'Sacred': Exploring The Plants We Worship

The former editor of Harper바카라™s Bazaar applies her fashion and cosmetic expertise to an entirely different subject바카라”botanical traditions rooted in the Vedas and mythology. Herbs and flowers have long been recognised for their healing properties, easing ailments from chest colds to insomnia and promoting overall well-being.

Sacred explores the significance of various plants in worship and daily life over the centuries. Vasudha Rai structures her book into three sections, based on how people have historically used these plants. Each section is enriched with fascinating stories from history and mythology, covering 52 plant species to engage the reader. This is followed by an exploration of the science behind these plants and their benefits바카라”Vedic literature offers a systematic study of these herbs, which have significantly influenced modern medicine. They were referred to as oshadhi, or herbs beneficial to humankind. Each plant section concludes with practical recipes for face masks, tinctures, and other natural remedies.

In Seek, she highlights plants and herbs believed to help seekers connect with the divine, including bhang and dhatura바카라”substances often labelled as 바카라˜dangerous바카라™ or even poisonous. Yet, dhatura is sacred to Shiva, adorning his headdress during the Tandava dance, while bhang (cannabis) was prescribed to Queen Victoria for menstrual cramps and remains at the centre of a global movement advocating for its medicinal use. This section also covers frankincense and myrrh, famously gifted to baby Jesus and carried along the Spice Route to India, spreading their associations with tranquillity and peace.

Surrender focuses on fruits and herbs linked to spiritual devotion. These include the betel leaf바카라”once India바카라™s true green gold and a key element of oral hygiene바카라”and the pomegranate, considered sacred by Prophet Mohammed. It also features flowers like parijat and aparajita, commonly offered to deities, and the plantain tree, which, according to legend, is the consort of Lord Ganesha.

In Sanctify, Rai examines plants like tulsi and durba grass. She explains how tulsi stimulates the brain without the jittery effects of caffeine, which may explain the enduring popularity of tulsi tea. Jasmine, associated with Lord Shiva in the Vedic texts, is believed to calm the mind by acting on neural receptors through its aroma. Neem, a drought-resistant evergreen, is revered in some parts of India, where the tree itself is worshipped as the goddess Neemari Devi for its health-giving properties.

The peepal tree, also known as Ashvattha, is arguably the most worshipped tree in India. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna, regarded as the supreme deity in the Vaishnava tradition, identifies with the peepal tree. Scientifically, it acts as a natural pollution filter, though its roots can be destructive to buildings. Rai pairs the peepal with a ritual for good health, and the book features a foreword by the environmentalist known as Peepal Baba, who has planted and conserved over 1.25 crore peepal trees in an effort to combat climate destruction.

Providers of shade and bearers of fruit, trees have long been associated with life and fertility. Whether planted around homes, in communities, or in forests, they help fight climate change. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb COâ‚‚ and other pollutants, storing carbon while releasing pure oxygen. Rai바카라™s research also explores the climate-friendly aspects of trees and herbs that can thrive in barren soil and help rejuvenate the earth.

There are, however, some inaccuracies. Rai describes Annapurna Devi as an avatar of Lakshmi, whereas the true avatar is Dhanlakshmi; Annapurna is actually a form of Parvati, widely worshipped in Bengal around Ram Navami. The tale of Ganesha and durba grass is described as 바카라˜beautiful,바카라™ yet it is followed by two snippets that don바카라™t quite match that description.

It also offers lesser-known insights, such as the fact that true cinnamon must come from Sri Lanka, as the more common variety contains high levels of carcinogens바카라”something most readers may not be aware of.

An easily written book for people in a hurry or those eager to get to the recipes and skim over the details, Sacred straddles the worlds of mythology and practicality with ease, bringing new ways to worship the environment into homes. With its striking cover, Sacred is best suited for those who enjoy the process of gathering spices and herbs to create their own natural remedies.