And so, the festive season is upon us! As we drape the tinsel, plan the menus, and juggle shopping lists, behind the scenes we’re surrounded by traditions that have far deeper roots than we might realise. The remnants of ancient customs linger in so many of our holiday rituals, even if most of us have long forgotten their origins.

The Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, has been celebrated by cultures around the world for millennia. While many of the ceremonies have faded for most of us, the stories, symbols, and plants associated with this time of year are still well known. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the herbs of Christmas past and the ancient lore they carry.

Mistletoe – a sacred plant of love and trickery

Ah, mistletoe - who doesn’t recognise it as the plant that demands a smooch? But its history is as rich as its symbolism.

In Norse mythology, meetFrigga, the goddess of love and beauty, and mother to Balder, the god of the summer sun. When Balder dreamt of his death, Frigga roamed the earth, seeking promises from all living things not to harm her son.

Everything agreed - except mistletoe, a parasitic plant that doesn’t root in the ground so was overlooked. Now Enter Loki, the mischievous Trickster. Crafting an arrow from mistletoe, he used it to fatally wound Balder during what was meant to be harmless entertainment among the gods.

Frigga’s tears turned the mistletoe’s red berries white, and her heightened grief and mourning moved the gods to bring Balder back to life. Beyond grateful, she declared mistletoe a symbol of peace, decreeing that all who passed beneath it should share a kiss. Some say even warring tribes would lay down their arms if they encountered mistletoe in the forest.

The Druids also held mistletoe sacred, seeing its rootless nature as mystical. Dressed in white robes, they would harvest it from holy oak trees with golden sickles, taking great care not to let it touch the ground. A piece was given to each family for protection and fertility through the year.

Fast forward to the Christian era, and mistletoe’s pagan associations got it banned from altars. But the kissing tradition stayed. Proper etiquette demanded that each kiss required plucking a berry; once the berries were gone, the kissing was over, then it had to be burned on the 12th night to avoid bad luck.

Top Tip: While mistletoe’s tales are romantic, the plant itself is toxic to our horses, causing significant digestive upset. So probably best not to smooch beloved Ned under it.

Holly - a symbol of friendship and feuds

Holly has been a festive staple since the Romans used it to celebrate Saturnalia, a mid-winter festival in ancient Rome that honoured the god Saturn, the patron of farming and the harvest. The Romans decorated their homes to encourage good spirits and gifting holly wreaths as tokens of friendship. But - holly equally carries some quirky superstitions.

Legend has it that if rough-edged holly enters the house first on Christmas, the man of the house will rule the year. If smooth-edged holly comes first, the woman will rule. Sensible couples, of course, bring in both types simultaneously to avoid any unnecessary drama. 😉

Top Tip: Holly’s shiny leaves and red berries may look festive, but like mistletoe they’re toxic to our horses. Plus, those sharp edges aren’t exactly lip-friendly, so maybe skip the holly garlands for your stable decor.

Pine and evergreens - shelter and symbolism

Evergreens like pine hold a special place in Christmas lore. Legend says that when Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus were fleeing Herod’s soldiers, a humble old pine tree offered them shelter. Its branches closed around them, hiding them from danger, and the Christ child blessed the tree in gratitude. Some believe this blessing is visible even today; apparently if you cut a pinecone lengthwise, you’ll see the shape of a tiny handprint, though I’ve yet to test this myself!.

There’s also the ancient tale of the Holly King and the Oak King, battling for dominance through the seasons. As days shorten after the Summer Solstice, the Holly King reigns, but come the Winter Solstice, the Oak King regains his crown, bringing light and growth back to the land.

And let’s not forget the yule log - a symbol of light and warmth, traditionally made of oak, ash, pine, or birch. Burning it at the season’s end symbolised renewal, with the ashes spread on fields for fertility. Then along came the French and their gourmet delights, recreating the yule log into chocolate, and frankly, we’ve never looked back!

Top Tip: Opinions vary on whether pine needles are safe for horses. While they’re high in vitamin C and the inner bark is a great source of fibre, sharp needles can injure mouths and even puncture stomach linings. Best to let horses poo on pine shavings rather than chew the needles. 😉

Chamomile, lavender, lady’s bedstraw, and thyme

Legend has it that these herbs played a comforting role in the Nativity. Chamomile and lady’s bedstraw were said to have been gathered by Joseph for Mary to rest upon during Jesus’ birth, while lavender and thyme were placed in the manger as symbols of patience, courage, and endurance.

