What is the Spiritual meaning of spices? Spices have been used for thousands of years and their spiritual meanings have shaped us in many ways. Continue to find out the spiritual meaning of spices in the bible and symbolic meaning of herbs and spices. Spices were first used as a way to preserve food, but they also played an important role in many ancient cultures. Spicing up your meals isn’t just about making them taste better; it’s also about the belief that spices can make our lives sweeter, healthier and more abundant. Spices are one of the main ingredients in many dishes. They have a long history of being used for spiritual and religious purposes around the world. Spices were not only used to flavor food, but also as a way of preserving food and as a form of medicine. For example, cinnamon has been used in China to treat colds and other illnesses since ancient times. Some spices have also been considered aphrodisiacs because they help stimulate sexual desire. Spices were often associated with sacred objects and rituals because they were believed to have magical powers. The Egyptians believed that scents could bring about a change in consciousness and create a sense of euphoria or calmness; this is why incense was used during religious ceremonies such as funerals or funerary rites.
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Spiritual Meaning of Spices
In our everyday lives, spices add flavor and depth to our meals, enhancing our culinary experiences. However, spices have also held spiritual significance throughout history. From ancient rituals to symbolic offerings, spices have been used by various cultures to connect with the divine and evoke spiritual experiences. Let’s explore the spiritual meanings behind some of the most commonly used spices.
1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon, with its warm and inviting aroma, is known for its connections to love, prosperity, and spirituality. It is believed to have the power to attract abundance and good fortune. In Hinduism, it is often used in sacred ceremonies to purify spaces and invite positive energies. Cinnamon can also enhance spiritual awareness and aid in meditation, providing a sense of tranquility and deepening our connection to higher realms.
Uses of Cinnamon:
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to your morning coffee or tea to invite blessings and positivity into your day.
- Burn cinnamon incense during spiritual practices to cleanse the energy in your space and promote inner harmony.
- Sprinkle a little cinnamon in your wallet or purse to invite financial abundance.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric, vibrant and golden, is renowned for its spiritual properties in many Eastern cultures. It is often considered a sacred spice associated with purification, healing, and protection. In Hindu rituals, turmeric is used to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit from negative energies and impurities. It is also believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Uses of Turmeric:
- Use turmeric in your cooking to infuse your meals with positive vibrations and promote overall well-being.
- Create a turmeric paste and apply it to your forehead for a spiritual and energizing third-eye chakra activation.
- Wear a turmeric-infused necklace or carry a small pouch of turmeric powder as a talisman for protection and positive energy.
3. Frankincense
Frankincense, an aromatic resin often associated with spirituality and meditation, has a strong connection to divinity in many ancient traditions. It is regarded as a sacred offering to the gods and is believed to purify spaces and invite spiritual blessings. Frankincense is known for its ability to calm the mind, uplift the spirit, and enhance spiritual experiences.
Uses of Frankincense:
- Burn frankincense resin during meditation or prayer to create a serene ambiance and deepen your spiritual connection.
- Add a few drops of frankincense oil to your bathwater for a relaxing and rejuvenating spiritual experience.
- Create a frankincense-infused spray to cleanse your home of negative energies and invite positive vibrations.
Conclusion
Spices not only enrich our taste buds but also have profound spiritual meaning. Whether used in rituals, as offerings, or simply as elements to enhance our daily lives, spices have the power to connect us with higher realms, invite positive energies, and transform our spiritual experiences. Exploring the spiritual dimensions of spices allows us to embrace a deeper connection with the divine and foster a greater sense of harmony within ourselves and our environments.
Spice symbolism and meaning
Throughout history, spices have been used in religious rituals and ceremonies by several nations, showing their significant role in spiritual and religious traditions. Spices have long been used as a spiritual tool to foster a sense of oneness with the divine and to represent purity, blessings, and wealth.
The following are some instances of how spices are used in spiritual and religious rituals:
For thousands of years, religious events have utilized frankincense and myrrh, especially in the context of the Christian and Jewish faiths. They were employed in the Old Testament as a component of religious offerings and anointing ceremonies, and they were one of the gifts that the Magi brought to the infant Jesus.
Cardamom: Used frequently in religious ceremonies and gifts, this spice is revered in Hinduism. It is thought to possess spiritual qualities that help foster happiness, inner serenity, and mental clarity.
