Tag: Aloysia citrodora

Today’s Herb Is Lemon Verbena

Today’s Herb Is Lemon Verbena

Verbena, Lemon

Botanical: Lippia citriodora
Family: N.O. Verbenaceae

—Synonyms—Aloysia citriodora. Verveine citronelle or odorante. Herb Louisa. Lemonscented Verbena. Verbena triphylla. Lippia triphylla.
—Parts Used—Leaves, flowering tops.
—Habitat—Chile and Peru. Cultivated in European gardens.

—Description—This deciduous shrub was introduced into England in 1784, reaching a height of 15 feet in the Isle of Wight and in sheltered localities. The leaves are very fragrant, lanceolate, arranged in threes, 3 to 4 inches long, with smooth margins, pale green in colour, having parallel veins at right-angles to the mid-rib and flat bristles along the edges. The many small flowers are pale purple, blooming during August in slim, terminal panicles. The leaves, which have been suggested to replace tea, will retain their odour for years and are used in perfumery. They should be gathered at flowering time.

All the species of Lippia abound in volatile oil.

—Constituents—The odour is due to an essential oil obtainable by distillation. It has not been analysed in detail.

—Medicinal Action and Uses—Febrifuge, sedative. The uses of Lemon Verbena are similar to those of mint, orange flowers, or melissa, as a stomachic and antispasmodic in dyspepsia, indigestion and flatulence, stimulating skin and stomach.

—Dosage—The decoction may be taken in several daily doses of three tablespoonsful.

—Other Species—

Lippia Scaberrima, or Beukessboss ofSouth Africa, yields an essential oil with an odour like lavender, named Lippianol. It has a peculiar crystalline appearance, with the qualities of a monohydric alcohol.

From L. mexicana or possibly Cedronella mexicana, an essential oil resembling that of fennel was separated, and also a substance like camphor, called Lippioil.

The essence of Lemon-Grass, or Andropogon Schoenanthus, should not be confused with that of Lemon-Scented Verbena.

Daily Herb of the Day for Aug. 19th – BALM

BALM (Melissa officinalis)

To grow:
Perennial herb. Grows to 2 ft. It’s leaves are heavily veined, light green
leaves with a lemony scent. It’s white flowers are unimportant and need to be
cut occasionally to keep compact. Spreads rapidly. Grow in rich, moist soil in
sun or part shade. Balm is very hardy and you can propagate from seed or root
divisions. Self sows.

Uses:
Balm is an excellent carminative herb that relieves spasms in the digestive
tract and is used in flatulent dyspepsia. The gently sedative oils relieve
tension and stress reactions, therefore, acting to lighten depression. It has a
tonic effect on the circulatory system and heart, thus lowering blood pressure.
It can be used in feverish conditions such as flu.

Parts used:
Dried aerial parts or fresh in season. Pick the leaves two or three times a year
between early summer and early fall. Cut off the young shoots when they are
approximately 12 in long. They should be dried in the shade at a temperature not
more than 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Infusion:
Pour a cup of boiling water onto 2-3 teaspoons of the dried herb or 4-6 fresh
leaves and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes, well covered. Drink a cup in the
morning and the evening or when needed.

Tincture:
Take 2-6 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Herb of the Day for June 29th is Witch Grass

Herb of the Day

Witch Grass

Folk Names: Couch Grass, Dog Grass, Quick Grass, Witches Grass

Gender:  Masculine

Planet:  Jupiter

Powers:  Happiness, Lust, Love, Exorcism

Magickal Uses:  Witch grass carried or sprinkled under the bed attracts new lovers. Witch grass is also used in all manner of unhexing and uncrossing rituals, the infusion is sprinkled around the premises to disperse entities, and when worn it dispels depression.

Herbal Toner

Here’s a recipe for a simple toner to be used within 3 days

For sensitive and mature skin:

1/2     cup rose, lavender, or Calendula water infusion*

1         teaspoon vegetable glycerine

1/2     cup witch hazel

For oily skin:

1/2     cup sage leaves, or

1/2     cup lemon balm, lemon grass, and lemon verbena, or

1/2      cup rosemary

1           teaspoon vegetable glycerine

1/2       cup witch hazel

*For an infusion, steep 2 tablespoons fresh herb for a combination of herbs (to equal 2 tablespoons) in half a cup of boiled water in a covered glass or porcelain container for 10 minutes. Strain before using.

For sensitive and mature skin, combine rose water, lavender water, or Calendula water as an infusion with vegetable glycerin and witch hazel. Apply with a cotton ball. For oily skin, infuse any of the herbs in half a cup of boiled water for 10 minutes and strain. Add glycerine and witch hazel. Refrigerate after using. After the toner dries and sets, apply a moisturizing cream or lemon.

Body-Safe Dried Herbs for Soaps

There are a large number of body-safe dried herbs that you can include in your soaps, although some of them such as chamomile, sage, and teas, will blend over time. This doesn’t hurt the soap but may make your soaps unsightly. Adding 1/4 teaspoon of vitamin E to each pound of your soap mixture will help to retard this process by preserving the herb. Although some individuals add rose petals to their soaps, others don’t recommend it because rose petals have a tendency to turn black over time. Her’s a list of herbs you can include in your magickal soaps!

  • Allspice

  • Almond

  • Barley

  • Basil

  • Bergamot

  • Bladderwrack (sea kelp)

  • Brown sugar

  • Calendula (marigold)

  • Cardamom

  • Chamomile

  • Chocolate

  • Cinnamon (just a bit!)

  • Coffee

  • Coriander

  • Cornmeal (for garden and deep grime removal soaps)

  • Dill

  • Eucalyptus

  • Ginger

  • Ginseng

  • Green tea

  • Juniper berries

  • Lemongrass

  • Lemon peel

  • Lemon verbena

  • Lime peel

  • Mints

  • Neem

  • Nutmeg

  • Oatmeal

  • Oregano

  • Patchouli

  • Rose hips (purchase only those sold for health and beauty products)

  • Rosemary (finely ground)

  • Safflower

  • Sage

  • Thyme

  • Note: Take special care when making soaps for allergy-sensitive individuals. Ingredients like almonds, cinnamon, and honey may have adverse effects on some individuals.

 

Herbal Toner

Here’s  a recipe for a simple toner to be used within 3 days.

For sensitive and mature skin:

  • 1/2 cup rose, lavender or Calendula water infusion*
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine
  • 1/2 cup witch hazel

For oily skin:

  • 1/2 cup sage leaves, or
  • 1/2 cup lemon balm, lemon grass, and lemon verbena, or
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerine
  • 1/2 cup witch hazel
  •  1/2 cup rosemary

*For an infusion, steep 2 tablespoons fresh herb (or a combination of herbs to equal 2 tablespoons) in half a cup of boiled water  in a covered glass or porcelain container for 10 minutes. Strain before using.

For sensitive and mature skin, combine rose water, lavender water, or Calendula water as an infusion with vegetable glycerin and witch hazel. Apply with a cotton ball. For oil skin, infuse any of the herbs in half a cup of boiled water for 10 minutes and strain. Add glycerine and witch hazel. Refrigerate after using. After the toner dries and sets, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion.