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Herbs have long been used in remedies to help heal the sick and prevent disease. However, folklore tells us that herbs have also been used as an important ingredient concerning love, the emotion of the heart. People have used herbs in love potions and charms for centuries, in hopes of putting some unsuspecting person under a spell to fall in love with them, or to find out who might be their possible soul mate. Many herbs have been associated with love and romance over the centuries, in part because of the role they played in Greek or Roman mythology.
Take for example, Rosemary. Sprigs were used in bridal bouquets and after the wedding; the new bride would plant the sprigs in her garden. If the rosemary sprigs grew, folklore relates that the woman would be the master of the house and not her husband. While combined with other herbs and placed under a young girl’s pillow, her head would be filled with dreams of her future love.
Marjoram’s role in love dates back to the Greeks and Romans when it was woven into wreathes that were then placed on the heads of the wedding couple. It was used in lotions and salves to provide a calming effect on those suitors who became nervous at the prospect of making a life-long commitment.
The Greeks also used parsley to adorn bridal headdresses and other wedding garments, as they associated the herb with happiness and love. Because the herb stimulated the appetite, ancients believed it provided the lovers with a receptive attitude.
Lavender has been used by royalty to help woo a perspective lover. Charles I would bring dried lavender wrapped in a bag tied with a golden ribbon to Nell Gwyn. Ancients used its perfume to scent wedding garments, while Irish brides tied it on their bodies for good luck. Lavender was not considered useful when trying to find your true love, as old wives tales relate that it was more of an unmarried woman’s herb.
Basil’s heart-shaped leaves were once used as love tokens by suitors in Italy. Folklore has it that if the recipient accepted the leaf, they would fall madly in love with the giver. The Romans associated basil with fertility, while the Hindu related it to their god, Krishna, who was reputed to be very handsome.
Sage was often used in oracles and love potions. It was believed to be a sign of prosperity and the Romans and Egyptians believed it helped with fertility. If a young woman went into the garden at midnight on Halloween, and picked nine sage leaves without breaking the branch, she would see the future face of her husband.
Herbs have many functions, however the role related to love in ancient history and folklore are not practiced today, unless it is in a traditional way.
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Author Bio Box: Agnes Farside
 Please check out my other articles posted at: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/110407/agnes_farside.html
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