Christmas time

"Of all the old festivals, however, that of Christmas awakens the strongest and most heartfelt associations"- Washington Irving (1783-1859)

 Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. It is a Christian feast of the birth of Jesus Christ interwoven with folk rituals and pagan traditions. Christmas is a cultural heritage of the world. Christmas tree, Father Christmas or Father Frost, St. Nicholas or Santa Claus, trolls, holly, mistletoe, Christmas spices and incense, Christ Rose and Poinsettia, stockings, chocolate, apples and tangerines, nuts and pomegranate, more and more Christmas symbols. It is Christmas all around us.
Christmas time is a time to remember that we need to each other. It is a time of contemplation. Christmas day is a traditional family feast day. Even though for someone who dislikes Christmas for  an excessive consumerism, it is really up to us to change this association and make it free from pretence and make Christmas truly sincere.
Christmas time involves a lot of herbs and plants from around the world and each of them has a meaning and history behind.
The Christ Rose-Black Hellebore (Helleborus niger)- Rose de Noel

Native to Europe, Hellebore are an evergreen perennial with white, pink or purple five-petals flowers. In mild winters the plant can bring flowers right on Christmas Eve. Hellebore is resistant to cold and that is why it was thought that this plant has a magic power. It is considered as the plant of Saturn and has the power to cure madness. At least in 1400BC, the natural historian Pliny claimed that Black Hellebore can help to treat mental conditions. But now in 21 century we know that Black Hellebore contains cardiac glycosides as Helleborin, Helleborein and Hellebrin, steroidal saponins and alkaloids. The action of this plant is very strong and extremely Toxic. Must Not be used in any way, except for decorations only.
Have a happy Christmas time to all:)