Holly as an Herb

(Ilex spp)

Holly is one of the most important of the English evergreens, growing into a striking plant in the wintry woodland, with glossy leaves and clusters of brilliant scarlet berries. This is the same Holly we closely connect with the festivities of Christmas, which, from very early days in the history, were gathered in great quantities for Yuletide decorations, both for the Church and for the home.

An old legend declares that the Holly first sprang up under the footsteps of Christ, when He trod the earth, and its thorny leaves and scarlet berries, like drops of blood, have been thought symbolical of the Saviour's sufferings, for which reason the tree is called 'Christ's Thorn' in the languages of the northern countries of Europe. It is, perhaps, in connection with these legends that the tree was called the Holy Tree, as it is generally named by our older writers.

Medicinal Uses for Holly

Holly leaves were formerly used as a diaphoretic and an infusion of them was given in catarrh, pleurisy and smallpox. They have also been used in intermittent fevers and rheumatism.

The berries, though eaten by birds, are injurious to human beings, and children should be warned against them. Deer will eat the leaves in winter, and sheep thrive on them. They are infested with few insects.

Folklore

In addition to being used as a decoration during the Christmas season, Holly is used as a protective plant. Planted outside the home, it is thought to afford protection to those dwelling within. Another line of thought is if you sprinkle holly water on newborn babies, it will protect them.

Holly (Ilex sp.) and hazel (Corylus avellana) In Norse mythology, holly and hazel also belonged to Thor the Thunderer, and were thought to protect people from his thunderbolts. Holly trees were planted a little distance from homes to attract lightning strikes away from the house. In Christian times, holly taken into the church for Christmas celebration (or hazel for Easter) was carried home and hung up to ward off lightning the rest of the year.

Culinary

The leaves of Holly have been employed in the Black Forest as a substitute for tea.

Paraguay Tea, so extensively used in Brazil, is made from the dried leaves and young shoots of another species of Holly (Ilex Paraguayensis), growing in South America, an instance of the fact that similar properties are often found in more than one species of the same genus.

---

DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Some plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals. Some plants used for illness in the past have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.