Cinnamon: Across numerous civilizations, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity, cinnamon has been utilized in religious ceremonies and offerings. It is thought to offer restorative and protecting qualities and is frequently connected to purification and cleaning.
Spices feature poignantly throughout the Bible’s hallowed pages, as you would discover. Presents of frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus were more than just presents; they were profound representations of divinity and suffering. Similar to this, the Song of Solomon celebrates the passionate and spiritual aspects of love while serenading the lover with a variety of spicy metaphors.
It is evident that these fragrant treasures were valued for more than just their intrinsic worth; they also carried layers of spiritual importance, from sacred ceremonies to intimate times of adoration and introspection.
The Biblical Significance of Clove and Cinnamon
Cinnamon and cloves were not only delicious foods in biblical times; they also had supernatural power. As a constituent of anointing oil, cinnamon was mentioned in the book of Exodus and represented holiness and intimacy with God.
With its piercing scent, clove was frequently used to represent cleansing and the removal of negativity. These spices conveyed sentiments of devotion, protection, and holy connection when they were used with traditional ceremonies.
Their lingering scents encouraged Christians to embrace the sacred in ordinary circumstances by acting as heavenly reminders of the covenant between Heaven and Earth.
Spices in Spiritual Practice: From Remembrances to Rituals
Beyond the Bible, spices have been important components of many spiritual traditions around the world. Turmeric serves as a cleansing agent and is a symbol of auspiciousness in Hindu rites. Certain spices are burned during Native American ceremonies in order to call upon ancestors and spirits, with the aromatic smoke serving as a conduit between worlds.
Their prevalence in spiritual practices is evidence of their ability to arouse feelings, memories, and a stronger sense of connection rather than a coincidence. Adding spices is a way to entwine cosmic meaning, history, and symbolism.
Culinary Needs and Cravings: The Spiritual Significance of Hot Food
Have you ever experienced a burst of energy after eating something spicy like a curry? Your spirit is vibrating with the vibrations of the spices, not just your taste senses. These flavors, which are intense and hot, reawaken latent forces in us and lift our spirits.
Beyond merely being delicious, this culinary dance of heat and flavors is a spiritual experience that serves as a reminder of life’s highs and lows, vigor and zest, and the fire of passion and purpose that resides within each of us.
Spice-Related Dream Interpretations and Significance
Dreaming of spices is a journey into rich, material and spiritual realms. These dreams frequently represent abundance, but they also invite us to investigate areas of our life that require a little mending or excitement. Perhaps your spiritual path needs more depth and flavor, or perhaps your relationship could use some spicing up.
In the dream world, spices ask us to enjoy each instant, pay attention to the details of our path, and recognise the complex fusion of events that mold the development of our souls.
Spiritual Meaning of Spices
The first purpose of spices was to preserve food. They were used to mask the taste of food that had gone bad and make it more enjoyable, or even make it nutritious.
Their use as a culinary spice has been documented throughout history; in Ancient Egypt, they were used in cooking and embalming mummies. As early as 3100 BC, spices were also associated with religious rituals.
food can be preserved for longer by adding salt, oil or spices. In fact, many people in ancient times believed that salt was a magical ingredient and could make food last forever! However, there are many other ways to preserve food: cooking it at high temperatures kills bacteria while sugar acts like an anti-bacterial agent.
Spiritual Meaning of Spices In The Bible
Spices are used in cooking and medicine, but they also have a spiritual meaning. They represent happiness, balance, peace and harmony.
In addition to adding flavor and aroma to food, spices were used for thousands of years to preserve food. This is why there are so many different kinds of spices—they had numerous purposes in ancient times. For example:
- Cinnamon was used as an aphrodisiac
- Saffron was often worn by royalty because it’s expensive (and also because it smells good)
- Ginger was burned in temples as incense during religious ceremonies
In modern times, spices still have spiritual significance. Some people use them as part of their religious or cultural practice, while others simply enjoy the way they make food taste. Many different cultures around the world continue to use spices in traditional ways.
Cloves represented humility in ancient times.
Cloves were used to cover the smell of decaying bodies. In ancient times, cloves represented humility and the humble nature of Jesus and the Holy Ghost.
