Herbs and their uses Medicinal / Magickal Many people use herbs and plants on a daily basis. They can be used in many different forms. Cooking, Healing, Soothing / Aromatherapy, and Magick are some uses. The focus of this discussion is using herbs for some common ailments and a brief description of their Magickal properties. I put together a brief description of some more common herbs and listed their different uses Medicinal and Magickal properties. One major factor in using herbs is knowing what you are using as some herbs can not be ingested into the body! Herbs and Pregnancy Many herbs stimulate the uterus and are unsafe for women who are pregnant. These herbs should be avoided by women of childbearing age: * Aloe Vera * Angelica * Autumn Crocus * Barberry * Black Cohosh * Celery Seed * Cinnamon * Devil's Claw * Goldseal * Hyssop * Juniper * Male Fern * Mandrake * Parsley Seed * Pennyroyal * Pokeweed * Rosemary * Rue * Sage * Southernwood * Tansy * Thuja * Wormwood * Yarrow There are many other herbs that are many other herbs that are known to be helpful during pregnancy and after delivery. Some are also good for the baby, such as calendula cream for diaper rash and fennel for colic. *Parsley *Celery *Land Cress *Rocket Taken for vitamins and minerals. Do not use the seeds. *Raspberry Leaf Used to tone the uterus. *Chamomile (infusion 1 cup before rising) *Ginger (tincture-up to 1ml/day, 2-3 drops at a time) *Peppermint (tincture-2 ml in hot water 3x daily) *Black Horehound (tincture-2 ml in hot water 3x daily) Taken for morning sickness. Goldenseal Taken during labor to assist the uterus. Never take during pregnancy. St. John's Wort (apply an oil infusion to the area, or add a strong infusion to a hip bath) Use the oil with added lavender to heal the perineum after birth. Oats Prepare a tincture to use for postpartum depression. Fenugreek Fennel Caraway Milk Thistle After delivery, these herbs can be used to promote milk production. Sage Used to reduce milk production when weaning. Fennel For baby's colic. Cabbage Leaves Echinacea Bruise and apply externally for relief of mastitis. Borage An infusion will aid in mild production in breastfeeding mothers. Calendula Cream Prepare a cream to use for diaper rash and cracked nipples. Caraway As a tincture or infusion, can help ease labor pains and stimulate the flow of breast milk. Preparing Herbal Remedies Infusions A standard infusion is prepared by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb (or 2 to 4 teaspoons of fresh herb) to a cup of boiling water. Infuse for 10 minutes before straining. If the herb is left too long, the infusion will become bitter. It's best to use a ceramic pot with a lid. The standard dosage is one cup three times a day. It may be taken hot or cold, but infusions prepared for colds and flu should be taken hot. Never prepare the infusion more than 24 hours in advance. Decoctions This is usually the method of choice for bark and seeds. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of herb per cup of cold water. Bring the mixture gently to a boil. Keeping covered, simmer for about 10 minutes. The usual dosage is 1 cup three times a day. If the herb is very bitter or strong, use 4 teaspoons three times a day. Prepare no more than 24 hours in advance. Tincture A tincture is an alcoholic extraction of herb. Alcohol dissolves the active constituents out of the plant matter and acts as a preservative, allowing the tincture to retain its effectiveness for up to 2 years. Any part of the plant may be used. Place 4 ounces of dried herb in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and add 2 cups vodka. Leave for two weeks, shaking occasionally, then strain through a cloth into a brown glass bottle. Keep tightly closed. The standard dosage is 15 drops three times daily. Herbal Wine Use a sweet red wine with an alcohol content of at least 12%. Cover four ounces of herb with three cups of wine. Leave for a week before straining. Take four teaspoons one or two times daily. Herbal wine is best used within a month. Syrup Sugar is a good preservative and is ideal for cough mixtures, especially since some herbs for cough are very bitter. Prepare two cups of an infusion or decoction of the required herb. Strain and add 13/4 cup brown sugar or a honey and sugar mixture. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Pour into a clean glass bottle and seal. Store in the refrigerator. The standard dosage is one teaspoon three times a day. Capsules Dry, powdered herb can be placed inside empty capsules. This method is preferred by some people who cannot tolerate bitter herbs. Oil Infusion Oil infusions are for external use only. They can be prepared by hot or cold methods. For the hot method, fill a jar with fresh herb and cover with olive, sunflower or almond oil. Place the jar up to the neck in a saucepan of water and bring to a medium temperature. Simmer for up to three hours. Strain through filter paper or cloth into a brown glass bottle. Follow the same instructions for the cold method, except that the oil should be placed on a sunny windowsill instead of heated. The process can be repeated with the strained oil infusion and a fresh supply of herbs to make a stronger oil. Cream A cream is a