Every Saturday there is a ritual that softly transports me from the holy space of Shabbat into a fresh week: inhaling the aromas of the besamim, the sacred Havdalah spices. This ritual evokes scent — the sense most intimately connected to memory. Besamim blends are made up of our most fragrant spices, often including some combination of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, rosemary, rose, and dried orange peel. To use these sweet and warming plants is to spark the light of our ancestry, delighting our bodies, hearts, and homes. Their scent becomes a thread connecting us to the past.
In Talmudic tradition, this ritual is considered to comfort and revive our souls for the departure of the neshamah yeterah, the extra soul we gain during Shabbat. Some say that the departure of this extra spiritual body evokes a sense of mourning — the besamim blend is there to revive the energetic self. Yet when I lovingly hold the spices in my hand, pouring them into the besamim box, it also feels like an act of pouring in gratitude for what I have received this Shabbat and for what is still to come. The besamim spices call to us as a weekly reminder of our cycles of evolution and growth — a grounding force in our spiritual journeys.
The Traditional Folk Uses and Healing Powers of Besamim Blends
As a Jewish herbalist, I’ve always been intrigued by the healing powers of the spices in these blends. How were these herbs chosen? What spiritual significance do they hold? And what are the medicinal benefits they can add to our lives beyond just the fragrance?
Many of the herbs used in besamim blends have powerful antiseptic and cleansing properties. They act as a physical cleanser for the home and for our spiritual homes, our bodies. They often have analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, while also supporting the respiratory and digestive systems. Ashkenazi and Sephardic communities share many plants in common, yet their blends reflect the differences in climate and the flora that surrounded them. For example, Sephardic traditions incorporate more Mediterranean citrus spices or myrtle.
“There was never one specific blend — only what was near, known, and meaningful. Spices passed down were refreshed week by week, fragrance as a thread of continuity. To craft your own besamim today is to honor that sacred creativity: a tapestry of scent, spice and soul.”
— Jewish herbalist Emunah Lemons
Whether the herbs they gathered came from their local gardens, the fields, or shops that imported spices, our ancestors touched what they knew. To continue this sacred act is to carry forward a beautiful blend of history and healing.
Besamim: Ancestral Spices
In honoring this ancestral craft, I want to highlight the spiritual significance and medicinal power of some herbs commonly found in a besamim blend.
Cinnamon (Cinnamonum verum): The English name of this spice shares its roots with the Hebrew word קינמון (kinamon). What we know as cinnamon is a sweet and spicy bark from a tree, originating from Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Revered all along the spice trade routes, there’s evidence of cinnamon dating to over 3,000 years ago at the ruins of Tel Dor, south of modern Haifa. The Kohanim, the priests of the ancient Temple, infused their holy anointing oil with cinnamon as well as myrrh. Strong for cardiovascular support and a delightful digestive aid, cinnamon offers warming and moistening properties when taken internally. Breaking cinnamon sticks into chips helps release the fragrant volatile oils.
Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum): In Hebrew, cloves are ציפורן (tziporen), a name which evokes their shape as a birdlike foot (bird is tzipor – ציפור). They come from the myrtle family indigenous to Southeast Asia. According to Jewish folk tradition, cloves are a strong protector against the ayin ha-rah (Evil Eye), which was considered the root of many illnesses. Several Sephardic and Ashkenazi prayers include references to cloves as a source of such protection. Cloves are naturally antimicrobial, antiseptic, and analgesic (pain-relieving). Inhaling the scent of cloves brings these calming and cleansing properties into the home and the body.
Myrtle (Myrtus communis): Fragrant and enlivening, myrtle radiates an energy that evokes the Shekhinah, the feminine Divine. The heroine of the Purim story, Esther, had the Hebrew name Hadassah, which comes from the word for myrtle, הדס (hadas). In the book of Nehemiah (8:15), myrtle is one of the plants to be collected for the celebration of Sukkot, marking it as a Jewish symbol of peace and prosperity, righteousness, renewal, and transformation. It is also another fantastic antiseptic and pain-relieving herb. Add the crushed leaves of myrtle to your besamim blend for a delightful and prosperous Havdalah experience.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): In my previous article about rosemary, I share why this herb is such a beautiful herb of divinity. It is a key herb linked to memory and remembrance, as well as a strong protectant against the Evil Eye. In Jewish folk tradition, women and children would place a sprig of rosemary inside pockets, on an altar, or in an amulet for protection. With its soothing fragrance, it was widely used for cleansing, detoxifying, memory and cognitive function, gastrointestinal issues, immunity, and more. Adding sprigs of Rosemary — רוזמרין (rosmarin) — to your besamim blend can call upon this ancestral knowledge and spiritual protection.
Rue (Ruta graveolens): The Hebrew word for rue is פיגם (pigam) or רוטה/רודה (rudah/rutah). The Jewish herbalist and teacher Dori Midnight shares that “the name Rue/Ruta is derived from the Latin reuo, meaning ‘to set free,’ pointing to rue’s liberatory powers.” In many Jewish traditions, especially in Sephardic and SWANA communities, rue is a powerful source of protection against the Evil Eye, and burning its seeds can even expel demons. For this reason, rue is called “The Queen of Herbs” in Ladino. Used in small doses internally, it’s a great stomachache cure, especially when paired with mint and lemon. Strong and aromatic, rue often has a bitter or musky scent that’s not for everyone but can feel delightfully nostalgic.
Spark Joy with Your Besamim Mixture
It is a true joy to experiment with herbs and spices. I encourage you to follow your heart when making your besamim blend for Havdalah — trust your sense of what smells good and lifts your spirits. Below are two base recipes with you to help guide you on your journey. You are welcome to craft them as written or modify them as you desire.
Note: “1 part” refers to the ratio you use in a blend and can be any measure you choose. Use a spoonful to start so you don’t waste much if you’re not satisfied with your initial result.
For a warm aromatic spice blend, try 3 parts cloves, 2 parts cinnamon, and then 1 part either rose, myrtle, or dried orange peel.
For a more earthy blend, you could try 3 parts myrtle or rue, 2 parts each of rose and rosemary, 1 part each of cloves and cinnamon.
When crafting your own besamim blend, opt for a clean glass, wood, or ceramic bowl to mix. Vessels made from natural materials (as opposed to plastic) help maintain the energetic sacredness of the plants.
Warm spices like cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon are more fragrant than herbs or leaves due to their volatile oils. If you get them whole, it’s nice to break them down with a mortar and pestle to help release the oils and instantly fill the air with their perfumes.
There are infinite possibilities for how you can combine these herbs and spices into your own unique blend. I encourage you to connect with these beautiful plant allies and discover which besamim blend speaks to your spirit!
At The Well uplifts many approaches to Jewish practice. Our community draws on ancient Jewish wisdom, sometimes adapting longstanding practices to more deeply support the well-being of women and nonbinary people. See this article’s sources below. We believe Torah (sacred teachings) are always unfolding to help answer the needs of the present moment.
The Additional Shabbat Soul, Chabad.org
Cinnamon, Plants of the Bible
Myrtle, Plants of the Bible
Ancestral Herbalism: Jewish Traditions and the Divinity of Rosemary, At The Well
Rue, Plants of the Bible
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