme leaves as it was believed to bring courage to the bearer.

Violets, delicious in salads, several liqueurs, candies, and scones

Winter Savory

Wormwood, once used to spice mead

A Few Additional Ideas

At one time, dried southernwood and lavender heads, and straw were placed under wool winter carpets before they were tacked down, adding a fresh aroma to the room and repelling wool eating insects.

Today, some housewives lay a thick layer of freshly dried aromatic leaves or branches under newspaper then lay down a small area rug, which is a delight when placed in closets ~ or where the bridal couple will stand to take their vows..

If an outdoor wedding or reception is planned, fresh herbs could be strewn around your decks and patios. Herbs with insect repelling properties such as tansy and pennyroyal work especially well in outdoor situations.

Lightly crushed fresh strewing herbs can be scattered by the handfuls around a patio or lawn just before a party. Pick the herbs early in the day to maximize their scents, keep the stems in water until ready to use, and use small stems or finely chopped larger stems to keep footing safe. Add an extra doormat if your guests will be coming indoors from the garden as damp herb bits can stick to shoes.

So, select some of your favorite flowers, ones that will be featured in your bouquets and arrangements, or clan plants and consider how you might use them as part of your wedding celebration.

June 2, 2011 16:35 - Revised Publishing Schedule

After a month’s rest and publishing yesterday’s blog, I have to admit to myself my eyes are not adequately healed to resume a daily blog.

My husband has suggested a once monthly publication, which I can work on a little every day.

So my next publication will be July 1st, and the first of each month thereafter, until such time as my eyes heal.