blend of oil, beeswax and water. You can make your own, or purchase an unscented, water based cream. After adding herb to purchased cream, simmer in the top of a double boiler for 30 minutes. Strain before it cools. Melt two ounces beeswax in a double boiler. Add one cup olive or other vegetable oil and blend. Add two ounces herb. For lighter cream, add a little water, mixing well. Simmer 20 minutes, mixing well. Add a drop of tincture of benzoin as a preservative. Strain thorough a cloth in to sterilized jars. Ointment Ointment does not penetrate the skin like cream, but covers and protects it. Petroleum jelly is a good base, and the method is the same as for a cream. Melt petroleum jelly in a double boiler and add plenty of herbs, making sure that the melted petroleum jelly covers the herb. Simmer until the herbs are crisp. More herb may be added to make a stronger ointment. Strain into jars while hot. Suppositories These are best made in advance so they will be ready when needed. Blend equal quantities of powdered herbs with cocoa butter. Place the mixture into bullet-shaped molds made of foil and refrigerate. Remove the foil before use. Compress Soak a cloth in a hot decoction of herb, squeeze most of the liquid out and apply the hot cloth to the affected area. Once it has cooled, repeat the process. Tinctures of other herbs and essential oils can be added to the liquid. Poultice Poultices are effective for boils, abscesses, chest infections and sprains. Mix chopped herb or powdered seeds with boiling water to make a pulp. Place the pulp in a piece of cloth and apply to the affected area while hot. It should be replaced when cool. A thin layer of calendula cream will protect the skin and prevent the poultice from sticking. Steam and Inhalant Use steam for skin problems like acne and an inhalant for bronchial problems like sinusitis and laryngitis. Add a strong decoction, one or two drops of essential oils, or 2 teaspoons of tincture to boiling water. Ok now that we know how to prepare the different herbs ............here are some common herbs and or plants and their uses. Herbs Medicinal Uses Magickal Uses/Properties Mint Never eat pennyroyal, as it is toxic. The common types of mint are peppermint ,pennyroyal, crinkle-leafed spearmint, spearmint, and applemint. Peppermint is reputed to have the calming, sedative effect.Menthol vapors are famous for relieving nasal, sinus and chest congestion. The menthol in peppermint soothes the lining of the digestive tract an stimulates the production of bile, which is an essential digestive fluid. A hot cup of herbal tea is an excellent way to settle your stomach after a big meal. The two most common ones are spearmint and peppermint. Magickally, mint is used for healing and protection. Travel spells often include mint as well. Its association with Venus makes mint a traditional aphrodisiac, as well as good in prosperity magick. Fresh mint laid on the altar will call good spirits to be present and aid you in magic, especially healing spells. Use for: Protection; Healing; Prosperity; Good Luck; Fortune; Justice; Travel; Exorcism. Dill To brew a stomach-soothing tea, use two teaspoons of mashed seeds per cup of boiling water.Steep for ten minutes. Drink up to three cups a day. In a tincture, take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day. To treat colic or gas in children under two, give small amounts of a weak tea. Many herbalists recommend combining dill and fennel to ease colic in infants. Besides its obvious use in the kitchen (what would pickles be without dill!), dill has a number of magickal uses as well. Both the herbal parts and the seeds can be used. It's best known for its protective power, but is also used in spells for love (and lust) as well as money and prosperity. The most common way to use dill for protection is to hang dried bundles of the herbs around your house. Yarrow (note above table) Has been valued since ancient times for its ability to stop bleeding, hence its folk name"nosebleed." Today, yarrow is valued for its ability to fight off colds and flu. It is also an ingredient in many herbal cosmetics. Use flowers, leaves and stems. A piece of the plant held against a wound will staunch bleeding. An infusion can help to break a fever. A tea made from yarrow with peppermint and elderflower can be used to fight colds and flu. Yarrow can be of benefit in mild cystitis (Cystitis is an infection of the bladder). Improves circulation by acting as a vasodilator. Lowers blood pressure. The leaves and flowers have a bitter and pungent flavour. Yarrow flowers are used in rituals involving love, courage or healing. Hanging a bundle of dried yarrow flowers over the honeymoon bed is a traditional charm to ensure a long and loving marriage.If you are trying to re-establish contact with long-lost friends or relatives, encorporate yarrow into your spells to draw their attention to you. Carrying yarrow flowers with you will help give you courage and dispel fear. A small charm bag with yarrow might be handy before giving a speech, or going to a job interview. Lavender Use an infusion of lavender on insect bites. Dried flowers and seeds are used in herbal sleep pillows and baths for soothing and calming frayed nerves. Lavender