Birth Month Herbs: Find Yours by Month

January: Peppermint

January sits in the dead middle of Northern Hemisphere winter, and energy runs thin. A warm mug of peppermint tea is the simple lift, sharp on the tongue, clearing in the head.

• Peppermint’s crisp, clean scent brings a sense of freshness and clarity to dreary winter days.
• The invigorating, clarifying quality of peppermint lines up well with the focused nature of Capricorn and the innovative spirit of Aquarius, making it a fitting herb for January.
• Growing tip: Peppermint is a hardy perennial that spreads fast. Grow it in a container so it does not take over the bed. Partial sun, moist soil, and you can clip leaves all season.
• In the kitchen: Steep a small handful of fresh leaves in hot water for tea. Chop into yogurt, lamb dishes, or summer fruit salads.

February: Fennel

Fennel is the courage herb. Folklore ties it to strength, protection, purification, and a quiet promise of rebirth, all useful frames for late winter.

• Fennel contains compounds that may be calming and support Aquarius’s innovative thinking, helping them keep focus on their humanitarian goals.
• The courage that fennel represents can help Aquarius in the fight for what they believe is right.
• Fennel’s protective and purifying qualities are useful for the sensitive Pisces nature, helping shield against negative energies.
• Growing tip: Full sun, deep loose soil. Fennel resents being moved, so direct-sow seeds where you want the plant to stay. Do not plant near dill or coriander, they cross-pollinate.
• In the kitchen: The bulb roasts sweet, the fronds finish a fish dish, the seeds flavor sausage and bread.

March: Sage

Sage, a flavorful ingredient in cooking, is believed to be particularly important for those born in March (Pisces-Aries) as it relates to wisdom, purification, and protection.

• “Sage” comes from the Latin word salvere, which means “to be saved.”
• Often used in spiritual practices like smudging, a time-honored method that cleanses places, items, and people with its smoke.
• Alternative March herbs include: mugwort, basil, lemon balm, and borage.
• Growing tip: Full sun, well-drained soil, a little gravel mixed in. Sage hates wet feet. A single plant will hold for three to four years before it goes woody and wants replacing.
• In the kitchen: Fry whole leaves in butter for ravioli, rub the chopped herb into pork, drop a sprig into the Thanksgiving stuffing.

April: Rosemary

Rosemary adds a rich flavor to meats, vegetables, and soups, and is believed to be especially important for those born in April (Aries-Taurus) as it relates to protection, strength and determination.

• The scent of rosemary is believed to strengthen your memory.
• Often used in wedding decorations and headpieces as a symbol of remembering one’s past life, rosemary is also used in funerals as a way to say goodbye.
• Alternative April herbs include: basil, nettle, chervil, wormwood, and geranium.
• Growing tip: Full sun, sandy soil, very little water once established. In USDA zones 7 and warmer it lives outside year-round. Farther north, grow it in a pot and bring it in for winter.
• In the kitchen: Lay sprigs under a leg of lamb, tuck into roast potatoes, steep into shortbread or simple syrup.

May: Thyme

Thyme adds a savory touch in the kitchen, and also symbolizes courage and strength, valued characteristics of those born in May (Taurus-Gemini).

Thymol may still be found in mouthwashes and toothpastes today.

Before antibiotics existed, thymol (from thyme oil) was applied to bandages in folk medicine.

• Growing tip: Full sun, dry rocky soil, light hand on the watering can. Thyme is a low creeper that does well in cracks and along garden edges.
• In the kitchen: Strip the tiny leaves off woody stems and add to roasts, stews, bean dishes, and slow tomato sauces.

June: Lavender

Lavender symbolizes calmness, relaxation, and tranquility, making it an ideal herb for those born in June (Gemini-Cancer).

A member of the mint family, lavender is a popular and fragrant perennial plant that adds aroma and beauty to any garden.

• Lavender gets its name from the Latin verb lavare, meaning “to wash,” because of its use in baths to cleanse the body and spirit.
• Today lavender is commonly added to soaps and shampoos.
• Popular as an essential oil, lavender has calming properties that may reduce anxiety and aid sleep.
• In ancient times, lavender flowers were commonly sewn into sachets to help the sleepless.
• Strip lavender buds off the stems and tuck them into little cloth bags to make your own sachets. Place them in dresser drawers or under your pillow for a relaxing, calming scent.
• Growing tip: Full sun, gravelly soil, almost no fertilizer. Lavender hates rich beds. Prune lightly in spring to keep the plant bushy.

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July: Parsley

Much more than a garnish: parsley symbolizes freshness, vitality, and purification, perfect for those born in July (Cancer-Leo).

