Common Kitchen Herbs That Heal c. 2012

Please note that this is in no way meant to take the place of regular medical advice or treatment.
Please see a doctor if conditions persist or worsen

What follows is a short list of herbs commonly found in kitchens, or easily found in most supermarkets. This list is alphabetical by herb.
——————————————————————————–

Anise (Pimpinella ansium)
Anise helps expel gas, relieves nausea and stomach pain caused by gas.
To use: crush anise seeds into a powder. Put 1 teaspoon of the powder into 1 cup of warm water. Drink up to three times a day to relieve symptoms. ——————————————————————————–
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is another anti-nauseant that also relieves gas, and promotes normal bowel function.
To use: Make a strong tea using 1 teaspoon of the crushed dried herb in a half- cup of water. Drink as needed, not to exceed three cups a day. ——————————————————————————–
Capsicum or Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)
Cayenne helps stimulate the appetite and acts as a milk stimulant. It may reduce discomfort from the common cold.
To use: make a tea out of the dried herb, 1 teaspoon per cup of hot water. 2 cups per day only.
Note: Cayenne irritates hemorrhoids and should never be used by people with stomach problems. Do not exceed recommended dosage as high doses can cause stomach and kidney problems. ——————————————————————————–
Caraway (Carum carvi)
Caraway works as an expectorant for coughs due to colds. It also improves the appetite and may increase breast milk in nursing mothers.
To use: Chew some seeds three or four times a day. ——————————————————————————–
Dill (Aniethum graveolens)
Dill eases indigestion and upset stomachs.
To use: make a strong tea by steeping 2 teaspoons of dill seeds in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink one half-cup 2 to 3 times daily. ——————————————————————————–
Fennel (Foeniculum velgare)
Fennel is a digestive aid and is known to relieve cramps. The oil is used to relieve stiff joints.
To use: 15 drops of extract in warm water with honey, one daily, as digestive aid. Rub oil directly on affected area for pain alleviation. ——————————————————————————–
Fenugreek (Trigonella graceum)
Fenugreek relieves sore throats and is useful for treating irritations and other inflammations.
To use: as a gargle for sore throat – mix 1 tablespoon of pulverized seed in 1 cup hot water. Let steep for 10 minutes and strain. Gargle 3 times a day, every 3-4 hours. As a poultice for skin irritations – pulverize enough seed so that when mixed with 8 ounces of water, it forms a thick paste. Apply paste to affected areas once a day. ——————————————————————————–
Garlic (Allium satvum)
Garlic helps fight infections, lowers blood pressure and may be able to destroy some cancer cells.
To use: stir-fry cloves for a few minutes to cut down garlic-breath. Eat 2 or 3 a day for maximum effectiveness. ——————————————————————————–
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)
Ginger eases cold symptoms, soothes skin inflammations and minor burns, calms upset stomachs, and is a natural remedy for morning sickness.
To use: for burn and inflammations – mash fresh ginger root, soak cotton ball and then rub juice on the affected area. For all else – add ginger extract to hot water, 10 drops per cup. This can be taken up to three times daily. ——————————————————————————–
Parsley (Petroselinium sativum)
Parsley settles stomachs after meals. If also helps clear congestion due to colds and is soothing for asthma.
To use: make a strong tea using 1 teaspoon dried, ground parsley in 1 cup hot water. Let steep 10-15 minutes. Take once a day. ——————————————————————————–
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Mint is an anti-spasmodic and is excellent for relieving cramps and stomach pain. It also relieves gas and aids in digestion. It can help reduce the sick feeling associated with migraines.
To use: drink one cup as a tea. Commercial teas are available. (Make sure it is only mint, not mint flavored.) Drink as needed. ——————————————————————————–
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is used for most head pains.
To use: as tea, to relieve nervous tension, make a strong tea. Rub rosemary essential oil on the temples to relieve headaches. Mix essential oils or leaves with olive oil to make a dandruff treatment. ——————————————————————————–
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage reduces perspiration and can be used to ease sore gums.
To use: to relieve perspiration, medium tea, one time daily. To ease gums, strong infusion, gargled, 3 times daily. ——————————————————————————–
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme is good for chronic respiratory problems, cold flu and sore throat. It is also an anti-fungal.
To use: make a tea of the dried herb, drink daily. As an anti-fungal, rub extract on affected areas. ——————————————————————————–
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric promotes good liver function and helps prevent gallbladder disease. It also may help prevent over-clotting of blood cells, and may help relieve arthritis symptoms.
To use: take 300mg up to 3 times daily. ——————————————————————————–