Spices were often used as a symbol of virtue. For example, in ancient times cloves represented humility because they were used to cover the smell of decaying bodies. In the same way, cloves were used as a symbol for the humble nature of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. These are just some examples that show how spices can be meaningful spiritual symbols.
Peppercorns were once used as currency.
The most common use for peppercorns was as currency. In ancient times, peppercorns were used to pay taxes and for goods and services in the Middle East. The Roman Empire also used peppercorns frequently as a form of currency.
The use of peppercorns as currency continued through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance. In the middle ages, a common form of payment was called “pepper money,” which consisted of small amounts of peppercorns mixed with olive oil to make them more easily transportable.
Thyme was used as a symbol of respect and bravery by the Ancient Greeks.
Thyme was used as a symbol of courage by the Ancient Greeks. It’s said that if you pick thyme and wear it in your hat, you will be courageous like those who went before us. It was also used to embalm the dead and buried with them. In ancient Greece, thyme was not just part of funeral rituals but also used by soldiers when they went into battle. They would rub their bodies with thymesprigs so that they could smell it in their nostrils when taking off into battle and know that no matter how strong or scary their enemies were, they would still be able to face them bravely because thyme gave them strength!
* What does thyme symbolize in the Bible?
It was also used in religious rituals – there are many references to thyme being used in sacrifices. Thyme is said by some sources to symbolize strength and courage.
Cinnamon was used as an embalming ingredient during the Ancient Egyptian mummification process.
Who knew that cinnamon was so useful in the afterlife? In addition to being a tasty spice, it was used as an embalming ingredient during the Ancient Egyptian mummification process. This practice of preserving and wrapping the dead is known as “embalming.”
Cinnamon was also used as an embalming agent throughout China and India, where it’s still believed to have protective energy for one’s soul.
When you’re carving or burning a pumpkin for Halloween this year, consider burning some cinnamon sticks too!
Juniper berries have long been believed to help ward off evil spirits.
Juniper berries have long been believed to help ward off evil spirits, and this belief is still practiced today. If a person feels they have been possessed by an evil spirit, they can use juniper berries to cleanse the spirit from their body. The way one goes about doing this varies depending on the individual or group performing the ritual.
When cleaning out an evil spirit with juniper berries, you will need:
- A bowl of water
- A handful of juniper berries
- A piece of paper (or other writing material)
Spices not only make our food tastier, but they also have deep spiritual meanings that may have influenced us for thousands of years.
You’ve seen the word “spice” used to describe someone or something as being attractive, exciting, or different. But do you know where the word comes from? It’s actually quite interesting!
The word “spice” was originally used to describe any non-perishable food product that was stored for a long time. For thousands of years, people would use spices like salt and pepper to preserve their foods. This made it possible for them to have access to these foods year round instead of just seasonally (like vegetables).
Bible Meanings on Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the bark of an evergreen tree. It has been used for thousands of years, and it was considered sacred in many cultures. In the Bible, cinnamon is mentioned several times. The most famous use of cinnamon in the Bible is in Song of Solomon 4:14-16 which talks about how love tastes like a kiss on her lips and smells like cinnamon and other spices. A number of scholars have looked at this passage as an example for how to interpret scripture symbolically rather than literally!
The spiritual meaning of cinnamon in the Bible and spiritual life.
We can see the spiritual meaning of cinnamon in the Bible and spiritual life through the following:
- The sun: In ancient Egypt, cinnamon was associated with Ra, their god of the Sun and Light. This is why it was used in many Jewish rituals during Passover, which celebrates Moses’ liberation from Egypt. It’s also used in many Jewish holidays including Hanukkah, Purim, Tu B’Shvat (the new year for trees), Sukkot (the harvest festival), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Chanukah\Hanukkah as well as Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah\Rosh Chodesh/Shavuot\Sukkot\Hannukkah; Purim and Tu Bishvat for example all take place during this time period!
Cinnamon is used in many Jewish celebrations including Hanukkah, Purim, Tu B’Shvat (the new year for trees), Sukkot (the harvest festival), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Chanukah\Hanukkah as well as Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah\Rosh Chodesh/Shavuot\Sukkot\Hannukkah; Purim and
The spiritual meanings of spices are both fascinating and diverse.
