The Vine

-Botanical

Latin name: Vitis

The vine is a bush, growing on a vertical support, a spiral. It is native from Minor Asia, and cultivated since Antiquity for its fruits and for the wine. These fruits can have different colors, depending of the specie. They grow in bunches.
One specie is cultivated since ancient time in Europe, Vitis Vinifera. We can find it also in Asia, south of Africa. Most of actual grape varieties came from this specie.
Today grape varieties are introducing in all continents, and wine-growing took importance in California, South Africa and Argentina. Wine-growing take up more than 8 million hectares in the world, and produces about 300 millions hl of wine.
This economic field is also used by the tourism one, because of the development of Oenological Tourism.

-Customs, Legends and Mythology

Gaelic name: Muin
Month: August
Color: Variegated
Letter in the Ogham: M
Meaning: Inner development occurring, but take time for relaxation

Vine history was first established around the eastern part of Mediterranean Sea. Vine was introduced in France by Phocaea people around the 6^th century BC. Later, it will follow the progression of Roman Empire.
Vine tree is one of the mythic trees of Celtic civilization, and vine's leaves was an important motif in art during the Britannic's Iron Age.
In ancient Middle East, the wine was the God's drink. Vine was probably identified as the Paradise's Tree of Life. It symbolized Israel and its people, property of God. Later, the symbolism was applied to the Messiah, and wine began the Christ's blood.

-Healing

Leaves and sap can be use as astringent and anti-inflammatory, thanks to decoctions. When a branch is broke, people can use the secretion obtaining as a diuretic medication.
There is one special variety of red-vine which has properties containing in the red stains of its leaves. It's useful to tone up hairs and veins, and appreciate to cure menopause's symptoms.

-Physical uses

The wood of vine stock can be kept during a long time, and is used for the elaboration of some items, like sticks.
But since Antiquity, Vine is cultivated because of the wine, exported in all continents, and thanks to a big economic field were developed, even in ancient times.