Tag: Calendula

Herb of the Day for Feb. 23 is Calendula

Herb of the Day

Calendula


                                        
Medicinal Uses: An infusion of the petals used as lotion for skin cleansing and softening.
It is usually combined with chamomile and comfrey for a soothing ointment in cases of skin problems, burns, cuts, insect bites, stings and bruises. Calendula is said to strengthen and comfort the heart and aid in digestion. The flowers are used in infusion form as a wash for red eye. The flowers are also used for hair rinse, and in a herbal bath for stimulation to aid circulation and sooth skin.                                                                                                                 
The petals or leaves can be used in a tea to induce sweating, promote menstruation, increase urination, relieve stomach cramps, indigestion and stomachaches, and for relief from flu and fevers.                                                         
For bee stings, rub the fresh flowers directly on the sting to relieve the pain.

Do not use Calendula while pregnant.

Magickal uses: A masculine herb that is ruled by the Sun. The associated element is Fire. Wear a fresh marigold to court to help win a case. Place in your mattress for prophetic dreams. Add to bath water to increase confidence. Sprinkle around the bed to protect a person from evil and to bring greater understanding of dreams.

Properties: Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, healing, anti-fungal and soothing.

Growth: Calendulas have been grown as garden plants for many years throughout North America and Europe. Calendula is a annual that requires warm temperatures and full sun. It has hairy leaves and golden-orange flowers, and has a long flowering period.

Infusion: Combine 1 to 2 tsp fresh or dried flowers with 1/2 C. water just off the boil; steep 5 to 10 minutes; strain. Used as a compress will soothe tired eyes.

Tincture: Soak a handful of flowers in 1 pint of whiskey for 5 to 6 weeks; dose is 5 to 20 drops.

Oil: Put 1 C. sweet almond oil and 1 oz. calendula petals in a jar; place in a sunny spot for 4 weeks then heat oil till petals are crisp; strain and bottle.

Salve/Ointment:  Boil 1 oz. dried flowers or leaves (or 1 tsp fresh plant juice) with 1 oz of Lard; OR; slowly heat 4 oz. white petroleum jelly in top of double boiler till melted; add 1 oz. crushed herb and simmer 20 minutes; strain into little pots; cover when cold.
Source:
Author: Crick

The Witches Magick for March 14th – Healing Herbal Balm

The Witches Magick for March 14th –  Healing Herbal Balm

Herbs You Will Need:

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Plantain (Plantago major)

This sweet-smelling balm soothes and protects cuts and scrapes. And it’s so gentle you can even use it on diaper rash. Calendula and plantain are known for their ability to speed skin healing. Both soften skin, relieve pain, and are antibacterial.

How to make it: This is a two-step process.

First, you’ll make an herb-infused oil:

In a large glass jar, combine 2 tablespoon each of crushed Calendula flowers and dried plantain leaves with 1/3 c of extra-virgin olive oil. Leave uncovered, and place in a pan filled with enough water to cover the lower half of the jar. Set the burner on very low heat and simmer gently for about 4 hours. Check the oil periodically to be sure it’s not scorching; don’t let it boil.
(You can also make the infused oil in a Crock-Pot set on very low without a lid.)

After the allotted time, remove the oil from the heat and allow it to cool completely. Strain away the herbs through several layers of cheesecloth and discard.

To make the balm, combine the infused oil with 1 or 2 tablespoon of grated beeswax and put it into a small stainless steel bowl; set the bowl into a pot of water and heat just until the beeswax melts, stirring gently to help the melting

To test the consistency, insert a cool metal spoon into the balm and check the balm that sticks to the spoon; it should be spreadable but firm. If it’s too oily, add another few shavings of beeswax.

At this point, you can add a natural preservative to your balm to prevent spoilage. Vitamin E, squeezed from capsules, works very well. Rosemary extracts or oil might improve the aroma and antiseptic properties as well.

You’ll need about 1/4 tsp. (two capsules) to preserve this much balm. After you’ve blended in the vitamin E, transfer your final product to a sterile glass jar. Use a clean spoon or small spatula to transfer the balm to avoid introducing bacteria to the jar.

How to use it: Apply the balm to rashes, scrapes, and other small or superficial abrasions

Wolf Moon Ritual Oil

Wolf Moon Ritual Oil

Use this oil to induce insightful and blessed dreams.

To make this ritual oil you will need a small cup, two teaspoons of olive oil, lavender oil, clary  sage oil, and vanilla oil.

Make this mixture just before you go to sleep. Begin by putting two teaspoons of olive oil in a  small cup. As you add four drops of lavender oil, say:

Wolf Moon oil bless me with power and insight.

Next, add two drops of clary sage oil while saying:

Divine dream oil empower me with blessed dreams.

Now, add two drops of vanilla oil, and say:

Divine dream oil empower me with sweet dreams.

Conclude by mixing the oil with the fingers of your power hand (right hand if you are right-handed)  and chant several times:

Divine dream oil empower me with blessed dreams.

Rub the oil into the front and back of your neck, and into your wrists and ankles. As you rub the  oil into your skin, chant:

Divine dream oil empower me with blessed dreams.

While drifting to sleep, repeat to yourself:

Sweet dreams, blessed be!

When you awaken, write down everything you recall from your dreams in your  journal.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Psychic Sight Mojo Bag

Psychic Sight Mojo Bag

A spell to open the third eye.

Fill a small purple bag (or a piece of cloth that you can wrap herbs in and tie up) with as many of the following herbs as you can:
mugwort

acacia

honeysuckle

peppermint

rosemary

thyme

yarrow

cloves

dandelion

lilac

lavender

Calendula – (marigold)

Gather the edges of the cloth and tie a string around it if you are using a cloth, or if you used a small purple bag, tie it shut. (Drawstring bags work best.)
Using a dark violet marker, draw an eye on the front of the bag.
Rub the bag on the third eye Chakra (forehead) whenever performing divination or needing psychic sight, and sleep with it under your pillow every night.

Poppet Healing Spell

Poppet Healing Spell

 

Items You Will Need:

Yellow candle

Marigold

Calendula

Lavender

Rosemary

Clear Quartz Gemstone

Photo/description of problem

 

Perform on a Sunday. Stuff the doll with herbs and add the gem about where the heart would be in the doll. Sew up the doll and do the naming ritual. Light the candle and see the person healthy and happy in your mind. Say six times:

 

“Lavender, marigold and rosemary,
The body, soul and mind are free.
Stone of Quartz, take this pain away,
Whole and healed and free today
With harm to none
My will is done.
So Mote It Be.”

 

Bury the doll in the ground before the sunset the same day.

Baby Salve

Baby Salve
2 part Calendula flowers
1 part Comfrey leaf
1 part Comfrey root
1 part Plantain
1 400 IU Vitamin E oil capsule (optional)
Lavender essential oil
Make an infused oil using the above herbs. Proceed as directed above, adding the lavender oil and vitamin E oil, if used, after removing from heat. To do this, poke the capsule with a sterile needle and squeeze the oil out.
Adding the lavender oil gives additional healing benefits, but omit if an unscented salve is desired.

St. John’s Wort Salve

St. John’s Wort Salve

Great all purpose salve. Use for insect bites, itching, wounds, burns ,and on fungal infections.
1 part St. John’s Wort
1 part Calendula flowers
1 part Comfrey leaf
1 400IU Vitamin E oil capsule (optional)
Make an infused oil using the above herbs. Proceed as directed above, adding the vitamin E oil, if used, after removing from heat. To do this, poke the capsule with a sterile needle and squeeze the oil out.

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.