The spiritual meanings of spices are both fascinating and diverse. Spices have been used in spiritual rituals since ancient times, including the practice of using incense to create a pleasant aroma for religious purposes. They also play an important role in today’s religions, as well as in many cultural customs around the globe.
Let’s take a look at how spices are used throughout the Bible:
- The Bible contains over 656 references to cinnamon (“cinnamon” translates from Hebrew as “kinnamon”), most notably when Christ uttered the following words: “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
- In Exodus 30:34-38 we find a recipe for making holy anointing oil that includes sweet cinnamon among its ingredients—a testament to its spiritual significance during this period.
Symbolic Meaning of Herbs And Spices
Spices have been used for centuries to add flavor to food, but they also have spiritual meanings that can be applied to everyday life.
For example, cinnamon is often associated with love because of its sweet flavor. It is also associated with success and prosperity. This association may be due to the fact that cinnamon was once considered a luxury item in ancient times, and therefore only the wealthy could afford it.
On the other hand, cardamom is often associated with spirituality because of its ability to clear a person’s mind and help them focus more clearly on their goals.
The Ultimate Guide to Spices in the Bible
Spices in the Bible are found in nearly every book. We read about the importance of spices for many uses and how the people in biblical times have an intimate knowledge of herbs and spices.
Herbs in Biblical times were used in their everyday lives. The Bible doesn’t use one specific word for spices, but rather the individual spice names or the aromatic vegetable products derived from the bark, root or fruit of perennial plants.
You can find everything that you are looking for about The Ultimate Guide to Spices in the Bible (and Today) in this post but you may also wish to purchase the ebook for your convenience. No ads, no pop ups and you’ll have it forever to refer to when reviewing and learning about spices in the Bible plus their uses and using them today. It includes a video and additional downloads. The best part – it’s only $5! Your choice, read it here or have it forever.
Spices in the Bible had a multitude of uses. Here are just a few.
They were used to perfume the Jerusalem Temple:
Bible Reading Plans
Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on the Sabbaths, at the New Moons and at the appointed festivals of the Lord our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.. – 2 Chronicles 2:4
Make the home fragrant:
(calamus, frankincense, myrrh)
The mandrakes send out their fragrance,
and at our door is every delicacy,
both new and old,
that I have stored up for you, my beloved. – Song of Songs 7:13
To season food and drink:
(basil, chervil, cumin, coriander, dill, marjoram, mint, oregano, poppy seed, savory and tarragon)
I would lead you
and bring you to my mother’s house—
she who has taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the nectar of my pomegranates. – Song of Songs 8:2
Cosmetics, perfumes and skin ointments:
(Myrrh and spikenard)
Cleansing and religious rituals:
(hyssop)
Herbs and Spices as Medicine in Biblical Times
Repeated references to herbs and spices indicate that the people of the Bible knew how these plants tasted, smelled and looked, where they grew and what medicinal value they provided.
In many cases, during biblical times, herbs—the edible leaves, blossoms and soft stems of annuals and perennials—were used primarily as medicine. Herbs used as medicine included:
According to the apocryphal Book of Jubilees,1 angels revealed to Noah all the illnesses of the world and their remedies so that he could “heal by means of the herbs of the earth” (Jubilees 10:12). Noah diligently recorded the cures in a book.
Herbs used for cooking were as you can see, herbs touched every aspect of their lives. The spices in the Bible were so important to the extent that they even paid their taxes with them
You are a garden locked up, my sister, my bride;
you are a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.
Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates
with choice fruits,
with henna and nard,
nard and saffron,
calamus and cinnamon,
with every kind of incense tree,
with myrrh and aloes
and all the finest spices.
You are a garden fountain,
a well of flowing water
streaming down from Lebanon. – Song of Songs 4:12-15
People have been using herbs for thousands of years because of their culinary and medicinal benefits.
I’ve shared some of the most popular herbs of the Bible, and what they were used for. I’ve also included how you can use them today and where to find biblical, organic herbs, straight from the Holy Land, where I prefer to purchase mine. You WILL taste a difference!
