Herbs of Legend: Samhain, Halloween + Botanical Folklore
The herbs used in ancient Samhain earned their place through centuries of folklore, each carrying stories of protection, remembrance, and healing.
Halloween's most legendary herbs carry stories far older than jack-o'-lanterns and trick-or-treating. Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival celebrated October 31st-November 1st, marked the end of harvest and beginning of winter. The Celts believed that at Samhain the division between this world and the otherworld was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through.
The herbs our ancestors chose for these sacred nights weren't random. Each plant held specific meaning in the folklore surrounding All Hallows' Eve.
Rosemary: The Herb of Remembrance
Salvia rosmarinus
Rosemary was known as the herb "for remembrance" at Samhain, used specifically for connecting with ancestors and traditionally burned at funerary rites to honor the dead. It was also believed to be a potent counter-charm against witchcraft, and burned with thyme to ward off evil spirits.
In traditional Celtic ceremonies, families would burn rosemary to honor those who had passed, letting the smoke carry their remembrance to the spirit world.
Elderberry: Guardian of Souls
Sambucus
Elderberry had the strongest ties to Halloween among European herbs, associated with the Germanic goddess Holle who was guardian of the dead and helped souls cross over. People hung elder branches above doorways to protect homes from malevolent spirits and witches on All Hallows' Eve.
Legend held that the goddess herself lived in the elder tree, making it sacred. Traditional wisdom warned against burning elder wood, as this would invite death or evil into the home. Elderberry became known as "the medicine chest of country people" for its protective and wellness-supporting properties during harsh winter months.
Four More Plants of Legend
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Called "Mary's Gold" in medieval times, calendula was believed to hold captured sunshine. Herbalists treasured it as a plant that could bring light through the darkest days of winter.
Chamomile
Chamomilla
Ancient herbalists called it "the plant's physician" because it seemed to help other plants thrive nearby. This gentle flower earned its legendary status through generations of traditional use.
Rose
Rosa
Held sacred across ancient cultures, rose symbolized love and protection. In some traditions, rose petals scattered on All Hallows' Eve honored ancestors and invited their peaceful presence.
Lavender
Lavandula
European folklore held that lavender could protect homes and bring peaceful sleep. Its calming presence made it a natural choice for the sacred and sometimes frightening night of Samhain.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Why were these specific herbs chosen for Samhain traditions?"
Traditional cultures selected plants based on their observed properties and symbolic meanings. These herbs offered both practical applications (protection, cleansing, remembrance) and spiritual significance that aligned with Samhain's themes of honoring the dead and protecting the living.
"How were these herbs actually used during Samhain?"
Rosemary was burned in ceremonies and worn for protection. Elderberry branches decorated doorways and the berries were prepared into wellness tonics for winter. Other herbs were woven into wreaths, burned as incense, or scattered as offerings. Many traditions combined several herbs for protective bundles or ceremonial fires.
"Are these traditions still practiced today?"
Modern herbalists and those celebrating traditional Samhain continue using these plants in ceremonies, though often adapted for contemporary practice. The symbolic meanings remain powerful connections to ancestral traditions, and the wellness preparations like elderberry tonic continue to be valued for seasonal support.
From Herbalist to You
These plants of legend remind us that our ancestors understood the power of the botanical world in ways both practical and spiritual. The herbs chosen for Samhain celebrations represented deep knowledge passed through generations, each plant carrying stories of protection, remembrance, and the thin veil between worlds.
Traditional plant wisdom remains a living practice. The herbs our ancestors valued for their legendary properties continue offering us connections to ancient traditions and the cycles of nature.
Want to learn how to use these herbs to make a Samhain wellness tonic?
Get the recipe in this blog post:
Ready to explore the folklore behind these plants of legend? Watch our video where we share the stories and traditions of Halloween's most powerful herbs.
