Sacred Roots: Celtic Herbal Healing and the Scents of Gluttony Candles
- Maggie Murphree
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 13
Celtic herbal healing wasn’t just folklore - it was science wrapped in myth, memory, and moss. And today, it still lingers in scent and ritual.
Hollywood might like to paint the Celts as war-painted wildlings, shouting across windswept cliffs while brandishing swords and general unruliness. But truth be told, they were far more sophisticated than their on-screen depictions. These were people who built complex spiritual systems, practiced communal wellness, and perhaps most notably, knew how to harness the earth’s natural pharmacy. Herbs, trees, roots, and flowers weren’t just pretty...they were powerful!
Healers of the Hedgerow: From Druids to Bean Feasa
In Celtic Ireland, healing didn’t come in plastic bottles. It came in leaves, bark, berries, and the women and men who knew how to use them.
The Druids, spiritual leaders and wisdom-keepers, were the original herbalists, blending ritual with remedy. They taught that health was a balance of mind, body, spirit, and land. The trees were sacred; the oaks, hazels, and rowans were not only symbolic but also medicinal. Every plant had a purpose. Every root, a story.
But the Druids didn’t corner the market on cures. In later centuries, the bean feasa (wise women) held that lineage, often working from kitchens and gardens, guided by recipes that were half science, half whispered prayer. These were the women you visited for a chesty cough, a colicky baby, or yes…a verruca that got rubbed with molasses, spit on, and sent packing.
Some rituals were practical, others slightly... questionable, yet at the core was one belief: the earth provides, if you know how to listen.
Healing Was a Ritual, Not a Rush
There were no five-minute doctor visits or prescriptions picked up at Tesco. Healing was slow. Intentional. A ritual involving gathering, brewing, steeping, rubbing, chanting...or maybe just a long walk through the woods to clear your head.
Even now, in the quieter corners of Ireland, these traditions persist. Some families still rely on passed-down cures, a poultice for burns, boiled milk with onions for a cold (pretty sure that would be a hard one to swallow), or strong mint tea to settle a stomach. And while modern medicine leads the way today, something deep inside still leans toward the scent of wild herbs, warm honey, crushed lavender, and a little Celtic mystery. Listening and allowing your body and your mind to heal, in its time, with a little herbal help.
A Modern Revival: Healing in Scent
At Gluttony Candles, we believe scent is a form of healing too, rooted in ritual, memory, and mood. Many of our chef-made candles are inspired by the natural world and its ancient wisdom. And while we don’t claim to cure warts (molasses sold separately), some of our candles gently echo the healing traditions of old.
The Power of Scent
Scent is a powerful thing. It can transport you back to a moment in time, evoking memories and feelings you thought were long gone. It’s like a time machine for your senses! When you light one of our candles, you’re not just enjoying a lovely fragrance; you’re inviting a piece of history into your home.
Imagine the warm, comforting aroma of Honey Lavender wrapping around you like a cozy blanket. Or the invigorating burst of Grapefruit Mint, refreshing your mind and spirit. Each scent tells a story, connecting you to the earth and to those who came before us.
Crafting Connections
We’re all about connections here at Gluttony Candles. Not just to the past, but to each other. Lighting a candle can be a simple act, but it can also be a moment of reflection, a time to gather with loved ones, or a way to create a cozy atmosphere for yourself.
So, whether you’re sharing a laugh with friends or enjoying a quiet evening alone, our candles are there to enhance your experience. They’re not just candles; they’re companions on your journey.
Grapefruit Mint – The Cleanser
Sharp, citrusy grapefruit stimulates the senses, while mint brings clarity and calm - a blend that feels like a mental detox.
Modern use: Focus, clarity, clearing stagnant energy.
Ancestral echo: Mint has long been used in Irish households for digestive health and as a tonic herb - invigorating body and spirit.
Honey Lavender – The Soother
Calming lavender eases anxiety and tension, while honey adds depth and warmth - a scent that warms you from the inside.
Modern use: Sleep, rest, comfort.
Ancestral echo: Lavender (when available in Irish gardens) was prized for its sleep-inducing powers, while honey was a traditional healer for wounds and sore throats.
ROSEMARY SAGE - THE HEALER
Rosemary: Widely used in Celtic and Scottish herbs to boost memory, clarity, and mental focus. Also associated with purification and love, ideal for a candle meant to clear the mind.
Sage: Though introduced later, Celtic traditions included sage teas to calm nerves, ease headaches, and cleanse spaces - smoke rituals (Smudging) and infusions made with sage were common.
Modern Use: A clarifying blend for mental focus, stress relief, and emotional grounding.
Ancestral Echo: Rooted in Celtic purification rituals and herbal wisdom, rosemary and sage were prized for memory, protection, and spiritual clarity.
BLACK CURRANT - THE ORACLE
Native to northern Europe, black currant was traditionally used to soothe sore throats, treat respiratory infections, and reduce inflammation. Its leaves were often brewed into teas or gargles. A perfect match for our Black Currant candle to evoke healing and comfort.
Modern Use: Invigorates the senses with rich, fruity notes, perfect for creative spaces or evening wind-downs.
Ancestral Echo: Black currant leaves were steeped in folk remedies to soothe inflammation and aid digestion - a nod to old-world throat teas and forest healing.
PATCHOULI & PINE - THE FORAGER
Pine: Pine needle tea and resin were used for respiratory health, immunity, and spiritual purification. The evergreen tree symbolizes resilience and cleansing in many folk traditions.
Patchouli: An imported plant not found in Celtic tradition, but modern Celtic-inspired herbalism embraces global botanicals, and patchouli’s grounding, earthy aroma fits beautifully into a contemporary healing ritual.
Modern Use: Grounding and woodsy, ideal for nature lovers and those seeking a deep, earthy calm.
Ancestral Echo: Pine, revered in Celtic and Norse lore, offered resilience and breath-cleansing power. While patchouli is not Celtic, its deep roots evoke ancient earth rites.
Why It Matters Now
We live fast. We scroll more than we speak. And sometimes healing looks like lighting a candle, breathing in something familiar, and remembering who we are - caretakers of the earth, of our homes, of each other.
Celtic herbal healing wasn’t just about treatment - it was about connection. To nature. To tradition. To something just a little older and wiser than ourselves.
At Gluttony Candles, we honor that. In scent, in story, and always, with a wink to the old ways.
The old Irish ways may have included a bit of spit and superstition, but at their core was something deeply wise: a belief that healing starts with connection - to nature, to ritual, to ourselves. At Gluttony Candles, we honor that heritage with scents rooted in real herbs, real memories, and just a touch of modern magic.
So go on - light a candle, take a breath, and invite a bit of Celtic calm into your day.
Shop the scents. Savor the stories. And maybe ring your granny...she probably has a cure for something. Oh, and don't forget to leave a comment!