A Herbal Easter- 6 Simple Recipes and more..

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox, which usually falls between March 22 and April 25.

The history of Easter dates back to the early Christian church. The holiday was first celebrated in the second century, and it was originally known as Pascha, which is the Greek word for Passover. In the early days of Christianity, Pascha was celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it was held on the same day as the Jewish Passover.

Over time, Easter became a widely celebrated holiday, and it took on several different traditions and customs. Today, Easter is celebrated in many different ways, depending on the country and culture.

Common Easter Traditions

Some of the most common Easter traditions include:

Easter Eggs: Easter eggs are a popular symbol of the holiday, and they are often decorated and given as gifts. In many countries, eggs are painted in bright colours or adorned with intricate designs, and they are often hidden for children to find as part of an Easter egg hunt.

1. Easter Bunny: The Easter Bunny is another popular symbol of the holiday. According to legend, the Easter Bunny brings baskets of treats and eggs to children on Easter morning.

2. Church Services: For many Christians, Easter is a time to attend church services and participate in special ceremonies and prayers. Many churches hold sunrise services on Easter morning to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3. Easter Foods: Easter is also a time for feasting and enjoying special foods. In many cultures, it is traditional to eat lamb on Easter Sunday, while in other places, people enjoy hot cross buns, Easter breads, and other special treats.

Whether you celebrate Easter through church services, egg hunts, or special meals with family and friends, it is a holiday that brings people together and reminds us of the importance of faith, love, and hope.

Typical Cultural Practices

It is typically observed with several cultural practices, including the following:

1. Lent: Lent is a period of fasting, penance, and reflection that begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for forty days until Easter Sunday. During Lent, some people may give up something they enjoy, such as certain foods or habits, as a form of sacrifice and self-discipline.

2. Easter Eggs: Easter eggs are an essential symbol of the holiday. They represent new life and resurrection. Some people decorate eggs with intricate designs and colours and use them in Easter egg hunts or give them as gifts.

3. Hot Cross Buns: Hot cross buns are a type of sweet bread made with raisins or currants and marked with a cross on top. They are traditionally eaten on Good Friday.

4. Easter Parade: Some cities and towns host Easter parades, where people dress up in festive outfits and walk along the streets. These parades often feature floats, music, and dancing.

5. Easter Dinner: Families may gather for a special Easter dinner, which typically includes ham or lamb, vegetables, and desserts such as carrot cake or lemon meringue pie.

Herbalism & Easter

Several herbs and plants are traditionally associated with Easter. Here are a few examples:

1. Palm branches: Palm branches are often used to decorate churches and homes on Palm Sunday, which is the Sunday before Easter. This is because it is said that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people greeted him by waving palm branches.

2. Easter lilies: Easter lilies are a popular flower during the Easter season. They symbolize purity, hope, and new life, and are often used to decorate churches and homes.

3. Hyssop: Hyssop is mentioned in the Bible as a plant that was used for purification. It is often associated with the Passover, which is the Jewish holiday that Jesus was celebrating at the Last Supper.

4. Rosemary: Rosemary is a fragrant herb that symbolizes remembrance and is often used in Easter cooking. It is also sometimes used in Easter wreaths and decorations.

5. Daffodils: Daffodils are spring flowers that often bloom around Easter time. They symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, which makes them a fitting flower for the Easter season.

6. Thyme: Thyme is another herb that is sometimes used in Easter cooking. It is said to symbolize courage and strength, which are important qualities for Christians to have during the Easter season.

These are just a few examples of the herbs and plants that are associated with Easter. The specific traditions and symbols vary depending on the culture and religion.

Herbal Rituals During Easter

There are several herbal rituals associated with Easter, depending on cultural and religious traditions. Here are a few examples:

1. Palm Sunday: In some Christian traditions, Palm Sunday is celebrated by carrying palm fronds or other branches (such as olive or willow) in a procession. The palms are blessed by a priest and then taken home by parishioners to use as decorations, often hung above doorways or woven into crosses.

2. Holy Thursday: In some countries, it is traditional to create "green carpets" using herbs and flowers to decorate the path that the priest will take during the Mass of the Lord's Supper. Common herbs used in these carpets include rosemary, bay leaves, and lavender.

