#herbalisim

[magicoldcottage]

Title : The rose

Also known as : Shatapatra,

Scientific Name : Multiple

Identification : There are more varieties of rose that I could list here, so instead here are some of the key versions to watch for. Damask Rose only blooms for a couple of weeks but is used in 96% of all perfumes (Bulgarian rose oil) This is the best oil for anti-depression. The Cabbage rose is used to create French rose oil this is the strongest aphrodisiac use this version for love spells. Provins Rose was the first cultivated in europe around 5000 years ago, this is the best option for creating Rose water.

Properties : Antidepressant, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Sedative, digestive stimulant, expectorant, Anti-viral, Antisptic.

Uses : Perfumery, potpourris, stewing, Incense, Gentle skin care, Acne, Add to a bath to bring calm

Try It : A simple rose water method ;

Mix 3 parts vodka to 1 part distilled water (Sorry Tap water won't work) in a jar. Add fresh rose petals ensuring the liquid covers the rose entirely (At least 2 inches of clear liquid above the flowers.   Cover the jar and leave it in a warm place such as a window for 3 weeks. Strain out the petal and rebottle the water. It doesn't need to be refrigerated.

Warnings : Nil

Parts used: Flowers, Hips (Hips have 50 times more vitamin C than Oranges)

Magic : Attract Love, fertility, Binding spells, clairvoyance, Mending a broken heart, empowerment. Commonly used on Altar's to build your connection to your deity. The Romans would be give their deities a crown of roses as an offering. Wash your hands with Rose water prior to casting love spells.

Planet : Venus

Element : Water

Deities : Venus, Hulda, Demeter, Isis, Eros, Cupid, Adonis, Bacchus

Folklore and History: Thought to have originated around Persia, we have been cultivating rose for at least 3000 years with over 10,000 know varieties available. Rose oil contains over 300 chemical components, only 100 of these have been identified by modern science. The Romans also loved roses, not only as displays but on the floor to walk on as a status symbol. Even some wines (Falemian)were served with petals floating on them. Both bride and groom would be crowned with roses, a tradition that has remained till this day as the buttonhole and bouquet. In old english formal dinners it was tradition to suspend a rose over the table as a symbol that everything discussed was to remain secret.

The rose has always been associated with love but did you know planting one in the garden was supposed to bring you luck (Green witch tip). The rose is connected to a number of religions representing the soul in Islam and connection to Mary in Christianity. Red Roses represent Passion and Sacrifice, White for purity, Yellow for Wisdom and Joy, Pink for gratitude and peace, Purple for Wonder and positive change.

Plant Tips : There is a rose for everyone, from ground cover rose used to prevent weeds, Climbing roses for amazing shows to Shrub roses found in most garden and park. In almost every colour you can imagine new variants are produced each year. Most roses does grow their own roots but are grafted onto a roots stock from another plant. Most are planted in spring, liking good soil and plenty of sun.

Click here for more of my guides

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[wildemagik]

@wildemagik

I decided to make a whole herb book rather than a couple of pages in my grimoire, so I could explore their medicinal as well as their metaphysical properties

🌿I made cute hidey holes for information that couldn’t fit onto the pages.

🌞Companion planting is such an Interesting topic for any avid gardener.

⚗️I’m ridiculously interested in medicinal tincture making, today we have such a toxic habit of popping pills for our every ailment rather than seek an alternative natural method of healing.

🚫A toxic herb page is so so so important to have particularly to people practicing the craft as we’re constantly burning, ingesting and applying herbs topically. Know what your putting in your body people!

If you have any questions please shoot! Also on a side note, I would never ever recommend not seeing a doctor for any serious ailments you may have.

Blessed be, Lucy x

[magicoldcottage]

Pilewort

Also known as : Pilewort, Lesser Celandine, Fig Buttercup, Grian, Wart-wort, tetterwort, Swallow herb, Devils milk

Scientific Name : Ficaria Verna (formally Ranunculus Ficaria)

Properties : anti-hermorrhoidal, Astringent

Uses : As the name suggests it was a common treatment for piles, worts and cancerous growths

Try It : Bruised herbs were mixed with lard and applied to the affected area

Warnings : harmful if Eaten. Toxic to grazing animals.

Parts used: Whole plant

Magic : Carried with you for legal protection

Planet : Sun (it’s name in Celtic means sun)

Element : Fire

Deities : The Celtic goddess Grainne

Folklore : As the acrid juice can remove warts it can also leave marks on the skin, beggars would apply the juice to gain sympathy and a larger payout. It’s believed scorned witches would use this herb to make cattle ill. It was the favourite flower of the famous English poet Wordsworth.