oil applied at the temples will relieve a headache. Three flowerheads in a cup of boiling water makes a soothing tea at bedtime. Bunches of lavender are said to ward off insects. Fresh or dried flowers are used in rinsing water for clothes and hair. While chamomile is ingested to utilize its calming properties, lavender is simply inhaled. The strong scent of lavender is recognized by aromatherapists and Pagans alike to calm the nerves and help encourage restful sleep. Lavender blends well with chamomile in herbal dream pillows. The ancient Romans used lavender often in baths and perfumes, mainly for the wonderful scent rather than the magickal attributes. The flowers are used in magick, for love, peace, friendship and sometimes protection. Showing its Mercurial side, lavender is also good for encouraging mental abilities, concentration and communication. I find it helps to focus my mind before mediation. Carrying a small charm bag with lavender is a good way to use its energy, but as with other potent herbs, the smell may be too obvious. Chamomile German Chamomile is most often used for medicinal purposes, and is usually administered as a tea. It can also be administered as a compress for external healing and as a bath for babies. Here are a few uses: Soothes and relaxes at bedtime. Relieves restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children. Relieves allergies, much as an antihistamine would. Aids digestion when taken as a tea after meals. Relieves morning sickness during pregnancy. Speeds healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns. Treats gastritis and ulcerative colitis. The principle use for chamomile is in rituals or teas for relaxation, peace or healing. It can also be used in love or abundance magick. Keep in mind that if you burn chamomile as an incense, it won't have that characteristic apple smell when burning. A few chamomile flowers in your wallet can help attract money. A handful of flowers in your bath water will create a peaceful bath that could be used for pre-ritual cleansing or anytime. If you don't like herbs floating around in the water, use a cloth pouch or a tea ball. An herbal dream pilllow filled with chamomile can help induce a more restful night's sleep and alleviate nightmares. Catnip We cant forget our furry friends!! Catnip tea made from the leaves and flowers may be taken for coughs, colds, catarrh, and a bedtime calmative. The most common use for catnip is as a recreational herb for cats. Dry catnip by hanging it upside down in bags, then crumble and sew into cotton bags. Large dried leaves are powerful markers for magic books. Give it to your cat to create a psychic bond. Used in spells to promote beauty; happiness; love. Use in all Cat Magic Spells. Belladonna Belladonna is extremely poisonous and should not be used internally under any circumstances. It's considered a narcotic and a sedative, and the active compound is Atropine. It causes hallucinations and eventually death. Its a bushy plant that loves the shade, and is native all over Europe though it is also cultivated in North America. All parts of the plant are poisonous (leaves, roots, berries) and should not even be touched. Belladonna is one of the ingredients in the infamous flying ointment of yore. If it was ever used, it wasn't on account of its gravity-defying qualities. The hallucinations were likely part of an astral travel ritual, which is what most scholars today feel was the real purpose of flying ointment. I don't recommend trying belladonna in any ointments. In modern days, belladonna is not often used in rituals at all because of it's toxic nature. When it is, the purpose is usually astral travel but NOT ingested. Using it in a charm bag may be suitable, and if you were to burn it as incense, it should not be in an enclosed space. Thyme It is safe to use thyme as a seasoning during pregnancy, but strong medicinal doses should be avoided if there is any possibility that you are pregnant It is a nerve tonic used externally to treat depression, colds, muscular pain and respiratory problems. The oil is added to acne lotions and mouthwashes. A solution of thyme's most active ingredient, thymol, thyme's most active ingredient, is used in such over-the-counter products as Listerine mouthwash and Vicks VapoRub because of its well-known antibacterial and antifungal properties. Thymol apparently also has a therapeutic effect on the lungs. Ingesting or inhaling the oil helps to loosen phlegm and relax the muscles in the respiratory tract. Thyme is used in herbal teas prepared for colds and flus. In addition, thyme has antifungal properties and can be used against athlete's foot. The Food and Drug Administration includes thyme on its list of herbs generally regarded as safe, but large doses may cause intestinal problems. If you experience diarrhea or bloating, cut back on the amount you're using or discontinue use altogether. Thyme is burned in incense to purify an area. A place where wild thyme grows will be a particularly powerful energy center on earth. A magical cleansing bath can be made by pouring a tea made with thyme and marjoram into the bathwater. A pillow stuffed with thyme cures nightmares. When attending a funeral, wear a sprig of thyme