Aloe
“Like valleys they spread out,
like gardens beside a river,
like aloes planted by the Lord,
like cedars beside the waters. – Numbers 24:6
The Aloe Vera plant has been used for thousands of years to heal a variety of conditions, most notably burns, wounds, skin irritations, and constipation. Aloe was also used to embalm the dead, as well as for perfume. Another of the important spices in the Bible (and today!)
Today, we use aloe for many of the same things including treating burns, sunburns, healing bruises and rashes, moisturize skin, fight athletes’ foot, prevent scarring and stretch marks, speed up hair growth, and many more.
Balm (Balsam)
Is there no balm in Gilead?
Is there no physician there?
Why then is there no healing
for the wound of my people? – Jeremiah 8:22
Balm refers to an extremely fragrant substance that was extracted from the balsam tree. In Biblical times, balsam was considered extremely valuable. Its gum was used as incense, while the oil that came from the bark, the leaves and the berries worked well as medicine.
The Balm of Gilead is an aromatic resin used for medical purposes that was exported from Tyre and elsewhere. This is seen in scriptures where it is mentioned that the Ishmaelites who carried Joseph into Egyptian bondage were also Gilead balm traders.
Balsam trees are native to the Gilead area. Incisions in the bark of a balsam tree yield three or four drops a day from each and left to stand the balsam becomes of a golden color and as a gem. Back in those days this balm was so scarce that the Jericho gardens yielded only six or seven gallons yearly, which was worth twice its weight in silver.
The word balm is derived from balsam, which originated from the Greek word (pronounced) balsamon, which was adopted to represent the Hebrew words baal shemen, meaning “lord of oils.” These trees are called “boche” in Hebrew, indicating a tree which drips sap when it is cut, also known as a weeping tree. Psalm 56 says “Thou hast taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Thy bottle; are {they} not in Thy book? In the ancient world, when a loved one died, mourners would catch their falling tears in a bottle and bury them as a token of eternal devotion. Psalm 84 also speaks about Bacha (weeping) where it says ‘How blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee; in whose heart are the highways {to Zion} Passing through the valley of Baca, they make it a spring, the early rain also covers it with blessings. They go from strength to strength, {every one of them} appears before God in Zion.”
There is further mention of these trees in the books of Samuel and first Chronicles where we are told the story of how David inquired of the LORD whether to go up against the enemy or not and God instructed “You shall not go {directly} up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then the LORD will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.”
Anise
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.Matthew 23:23 (some translations read “tithe of mint and anise and cumin”
Comes from a flowering plant that grows in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asia. Often used as a flavoring agent in alcohol. It has a similar flavor to that of fennel or black licorice.
All parts of the anise plant were used during Biblical times. The seeds, leaves and stem were used to cool high temperatures, as well as for other medicinal purposes. Also used in meat and dessert recipes.
Today, Anise can be used to help with digestion and can be used as an anti-flatulence agent, a relief aid for coughs and colds and can help with insomnia. Usually taken by crushing the seeds into a tea.
Bitter Herbs
That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. – Exodus 12:8
Bitter herbs are a collective term used for lettuce, horehound, tansy, horseradish, endive and coriander seeds. Bitter herbs were mostly used for food. In fact, the people of Israel were commanded to have bitter herbs with their Passover lamb.
Today, they can be used to help with urinary tract infections, kidney stones, fluid retention, achy joints and gout.
Capers
Also, they are afraid of heights and dangers on the road;
the almond tree blossoms,
the grasshopper loses its spring,
and the caper berry has no effect;
for the mere mortal is headed to his eternal home,
and mourners will walk around in the street; – Ecclesiastes 12:5 (CSB)
Displaying a prism of colors on string like petals, the flowering caper plant grows on the mountains, rocks and walls of Israel, including the Temple Mount’s Western Wall. As soon as this rare beauty blossoms, however, its seeds are scattered and the flower dies, which is why it symbolizes the shortness of human life in Ecclesiastes.
Cassia
and casks of wine from Izal in exchange for your wares: wrought iron, cassia and calamus. – Ezekiel 27:19
Cassia oil was popularly used as anointing oil during Biblical times. Cassia has aromatic properties quite similar to cinnamon.
