Soy Candles

Verbena is a plant that can be grown as a perennial in frost free climates or as an annual otherwise.  They include herbs, shrubs and trees, can be wild or cultivated, and some which have fragrant showy flowers.  Some have leaves that are used in culinary methods.  The ones that grow in the U.S. are wild members called vervains.  They grow without much fuss if you do three things to help promote their growth: pick off the faded blooms called deadheading, fertilize once a year but wait till they are established and growing, and water often when first planted then only when very dry.  The plants grow in clumps and can reach heights of 6-10 inches.  The flowers can be pink, mauve, white, apricot, red, or purple and are very tiny, 5 petaled.  Verbena can be found in garden centers for purchase but are easy to grow from seeds.  It is popular in hanging baskets and in rock gardens and for edging, also in window boxes.  They do need 8-10 hours of direct sunlight and well drained soil.  A potential problem if they do not have these two things is powdery mildew.  Then the spider mites and thrips might also become a problem.  So be sure to offer plenty of sun and keep the soil well drained.  Verbena is a favorite in butterfly gardens, since it grows non-stop for several weeks. 

Verbena has a history behind it.  It has been associated with supernatural and divine forces.  In Ancient Egypt it was called “tears of Isis” and later ” Juno’s tears”.  Ancient Greece dedicated it to Eos Erigineia.  Even in the early Christian era, it was given to folk legend that Common Vervain was used on Jesus wounds after removal from the cross, then became called the “Holy Herb” or “Devil’s bane.  Then there is the legend that when mixed with a herbal tea and by keeping it near you it will protect you from vampires.  The flowers are engraved on Italian charms and is used in the preparation of a mandragora charm outlined in the ”The History and Practice of Magic” 1870 by Paul Christian.

Lemon verbena also known as citronalis has a lemony flavor and scent.  It is sometimes called verbena but is actually from a different plant.  Cultivated verbenas and lemon verbanas are used in tisanes.  These are tea like drinks in which herbs, flowers, or leaves are steeped.  You can find tea bags with verbena or vervain in them in health food stores.  Parts of these plants are distilled to create oils or used in condiments.  Verbena also has aroma-therapeutic uses.  Lemon verbena is believed to be a calming and sedative herb, and when combined with lavender and clary sage in a relaxing blend of essential oils can be used in massage. 

You can find the fragrance of verbena in soy candles and fill your home with that same aroma-therapeutic pleasure.  Verbena can bring calm and peace to your home this Christmas season in the fragrances of Verbena Berry Soy Candle, Coconut Lime Verbena Soy Candle, Soy Votive Candles in these same fragrances, Fragrance Oils in these same fragrances and Start Me Up Gourmet Body Massage Soy Candle.  Have a blessed holiday season!