Herbalism

Herb Spotlight: Milk Thistle for Liver Health

Herb Spotlight, Herbalism

The milk thistle is from the same family of plants as the artichoke, but unlike that tasty treat, it doesn’t have a large bulb-shaped flower. It is commonly known as holy thistle and Mary thistle. Based on folklore we have surmised that this plant got its name when three drops of milk from the Great Goddess’s breast dropped onto the leaf. As religion shifted the lore began to tell the tale using the Virgin Mary. It is commonly known as a powerful and nourishing liver herb as well as a protective herb in pagan herbalism.

Scientific Name: Silybum marianum

Magickal Stats: Elementally fire, ruled by Mars

Parts Used: Seeds

Improves Function Of:

  • Liver Restorative
  • Spleen Tonic
  • Vascular Tonic

Aides in Relieving Symptoms Of:

  • Inflammatory, infections, & degenerative liver disease
  • Swollen spleen
  • Asthma
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Varicose veins

Assists Spiritually With:

  • Protection
  • Fending off evil
  • Attract Good

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How Does It Work?

The main ingredient in milk thistle is Silymarin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. According to many sources, milk thistle has been used historically for liver disorders like cirrhosis and hepatitis. In the 2008 HALT-C study, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that Hepatitis C patients who did use milk thistle had both milder and fewer symptoms of liver disease with a somewhat better quality of life. Milk thistle was also suggested as a factor in enhancing standard treatment for pneumonia.

What Do I Do With It?

Milk thistle is taken as an herbal supplement, found usually in capsules. It can also be made into a tea. It has shown to have very few side effects if any. Most people just cite gastrointestinal discomfort. Those with diabetes, heart condition, fibroid tumors, and endometriosis should consult their doctor before taking milk thistle internally.

Magickally it can be used in multiple ways. Simply place a bowl of milk thistle seeds in a room and restore the vitality. We can gather strength from growing milk thistle or carrying a seed in our pocket. Many witches suggest it can be used to expel demons, some also call spirits by boiling the seeds in water. Or divine questions by boiling water and adding thistle seeds before meditating on a question.

 

 

 

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Smoky Lungs Tea Blend

Herbalism, What's In My Cup?

Welcome to smoke season here in our usually lush, rainy corner of Northwestern Washington. As fires in BC rage the smoke blows down to our little haven here in Bellingham, just like last year. The sun shines red and our throats all suffer as we watch the last days of Summer squeak by from the air quality in our own homes. Even if we stay inside as much as possible, however, we will eventually breathe in some smoke particles. This morning I finally made up a good herbal blend for this occasion, so maybe my throat and lungs will stop hurting.

Mix together the following herbs:

2 parts Peppermint

1 part Mullein

1 part Lobelia

With the uplifting spring of peppermint combined with the respiratory expectorant qualities of the lobelia & mullein this is a great cup to brew daily in times of low air quality. While waiting for the herbs to extract remember to hold the cup up to your face, deeply inhale the rapidly developing aromatic profile before you. This is a part of the tea magick, never forget to take a whiff.

This Cup’s Mantra

I expand and contract.

 

Herb Spotlight: Marjoram

Herb Spotlight

It still isn’t clear exactly where this thought came from but as I was organizing my cooking herbs and spices something sprung into my head, “Get marjoram”. The thought was odd because I’ve never really cooked with marjoram before. As I sat here trying to decide what herb I wanted to research today it became quite clear that it was time to more about mystical marjoram.

Ancient Greek mythology states that the Goddess Aphrodite used to grow marjoram which inspired many kitchen witches to use the common cooking herb in love potions.