Frankincense and myrrh - gifts of the wise

Frankincense and myrrh, two of the Magi’s gifts, weren’t just symbols of wealth - they were incredibly practical, medicinal, and spiritual offerings. And the best part? Their uses are just as relevant today, even for our horses.

Frankincense, the resin of the Boswellia tree, has a fascinating history stretching far beyond the Nativity. Burned during ceremonies in Babylon, Persia, and Rome, it was also a staple in Egyptian cosmetics and revered in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Medicinally, frankincense’s anti-inflammatory properties are renowned, supporting everything from arthritis and joint pain to respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis.

Externally, it reduces swelling, alleviates pain, and promotes wound healing, making it a powerful ally for both human and equine care. It’s even a common ingredient in gum disease remedies, often paired with myrrh for its soothing effects. Personally I swear by frankincense oil for my own aches – I’ve always got a 30ml bottle on the go.

Studies today confirm its traditional uses, showing promising results for IBD, gingivitis, and even some cancers. And let’s not overlook its legendary aromatic qualities - frankincense has been used for centuries to calm the mind, improve focus, and enhance meditation, so if you're feeling frazzled, inhale a little frankincense, and you’ll feel your breathing slow and your mind settle.

As for myrrh, this fragrant resin has been treasured for millennia in perfumes, medicines, and incense. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties make it invaluable for healing wounds and soothing swollen gums, and it pairs beautifully with frankincense for even greater effect.

Together, these two resins were more than symbolic gifts – they’re tools of healing, protection, and peace. Fit for a new-born King, or in Ned’s feedbowl. In short, two fantastic equine therapeutics, featuring in both our HoneyDerma and JST Gels, and as straight Boswellia in either powdered resin or tincture form.

Rosemary - a fragrant blessing

Rosemary’s history is steeped in both practicality and symbolism. Long associated with remembrance, true friendship, and lovers’ fidelity, it’s been woven into royal crowns, bridal bouquets, and even placed in coffins for luck and protection. It’s also said to ward off bad dreams - who knew?!

From a practical perspective, rosemary has long been valued for its digestive and antimicrobial properties. It’s wonderful for relaxing and toning the stomach, making it especially useful for digestive upset linked to mental tension or anxiety - something that’s all too common for our horses.

Where rosemary really shines, though, is courtesy of its volatile oils, which are powerhouses of antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal activity. These oils create an environment in the gut that’s unfriendly to pathogen microbes, making rosemary a key player in supporting a healthy microbiome.

These same volatile oils also work wonders in respiratory health. Traditionally used to dispel ‘foul air’, rosemary, along with thyme, helps clear congestion, keep colds at bay, and soothes sore throats. Its antimicrobial potential has even been studied for its effectiveness against gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and drug-resistant infections (Lugman et al., 2007).

We blend rosemary into our BiomeTonic, where it teams up with other ‘oily’ herbs to create the ideal intestinal environment for gut health, looking out for the beneficial bacteria while kicking the pathogen microbes into touch. Whether for its digestive benefits or its rich symbolism, rosemary remains a timeless herb of health and protection.
 

Christmas superstitions

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a few quirky traditions:

• Eating an apple on Christmas Eve is said to ensure good health for the following year.
• Don’t wear new shoes on Christmas Day - it’s bad luck!
• Snow on Christmas Day predicts a green Easter.
• Animals in the barn are said to gain the gift of speech at the moment of Jesus’ birth, but it’s fatal for humans to hear them!
• A starry Christmas Eve promises good crops the following summer.

And finally, for those of us with a Christmas birthday, congratulations! You’re safe from evil spirits, and apparently you can’t die from drowning or hanging - piracy, anyone?

So on that note ...

Have to say I love reflecting on ‘days of yore’ stories, and these ancient tales carry on the enduring magic of this time of year.

So on that note, here’s wishing you and your beloved Neds a warm, safe, and joyfully Fabulous Festive!