HERBS
If you have have any information on Herbs that you would like to share then please email: CrystalHealer
If you decide to copy any of this information please souce back to this site and the author of the text.
HERBS
If you have have any information on Herbs that you would like to share then please email: CrystalHealer
If you decide to copy any of this information please souce back to this site and the author of the text.
|
eListed below is information on Herbs that I have been fortunate to received from dear friends Please note the warnings that are included in the information.
|
||||||||
|
Agrimony
by SleepingDragon |
||||||||
|
Calendula
by SleepingDragon |
Cleavers
by SleepingDragon |
Cockeburr
by SleepingDragon |
Compass
Weed
by SleepingDragon |
Dandilion
by SleepingDragon |
||||
|
Elf-Leaf
by SleepingDragon |
Garclive
by SleepingDragon |
Ginger
by SleepingDragon |
Golds
by SleepingDragon |
|||||
|
|
||||||||
|
AGRIMONY Agrimony - known as Church-Steeples, Sticklewort, Cockeburr and also in Anglo-Saxon times as Garclive. It was one of the main herbs used in the making of eau d'arquebusade an herbal lotion used to treat wounds, bruises and sprains in the early 14th century. In traditional Chinese healing a close relative known as Shaggy Speedwell is known to encourage blood-clotting. Medicinal Parts used- Flowers and leaves. Magical Gender- Masculine Cultivation By seeds sown in April - May in trays of compost or in the garden in well drained soil in sun. Agrimony is at home whether in its natural wildflower-meadow or in a border, and with it's lovely fern-type leaves makes a nice counterpart to herbs such as lavender and thyme. It is best to harvest just before the flowers open and dried gently in the shade before storing in air-tight containers. Oddments! It was said that to bind Agrimony together with Broom, Ground ivy, Maidenhair Fern and Rue and carried would enable the bearer to 'see' witches and if placed above doorways would prevent witches from entering the house! The whole plant yields a dye and depending when it was gathered this ranged from pale to deep yellow.
|
||||||||
|
ANGELICA First introduced to Britain in the 16th century Angelica - also known as Masterwort and Archangel plant - was first used by the Chinese as early as AD200. In Britain it was used to treat fevers, typhus and the bites of 'mad dogs'. Sucking the stem was said to protect against the plague and to carry it would offer protection against poisons and witchcraft! Medicinal CAUTION: Not to be used during pregnancy. May cause rash if handled. Parts used- Roots and leaves. As a tea or syrup is said to aid relieve coughs and bronchitis also may aid with periods, if used with chamomile may help with lose of appetite. Leaves used as a compress may ease painful joints and rheumatic inflammation. Magical Gender- Masculine An herb of Imbolc, angelica is used for protection and healing. Protective if grown in the garden or sprinkled round the house or rooms. The dried roots can be used as good luck charms. Cultivation By seeds sown in late spring - either in good compost or directly in soil - Angelica is happy in sun or dappled shade where the soil is rich and moisture retentive. It has a habit of self-seeding rather too well so remove seeds-heads before they ripen to halt the spread! To harvest, pick when just coming into flower and dry hanging upside down in a warm, dry room. Store in airtight jars or containers. N.B. The seeds do not have a very long life so should be planted quickly. Oddments! Candied angelica was originally used as a cough lozenge and the oil is still used nowadays by confectioners and distillers as flavouring for sweets, syrups and in some spirits and liquors. |
||||||||
|
CLEAVERS Cleavers – also known as Goosegrass (because geese are fond of it), Clivers, Hedgeheriff, some of it’s local names are of an old origin deriving from the Anglo-Saxon ‘Hedgerife’ meaning tax-gatherer or robber because of its habit of ‘plucking’ sheep as they passed by. This plant was known by the Greeks who named it Philanthropon, it was also used in the 14th century as an ointment for burns and scalds. Medicinal CAUTION: - The fresh juice is a strong diuretic
and should not be used where there is a possibility of diabetes.