Spell for Monday/Full Moon – Goddess Spell to Strengthen Your Intuition

By: Beth Johnson (Mystic)
Do this spell on a Monday, during a Full Moon. Gather together two Silver Altar Candles, a Gold Offertory/Purpose Candle, and a Dark Green Astral Candle, because the person is a Capricorn. The candles may be of any of these scents, or any
combination of these aromatherapy scents: Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Lotus, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Thyme, Vetiver. Inscribe an Ankh on the Purpose Candle. Dress the candles with any of these oils or any combination of them: Cinnamon Leaf, Clove
Bud, Cedarwood, Camphor, Lemon Grass, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Sweet Orange. After you have inscribed and dressed your candle, roll it in 7 of these herbs: Almond, Apple, Cedar, Cinnamon, Daisy, Marjoram, Mint, Sage, Thyme. Before lighting these candles, put 7 of these crystals in any combinations, around the candles (if you have enough to put 7 of each, that would be good to): Quartz, Beryl, Jet, Obsidian, Hematite, Gold, Silver, Agate, Amethyst, Bloodstone, Copper, Lead, Moonstone, seashells. These are stones that are a combination of the purpose of the spell and the astrological sign stones for Capricorn.Before you light the candles and begin your spell, cast your circle with visualization. Use a gold outer circle and a silver inner circle. Take a moment to get in touch with your Goddess and re-dedicate yourself to the purpose of this spell. Say this chant to the Goddess 7 times:”Goddess, Lady of Love and Light
Let my thoughts be clear and bright;
Bless my heart and soul this night.”

See the Goddess touching your Third Eye and opening
it. Feel your spirit guides and ancestors around
you, wishing you well, willing to teach you.
Dedicate yourself to using your new insights to
help yourself and others. Know that these psychic
abilities and insights will stay with you and
enrich your life. When the candles burn down,
thank the Goddess, your guides and ancestors, and
tell them goodnight.

About The Author: Beth Johnson, (Mystic) is a student of Sisters In Freya’s Moon, born August 10, 1944, Mystic is the oldest of four children. Her father was a minister (from a long line of Methodist ministers) and her mother taught piano and French. Mystic was born while her father was a chaplain in the Navy, serving on a ship with General MacArthur in the Philippines. His father had been a chaplain in the Army in WWI. Mystic was married for 25 years to a marine and has two children, Kristin and Erik, both married but no grandchildren yet. She is divorced and lives in Saltillo, Mississippi. She is a folk artist and sometimes teach that and fabric painting with dyes. She also teaches Reiki and sometimes basic Tarot. She loves to read, dance barefooted, write poems and spells, do candle magick, make candles, and date her boyfriend Frank.

The Witches Almanac for Monday, February 29th

Cats view :::: Katzenblick
The Witches Almanac for Monday, February 29th

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility.

Leap Day

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Scorpio
Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive. Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.
Moon enters Sagittarius 6: 56 pm

Moon enters Sagittarius 6: 56 pm
Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical, and athletic

Incense: Hyssop

Color: White

The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 25th

golden tomb
The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 25th

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification and fertility.

Burns’ Night (Scottish)

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Leo
Leo: Draws emphasis to the self, central ideas, or institutions, away from connections with others and other emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.

Moon enters Virgo 10: 46 pm
Virgo: Favors accomplishment of details and commands from higher up. Focuses on health, hygiene, and daily schedules.

Incense: Rosemary

Color: Gray

The Witches Correspondences for Sunday, January 24th

wolves
The Witches Correspondences for Sunday, January 24th

Magickal Intentions: Growth, Advancements, Enlightenment, Rational Thought, Exorcism, Healing, Prosperity, Hope, Exorcism, Money

Incense: Lemon, Frankincense

Planet: Sun

Sign: Leo

Angel: Michael

Colors: Gold, Yellow, Orange and White

Herbs/Plants: Marigold, Heliotrope, Sunflower, Buttercup, Cedar, Beech, Oak

Stones: Carnelian, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, Clear Quartz and Red Agate

Oil: (Sun) Cedar, Frankincense, Neroli, Rosemary

The first day of the week is ruled by the Sun. It is an excellent time to work efforts involving business partnerships, work promotions, business ventures, and professional success. Spells where friendships, mental or physical health, or bringing joy back into life are an issue work well on this day, too.

