#witchofnewkitchenmagic

[witchofnew]

🚧The fig🚧

Ficus carica

History: It was one of the earliest fruit trees to be cultivated by humans, some recent archaeobotanical findings believe that the trees were domesticated some 11,000 years ago. The trees are native to Western Asia and slowly spread to the Mediterranean regions which became extremely common to eat and was even known as “the poor man’s food.” Then Spanish Franciscan missionaries took the trees with them to Southern California in 1520. It was used as sweetener for multiple desserts before sugar became more widely available. Fun fact some scholars believe that the forbidden fruit that Eve ate was not an apple but a fig.

Medicinal properties: Can be used as laxative, manages blood sugar levels( which improves heart health)and contains many beneficial antioxidants that boost the immune system.

Magical properties: Fertility, enlightenment and abundance

[witchofnew]

🚧The Lime🚧

Citrus ×latifolia

History : The trees seem to originate in in Southeast Asia, India and Malaysia. Arabian traders took some lime trees and lemon trees from India to the eastern Mediterranean countries then Africa around the 10th century. Later the traders went to Europe, which later Spanish and Portuguese explorer took the trees with them to the New World (America) in the Early 1500s. Where citrus fruits were considered rare and very valuable. The most common limes sold to consumers are Citrus ×latifolia (Persian lime) and Citrus ×aurantifolia (Mexican lime) which is the smallest of the two varieties. The fruit is picked unripe so that it has a more acidic flavour, when it’s fully ripe it is the colour yellow.

Medicinal properties : High in vitamin C and antioxidants that help improve the immune system, helps with absorption of Iron and may cause better coagulation of the blood due to the high levels of potassium (which can help prevent blood clots and it reduces blood pressure).

Magical properties : Cleansing and purification (some also use it for mental clarity)

[witchofnew]

🚧Rosemary🚧

Salvia rosmarinus

Magical properties: Purification, Protection, mental clarity and remembrance.

Element: Fire/Air

Deities: Aphrodite, Venus, Mnemosyne and Virgin Mary

Names given:

Folklores:

Medicinal properties: Anti-inflammatory, helps brain function, improves circulation, antioxidants and helps against arthritis.

History: This herb has been used in the Mediterranean region during the times of ancient Egypt, Greece and Romans around 500.BC. In the Ancient Greek mythology the plant was associated with the goddess Mnemosyne whose name means memory. In medieval times, the French would embalm the dead with this herb. It has been used in folk magic/medicine for centuries to relieve many symptoms related to many conditions (dysmenorrhea, mental decline, epilepsy, pain relief, and infertility…). It was seen also as a plant of remembrance during war commemorations and funerals in Europe and Australia, it was planted around graves throughout Europe.

[witchofnew]

🚧The grapes🚧

Vitis vinifera

History: Archaeological finds suggest that the domestication of this plant began 6,000 - 8,000 years ago. By 4000 B.C., the cultivation of this plant extended from Transcaucasia to Asia Minor and through the Nile Delta of Egypt. The Hittites are the ones who spread the culture of this fruit westward as they migrated to Crete, Bosporus and Thrace. Later on the Greeks and Phoenicians spread the culture of this fruit to Europe.

Medicinal properties: Antioxidants, lowers blood pressure, hydrates the skin and body.

Magical properties: Abundance, fertility, ecstasy and mental power.

[witchofnew]

🚧The pomegranate🚧

Punica granatum

History: Originates from Mediterranean regions, most likely Iran. Mesopotamian sources testify that they were already part of our ancestors’ diet 5000 years ago. It is known as one of the first fruits domesticated by man. The Phoenicians introduced the fruit to Africa and later the Romans brought it back to Italy when they went to war against the Phoenicians. The Romans offered this fruit to the gods. (Persephone and Ceres were given this fruit as offerings) The name came from Latin 'Granum' meaning seeds, then 'Malum granatum' which means apple having many seeds. Later on the old French 'pome' which means apple and 'grenate' that later combined to make its name in Middle English.

Medicinal properties: Promotes subtle heart health, anti-inflammatory, high in potassium, boosts memory and cognitive function, lastly it is high in vitamins C and K.

Magical properties: Divination, abundance, fertility, symbol of blood and the connection between life and death.

[witchofnew]

🚧Honey🚧

History: For over 9,000 years, humans have been savouring honey. The honeybees are probably the first insects humankind domesticated. Ancient Egyptians seem to be the first to use honey as sweetener and as medicine.

Medicinal properties: High in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and helps regulate blood pressure.

Magical properties: Sweetness, binding, attraction, love and prosperity.

[witchofnew]

🚧The banana🚧

Musa

History: The fruit was domesticated in Asia, more specifically on the Kuk valley of New Guinea around 8,000 BC . The consumption of the fruit was mentioned in early Greek, Latin and Arabic texts. The fruit then seems to have spread to the Philippine and into more tropical regions (India, Indonesia, Australia, and Malaysia). But after the arrival of the fruit to the Philippine it seems that many researchers found it difficult to trace the propagation of the plant. So the plant was somehow reintroduced and rediscovered after hundreds if not thousands of years later with multiple new varieties and various new domestication methods (Seedless/asexual, hybrid and other). The plant was later introduced by traders from Asia to Africa around 2,000 years ago. The Europeans took the plant to the New World (America) from the Canary Islands shortly after discovering it, then planted them in Hispaniola. African slaves also also brought some plants with them to use and create new recipes around plantain which created new roots in their culture. The fruit became a staple food in many regions in the early 1800s and the Cavendish (variety of bananas) became popular in 1950 which is the one we eat nowadays.

Medicinal properties: Helps with digestion health due to the high amount of fiber, helps stabilize blood pressure by reducing it thanks to the potassium content and has natural sugars that improve dopamine levels

Magical properties: Can represents the male genitalia, abundance, luck and resilience

[witchofnew]

🚧The strawberry🚧

Fragaria ananassa

History: The wild fruit grew in both the northern hemisphere and some places in the southern hemisphere. It was seen as decoration by many of the European or given as offerings to deities (Venus is an example, due to it’s heart shape) since they considered the flavour lacking and the size too small for consumption but some like the Romans believed that it had great medicinal values. The fruit that we now use and is sold in stores was created in the early 1700s in France by crossing the Fragaria chiloensis (Chile) and the Fragaria virginiana (North American). The name originates from old English 'strēowberige'.

Medicinal properties: Vitamin C, antioxidants and reduces cholesterol.

Magical properties: Romance, love and luck.