to repel the negativity of the mourners. Use as incense for: Health; Healing; Purification; Clairvoyance; Courage; Love; Psychic Awareness; Energy; Power; Strength. Thyme is often burned prior to magical rituals to cleanse the area. Carried and smelled to give courage and energy. Hyssop It should be avoided when pregnant and by those with hypertension and epilepsy. Prepared as an infusion, hyssop will soothe colic, improve digestion and eliminate flatulence. Ok now how many of you are going to give this to your significant other?????? It is an excellent nerve tonic, and also helps one to build up strength after an illness. It is recommended for coughs (try combining with other cough remedies) colds, flu, and as a gargle for sore throats. Often in combination with sage, which has similar properties Prepare a compress from a tincture or a poultice from leaves to treat bruises and rheumatism. Hyssop was a holy herb of the ancient Greeks, used to cleanse sacred spaces. It is the most widely used purification herb in magick. Hyssop can be burned in incense, worn, used in decorations, and added to the chalice. Use a bunch to ritually "sweep" the altar as a preparation for a ceremonial rite. It is added to baths in sachets, infused and sprinkled on objects or persons to cleanse them, and hung up in the home to purge it of evil negativity Sage Because of its antiseptic qualities, sage tea is used as a gargle for a sore throat. There's also compelling new research indicating that sage may be of value to people with diabetes. Laboratory studies indicate that sage may boost insulin's action. Sage was among 24 herbs tested that were found to boost insulin activity two- to fivefold or more in patients with Type II (non-insulin dependent) diabetes. For people who have diabetes, this means that drinking sage tea in conjunction with their insulin treatments is worth a try. Sage absorbs negativity and misfortune. It drives away disturbances and tensions, and lifts the spirits above the mundane cars of life. Burn it to consecrate a ritual space. Carry it as an herb of protection. Use it in the ritual bath and chalice. Tradition holds that those who eat sage become immortal in both wisdom and years. Sage is used in wish manifestations and to attract money. Smolder to promote healing and spirituality. Carry to promote wisdom. Use in spells for: Protection; Wisdom; Health; Money and Riches; Spirituality. No information within this discussion should be considered medical advice. Please do further research or check with a physician before using any of these herbs in a medical fashion. Recipes Easy Lavender Soap 10 tablespoons finely grated Castile soap 8 tablespoons boiling water 2 tablespoons crushed dried lavender flowers 4 drops lavender oil Melt the soap in the water in a bowl placed over a saucepan of hot water, stirring frequently, until smooth. Crush the flowers to a powder and take the bowl off the saucepan. Stir the flowers into the soap with oil. Store in a glass or plastic bottle. Taking Thyme To make a tea, use two teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water and steep for ten minutes. Add sage to the tea if you have a nagging cough. This is the herb to use after a long hot day in the garden because it helps to deodorize the body. You can also use it in a foot soak to help with tired, stinky feet. To use, steep a handful of mixed thyme and rosemary in a quart of boiling water for 15 minutes, cool, and add to the bath or foot soak. Sage Tea To make a tea, pour a cup of boiling water over one to two teaspoons of dried leaves and steep for ten minutes. If you have diabetes, it would be a good idea to discuss using sage with your doctor. For sore throat, allow the tea to cool till warm, and then gargle as needed. Mint Tea Mint tea with honey soothes a sore throat. A classic cold remedy that will unblock the sinuses is two drops of mint essential oil, two drop eucalyptus essential oil and the juice of half a lemon in a cup of hot water. The mix is first inhaled and then drunk when warm. CAUTION: No more than two drops of the essential oils should be taken at any time, and no more than two cups a day of the above mixture. Larger doses can be toxic to the kidneys. Fragrant Bath Bag Try experimenting with your favorite fragrant herbs to make a bath bag. I use about 1/4 cup of marjoram, 2 tablespoons of mint, and 2 tablespoons of lavender. Cut the quantities in half if using dried herbs. Steep the bag in a quart of boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes, then allow to cool. Add the water and the bag to your bath water. References: And some really cool websites! I recommend checking these out! http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/contents.html came about this on accident through About.com http://www.gardenguides.com/herbs/herb.htm don't remember how I ran across this site but WAY Cool http://paganwiccan.about.com/c/ec/22.htm this is an email class wicca in one week through About.com http://paganwiccan.about.com/c/ec/10.htm this is also an email class through About.com Very informative! http://paganwiccan.about.com/c/ec/1.htm this is also an email class through About.com introductory like wicca in one week. Both have good info for the beginner!