Magical This herbs power primarily lies with love, so may be used in any spells and charms concerned with this. Cultivation Cleavers can be a bit of a menace, it has been known to clog up strimmers
due to its loving to stick to everything and it does have a tendency
to spread. It is best grown either as part of a woodland area (cleavers
likes moist, well-drained soil in shade) or by fencing. Oddments! The seeds, if dried and roasted, may be used as a substitute for coffee
and the stalks have been used to form rough sieves for straining fresh
milk.
|
||||||||
|
DANDILION Dandilion also known as Priests Crown, Swine's Snout, Lion's Tooth and more commonly as Piss-a-bed! The earliest records for the use of Dandilion as an herb, date back to AD659 in China. It was also used in Arabic medicine during the 11th century and Welsh physicians used it as early as the 13th century. The flowers provide the basis for Dandilion Wine and the roots not only are the basis for 'Dandilion and Burdock Wine' but also if dried and roasted form a coffee alternative. Medicinal Parts used- Flowers, leaves and roots. Dandilions are a rich source of potassium and as an herbal tea is a good diuretic and may be used to relieve water retention i.e. due to pre-menstrual tension. Also used as a detoxicant and to improve digestion. Magical Gender- Masculine Used for divination and wishes, to leave a cup of dandilion tea by
the bed was said to call the spirits This is one of those plants that will grow where-ever it wants! But if you wish to keep a supply separate from the rest of the garden then just sprinkle some of the seeds into a compost - filled tub and leave it, simple!! The roots are best collected during the summer months - then split lengthways and dried in a dry, warm room. The leaves and flowers can be collected at any time. Oddments! Dandilions are important to Bee-keepers in that they provide pollen for the bee's at times when other plants may not be available. They can be used not only to make teas, wines and a form of coffee (which doesn't keep you awake) but also make a substantial beer! The young leaves can be used in salads. |
||||||||
|
GINGER Ginger has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. It appeared in the writings of Confucius in the 5th century and has been used medicinally in the West for at least 2000 years. Medicinal Parts Used- Root Magical Can be used in love spells- as a 'hot' herb- or for success, grown to attract money or in dry powdered form sprinkled into a purse. Ginger can be used as a substitute for Mandrake Cultivation One way to grow Ginger (apart from buying a plant!) is to buy a nice, plump 'hand' of Ginger from a shop. Look for one that has small pale green spikes on one or more of the 'fingers'. Cut these fingers off and plant in good compost with the tip of the green spike showing, place in daylight and keep warm and just moist. It can take awhile but is well worth it!! Ginger is a lovely 'palm'-like plant and produces spikes of purple-streaked white flowers. Oddments 4oz piece of root ginger |
||||||||
|
JASMINE
Also known as Jessamin and Moonlight on the Grove, has a beautiful scent that fills the garden on warm, still evenings. It uplifts the spirits and is deeply relaxing. CAUTION!: The berries are POISONOUS. Medicinal Parts used- Flowers A tea made from the flowers is said to calm the nerves and syrup made with the flowers and honey may help with coughs. The essential oil used in massage is said to help with menstrual pain. Magical Gender- Feminine An herb of the Spring Equinox the flowers may be added to love mixes or sachets to attract 'spiritual' love. If carried are said to attract money. Cultivation By cuttings taken from non-flowering shoots, put into good compost, covered and kept warm. A climbing plant that will do well in most soils that are moisture retentive. Oddments!! It takes approximately eight million flowers to produce just 2.2lbs (1kg) of oil! The oil is traditionally extracted by laying individual flowers on a layer of odourless oil and left in the sun. |
||||||||
|
LAVENDER Also known as Elf-Leaf, lavender has been popular for over 2,000 years as a perfume for soap and bath essences, its name comes from the Latin 'lavare' which means 'to wash' CAUTION: Oil is for EXTERNAL use only Medicinal Parts used- Flowers Magical Gender- Masculine An herb of Midsummer it was thrown upon the fire as an offering to the Lord and Lady. It is long associated with love spells and is also used for protection, sleep and peace. Cultivation Easily grown from seed sown in good compost or by cuttings taken in the summer from non-flowering stems. Lavender prefers well-drained soil in full sun. Pruning should be done after the flowering season but take care not too cut into 'old' wood. Oddments! In Elizabethan times a washerwoman was known as a 'lavender'. The flowers can be crystallized and eaten or alternatively be used fresh or dried (as can the leaves) in many recipes. Used as part of 'sleep-pillows'. |
||||||||
|
MARIGOLD Calendula, Pot Marigold, Ruddes, Golds- are just a few of the names used for an herb that was written about as early as the 13th century. It is a good all-rounder with anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and healing properties. This is one of my favourite herbs! CAUTION - do NOT confuse this plant with Tagettes i.e. French and African marigolds. Medicinal Parts used - Flowers Magical Cultivation Oddments
