Herbs have been used for centuries for their healing properties. The Bible, as a guide to faith and life, also mentions herbs in various contexts, often highlighting their role in healing and restoration. In this article, we will explore 19 Bible verses about herbs for healing. These verses will help us understand God’s provision for health and how we can use natural remedies to care for our bodies.
1. Genesis 1:29 – God’s Provision of Plants
“Then God said, ‘I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.'”
In the beginning, God gave humans plants and trees for food, which also implies that herbs for healing were part of His creation. This verse shows that plants were meant to nourish and heal us.
2. Genesis 3:18 – Thorns and Thistles
“It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.”
While sin brought pain into the world, plants, including herbs, continue to be part of God’s provision, even though life became more difficult after the fall. Herbs still serve to nourish and heal, offering hope.
3. Exodus 15:26 – Healing through Obedience
“He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'”
God is our healer. While this verse focuses on obedience, it highlights that God’s healing often comes through natural means, including herbs, as part of His created order.
4. Exodus 30:23-25 – Healing Oils
“Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant cane, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil.'”
This passage describes the use of various aromatic plants and herbs like myrrh and cinnamon to create anointing oil. These plants had healing and cleansing properties, and the oil was used for spiritual healing.
5. Leviticus 14:4-6 – Purification with Cedarwood and Hyssop
“The priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedarwood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the person to be cleansed.”
Herbs like hyssop were used in purification rituals. Hyssop was believed to have cleansing and healing properties, both physically and spiritually.
6. Psalm 104:14 – Herbs for Healing and Food
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth.”
God provides herbs not only as food but also as plants that serve a variety of healing purposes. He uses nature as a source of life, nourishment, and health.
7. Psalm 107:20 – Healing by His Word
“He sent out His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave.”
While this verse emphasizes God’s Word, it is important to note that God’s Word also encourages us to seek natural remedies, including herbs, as part of His healing plan.
8. Proverbs 4:20-22 – Health in God’s Word
“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.”
Just as we need spiritual health, we are also called to care for our physical health. Herbs, as part of God’s creation, can be seen as a way to maintain this health.
9. Proverbs 15:30 – Good Health from the Heart
“The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones.”
Good health is not only physical but also emotional. A healthy spirit can lead to healing, and herbs can play a part in restoring our bodies to health.
10. Proverbs 17:22 – A Cheerful Heart and Healing
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Herbs and other remedies are part of God’s provision for healing. A healthy heart and a positive spirit can support the healing properties of herbs.
11. Isaiah 38:21 – Use of Figs for Healing
“Isaiah had said, ‘Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.'”
In this passage, the prophet Isaiah instructs King Hezekiah to use figs as a remedy for illness. This illustrates the use of herbs and natural remedies for healing.
12. Isaiah 55:12-13 – The Joy of Healing
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
Herbs, such as juniper and myrtle, are part of God’s restoration plan. He uses nature, including healing plants, to bring about peace and restoration.
13. Jeremiah 8:22 – Balm in Gilead
“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?”
The balm of Gilead is often associated with medicinal herbs used for healing. The question asks why healing is not happening, highlighting that God has provided remedies, including herbs, for restoration.
14. Ezekiel 47:12 – Trees and Herbs for Healing
“Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”
In this prophetic vision, Ezekiel speaks of trees whose leaves are for healing. This verse affirms that God uses plants, including herbs, for the physical and spiritual healing of His people.
15. Matthew 13:31-32 – The Mustard Seed
“He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.'”
The mustard seed, often used in medicinal remedies, represents growth. Just as the mustard seed grows into a large tree, herbs can grow in their healing power, providing aid for those who seek them.
16. Mark 4:31-32 – The Mustard Seed Again
“It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
This repetition emphasizes the power of small things, like mustard seeds, which can heal. God uses small herbs to create large, healing effects.
17. Luke 10:34 – The Good Samaritan’s Oil and Wine
“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”
Oil and wine, both derived from plants, were used by the Good Samaritan for healing. This illustrates the healing power of natural remedies.
18. John 9:6-7 – Healing with Clay and Water
“After saying this, He spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go,’ He told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam.’ (This word means Sent.) So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”
While not specifically about herbs, Jesus’ use of natural elements like mud reminds us that healing can come through natural means, including the herbs God has created.
19. Revelation 22:2 – Healing Leaves
“On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
The leaves of the tree of life, found in heaven, will be for healing. This suggests that herbs and natural elements will continue to play a role in God’s healing plan, even in eternity.
Conclusion
Herbs for healing are mentioned throughout the Bible, often in connection with God’s provision and His desire to restore us. From the use of oils and figs for physical healing to the symbolic healing leaves in Revelation, God uses the natural world, including plants and herbs, to bring health and restoration. As we reflect on these verses, we are reminded of the importance of seeking both spiritual and physical healing through the gifts God has provided, including the healing power of herbs.
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