Scientific Name: Origanum vulgare [aka: wintersweet, sweet marjoram, marjolaine, joy of the mountains]

Magickal Stats: Elementally water, ruled by Venus and Mars

Parts Used: leaf, essential oil, flower

marjoramImproves Function Of:

  • Digestive System
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Immune System
  • Neurological System

Aides in Relieving Symptoms of: 

  • Mumps, Measles, Malaria, Common Cold, Typhoid, Tetanus Infection in Wounds
  • Stomach ache & Cramp, nausea & vomiting, flatulence & diarrhea
  • High blood pressure, high cholesterol, poor circulation
  • Sore muscles & joints, toothache, pain, back ache
  • Insomnia, Stress, Anxiety, & minimizing emotional outbursts
  • PMS & imbalanced sexual desire

Assists Spiritually With: 

  • Offertory to Goddess Aphrodite
  • Bringing strength to marriage
  • Protect a home

What Do I Do With It?

Marjoram tea is made in various strengths for digestion aide, immune system boost, and to calm the nerves and relieve anxiety. Applying marjoram topically helps to relieve aching joints and cramping muscles, this can be done by adding the herb or oil to a topical cream or by just applying the essential oil directly to the painful spot. Essential oil of marjoram can be diffused to help with the same ailments as tea, because of this I recommend inhaling the tea as it cools off.

To bless a house, dried marjoram can be sprinkled around the perimeter of a home as a representation of familial love. It can also be offered to the Goddess Aphrodite to entice strength in a marriage. Similarly, marjoram is often one of the main components in love potions.

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What’s In My Cup? Ultimate Relaxation Tea Blend

What's In My Cup?

Sometimes I drink way too much coffee. I just think that it’s so delicious you guys, but by the 5th cup of dark roast from the french press I’ve got sweaty palms and a pulsating brain. Then I always regret going too hard on the coffee beans. Sometimes I get on my yoga mat and try to quell the anxiousness that way, but yesterday I had too much work to finish and I decided to turn to my herbs.

I crafted this cup of tea and it truly helped my guts, my brain, and my sweat glands all let go of the epic amounts of caffeine that was coursing through my veins. I added the lavender and the chamomile to aid with the rampant anxiety that goes along with heavy coffee intake. The kava is added to help relieve that ultimate headache we all know is coming once our palms get sweaty enough. Calm the system in its entirety with this blend of relaxing, delicious tea that is just perfect for the afternoon.

Simply Mix Together:

1/2 tsp dried kava root

1/4 tsp dried lavender buds

1 tsp dried chamomile flowers

Pour a mugs worth of hot boiling water over a tea ball filled with these herbs. Let them steep for about 15 minutes with an awareness that lavender can become overwhelming for some when steeped too long. As the tea is steeping take in the aromas flowing from the mug. Take 5 deep breaths with an intention of letting go. While drinking focus on the mantra: Live and Let Live. 

What’s In My Cup? All-Around Feel Better Tea

Lifestyle, What's In My Cup?

This jam packed cup of tea does feature a lot of different herbs compared to my other blends but I take feeling better pretty seriously. When I feel a cold coming on or have a nagging tummy ache I almost always turn to tea. This cup is meant to build up the immune system, open a closed heart, stimulate circulation, ease a stomach cramp or ache, and reduce headache pain.

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As with all natural remedies, one cup of tea is a small piece of what it takes for strong physical health. Make sure to make this tea for one or two days and get plenty of water otherwise to help the cells of the body do their work. I’d also recommend upping the veggie intake, the best bet is to add one nutrient dense vegetable to each of our three meals for a day or so. Now for the fun stuff.

Simply Mix Together:FeelBetter2.jpg

1 tsp dried elder flower

1/2 tsp dried purple echinacea

1/4 tsp dried rose hips

1/4 tsp dried hibiscus

1/2 dried peppermint

1 tsp Elderberry syrup

Put all of the dry ingredients into a tea ball and place into a big ol’ mug. Pour at least 6 ounces of boiling, not tepid, water over the tea ball. Pour the Elderberry syrup into the cup at this time and give it a couple of good stirs. Let the aromas of these flowers and herbs wash over our senses as you settle in to let the mug cool. Steep about 15 minutes, hibiscus can be too sour when oversteeped so be aware of a changing scent with long steeping.

