8 Herbs That Symbolize Love and Romance

Herbs and other plants have a centuries-long history of symbolizing love and devotion. In ancient Athens, people wove mint and marigolds into bridal garlands and wreaths, and in classical Rome, brides carried wheat for fertility and rosemary to ensure the groom's fertility. In medieval times, European brides carried pungent herbs such as garlic and chives to keep spirits from disrupting their happiness. The pinnacle of romantic use of herbs may have come during Victorian times, when roses, lavender, pansies, and marjoram were carefully combined with one another and with other herbs to create formulas for romantic success and contentment.

Here are eight modern herbs you can use to communicate your love and romantic intentions.

Purple Basil

Basil -- Basil became a symbol of love in Italy. In the folklore of Moldavia, a young man who accepts basil from a young woman is destined to fall in love with her.

Calendula 

Calendula -- Early Christians often brought these flowers to adorn statues of the Virgin Mary, which may be the origin of its use in love charms. According to the modern language of herbs, calendula means "joy." What a lovely thing to say to your beloved. You can add calendula to your teas, but even more romantic, add it to your romantic bath by candlelight. For young valentines, a sweet calendula-flavored soap is a gentle and loving gesture.

Thyme -- Thyme has a long history during which it has symbolized many things. According to the modern language of herbs, thyme brings with it the meaning of affection, which is perfect for either young love or deep friendship. What better way to express your devotion to someone than to include a sprig of thyme in a bouquet.

patchouli

Patchouli -- The heady scent of patchouli is not surprisingly included in a list of romance herbs. According to the modern language of herbs, patchouli means "passion." To use patchouli to its fullest extent, tuck some dried patchouli into small sleep pillows or sachet. The rich, lusty scent can entice your love to feel romantic.

Yarrow -- In the modern language of herbs, yarrow means "everlasting love." Yarrow has a naturally spicy flavor, so use a light hand, and include it in your teas or baths.

                

               Lavender -- In the modern language of love,                                     Lavender means "devotion and undying love." It is                           no surprise that lavender has always been                                           considered a herb of love since its delicious and                                 romantic scent is adored by almost everyone. An                               increasingly popular modern tradition is to use 

               dried lavender petals as wedding confetti.

Oregano -- Although we think of oregano primarily as a cooking herb, the ancient Greeks believed that it was the herb of Aphrodite, goddess of love, who is said to have created it as the herb of joy for her garden.

Fennel -- With its soft, feathery, delicate growth habit, fennel seems perfect for a list of modern love herbs. In the language of herbs, this sweet, heady-scented herb means "flattery." Include its tall, shimmery fronds, in a bouquet of herbs and flowers to present to your loved one. Add fennel to your Valentine's Day meal, sprinkle it on your salad, or dessert dishes.

Lover's Delight Massage Oil - Bath Blend of the Month

Sometimes the most sensuous thing you can do with your partner is touching.  This Valentine’s Day try some gentle massage with aromatic oil.

This recipe, floral, yet earthy and exotic, is a blend of essential oils in a carrier formulated to appeal to both men and women.

 
Lover's Delight Massage Oil
1 /2 cup jojoba oil
20 drop lavender essential oil
15 drops cedarwood essential oil
2 drop ylang ylang essential oil
 
Drop all the oils into a glass vial.  Add Jojoba oil and roll bottle between palms to blend. 

To use: shake well then apply a few drops to the tips of fingers and massage into the skin of your partner!

Arancini Balls - Valentine weekend recipe

I got this recipe by adapting something I read in an insert to Food Network Magazine.  They called it Happy Valentine's Day.  For this Sweetie Holiday, my sweetie is making me Steak au Poivre (I've posted about this before.)  It is a bit complicated so instead I recommend you surprise your special someone with an appetizer that is gooey and special and not your typical fried cheese item.  Serve it with a marinara and impress them so much you can make anything you want for the main dish!