Plant Tips : Considered an invasive weed, flowers in late Mar-Apr. It only grows to 2” (5cm) high

[magicoldcottage]

Burdock

Also known as : Greater Burdock, Gobo, Edible Burdock, Lappa, Beggars buttons, Billy Buttons, Thorny Burr, Happy Major, Fox’s Clote, Love leaves, Cockle buttons, Clot Bur

Scientific Name : Arctium Lappa

Properties : Diuretic, Diaphoretic, Anti-biotic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory

Uses : Detoxifying blood and liver, boils, Sores, acne, Eczema, piles, Used in Essiac tea for cancer treatment, Cosmetics and Shampoos, Culinary. Still popular in the UK in a soft drink called Dandelion and Burdock. Traditionally used instead of Hops as a bitter taste for beer.

Try It : In the Middle Ages it was a popular root vegetable with a large root that can grow to a 1m in length. May/June is the perfect time to harvest, prior to the flowers when the root becomes too tough. it tastes a little like artichoke, can be eaten raw in salads or cooked (Still popular in Asian cooking).

Warnings : Not to be taken by anyone on medication to increase urine flow or lower blood sugar.

Parts used: Root (Normally dried) and Leaves

Magic : Fey Magic, Counter Magic, Warding, Cleansing (Mix with water and Lemon Balm for a cleansing floor wash)

Planet : Venus

Element : Earth

Deities : Thor

Folklore : In Cornwall uk the Pixies and Fairies tie “billy buttons” into the Maine’s of their colts. In Gypsy magical practice the seeds would be carried as an amulet to ward off arthritis. The Burs were used for children’s games as they stick to anything (They are supposed to have given the inventor of Velcro the idea)

Plant Tips : Prefers freshly worked soil in a position of full sunlight.

[magicoldcottage]

Evening Primrose

Also known as :Oenothera Biennis (There are other species but this post is dedicated to the this variaty), Kings Cure all, Night Candle, Night willow herb, Scabish, Sun Crop and Wild beet.

Properties : Rich in Omega-6, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, Nutritive, Regulates Hormone systems.

 Uses : PMS symptoms, weight loss, hormonal balance, acne, Hair Loss, Dry skin and Eczema,  joint pain (inc Rheumatoid Arthritis), Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Fertility, Migraines, Slows the onset of multiple sclerosis, Prevents blood clots, Reduces blood pressure, Whooping Cough,

 Try It : For best affect take 250mgs capsules 4 times a day.

 Warnings :  If pregnant only use in the last two weeks as it prepares the cervix, as it thins the blood don't use if you suffer from haemophilia. If you're suffer from Epilepsy only take processed oil.

 Parts used: Unrefined oil (Seeds oil), Whole plant

 Magic : Moon Altar's, Luck, it has always been associated with Artemis and hunting , it glows slightly in the dark building is association with the fae, gaining its folk name "Night Candle", Used dried in bath glamour spells.

 Planet : Moon ( it flowers by moonlight)

 Element : Air

 Deities : Diana

 Folklore : Popular with native American tribes the Ojibwa make a poultice for bruises. The Cherokee drank a tea made from the root for weight loss (it makes you feel full), The Lakota Indians used the seeds as an aromatic, the Iroquois combined it with other herbs to counteract laziness, In the 17th century it was known as the King's-cure-for-all, even believed to prevent hangovers.

 Plant Tips : This Biennial herb grows to about 80-100cm. The most popular variety was originally native to North America but there are over 24 species found around the globe. The seeds are best sown in spring

Click Here for my full herbalism guide

[sensationpop]

The Original Open Source: A Deep Dive into the Technology of Herbalism

In the tech world, we are obsessed with “optimization.” We update our software, we refine our prompts, and we build models to predict the future. But what if I told you that some of the most sophisticated “code” ever written isn’t found in a Python script, but in the DNA of a rosemary leaf or the heart of an onion? Welcome to the world of Herbalism. For those of you who have been following my…

The Original Open Source: A Deep Dive into the Technology of Herbalism

[seen-but-unseen]

Mars Recipes

Mars Oil (Planetary) Blend together

1/8 ounce of Carrier Oil

7 drops Basil Essential or Fragrance Oil

1 drop Black Pepper Essential or Fragrance Oil

7 drops Ginger Essential or Fragrance Oil

Swirl the blend before each use.

Wear, as a Body Perfume, for physical power and magical energy.

Mars Oil Recipe Blend together

1/8 ounce of Carrier Oil

5 drops Cinnamon Essential or Fragrance Oil

5 drops Civet Fragrance Oil (There is no essential oil, as Civet comes from an animal, not a plant.)

5 drops Ginger Essential or Fragrance Oil

2 drops Dragon’s Blood Fragrance Oil (This is a synthetic blend of fragrance oils mixed together to form a distinct scent.)

Swirl the blend before each use.

Adds energy, passion, and virility. Apply it liberally on the wrists and hands when facing any foe.

Information taken from here.