While enjoying your cup sit with the mantra: I am strong.

 

 

What’s In My Cup? Tea to Kick That Cold

Lifestyle, What's In My Cup?

Elderberry syrup is one of my most favorite things, I’ve loved it since I worked at Medithrive in San Francisco. We carried an amazing medicated elderberry syrup that fought colds and got rid of body aches almost completely. Since then I’ve been so interested in the other ways that elderberries can be used. This cup of tea is adapted from the Wellness Mama‘s recipe for immune boosting tea using my own favorite blend of herbs.  I personally felt a cold coming on yesterday and this blend is just what I needed to warm up my immune system and kick it into gear before Cowbae’s mom’s epic party coming up this weekend.

Simply Mix Together:

2 TB dried elderberries

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/4 tsp dried ginger root

2 tsp dried echinacea

pinch of black pepper

1 tsp local honey

Combine 16 ounces of water, elderberries, turmeric and ginger root into a medium sized saucepan and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take the saucepan off of the heat and stir the echinacea leaves and black pepper into the pot. Let steep/cool for 10 minutes. Strain into 2 mugs and quickly stir in honey, 1/2-1 tsp depending on our preference. Draw the aromas of your cup into your senses and imagine yourself building a strong white light of energy around yourself. Use whatever healing light that you prefer, I like to imagine it sparkling and white. Drink your brew and emanate your protective, healing light and focus on the mantra: Healing is a power within me. 

Herb Spotlight: Hops for Insomnia

Herb Spotlight

The most common use of hops is in beer but it also has healing properties due to it’s relationship to cannabis and the terpenes it gives off. Hops are valuable and that is probably how beer became so coveted in modern society. Like cannabis we use the flower for healing.

Scientific Name: Humulus lupulus [aka: beer bud]

Magickal Stats: Elementally air, ruled by the moon

Parts Used: flowerhops--32-l.jpg

Improves Function Of:

  • Appetite & Digestion

Aides In Relieving Symptoms Of:

  • Nervous agitation, restlessness, anxiety & hysteria
  • Sleeplessness
  • Nervous stomach & irritable bladder
  • Wet Dreams, premature ejaculation
  • Decreases abnormally high male libido, priapism

Assists Spiritually With:

  • prophetic dreaming
  • ease the ill into tranquil sleep

How Does It Work?

One of the four oils found in hops is myrcene, a terpene that can help calm nervous anxiety and also relieve sleepless nights. It also has antibacterial properties that can be very effective when used topically.

What Do I Do With It?

The first thing that we can do is drink a beer. If you’re allergic to alcohol like I am you might prefer cannabis or a tincture. Find or make a topical balm or lotion for antibacterial healing. Put in an the sickroom  under a pillow to deliver ease in sleep for the ill. Also put in a satchet under the pillow to induce prophetic dreaming.

Herb Spotlight: Tea Tree for Everything

Herb Spotlight

Almost every home made disinfectant that I make includes tea tree oil, probably because it is a natural antiseptic and anti bacterial. The plant derives from Australia where Aboriginals were seen making tea out of the leaves and sailors followed suit to prevent scurvy. I like to burn it in my diffuser when we’ve been sick or whenever things just don’t feel clean in my home. I really became acquainted with tea tree after our last little kitten rescue brought ringworm into our house. None of the store bought creams were working and I was so frustrated. Tea tree took it out in 2 days, amazing. This is a great oil for anyone with pets or kids to have around the house, and it can do even more than get rid of ringworm. It is only applied topically and used in aromatherapy.