3. Good Friday: In some Christian traditions, it is traditional to sprinkle holy water on herbs, such as rosemary or basil, and distribute them to the congregation. The herbs are thought to represent the burial of Christ and the hope of resurrection.

4. Easter Sunday: In many cultures, it is traditional to decorate Easter eggs with natural dyes made from herbs and vegetables. For example, red cabbage can be used to create a blue dye, while turmeric can be used to create a yellow dye.

5. Easter Monday: In some European countries, it is traditional to go "Easter water" or "Easter well" walking, visiting local springs or wells that are believed to have healing properties. People collect water from these sources, which is said to be especially pure and beneficial on this day.

These are just a few examples of herbal rituals associated with Easter. There may be many more depending on the specific cultural and religious traditions in your area.

A Herbalist's Easter

Easter is an important holiday for many people, including herbalists, for several reasons.

From a spiritual perspective, Easter is associated with rebirth and renewal, which are also important themes in herbalism. Many herbalists believe that the use of herbs can help support the body's natural healing and regenerative processes, so Easter can be seen as a time to celebrate the power of nature to rejuvenate and restore.

In addition, many herbs that are commonly used by herbalists have a long history of association with Easter and the spring season. For example, dandelion, nettle, and cleavers are all commonly used in herbal medicine to support the body's natural detoxification processes and promote healthy liver and kidney function. These herbs are also often harvested in the spring when they are at their freshest and most potent.

Other herbs that are associated with Easter include chamomile, which is often used to promote relaxation and calmness, and elderflower, which is believed to support the immune system and help ward off colds and flu.

Overall, Easter is an important time for herbalists because it celebrates the power of nature to heal and restore and because many of the herbs commonly used in herbal medicine are closely associated with the spring season and the themes of rebirth and renewal.

Here are some simple herbal recipes for Easter:

Disclaimer: You must always consult your doctor or clinical herbalist before you try any new herbal remedy. There is a possibility of an unintended reaction/consequence/side effect. I am not a practising clinical herbalist and the following is based on my research and experience. If you are foraging in the wild, please be 100% sure of the identification of the plant.

1. Minty Pea Soup:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of fresh peas

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 cups of chicken or vegetable stock

• 1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves, chopped

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.

• Add onion and garlic and cook until soft.

• Add peas and stock and bring to a boil.

• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.

• Add mint leaves and blend with an immersion blender or in a blender.

• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Serve hot.

2. Lemon and Thyme Roasted Vegetables:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, zucchini, etc.)

• 2 tbsp of olive oil

• 2 tbsp of fresh thyme, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• Juice of 1 lemon

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.

• Cut the vegetables into small pieces and place them in a baking dish.

• Mix olive oil, thyme, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a bowl.

• Pour the mixture over the vegetables and toss to coat.

• Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and golden brown.

• Serve hot.

3. Lavender Shortbread Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of butter, softened

• 1/2 cup of sugar

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour

• 2 tbsp of dried lavender

• 1/4 tsp of salt

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.

• Mix butter and sugar in a bowl until creamy.

• Add flour, lavender and salt and mix until a dough forms.

• Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.

• Flatten the balls with a fork.

• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

• Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

• Enjoy your herbal Easter feast!

4. Dill and Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 medium cucumbers

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill+

• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 teaspoon honey

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Slice the cucumbers thinly and place them in a large bowl.

• In a separate small bowl, whisk together the chopped dill, white wine vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.

• Pour the dressing over the cucumbers and toss to coat.

• Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld.

• Serve chilled and garnish with additional dill, if desired.

5. Rosemary and Garlic Focaccia Bread

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons instant yeast

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 1/4 cups warm water

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar.

• Add warm water and olive oil, and mix until dough forms.

• Knead dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes.

• Place dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp towel and let rise for about an hour.

• Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).

• Punch down the dough and transfer to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.

• Use your fingers to press dimples into the dough.

• Drizzle dough with olive oil, then sprinkle with rosemary and garlic.

• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.

6. Lemon and Lavender Scones

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

• 1/2 cup buttermilk

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 2 teaspoons fresh lavender buds, finely chopped

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).

• In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

• Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, lemon juice, and lavender.

• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

• Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead lightly.

• Pat dough into a circle about 1 inch thick.

• Cut dough into wedges and place on a greased baking sheet.

• Bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden brown.