--- title: "Herb of Renewal: A Poem By Gabriel Mojay" description: Take a literary journey into the new year with this poem by Gabriel Mojay. Written to inspire and reconnect us with the power of plants, this piece is a lovely way to transition into 2026. image: https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Blog%20images/Renewal%20Poem%20Featured.jpg --- [Our Blog ](https://info.mountainroseherbs.com/categories-original?hsLang=en-us) #### [RECIPES & DIY](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/recipes) #### [GREEN LIVING](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/green-living) #### [HERBALISM](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/herbalism) #### [AROMATHERAPY](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/aromatherapy) #### [BODY CARE](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/natural-body-care) #### [MORE TOPICS...](https://info.mountainroseherbs.com/categories-original?hsLang=en-us) # Herb of Renewal: A Poem By Gabriel Mojay *[![A close up photo of dried lemon balm ](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20images/Lemon%20Balm!.jpg?width=900&height=600&name=Lemon%20Balm!.jpg)](https://mountainroseherbs.com/lemon-balm) “Seeing that certain medicines are discovered,” * wrote Paracelsus, physician-alchemist of plants, *“which preserve the human body and its power to recover* *from sundry ailments, and which perchance*   *protect it altogether -* *marvelously - from stresses, afflictions,* *superfluities, and the weathered* *diminutions of its constitution;*   *seeing that such noble remedies -* *when these dreaded infirmities* *have broken through our defenses -* take them away* — then universities*   *[![A photo of two hands cupping fresh botanicals including lemon balm](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20images/Renewel%20Poem_Horizontal.jpg?width=900&height=600&name=Renewel%20Poem_Horizontal.jpg)](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-carmelite-water-recipe?hsLang=en-us)* *and physicians must study these medicines,* *and from them learn healing’s foundation:* *for such remedies contain the *Primum Ens, *the Original Substance of Creation.*   *These herbs, therefore, rejuvenate one’s frame — so that like the fabulous Halcyon of myth, it survives the storms that would otherwise chain the divine spirit’s life-giving gift.*   *In short, the medium through which life acts* *consists of elementary forms and patterns* *found in Nature, and which traps* *the *Quintessence* of Universal Matter:*   *thus, there are some substances* *in which this Quintessence, bright and miraculous,* *is contained in greater abundance,* *and from which it may be artfully extracted —* *such a substance is especially the herb called Melissa.”* [![Sunlight shining on a patch of lemon](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20images/Renewal%20Poem%20Lemon%20Balm%20AdobeStock_579758327.jpg?width=600&height=900&name=Renewal%20Poem%20Lemon%20Balm%20AdobeStock_579758327.jpg)](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/lemon-balm-uses-and-recipes?hsLang=en-us)   And so to Lemon Balm, the mind to clear and still, we seek its sweet felicity — its gentle humility to soothe and fill bewildered hearts with hope’s simplicity.   Whether its essence is enjoyed, or its tea imbibed,  let Melissa like the solstice Kingfisher a fertile New Year renewal provide ~ and impart the concord of every well-wisher. ### Looking For More Inspiration to start the year off right? ## [Explore New Year Reflections & Journal Prompts of an Herbalist](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/new-year-reflections-and-journal-prompts-of-an-herbalist?hsLang=en-us) You may also be interested in: - [10 Zero Waste Swaps for a Sustainable New Year](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/zero-waste-swaps-for-a-sustainable-new-year?hsLang=en-us) - [Benefits and History of Lemon Balm](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/lemon-balm-uses-and-recipes?hsLang=en-us) - [Herbal Carmelite Water Recipe](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-carmelite-water-recipe?hsLang=en-us) ![Renewal Poem PIN AdobeStock_579758327](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20images/Renewal%20Poem%20PIN%20AdobeStock_579758327.jpg?width=600&height=900&name=Renewal%20Poem%20PIN%20AdobeStock_579758327.jpg)   --- Topics: [Herbalism](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/herbalism), [Herbalist Corner](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/topic/herbalist-corner) ![Gabriel Mojay LAc,CertEd - Guest Writer](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Passionflower-1.jpg) ### Written by [Gabriel Mojay LAc,CertEd - Guest Writer](https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/author/gabriel-mojay-laccerted-guest-writer) on December 29, 2025 Gabriel Mojay is a California-based practitioner and teacher of Clinical Herbalism, Aromatherapy and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and Co-Director of the Actaea Institute of Herbal Medicine & Aromatherapy. Gabriel was born in England and moved with his family aged five to Maryland, where his Father, a cancer research chemist, worked at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Returning to England aged fifteen, he later discovered the principles of TCM through the writings of Michio Kushi, leading exponent of Macrobiotics. In 1984 he completed a practitioner course at the Kushi Institute of London in Shiatsu, a related bodywork therapy. From 1984-89 Gabriel undertook training in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine with teachers including Giovanni Maciocia, author of several widely-read textbooks on TCM in English. In his clinical practice, however, Gabriel emphasizes the use of botanicals in the Western tradition, having originally completed a course in their energetic actions and uses according to TCM. More recently, he has studied advanced Herbal Medicine with Lisa Ganora and Thomas Easley, among others. After completing a course in Scientific Aromatherapy in 1988 with pre-eminent French experts Pierre Franchomme and Dr Daniel Pénoël MD, and later with Prof. Dietrich Wabner of Munich University, Gabriel specialized in the clinical use of essential oils, as a practitioner and instructor. From 1990, he was Principal of the Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine & Aromatherapy (ITHMA), and in the same year, founded a practitioner association which in 2002 merged to form the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA), a UK-registered nonprofit charity with some 2000 members in 50 countries. Gabriel has given classes in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, the UK, and in the USA for the United Plant Savers’ International Herb Symposium, California School of Herbal Studies, Berkeley Herbal Center, Pennsylvania School of Herbalism’s Hawthorn Gathering as well as for a number of Aromatherapy associations since 1998. Gabriel works in addition as an Aromatherapy and essential oil product consultant for various companies and co-hosted a conference for physicians on Advances in Medical Aromatherapy, in April 2025. Gabriel was Associate Editor of the International Journal of Clinical Aromatherapy from 2014-18, is co-author of Shiatsu - the Complete Guide, and author of Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit. He lives close to Yosemite National Park, on native lands of the Mi-Wuk people. --- #### WELCOME ## We offer one of the most thorough selections of certified organic herbs, spices, and botanical products and are commited to responsible sourcing. 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