I got this recipe by adapting something I read in an insert to Food Network Magazine.  They called it  Arancini Appetizer Balls (No. 41). For those who aren’t familiar with these balls of gooey goodness, arancini balls are made from rice rolled with egg, cheese, herbs and breadcrumbs and then deep-fried until they are crispy and golden. Yes for the rookies out there, they taste as delicious as they sound. The Food Network version seemed to be missing herbs, so I experimented with what would go well in this.  Since the Parmesan is a popular ingredient in Italian food, I added oregano, then basil and rosemary to give them a savory and robust flavor.  Here is my version of

Quick Arancini Balls

1 cup Arborio rice

1 2/3 cups chicken broth

1/3 cup white wine

1/3 cup chopped onion (if you want to use dry, use 2 Tbls dried soaked in 2 Tbls water)

2 eggs

3/4 cup grated Parmesan

3/4 cup grated provolone

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp basil

1/2 tsp dried rosemary

Panko or other seasoned breadcrumbs

Microwave Arborio rice, chicken broth, white wine and chopped onion in an 8-inch microwave-safe dish, stirring halfway through, until tender, 18 minutes; cool. Mix in eggs, grated Parmesan and provolone and herbs. Roll into 1 1/4-inch balls; dredge in breadcrumbs. Chill. Deep-fry in 350 degrees F vegetable oil until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce. Makes 12 to 18 balls.

RECIPE THEME

Each month a theme is chosen and a number of recipes on that theme from my massive archive will be shared.  This year we have 12 new topics, different from the topics of last year.  To find the recipes of last year, check out this recipe link or search the blog with the topic Recipe2018, or Recipe2019 

You can search the monthly theme by looking for the theme keyword in the search box and it will pull up the recipes on that theme as posted, so look at the bottom of the recipe in each posting for the KEYWORD in the () to search for each  month.  All recipes this year will be tagged Recipe2020 so you can find them all.

The themes are:

Feb 2020 - Footbal Tailgate Favorites (AppFeb)

March 2020 - Kabobs (KabobMar)

April 2020 - Brunch (BrunchApr)

May 2020 - Non-Traditional Pizza (PizzaMay)

June 2020 - StirFry Dishes (StirJun)

July 2020 - Salads with no lettuce (SaladJul)

August 2020 - Pickled things (PickleAug)

September 2020 - Quiche (QuicheSep)

October 2020 - Squash Soups (SquashOct)

November 2020 - Pumpkin (again) (PumpNov)

December 2020 - Turkey Recipes (TurkDec)

Mustard for Valentine's Day?

Three Reasons to Give Mustard for Valentine's Day

1. Proves you’re thinking outside the box (of chocolates);
2. You don’t have to put them in a vase that the cat will knock over;
3. Shows that you care about practicing safe snacks; you always use a condiment.

Although it was unattributed in my saved folder, I am pretty sure this came from the newsletter of the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, WI.  If your entire focus is mustard you better have a sense of humor and they do!

We love the varieties of mustard we can get over there and who knew you needed that many but we do and make a pilgrimage at least once a year!

Not to show up the museum, but if you cannot make the pilgrimage to this mustard mecca, you can easily make mustard on your own!  BTW these make great gifts to the man in your life too!

Beer Mustard Recipe

• 3/4 cup brown or yellow mustard seeds, or a mix
• 1/3 cup beer (brown ale, porter or stout)
• 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

Directions:

1. In a bowl with a lid, stir together all ingredients. Set aside on your kitchen counter for a couple of days, or in the fridge for a few days. Forget about it for a while.

2. When you remember it’s there, pour everything into a food processor and purée until smooth. Use immediately and for the next several months. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Classic Dijon Mustard

• 1 and ½ cups white wine (ideally a crisp chablis or sauvignon blanc)
• ½ cup white wine vinegar
• 1 medium white onion, chopped
• 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 oz dry mustard powder (ground yellow mustard seed, about 1 cup + 2 tsp)
• 2 Tbls honey
• 2 tsp salt 

Directions:

1.  Combine wine, vinegar, onion and garlic in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow aromatics to steep in the wine for 10 – 15 minutes.