• Ancient Greeks and Romans crowned their heroes and loved ones with parsley garlands. They also made funerary wreaths with this herb.
• In some cultures today, sprigs of parsley are placed on wedding tables to symbolize fertility and fortune for the newlyweds.
• Growing tip: Partial sun, rich moist soil. Parsley is a biennial that flowers in the second year. Sow new seed every spring for a steady kitchen supply.
• In the kitchen: Chop into tabbouleh, gremolata, chimichurri, salsa verde. A handful at the end of a soup brightens everything in the pot.

August: Chamomile

Rooted in tranquility, peace, and relaxation, chamomile is perfect for soothing over-thinkers born in August (Leo-Virgo).

• Chamomile comes from the Greek words khamai, meaning “ground,” and melon, meaning “apple,” reflecting its low growing stature and apple-like aroma.
• Used for centuries in herbal remedies, chamomile may relieve anxiety, reduce stress, aid digestion, soothe stomachs, and promote better sleep.
• Chamomile also helps with skin conditions, such as eczema, burns, diaper rash, and acne.
• Chamomile tea can be made from fresh or dried flowers and is a popular beverage that has been cherished for centuries.
• Growing tip: Full or partial sun, light soil. German chamomile self-seeds happily once it gets going. Pinch the daisy-like flowers off in the morning and dry them on a screen for tea.

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September: Dill

Dill is commonly linked to rejuvenation and security, hallmarks of those born in September (Virgo-Libra).

• Throughout ancient times, dill was believed to ward off evil spirits and protect against curses, its lace-like blooms thought to repel negative energy.
• Many cultures consider dill a lucky charm and use it in traditional ceremonies to attract wealth and good fortune.
• Dill is often included in bridal bouquets.
• In Greek and Norse mythology, dill is connected to strength and was known to be used in love potions.
• Growing tip: Full sun, direct-sow in spring after frost. Dill bolts in heat, so sow a second round in late summer for a fall cutting. Keep away from fennel.
• In the kitchen: Snip fresh fronds into potato salad, yogurt sauces, and salmon plates. The seed heads are the soul of a pickle jar.

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October: Catnip

Well-known for soothing cats, catnip may also have a calming effect on humans (according to HealthLine.com).

• Catnip’s charming flowers are thought to boost tranquility, and are associated with spiritual consciousness, helping connect individuals with heightened states of awareness and aiding in releasing unwanted energies.
• Growing catnip in your garden is said to attract positive vibes and good luck.
• Catnip flowers are often used in meditation practices to improve relaxation and focus.
• In many cultures catnip flowers represent youth and fertility, while portraying love and fleeting beauty in literature and art.
• Growing tip: Full sun, almost any soil. Catnip spreads, so cage it or grow it in a wide pot. Cut back hard after flowering for a second flush of leaves.
• In the kitchen: Dry the leaves for a mild, mint-adjacent tea. Use sparingly, the flavor is grassier than peppermint.

In Greek and Egyptian mythology, catnip is associated with the goddess or god of fertility. In Roman mythology this herb is tied to Venus, the goddess of love.

November: Cayenne

Cayenne is a fiery spice, associated with heat, energy, and vitality. A catalyst for change and transformation, cayenne suits those born in November (Scorpio-Sagittarius).

• Across various cultures, chili peppers, including cayenne, are believed to possess protective qualities. They are used to ward off negative energies or entities. Some traditions involve hanging strings of red peppers by doorways to create a barrier against evil.
• Growing tip: Full sun, warm soil, a long season. Start seed indoors six to eight weeks before last frost. Cayenne ripens late summer through early fall and dries well on a string.
• In the kitchen: Crush dried pods into stews, chili, and dry rubs. A small pinch is plenty.

Cayenne is thought to stimulate circulation and metabolism (reported by ClevelandClinic.org).

December: Basil

Believed to bring abundance and positive energy, which complements the natural optimism of those born in December (Sagittarius-Capricorn).

Basil also has strong connections with the home and hearth. That ties to both signs: Sagittarians enjoy their travels but also enjoy a warm home to return to, and Capricorns are very much tied to the home and family.

• According to Victorian floriography (the secret language of flowers), basil represented hatred. That association spawned from an old belief that “much cursing was required” to grow basil. People believed that verbally scolding your basil plant encouraged it to grow.
• Growing tip: Full sun, rich soil, steady water. Pinch flower buds off as soon as they appear, that keeps the plant putting energy into leaves. Bring a pot indoors before first frost.
• In the kitchen: Tear leaves over tomato salad, blend into pesto, layer through lasagna, drop into a pot of late-summer soup.

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