The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 18th

Autumn candles
The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 18th

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification and fertility.

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. (observed)

 

Waxing Moon
The Waxing Moon is the ideal time for magick to draw things to you.

Moon Phase: Second Quarter

Moon Sign: Taurus
Taurus: Things begun now last the longest, tend to increase in value, and become hard to alter. Brings out appreciation for beauty and sensory experience.

Incense: Hyssop

Color: Silver

The Witches Correspondences for Sunday, January 17th

WICCAN SIGNS
The Witches Correspondences for Sunday, January 17th

Magickal Intentions: Growth, Advancements, Enlightenment, Rational Thought, Exorcism, Healing, Prosperity, Hope, Exorcism, Money

Incense: Lemon, Frankincense

Planet: Sun

Sign: Leo

Angel: Michael

Colors: Gold, Yellow, Orange and White

Herbs/Plants: Marigold, Heliotrope, Sunflower, Buttercup, Cedar, Beech, Oak

Stones: Carnelian, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, Clear Quartz and Red Agate

Oil: (Sun) Cedar, Frankincense, Neroli, Rosemary

The first day of the week is ruled by the Sun. It is an excellent time to work efforts involving business partnerships, work promotions, business ventures, and professional success. Spells where friendships, mental or physical health, or bringing joy back into life are an issue work well on this day, too.

Magickal Activity for January 16th, The Day of Concordia

gothic

Circle of Friendship Spell

Items needed: One pink candle for each person you wish to befriend; one gold candle to represent yourself; one sprig of rosemary; one sprig of lavender.

Begin by placing each pink candle, evenly spaced, in a circle. In the center of the circle lay the rosemary and lavender sprigs in a cross formation. Place the gold candle next to the center of the cross. Take a few moments to relax. Visualize yourself and your circle of friends having a wonderful time.

Light the gold candle first, and then in a clockwise direction light each of the pink candles. Chant the following once for each friendship candle:

“As the stars above in darkness shine,
With a light that fills the heavens divine.
So bright with radiance our friendships glow,
Outshining the sun and dimming all foes.”

Allow the candles to burn for one hour and then extinguish. Repeat the spell every evening until the candles have burned out. Save the rosemary and lavender. It can be used later for friendship amulets.

The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 11th

Egyptian beauty 2 . . . .by Piedad

The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 11th

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility.

Frost Fairs on the Thames

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon phase: Fourth Quarter

Moon Sign: Scorpio
Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive.

Incense: Lily

Color: White

The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 4th

queen of dragons:fire cave angel

The Witches Almanac for Monday, January 4th

 Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility.

Frost Fairs on the Thames

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon is a time for study, meditation, and little magickal work (except magick designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon phase: Fourth Quarter

Moon Sign: Scorpio
Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive.

Incense: Lily

Color: White

The Witches Almanac for Monday, December 28th

Winter Images

The Witches Almanac for Monday, December 28th

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility.

Holy Innocents’ Day

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Leo
Leo: Draws emphasis to the self, central ideas, or institutions, away from connections with others and other emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.

Incense: Rosemary

Color: Lavender

 

Aspects of the Moon in Aquarius

autumn

Aspects of the Moon in Aquarius

 

General: Inventions, social life, future goals, technology, science, forming and maintaining friendships, establishing groups, gaining more freedom or autonomy (be careful of bringing in rebellious energies though), developing intuition, independence, heightened perception and resourcefulness, becoming more detached or overcoming being too emotional.

Watch out for unorganized thoughts, selfishness, not finishing projects and being opinionated.

New Moon: Independence, change, love, new ideas, individuality and the sciences.

Full Moon: Courage, loyalty, leadership, self-worth and independence.

Element: Air.