2.  Strain onion and garlic from the infused wine, pressing on solids to release all the juice. Return wine to the saucepan and add salt and honey. Over medium heat, whisk in the mustard powder; continue whisking and heating until the mustard comes to a boil. Stirring constantly, boil mustard until it reduces to your desired thickness, remembering that it will thicken further upon cooling (I cooked mine for about 10 minutes). Taste and adjust seasonings.

Makes approximately 1 and 1/2 cups.

Mustard will keep refrigerated for up to a year so no need to worry that it must be eaten in a hurry.

Valentine's Day: It's Not Just Chocolate and Roses

I have to admit that my two favorite Valentine herbs are chocolate (oh, yes, it's really an herb) and roses.  In fact I make a great black tea blend using both crushed chocolate and rose petals that I call “Valentine Lover's Tea.”   But there are actually many herbs that can help you celebrate the season of love.

Herb Lore 

Periwinkle (also called Vinca minor). It was believed that people who ate periwinkle leaves together would fall in love.

Honeysuckle. The scent of honeysuckle was thought to induce erotic dreams; hence, many parents forbade their daughters to bring it into the house.

Bay laurel. If you want to dream of your future lover, pin five bay leaves to the four corners and the center of your pillow, before you go to bed tonight. Be sure to repeat the traditional charm (it won't work if you don't) St. Valentine, be kind to me, in dreams let me my true love see.

Yarrow. A lady hoping to attract a reluctant lover was advised to walk through a patch of yarrow, barefoot at midnight under a full moon.  In the Language of Herbs, Yarrow means EVERLASTING LOVE, so giving it in a blend for bath may make the perfect Valentine gift.

Modern Love Herbs

Herbs have romantic meanings, and can bring a romantic touch to your Valentine's Day. Combine any of these special Love Herbs to tell the story of your love and devotion and enjoy an Herbal Valentine!

1. Basil 

Basil, with it's spicy scent, has meaning in the language of love. It's very meaning is LOVE.  Try this spicy sweet cocktail made with Lemon Basil:

Lemon Basil

Lemon Basil Tequila Cocktail
1 serving

2 parts Tequila
1 part premium Triple Sec
1/2 lemon
6 lemon basil leaves
1/2 part simple syrup
Club soda

Muddle lemon, basil and simple syrup in a chilled glass. Add ice, triple sec and tequila. Top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Basic Simple Syrup Recipe
makes approximately 1 1/2 cups

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan and simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved. Allow mixture to cool, then decant into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid. Keeps in the refrigerator for several weeks.

2. Calendula

According to the language of herbs, Calendula means JOY. What a lovely thing to say to your beloved. Add calendula to your teas of course, but how about a soothing treatment to make your skin shiny and soft for you special someone?

Special Calendula Facial

Petals of 2 calendula flowers (about 2 Tbls.)

2 Tbls. instant non-fat dry milk

1/3 c. boiling water

Combine the milk and flowers in the water and allow to steep for 5 to 7 minutes.  Remove herbs and use the mixture to wipe face or soak a cloth in the liquid and lay over face and relax for 5 minutes to let the calendula soften the skin and bring back a rosey complexion.

3. Thyme 

According to the language of herbs, Thyme brings with it the meaning of AFFECTION. Perfect for young love or deep friendship. What better way to express your devotion to someone, than to include a sprig of thyme in their Valentine?

Or you can try this thyme seasoned Red Soup –

Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup

2 ¼ pounds tomatoes, halved lengthwise

2 large red bell peppers, seeded and quartered

1 onion, cut into thick slices

4 large garlic cloves, peeled

2 Tbls. olive oil

1 tsp. fresh, ½ tsp. dried thyme

water

Preheat over to 450 degrees.  Arrange tomatoes (cut side up) bell peppers, onion, and garlic cloves on a large baking sheet.  Drizzle oil over, sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.  Roast vegetables until brown and tender, turning peppers and onion occasionally about 40 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Cool.

Transfer vegetables and accumulated juices to food processor and all thyme.  Puree soup, gradually adding about 2 cups of water to thin soup to desired consistency.  Chill until cold, about 3 hours.  Can be prepared 1 day ahead.  Cover and keep refrigerated.  If soup becomes too thick, thin with water to desired consistency.  Serves 4.