Cassia comes from the Hebrew word, “kadad” or “ḳetzi’ot” which means to bow the head, to stoop and to strip off. This is clearly a picture of humility. Cassia is one of the 4 fragrant components in the Holy Anointing Oil. Cassia bark is aromatic, with the flavor and aroma of cinnamon, just fainter. The outer surface is rough and a mixture of grey and brown while the inside bark is smoother and reddish-brown. Like cinnamon the leaves of the cassia shrub are first stripped off and then the bark is ground into a fine powder. This portrays clearly how Yeshua sacrificially laid down His own life and His willingness to empty Himself out and be stripped of His divine rights.
This fragrance reminds us to honor others and follow the example of the Servant of all who was willing to take on his self everything that offended God. This is an oil that speaks of humility, pride being stripped away, and a servant heart emerging in the life of a person. Cassia oil is also the most antiseptic of all known essential oils and is considered by many as a tonic and stimulant
Today, Cassia can be used as natural hair care, coloring and conditioning. The leaves are harvested, dried, and ground into a powder used for natural hair care. Cassia oil can also treat nausea.
Cinnamon
“Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus,..” – Exodus 30:23
I have perfumed my bed
with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. – Proverbs 7:17
Cinnamon, once considered more precious than gold, has some amazing medicinal benefits. The bark, where the oil comes from, was traditionally collected for anointing oil, as well as perfume.
It is not indigenous to Israel, but rather brought in by traders from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and India.
Today, cinnamon can be used for athlete’s foot, indigestion, improve brain function, helps lower blood glucose levels, among many others. And, of course, as a food seasoning.
Coriander
The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. – Exodus 16:31
The fresh leaves of the plant are cilantro!
Coriander is the main spice for seasoning falafel balls – that great Israeli favorite made from chickpeas. Also makes a wonderful seasoning for rice, fish and mixed veggies.
Shipped direct from the Holy Land.
Cumin
When he has leveled the surface,
does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?
Does he not plant wheat in its place,
barley in its plot,
and spelt in its field? – Isaiah 28:25
The ancient Israelites took cumin seeds, dried them, and used them to flavor their food.
Today, cumin can help with digestion, cardiovascular disease, urinary disorders, and fever.
Shipped direct from the Holy Land
Dill
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” – Matthew 23: 23
Dill seed and weed (leaves) were used for medicine and for culinary purposes. Today we use them in pickling spices, in bread, fish and potato salad.
Shipped direct from the Holy Land
Frankincense
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, – Exodus 30:34
Most popularly known for incense, Frankincense was used during ceremonial offerings and considered an article of luxury.
Today, it can be used as an analgesic, antidepressant and sedative, in addition to being a powerful healing herb. Frankincense is also a primary ingredient in stress-reducing incenses.
High quality ceremonial anointing oil, useful especially for those who are working with spiritual needs in synagogues and churches, preparation for a ministry, dedication and holiness. Shipped from the Holy Land.
Garlic
We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. – Numbers 11:5
Garlic has been used as both food and medicine in many cultures for thousands of years, dating back to when the Egyptian pyramids were built.
Today, garlic is used to help prevent heart disease, including atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries (plaque buildup in the arteries that can block the flow of blood and may lead to heart attack or stroke), high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and to boost the immune system. Garlic may also help protect against cancer.
Hyssop
He spoke about plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also spoke about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. – 1 Kings 4:33
Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning. – Exodus 12:21–22
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. – John 19:28–29
Hyssop is a sweet-smelling plant from the mint family. It was used in many ceremonial rituals of the Israelites, as burning hyssop typically meant an inner cleansing.
Inhabitants of the Holy Land have known for centuries that Hyssop is a memory enhancer and was used during Biblical times as a purifier and in anointing.
Spice of Life Hyssop from the Land of Milk and Honey comes from the mountains overlooking the Sea of Galilee.
Leeks, Onions and Chives
“…The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” Numbers 11:4-6
The Israelites got tired of manna and wanted to be back in slavery eating melons, leeks, onions and garlic. Sometimes you just can’t please anyone. Chives are in this family and are one of the herbs grown by most gardeners. We use these as culinary herbs on salads, vinegar, in breads, in soups, as well as garnishes.
Mandrake
During wheat harvest, Reuben went out into the fields and found some mandrake plants, which he brought to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”
But she said to her, “Wasn’t it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son’s mandrakes too?”
