15 August is the Feast of the Assumption in the Catholic calendar. In the folk tradition, this day is dedicated to Our Blessed Mother of the Herbs. This holiday used to be designated the Feast of Sleep, Death and Rest.

One legend states that three days after the death of the Virgin Mary, the apostles could find no body in the grave – only flowers and herbs, ears of cereal, and fruit and vegetables. Bouquets and/or garlands of herbs picked in fields and meadows, garden flowers, vegetables and ears of cereal are blessed in churches on this day. These are believed to have miraculous powers and are hung beside paintings in houses. Garlands are hung outside as well to protect the home and its occupants from thunder, lightning and hail storms. A bouquet typically contains a few ears of cereal, garlic, pumpkin, carrots, myrtle, cornflower, cabbage leaves, beets, dill, a handful of flax, poppies, peas, onions, parsley, garden flowers and herbs. A garland typically contains dried herbs and is hung on the wall near a painting. The blessed bouquets and garlands are taken home. They were once believed to be possessed of miraculous powers – and some of the older generation still believe this. An aching head can be washed with a broth made of blessed herbs or incensed with dried ones. Herbs can also be used to make medicinal teas to relieve stomach ailments. Bouquets were taken to fields and placed with flax or cabbages and then collected after six days and shut away in the attic. Herbs were used medicinally or placed in coffins. They were also used to fumigate houses and ward off illness. Sick cattle were also fumigated or given boiled herbs to drink.