Holiday Herbs

with Nathaniel Whitmore, Herbalist

Frankincense & Myrrh

Frankincense and Myrrh were brought to the birth of Jesus Christ. These
resins are potent herbal medicines, just as with the resinous conifers, with
anti-microbial and antifungal properties.
Myrrh is a specific remedy for toothaches. A species of the genus
(Commiphora) is processed into Guggul, which has been receiving a lot of
attention as an anti-cholesterol herb. (Myrrh in its unproccessed state is
quite resinous, making it hard to absorb internally and harmful for the
kidneys.) It is great for external use or incense. Both Myrrh and Guggul have
many medicinal uses.
Frankincense and Myrrh are both used to relieve pain. Frankincense especially
is marketed (often under its latin name, Boswellia) for arthritis and other
inflammatory conditions.
Both Frankincense and Myrrh are associated with spirituality and are available
in essential oil form.

Holly & Mistletoe

Holly is diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, and purgative. Since the
various species of Holly are generally regarded as somewhat toxic herbal
uses have not prevailed in modern times. Some species, such as Yerba Mate
(a South American species used commonly as a beverage), are non-toxic and
regularly employed; but most have fallen out of use. Native Americans
historically used Holly for fevers, digestive problems, and ceremonially.
The native wild Holly species in the area are mostly deciduous and have lost
their leaves, but you might see their red berries out now, which can be
recognized by the way the berries cling close to the branch in tight clusters.
Both evergreen and deciduous species are used for Christmas decorations.
Misletoe is available in Europe and Asia in commercial products (with names
like "Iscador" and "Isorel") for use in cancer treatment. Traditional goes back
to the Druids, who considered it sacred.

Christmas Trees

A Christmas tree could be any species. They tend to be species of Spruce,

Pine, and Fir. The conifer, or evergreen, species have common medicinal
properties. They are mostly aromatic, resinous, and warming. This makes
them useful for colds, coughs, and flu (they tend to be diaphoretic,
expectorant, and anti-microbial). Conifers are also a good source of vitamin
C.
Balsam Fir is commonly used in essential oil form. It is a great topical
antiseptic
Although it is used less for Christmas trees as Pine and Spruce, Hemlock is
also great medicinal (the Hemlock tree, Tsuga canadensis and related
species, not to be confused with Poison Hemlock, Conium maculatum and
related species). It also is a good choice for lung congestion and the like
Cedar is favorite medicine of Native Americans, considered a sacred herb and
used in ceremony.
Rosemary plants, trained to grow and pruned into the conical Christmas tree
shape, are also common this time of the year. It is a circulatory stimulant,
often used for headaches.
Medicinal Properties of Christmas Trees
Cedar- expectorant, diaphoretic, antiseptic
Fir- antiseptic, expectorant
Hemlock- expectorant, diaphoretic, astringent
Pine- expectorant, diaphoretic, astringent
Rosemary- carminative, circulatory stimulant
Spruce- expectorant, diaphoretic, astringent

Seasonal Spices
There are several common spices associated with Christmas. Remember the
medicinal uses of the spices and consider using them as the focus of dishes
and beverages. As with most spices, those we tend to use at Christmas are
often digestive aids (called carminatives). Carminatives help to dispel
intestinal gas and help to counter the effects of heavy stagnant food. Many
are also diaphoretics- herbs that help to sweat out sicknesses, especially at

onset. They also tend to be expectorants, which are herbs that help to clear
mucus out of the lungs.
Christmas time herbs tend to have an energetically warm nature. This makes
them particularly appropriate to use in a hot herbal brew for countering the
effects of cold weather. Even though inflammation is considered heat,
ginger and cinnamon are powerful anti-inflammatory agents.
The Medicinal Properties of Common Christmas Spices
Cinnamon- diaphoretic, carminative, warming circulatory stimulant
Cloves- carminative, toothache remedy
Ginger- diaphoretic, carminative, expectorant, anti-nausea, warming
circulatory stimulant
Nutmeg- carminative, nervine
Peppermint- carminative, diaphoretic, nervine

Summary of Herbal Remedies by Medicinal Property

Diaphoretics (for colds, fevers, and flu):
Hemlock, Pine, Ginger, Cinnamon, Spruce take as hot infusion
Expectorants (for lung congestion):
Hemlock, Pine, Ginger, Cinnamon, Spruce infusion or decoction as
appropriate, or tincture
Antiseptics (for infections):
Myrrh, Frankincense, Fir (topical) use essential oil preparation
Hemlock, Pine, Clove, Spruce (lungs) infusion or essential oil
Carminatives (for digestive sluggishness and gas):
Cinnamon, Ginger, Clove, Nutmeg, Frankincense take as infusion or
tincture
(most of the other herbs mentioned above are carminatives, which is indicated by their
aromatic quality)

Analgesics (for pain):

Rosemary (headaches) use as infusion
Clove, Myrrh (toothaches) clove essential oil is good here
Frankincense, Cinnamon, Ginger (arthritis) try fresh ginger slices with
honey in hot water
Mistletoe (cancer) special preparations
See Carminatives above for herbs to use for bellyaches and gas
pains
Nervines (for nervous tension and holiday stress):

Peppermint, Myrrh, Frankincense, Nutmeg, Cedar try peppermint

infusion, frankincense as essential oil or incense, cedar is good for
smudge