4. Patchouli

The heady scent of Patchouli is not surprisingly included in a list of romance herbs. According to the Language of Herbs, Patchouli means PASSION. Associated with love, wealth, and sexual power, patchouli can be used in incense blends, potpourri, and ritual workings. To use patchouli to it's fullest extent, tuck some dried into small sleep pillows, or sachets. The rich, lusty scent, will entice your love to feel romantic.

Blessing Oil

Use 1/8 Cup base oil (like almond oil, walnut oil or even canola oil),

    then add the following:

5 drops Sandalwood

2 drops Camphor

1 drop Orange

1 drop Patchouli

5. Lavender (lavender sachet photo)

In the Language of Love, Lavender means DEVOTION and UNDYING LOVE. It is no surprise that lavender has always been considered the herb of love. It's delicious and romantic scent is loved by most of us.  Make a sachet and place it in the dryer with your bed sheets to infuse them in wonderful scent.

Or try one of these wonderful lavender creations:

Lavender Aioli

1 cup olive oil

6 cloves garlic, unpeeled and crushed

2 fresh sprigs lavender (leaves and flowers), bruised

3 eggs

1 Tbls. lemon juice

In a small saucepan, gently heat the oil with the garlic and lavender over low heat for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat just before it starts to bubble.  Allow to cool to room temperature.  With a sieve over a small bowl, strain the lavender oil, pressing with a spoon to extract soft solids from the garlic and lavender.  Discard herbs. 

In a food processor or blender, process the eggs and lemon juice until well blended.  With the motor running, add the lavender oil a few drops at a time, then in a thin, steady stream until all the oil is absorbed and the mixture is thickened.  Season to taste with salt and black pepper.  Refrigerate for up to 2 days or use immediately.  Aioli thickens on chilling.

Great on sandwiches, as a spread on toast and stirred into steamed vegetables.

Soothing Oat Bath

2 cups rolled oats, ground to a fine powder in the blender

1 cup baking soda

1 Tbls. dried Lavender buds

10 drops lavender essential oil

Grind 2 cups rolled oats to a fine powder in a blender then add baking soda, lavender flowers and lavender oil.  Add 1 to 2 Tbls. to a muslin bag and place in the bathtub while it is filling.  Squeeze the bag and relax into the water with your sweetie!

Valentine Gift Sets

I have to admit we were well into January before I realized Valentine’s is right around the corner. It's time to think about that special someone for Valentine's Day.  And I will make it easy for you, just click and order--no need to shop or mail.  I'll do it for you. You'll have to order right away, though.

Here's what we've got for the romantic day:

Premium Valentine's gift set: You get Pink Champagne Bath salts, Champagne truffles, Fizzing Romantic Rose salts in a test tube, and a bottle of luscious body lotion.  Comes in Romantic Rose scent, unless you request another scent. Beautifully packaged in a pink & red Pillow Box. All this for $24!

Pink Petite Valentine's gift set: This lovely set includes Pink Champagne Bath Salts, luscious body lotion, and fizzy bath salts. This one is also beautifully packaged, ready for gift-giving, and scented in Romantic Rose, unless you request another scent. Just $15 for this set!

Sizzling Conversation Set – This set contains three Fizzy Bath salts, each in a test tube and packaged in an organza bag. Three scents or one single scent.  We will package the romantic rose or any other scent you choose.  They're cute, unique, and only $10!
 
Pair of Hearts: This cute paring is perfect for a wife, girlfriend, friend, or anyone you'd like to bestow a novel, but inexpensive gift on.  This pairing is a lavender bath salt blend with a lavender-based Herbal Tea.  Nestled on colorful shred in a takeout box. Ready for gift-giving. It's a great little something for only $5 






Fragrances available: Lemon Citrus (a grapefruit, orange and lemon blend), Romantic Rose, Lavender, Lavender Patch (lavender & patchouli), or Dreamy Herbal Blend (notes of Palmarosa, Lavender, and Clary Sage marry to create a provocative blend)

To see other items from the Backyard patch, check out our Website: www.backyardpatch.com or our Etsy Shoppe where we post all the seasonal specials like these gift sets.