Colours: Electric blue. Incense: Eucalyptus, comfrey, rosemary, fennel, pine, clover, fenugreek, broom, violet, valerian.

Aquarius Incense Blend: Equal parts pine, rosemary and fennel with a few drops of clover essential oil.

 

 

Pagan Portals – Moon Magic

Rachel Patterson

 

Protection From Evil & Negativity Spell

 Protection From Evil & Negativity Spell

A Witch’s Bottle

 

Gather rosemary, needles and pins. Fill a small jar with these three ingredients, saying the following as you work:

Pins, needles, rosemary, wine
In this witch’s bottle of mine
Guard against harm and enmity
This is my will, So mote it be!

Visualize these herbs doing just that. When the jar is full, pour in red wine.
Then cap or cork the jar and drip wax from a black or red candle around the seal. Bury the jar at the farthest corner of your property or place it in an inconspicuous spot in the house.

The Witch’s bottle destroys negativity and evil. The pins and needles impale evil, the wine drowns it, and the rosemary send it far from your property.

Magickal Herbs Used for Healing/Health

HEALING/HEALTH

    * ( to promote:)

    * Adder’s Tongue
    * Allspice
    * Amaranth
    * Angelica
    * Apple
    * Balm, Lemon
    * Balm of Gilead
    * Barley
    * Bay
    * Bittersweet
    * Blackberry
    * Bracken
    * Burdock
    * Calamus
    * Carnation
    * Cedar
    * Cinnamon
    * Citron
    * Cowslip
    * Cucumber
    * Dock
    * Elder
    * Eucalyptus
    * Fennel
    * Figwort
    * Flax
    * Gardenia
    * Garlic
    * Ginseng
    * Goat’s Rue
    * Golden Seal
    * Groundsel
    * Heliotrope
    * Hemp
    * Henna
    * Hops
    * Horehound
    * Horse Chestnut
    * Ivy
    * Job’s Tears
    * Life Everlasting
    * Lime
    * Mesquite
    * Mint
    * Mugwort
    * Myrrh
    * Nettle
    * Oak
    * Olive
    * Onion
    * Peppermint
    * Pepper Tree
    * Persimmon
    * Pine
    * Plaintain
    * Plum, Wild
    * Potato
    * Rose
    * Rosemary
    * Rowan
    * Rue
    * Saffron
    * Sandalwood
    * Sorrel, Wood
    * Spearmint
    * Thistle
    * Thyme
    * Ti
    * Tobacco
    * Vervain
    * Violet
    * Willow
    * Wintergreen
    * Yerba Mate

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Herbs & Their Planetary Correspondences

Herbs & Their Planetary Correspondences

Sun

Acacia, Ash, Bay, Carnation, Cedar, Chamomile, Cimmamon, Hazel, Heliotrope, Juniper, Marigold, Misteltoe, Oak, Orange, Pam, Peony, Rice, Rosemary, Saffron, Sunflower, Tea, Walnut

Moon

   Aloe, Cotton, Dulse, Eucalyptus, Gardenia, Grape, Irish Moss, Jasmine, Lemon, Liiy, Myrrh, Poppy, Potato, Sandalwood, Willow
Mercury
    Almond, Aspen, Bittersweet, Brazil Nut, Caraway, Clover, Dill, Fennel, Fern, Flax, Lavender, Mandrake, Marjoram, Mint, Mulberry, parsley, Pecan, Senna
Venus
      Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Barley, Birch, Blackberry, Cherry, Corn, Cowslip, Daffodil, Daisy, Elder, Foxglove, Goldenrod, Iris, Lilac, Magnolia, Oats, Pea,      Peach, Plum, Raspberry, Rose, Sugar Cane, Thyme, Vanilla, Violet, Willow

Mars
         Allspice, Basil, Briony, Broom, Carrot, Chili Pepper, Dragon’s Blood, Ginger, Holly, Hops, Onion, Pennyroyal, Pine, Reed, Thistle, Woodruff
Jupiter
        Anise, Bodhi, Chestnut, Clove, Honeysuckle, Maple, Meadowsweet, Nutmeg, Sage, Witch Grass

Saturn
          Amaranth, Beech, Belladonna, Cypress, Elm, Hellebore, Ivy, Lady’s Slipper, Mimosa, Pansy, Patchouly, Tamarisk, Yew
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Masculine Herbs