[thegreatkosmickitchen]

Summertime Folk Tincture of St. John’s Wort

Here is a post we did for Free People! We are quite excited about the collaboration and we thought we would share the post with you all here. Love!

This small shrub with tiny yellow blooms invokes a child-like fascination within me.

When the fresh flowers are squeezed they produce a bright red medicine that drips between your fingertips. The juice feels like the blood of the plant, its life force. This magical plant goes by the name of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum).

St. John’s Wort is a great plant for beginning herbalists and medicine makers because it grows wild, is easily accessible and can be used internally as well as externally. I was first called to work with St. John’s Wort because of its affinity to reduce stress, anxiety and mild depression when used consistently overtime. St. John’s Wort has a reputation of being a “Trauma Herb,” healing traumas of the skin and soul. Its blood red anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory medicine is wonderful for treating bruises, burns, sprains, reducing pain and infections.  

***Because herbs work on deeper levels, when using for anxiety, stress, and mild depression, use 2-3 times daily, over a three week period or longer. You can start with one dropper full, and up the dose to two if you feel your body needs more.

A great way to preserve St.John’s Wort’s medicine is by creating a tincture. Our ancestors, the folk healers, would gather plants through the seasons and preserve them to use when necessary. Brandy is often used when making folk tinctures because it draws out the water-soluble constituents and alcohol extracted constituents (like resins and volatile oils). Tinctures also can be carried around in a small bottle, which makes herbal healing easy and convenient. It’s also a great way to invite plant ceremony into our everyday lives.

The folk method of herbal medicine making is not as precise as the standard method (the method that’s used in tinctures at health stores) but it comes from a long tradition and can be just as effective. I will be sharing this simple method of making medicine with you.

FIRST, gather your herbs and materials. Brandy or vodka St. Johns Wort (top three inches of the bloom) Knife and cutting board Mason jar Tincture bottles (optional) Muslin Labels

The best place to gather herbs would be from your own garden. If this is not possible, be sure to find a trustworthy local herb shop or a company like Mountain Rose Herbs or Pacific Botanicals who sell organic and ethically cultivated and wild crafted medicinal herbs. It is best to tincture St. John’s Wort fresh. St Johns Wort can be found in spring or early summer growing abundantly in the wild across North America. Be sure to consult your local herbalist and bring a bioregional plant I.D. book when identifying wild plants for the first time.

*** If the herbs are bring harvested from the wild, please be mindful of plants at risk, whether or not the plant has been sprayed or is in a polluted area, and give an offering to the plant. It is a symbol of respect and tradition to sing to the plants, offer tobacco, and to ask the plant if it is okay to harvest its precious medicine. Also, keep in mind that there are poisonous lookalikes to medicinal plants.

THEN, chop and macerate.

Chop up the flowers of St. John’s Wort as small as possible. The more surface area that is exposed during the maceration process, the stronger the medicine will be! Then you will be ready to macerate, which means, letting the plant sit in alcohol for one month. This process pulls out all the healing constituents that make tinctures therapeutic! 

For your menstrum (or solvent) you will need to use some sort of alcohol. If you prefer not to use alcohol, some herbalists like to use a glycerite (which is sweeter) or apple cider vinegar to extract the constituents. Traditionally brandy or some form of alcohol like vodka was used in folk tinctures.

Fill a jar all the way to the top with your herbs. Cover the plant material with your brandy. Let the herbs macerate for one full lunar cycle. Starting medicines on the full moon can be a magical practice that keeps the medicine potent and with the cycles of nature. Label your jar with the ingredients and date, and store in indirect light. Shake the jar daily with good intentions.  

***Remember that you are powerful and the energy that you put forth and the intentions that you set will come through in the medicine.

FINALLY, strain and enjoy!

After a month has passed, strain out your herb with the muslin cloth. Squeeze out any remaining liquid that might be in the herb. Compost the finished herb, which is also known as the marc. Pour the tincture back into the jar or into a dosage bottle with a label including what it is, whether the herb was fresh or dried, and what menstrum you used. You have now made your very first folk tincture!

Now you can make medicine from all the beautiful plants that grow around you. You will begin to discover that most of what you need is close by. The St. John’s Wort along the old fire trails, the kudzu on the pine trees, the wild oats dancing in the pasture, and the dandelions in your lawn, all the plants are here waiting for you!

With love in our hearts and medicine in our hands,

Summer Ashley and Sarah Kate of The Great Kosmic Kitchen

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***It is always best to talk to your doctor before taking herbs, especially if you are on any medications. St. John's Wort can interact with prescription medications and with certain medical conditions.  Some things are commonly seen with SJW like hyper sensitivity to the sun and interference with pharmaceutical anti-depressants.  If you live near an herbalist, a consultation would provide you with the best plants for your body’s constitution. Every being is different, therefore our experience with plants will vary too.This post is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure. Only to inspire!