Recipe Method: |
||||||||
|
MEADOWSWEET Meadowsweet - also known as Bridewort, Bride of the Meadows and Meadwort. In 1883 salicylic acid was first isolated from the plant and later synthesized as aspirin thus validating why this humble herb worked! Although meadowsweet has similar properties to modern day aspirin it doesn't have the side-effects of it. Medicinal Parts used- Flowers and leaves As a tea it is said to aid in relieving nausea and heartburn, also aids in reducing fevers and in relieving rheumatic pain in muscles and joints. Magical Gender- Masculine Used mainly for love spells but also said if strewn about the house
will aid in keeping the peace. Meadowsweet should form part of a bridal
bouquet for love and luck. Sow seeds in good compost in spring. Meadowsweet prefers rich, moist
soil in sun or partial shade. Do not allow it to dry out too much as
this encourages mildew. |
||||||||
|
ROSEMARY Rosemary (also known as Polar Plant, Compass Weed, Incensier) and first said to be grown in England in the 14th century after being sent to Philippa - wife of Edward 3rd - by her mother. Usage of this plant can be traced through the ages. It makes an ideal herb to cook with roast lamb. Medicinal Parts used- Flowers, leaves and tender branches As a tea -or part of- it can have a calming effect on the digestion if upset due to stress, with camomile for headaches or valerian for stress headaches. It is said to strengthen the heart and blood vessels. Used as a rub it may ease muscular pain, sciatica and neuralgia, it may also ease rheumatism and arthritis. A few drops of essential oil in the bath can help improve skin tone and circulation. Rosemary makes a good conditioner for the hair and scalp, and the scent of crushed leaves can help clear a stuffed or blocked nose. Magical It can be used for love spells, healing and purification. Rosemary is one of the oldest incenses and can be used as a substitute for frankincense. Put under a pillow to aid in sound sleep and to protect from both nightmares and harm, if worn is said to aid the memory whilst the scent is said to preserve youthfulness. It may also be grown to attract the 'wee folk'. Cultivation By seeds sown (and left uncovered) in April - May in trays of compost or in the garden in well drained soil in sun, also by semi-hard wood cuttings in late summer or hard wood cuttings in late autumn - early spring. It grows best in a sunny position in well-drained soil and may be grown into a hedge but must not be cut back into 'old' wood. I harvest mine throughout the summer (taking only the 'soft' cuttings) and dry it upside down in a warm, dry room then store in airtight jars. Oddments! A weak dilution of Rosemary vinegar makes an excellent disinfectant, it was said that thieves used this to rob plague victims!! The leaves are one of the ingredients of Eau-de-Cologne, also if placed in drawers or wardrobes is said to deter moths. And on a last note...Rosemary is reputed to grow best where the 'mistress' of the house is Boss!
|
||||||||
|
SELF HEAL Self-heal - also known as All-Heal and Heart of the Earth - was used extensively in the medieval times and in China still is. It has however fallen by the wayside in Western herbalism, this is a shame as Self-heal is a useful addition to the herbal first-aid kit. Medicinal Parts used- Young shoots and leaves The fresh leaves can be used in the form of a compress or poultice for cuts, wounds and bruises. As a tea mixed with honey and used as a gargle it may ease sore throats and mouth ulcers. Magical Gender- Feminine Traditionaly gathered at night Self-heal is used primarily
for healing magic. Oddments! The small leaves can be added to mixed salads. |
||||||||
|
YARROW Yarrow (a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon word- gearwe) also known as Nosebleed, Woundwort and Milfoil (to name a few!) is an old herb with a long history in both medicinal and magical uses. It is said that soldiers used yarrow leaves to heal their wounds during the Trojan Wars!! Medicinal First things first; Allergies are common and sensitivity can increase with usage as Yarrow is toxic in excess. Symptoms can include headaches, vertigo and photosensitivity, also must NOT be used during pregnancy. Parts used- Flowers and leaves. Magical Gender Feminine Can be used in love spells, worn as an amulet for protection, to conquer fear and grant courage, if hung indoors it is said to avert illness. Yarrow stalks were also once used for divination. Cultivation By division in late autumn/ early spring or by seeds sown (and left uncovered) in spring/ late summer in trays of compost or in the garden in well drained soil in sun. Germination is erratic and Yarrow can be invasive!! I start harvesting mine towards the end of summer and dry upside down in a warm, dry room then store in airtight jars. Oddments! Leaves and flowers are still used to flavour some liqueurs, in the 17th century yarrow was used as a snuff substitute and also in salads (yarrow has a high iron content), it can be used to produce a dye, has been used in the brewing of beer and one of yarrows constituents was used as a quinine substitute at the turn of the century! Not bad for going for a weed!! |
||||||||