Scientific Name: Melaleuca alternifolia

Magickal Stats: Ruled by Mercury & the Moon

Parts Used: essential oil made from the bark and leaves

Improves Function of:

  • Immume System; skin’s response to heal

Aides in Relieving Symptoms of:

  • Acne, athlete’s foot
  • Lice & Scabies
  • Cuts, abrasion, boils, herpes & vaginal abrasions
  • Infections of the mouth & nose; sore throat, toothache
  • Cough, bronchial congestion, pulmonary inflammation

Assists Spiritually With:

  • Warding off evil; cleansing & protection
  • Healing Rituals
  • Clear energy blockages
  • Encourage strength

How Does It Work?

Chemicals found in the oils pressed from the leaves of a tea tree plant are found to be anti fungal and kill bacteria. Applied topically it will help to rid the body of abrasions and other skin ailments.

What Do I Do With It?

Dab directly into the skin after applying to a cotton ball for help with bacterial infections and other skin ailments. When mixed with herbs that calm tea tree’s super antiseptic qualities it is perfect in acne cleansing beauty products. When put into a diffuser it can pull bacteria out of the air and help relieve the air in sickrooms. It will clear energy blockages in the upper chakras and wards off demons in the wake of cleansing and protection. Add it to a talisman or amulet and encourage strength in the wearer.

 

 

What’s In My Cup? Digest & Detox Tea

What's In My Cup?

Since adding lemongrass to my home made face wash I’ve been really loving experimenting with the bright, vibrant flavor it offers. This tea is great for the afternoon to get everything moving through the system while also mellowing out the mind into the evening time. Lemongrass and lavender help with digestion and both chamomile and lavender are relaxing. Enjoy feeling detoxed and loosey goosey after enjoying this cup.DetoxDigestion

Simply Mix Together:

  • 1/2 tsp dried lavender buds
  • 1 tsp dried chamomile buds
  • 1/2 tsp dried lemon grass

Pour boiling water over all of the herbs in a tea ball into a big mug. Let steep for about 15 minutes, the lavender can begin to get pungently floral so be aware not to steep too long. While holding the mug let all the events of the day wash over you, if they stick, honor those thoughts and then let them go. Focus on detoxing the body and mind as the cup steeps and the linalool and limonene being to take hold of the mind.

Focus on the mantra: live and let live.

Herb Spotlight: Green Tea for All the Antioxidants

Herb Spotlight

Modern society has been well aware of the benefits of green tea for many years and asian cultures have long enjoyed the plant’s medicinal benefits through tea ceremonies. Green Tea is an alternative caffeine source to coffee for those trying to kick the habit. It’s also a great afternoon beverage for those that aren’t too susceptible to caffeine. Many studies have shown green tea to help stimulate weight loss as well as boost the immune system. Aside from this, green tea is absolutely delicious whether it’s hot or cold and the flavor mixes quite well with other herbs.

Scientific Name: Camellia sinesis

Magickal Stats: Elementally Fire, Ruled by the Sun

Parts Used: Leaf, bud, stem, liquid extract of the dried leaf

Improves Function Of:

  • Urinary System
  • Immune System & Defense of Free Radicals
  • Cancer prevention

Aides in Relieving Symptoms Of:

  • Inflammation & Metabolic Stress
  • Dental cavities & mild gum disease

Assists Spiritually With:

  • Bring about balance
  • Highlight courage & strength

How Does It Work?

High amounts of catching, flavonoids and other phenolic compounds make green tea six times more antioxidants than black tea. When the fresh leaves are steamed the release polyphenols which have shown to be anti-inflammatory as they lessen joint degradation and protect bones & cartilage. Regular ingestion can also hinder HPV and the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix. The other benefits are from the caffeine increasing the release of neurotransmitters.

What Do I Do With It?

Most people make either hot or cold tea out of the leaves but green tea can also be put into beauty recipes for the antioxidants and liquid extract can be taken orally for the medicinal effects. Put into a satchets and burned to ensure future riches and put into talisman for encouragement in strength and courage. Lastly it’s a great base ingredient for “lust beverages”.

tea