“Very well,” Rachel said, “he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son’s mandrakes.” – Genesis 30:14–15
The mandrakes send out their fragrance,
and at our door is every delicacy,
both new and old,
that I have stored up for you, my beloved. – Song of Songs 7:13
In Genesis, soon after the barren Rachel obtained mandrakes from Reuben, her sister Leah’s first son, “God opened [Rachel’s] womb” and “she conceived and bore a son” (Genesis 30:22–23). Apparently, the humanlike form of mandrakes was thought to be beneficial in the conception of humans. Throughout history, imaginative drawings of the plant have emphasized this anthropomorphic quality by depicting the roots as legs.
At the beginning of winter, the plant produces a rosette of dark green leaves and purple flowers, but in this season the scent is not pleasant. In the spring, however, when the fruits ripen and become yellow, the intoxicating scent attracts both man, as an aphrodisiac, and animal.
A somewhat “controversial” of the spices in the Bible, given its use by Rachel.
Mint
Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. – Luke 11:42
Mint has been used for thousands of years as a culinary herb and for medicine. It remains an important biblical spice.
Today, mint can help with stomach aches, poor digestion, fever, hiccups, earaches and sinuses. I use fresh mint leaves and this mint tea to help with my nausea from chemo.
Mustard
He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. – Luke 17:6
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” – Matthew 13:31-32
One of Jesus’ most famous parables was about the mustard seed. This may be because mustard grew so abundantly in Palestine. Used for many things, even today as an important spice in the Bible.
Today, mustard can be used for sore throats, muscle and back relaxing, and as a hair conditioner to treat damaged hair.
Mustard Seeds from the Holy land make an excellent addition to meat and fish sauces.
Myrrh
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. – Proverbs 7:17
In Biblical times, it was sold as a spice or an ingredient of the anointing oil used in the Tabernacle, or as a salve for the purification of the dead. In the Roman world, it was considered a natural remedy for almost every human affliction, from earaches to hemorrhoids. A key of the spices in the Bible.
Today, myrrh can be used as a cleansing agent, and to help with ulcerated throats and mouth sores. (I use this to help with the mouth sores from my chemo, as well)
Parsley
That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. – Exodus 12:8
Considered a bitter herb in the Bible, but today used for salads, potato – as an ingredient in various recipes with rice dishes, fish, fried chicken, lamb, steaks, meat or vegetable dishes.
Rue
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you gave God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God…” Luke 11: 42
It was believed to heal the stings of bees, wasps and scorpions. It was also used for seasoning dishes. An less common contemporary spice, but an important one of the biblical spices.
Saffron
nard and saffron,
calamus and cinnamon,
with every kind of incense tree,
with myrrh and aloes
and all the finest spices. – Song of Songs 4:14The most expensive spice in the world today was also very dear during ancient times. Because of its distinct yellow color, saffron was used not only for flavoring but to make ancient dyes as well. Ancient peoples used saffron to treat stomach upsets, bubonic plague, and smallpox.
Today, recent studies have indicated possible health benefits, including cancer-inhibiting properties, aiding in allergies, help combat depression, and promote a feeling of fullness (in terms of diet).
Sorrel (Hibiscus)
“That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast.” Exodus 12: 8
Sorrel is one of the herbs that is the first to come up in the spring. It has a lemony flavor and is considered one of the bitter herbs eaten with the roasted lamb on Passover night. Other bitter herbs are chicory, endive, parsley and watercress. In the Passover celebration bitter herbs signify the bitter life in slavery.
Thistle
To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’
“Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat food from it
all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.” – Genesis 3: 17 – 18
Great for liver detox and to fight radicals. Can add to milk or water. Can also add to food for a nutrient booster. A surpisingly important of the spices in the Bible.
Wormwood
The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter – Revelation 8:10-11 (ESV)
Used to make the alcoholic beverage – absinthe. Also used as a moth repellent and incense. Not a “normal” of the spices in the Bible.
Also Known As – Artemisia absinthus, Absinthe, Absinthe Wormwood, and Old WomanÍs Weed Wormwood contains constituents that may be toxic if ingested in large amounts and for extended periods of time. Not to be used while pregnant.ourself or just interested in understanding the Bible better, At the end of the book is a section on recipes which could have been prepared in ancient times. we’re sure that this one-of-a-kind book will suit your taste!
