Black Mustard: Deeply rooted seeds of faith

Black Mustard

Family:  Brassicaceae

Genus:   Brassica

Species: B. nigra

Reference:  Matthew 13:31-32   

     31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, the kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 

     32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

And also:  Mark 4:31; Luke 13:19; Luke 17:6; Matthew 17:20 (all KJV)

(Via Wikipedia)

An ancient herb, mustard's first recorded mention was in sanskrit writings over five thousand years ago.  It was used as a pot herb and green vegetable by the days of the Romans who utilized its seed as well; dried and pounded into a flour, it was mixed with wine to create a type of table mustard.   Culinary tastes aside, it was highly valued as a medicinal herb and used to treat toothaches, and as a type of plaster or paste to treat sore or rheumatic joints.

Sources debate whether or not B. nigra was indeed the plant whose seed is highlighted by Jesus in the Parable of the Mustard Seed. While it is native to the Mediterranean and South Asia, it is possible that the plant could be Sinapis, the white mustard of the same family, or even an actual tree– Salvadore persica, known as the mustard tree. The latter, actual tree bears small seeds and grows relatively tall.  Given its heritage and use as a leafy green vegetable (including its inclusion into the wide category of bitter herbs), black mustard is the generally considered the most widely accepted suspect.

The plant itself, being a member of the Brassicaceae (formerly known as Cruciferae, "cross-bearing"), is related a wide number of crucifers and cabbages, all important food crops.  B. nigra is an annual plant that readily re-seeds, and, if left uncontrolled will spread wildly.  Pliny noted upon this, stressing that the roots held strong and was difficult to remove as the plant aged.  It bears a four-petaled yellow flower which while in bloom, forms what could be called a Maltese cross.   The plant thrives best in well-drained soil, but adequately tolerates poor planting if compensated with fertilizer; it will tolerate some sun, however it will appear wilted if left to full bright exposure, regaining itself at night.    Unlike others of its family the black mustard can grow as tall as six feet, but averages about half that in height.  It flowers in late summer, and the tiny seeds are typically harvested and dried in early fall.

Its medieval uses mimicked that of the Romans.  Gerard (1623) states that

"the seed of the mustard pounded with vinegar is an excellent sauce, good to be eaten with any grosse meates, either fish or flesh, because it doth help digestion, warmeth the stomach and provoketh appetite."

***
"It all starts from a seed; have faith in this seed,"  I've been known to say when teaching classes, introducing people to herbs and gardening in general.   I suppose I've had more faith in a seed than I may have otherwise believed.  
Upon looking back, and re-reading this parable, there's so many ways that I interpret it.  That the Kingdom of Heaven is the greatest amongst all; that birds (or, perhaps men) will flock to it, calling it home.  That man must carry this precious gift and give it space to grow.  And even botanically:  that this specific seed becomes a deeply-rooted, difficult to displace, nourishing plant that will freely grow and thrive and reproduce, even in places not usually all that nice for plants – provided it's maintained well.
Mustard teaches me that I need regular maintenance; that my belief and faith need a little boost now and again.

Costmary: The Bible Leaf

Costmary
Family:  Asteraceae
Genus:   Tanacetum
Species: T. balsamita

Also known as Sweet Mary, the Bible leaf, the Baslam herb, or one of its medieval names, Maudlin.  The name is said to be derived from the costus (Gk. "from the east"), a plant widely known in the ancient world whose root was imported for incense and perfume, and for the Virgin Mary, or possibly Mary Magdalene; many 'sweetly' scented herbs become, with time, associated with Biblical women.   In medieval France, it was outright called Herbe Sainte-Marie.

It is a hearty perennial herb with a wide, oblong leaf with a delightfully minty scent.  It grows to a height of three to four feet, and has August blooms that are comprised of small yellow flowers.  If grown in shade, it will produce a great sheath of leaves, and little by way of flowers.  It will tolerate dry soil well, and thrives in most conditions.

As the plant itself is related to tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), evidence exists that it may very well have been used to repel silverfish other book-bourne bugs from family heirloom Bibles.

M. Grieve, in her Modern Herbal (1931) states that, while the plant was 'native to the Orient' it had now 'become naturalized in parts of southern Europe' and was inevitably to be found in every garden in England.   It was once used as a flavoring for ale, for the scent and the taste of the leaf was similar to that of allspice, and referred to as aletcost.

***

Costmary is interesting in the fact that it's long been associated with the Bible, yet never mentioned within it.  Saussurea costus, from which its name is possibly derived, was known in ancient Israel as koshet, and was referred to as one of the ingredients used to create sacred, cleansing incense associated with the Tabernacle.   It's well-known Biblical associations most likely appear during Colonial America, wherein the leaves were both used as placeholders in hymnals and chewed as an invigorating pick-me-up for long sermons.  

I can relate to costmary.  No, really:   I've long considered myself (read:  associated myself as) a Christian – but I rarely attended a church.  Like our Bible leaf, I never really appeared anywhere there'd be any community, but rather would slip between the pages, hoping for goodness-by-association.  

Perhaps I've just been living life as a placeholder would all along.  Certainly gives me pause for thought.


A Pause-for-Thought Potpourri:
(via Old Fashioned Living)
2 parts rose
2 parts lemon balm
2 parts costmary
1 part whole clove