Masculine Herbs

 
 
Acacia, Allspice, Angelica, Ash, Aspen, Basil, Bay, Bittersweet, Borage, Brazil Nut, Broom, Caraway, Carnation, Cedar, Chamomile, Chestnut,  Cinnamon, Clove, Clover, Curry, Dandelion, Dill, Dragon’s Blood, Eyebright, Fennel, Flax, Frankincense, Ginger, Hazel, Heliotrope, Holly, Honeysuckle,  Hops, Juniper, Larch, Lavendar, Lily of the Valley, Mandrake, Maple, Marigold, Marjoram, Meadowsweet, Mint, Mistletoe, Oak, Orange, Pecan, Pennyroyal, Pine,  Pomegranate, Red Sandalwood, Rice, Rosemary, Rowan, Saffron, Sage, Sesame, Sunflower, Thistle, Walnut, Yucca  
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Hold An Imbolc House Cleansing Ceremony

Hold An Imbolc House Cleansing Ceremony

By , About.com

Give your whole house a thorough cleaning at the end of winter.

A clean physical space feels good spiritually.

Be sure to clean your windows so they’re free of winter’s grime.

No one really likes to clean, but we all know we feel better when our physical space is tidy. It’s one of life’s necessary chores. Start your spring off with a good thorough cleaning, and then follow that up with a spiritual cleansing. This is a great ritual to perform at Imbolc — remember that for many of our ancestors, washing came only a few times a year, so by February, a house was probably smelling pretty ripe. Pick a bright sunny day to do a clean sweep, and then invite friends and family to join you in a blessing of your home.

First, do a complete physical cleaning of your house. Put on some music and thoroughly clean every room. Strip sheets off the beds, turn the mattresses, dust every surface, and vacuum every floor. Sort through those piles of paper on your desk, and get rid of things you don’t need to keep; file everything else. Gather up the kids’ toys and put them in baskets for easy storage. If you need to get rid of things, do it now — set aside a box for charity and put gently used items in it. Set aside another box for trash, and see if you can fill it up!

Once your house is clean — and this assumes you did the kitchen as well — it’s time to have some fun. Call up some friends and invite them over for a potluck. Cook up some Imbolc-themed comfort foods, such as Braided Bread or Beer Battered Fish & Chips, and have a small potluck celebration. Ask each guest to bring a small token to bless your house — pebbles, shells, interesting bits of wood, beads, etc.

You’ll also need the following:

  • A bowl of water
  • Some sea salt
  • A smudging bundle of sage or sweetgrass
  • A blue candle
  • Some Blessing Oil
  • A bowl or bag

Begin at the front door — it is, after all, where you welcome guests into your home — and go through the house in a sunwise direction (clockwise). Ask your guests to help you by smudging the perimeter of each room with the salt, sage, candle flame and water. You may wish to say some sort of incantation as they do this, something like:

With the purifying power of water, with the clean breath of air, with the passionate heat of fire, with the grounding energy of earth we cleanse this space.

As you pass from room to room, anoint each door and windowsill with the Blessing Oil by tracing the shape of a pentagram or other symbol of your tradition. This prevents anything negative from crossing into the home. If you like, you can offer a small incantation as you do this, something like:

May the goddess bless this home, making it sacred and pure, so that nothing but love and joy shall enter through this door.

Finally, once you’ve gone through the house, ask each of your guests to deposit their blessing token in your bowl or bag. Keep it in a place of honor in your home — on the mantel or in your kitchen is a good idea. Gather around the dinner table, break out the goodies, and enjoy a feast with your friends and family!

Tips:

* If you don’t have Blessing Oil, you can use rosemary oil instead. Make your own by infusing fresh rosemary in grapeseed or flaxseed oil.

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The Sniffles Ointment

The Sniffles Ointment

If the sniffles and chest congestion have you down, rub some of this ointment on your chest and under your nose.

1/2 oz. Eucalyptus Oil

1/2 oz. Rosemary Oil

1/2 oz. Peppermint Oil

2 oz Hard Paraffin Wax

2 oz Soft Paraffin Wax


Melt together and stir while it’s cooling. Store in an airtight container away from heat.

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