Medicinal Herbal Actions Defined

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:09:51 PST

Adaptogen:
An herb that helps the body adapt to stress, increase endurance, speed recovery from illness and overwork and strengthen immune function. They put no stress on the body and have a normalizing effect on body systems. examples; eluthero, ashwaganda
Adjuvant:
An herb that is added to a formula in addition to other herbs to enhance their effectiveness. ex. licorice, ginger

Adrenal tonic:
An herb that supports adrenal function, especially people under long term stress or overwork. Weakened adrenal function is often associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Alterative:
Herbs or foods that slowly alter the activity of a tissue, organ system by enhancing nutrition, energy or vitality, without overtly stimulating. More active than a adptogen or tonic.
ex. echinacea, eleuthero, yellow dock

Analgesic:
An herb that relieves or reduces the sensation of pain. ex. Jamaica dogwood, Opium poppy, passionflower.

...

Catnip

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 18:53:08 PST

Catnip Medicinal Properties and Herbal Use

Young leaves are edible raw. They have an aromatic mint-like flavor eaten in salads. As the name (cat-nip) suggests, cats love to nip at it, although watching them it might better be called (cat-roll) for they seem to roll, rub, and totally crush the plant into the ground. They discover that the more they crush it the more oil it releases. Plant constituents include Nepetalic acid, Alpha- & beta- Citral, Nepetalactone, Limonene, Geraniol, Dipentene, Citronella, Nerol, a terpene, Acetic acid, Butyric acid, Valeric acid and Tannin. The leaves and flowering tops are strongly antispasmodic, antitussive,...

Ginger Tea

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:27:31 PST

Ginger tea has a spicy, invigorating taste. It's used as a home remedy for indigestion, nausea, and to ward off colds, flu, and sore throats.

Ginger tea is very easy to make. Here is a recipe for you to try.

Ginger Tea Recipe

water, 4 cups
2-inch piece of fresh ginger root
optional: honey and lemon slice

Peel the ginger root and slice it into thin slices. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Once it is boiling, add the ginger. Cover it and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea. Add honey and lemon to taste.

Note: Keep in mind that if you are making ginger tea as a home remedy during cold and flu season, sweeteners are not recommended.

Forsythia(Shrub)

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:53:33 PST

This decorative plant has powerful medicinal properties. Research in China has shown that it has potent antitumor properties. A decoctions made from the leaves and twigs is used to cure breast cancer. For your own uses, you can crush or grind the leaves and apply the juices to the skin to heal rashes and minor infections. You can make an infusion using the root to reduce fevers, and the outer covering of the seeds can be infused to create an antibacterial tea that detoxifies infections, reduces swelling and helps drainage. If you have a stroke, the same seed capsule tea can be used to reduce and control other strokes, and even in the case of children's diseases like measles and chicken pox, it will help clear the skin and reduce fever at the same time, clearing the body of toxins gently. It's an all over body detoxifier. It can be used in a compress to clear away boils, will fight colds and flu, and to top it all off, it's a brilliant spring beauty with its bright...

Companion Plants

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:41:27 PST

Many herbs are extremely beneficial to the garden itself, improving the soil and environment as well as attracting the beneficial insects to preserve your precious plants. over thousand of years of trial and observation, gardeners all over the world have noticed improvements in size, health and yields when certain plants were cultivated close together. here's a list

Companion plants:

Basil
Helps apples, asparagus, grapevines and tomatoes
and works well planted close to parsley and summer savory

Borage
Helps fava beans, cucumbers, grapevines, zucchini, squash, tomatoes and strawberries

Calendula
Helps artichokes, all beans, peas and potatoes

Chamomile(Roman or German)
Helps broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, kohlrabi, peas, and tomatoes

Chives
Helps apples, cabbage, carrots, grapevines, leeks, roses and...

Gardeners Unite!

feeds@kickapps.com (Nan) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:43:05 PST

As some of you know I am an avid gardener.I grow both my own vegetables and herbs (tomatoes, carrots, peas, peppers, lettuce, chives, basil, dill, peppermint, verbena oh the list goes on) which not only saves money on the grocery and store but I find it wonderfully therapeutic and nothing tastes as good as veggies from one's very own garden! In addition I have another bed and borders that I devote to my favourite flowers. I have a special talent with roses. I have already begun growing my tomato plants from seed and today I am like a kid in a candy shop with the catalog from the horticulturists! Who else here gardens, when do you start your planting and what are you planning on planting this year?

Steams for Skin and Colds

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 21:10:08 PST

Fresh leaves or flowers can help to deep cleanse the skin or ease chest congestion if you have a cold or flu. Pour 5 cups boiling water into a heatproof dish and set on a table. Scatter your choice or herbs into the water. Sit down and lean over the fragrant steam with a towel over your head like a tent, and steam for 10-15 minutes. If you have a cold steam in the morning and evening.

To Deep Cleanse the Skin
generous 2/3 cup of chamomile flowers broken into pieces
OR generous 2/3 cup of lavender flowers chopped
OR generous 2/3 cup fresh peppermint leaves chopped

To clear the Sinuses, Head and Chest
generous 2/3 cup of fresh eucalyptus leaves, broken into pieces
OR generous 2/3 cup fresh rosemary leaves, chopped
OR generous 2/3 cup fresh peppermint leaves, chopped

From the Herb Bible A complete guide to growing and using herbs

Hedgewitchery

feeds@kickapps.com (riverwitch) — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:17:19 PST

Just thought I'd post some info and links regarding Hedgewitchery. The following is an excerpt from a Witchvox article.

Hedgewitchery is a combination of Traditional Witchcraft (NOT Wicca) and Shamanism, with herbalism, healing, and a deep love for nature added to the mix.

Hedgewitchery is loosely based on the old wise woman (and man) Tradition. The wise woman Tradition is, quite possibly, the oldest eclectic magickal tradition. If you think "wise woman" and picture the strange old lady who sold herbs and magickal charms, acted as midwife and healer in the ancient times, you are not far off.

This tradition never truly died out, and in recent years, more and more people are turning to it and adapting it to modern times.

The word "Hedgewitch" may come from the Saxon word for Witch, haegtessa, which...

Herbal Teas

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:03:59 PST
One of the best ways to enjoy nature's herbs are to use them for teas. Here are some recipes and their benefits. The general rule for herbs is 1tsp. dried herb per cup of hot water or 2 tsp. of fresh herb (in a tea ball or bag)per cup of hot water.

Peppermint Tea
Applemint and spearmint may also be used. This tea is an excellent after dinner drink as it settles digestion, sooths the stomach, helps to freshen the breath.

Chamomile Tea
This wonderful smelling tea has mild sedative properties; it helps to calm tension, and anxiety and of course make one sleepy. Do not consume if you are highly allergic to ragweed as it belongs to the ragweed family.

Lemonbalm
This one is another good end of the day drink it calms nerves, digestion and the mind. It can be combined with any of the mints.

Fennel
The seeds make the most potent tea with a peppery, anise...

Basic Magical Uses of Herbs

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:40:17 PST
Basic Magical Uses of Herbs and Plants and a Wee Bit of History

DRAGONS BLOOD: (Dracaena draco spp.)
A pinch of Dragon's blood added to other incenses, increases their potency and power. Use for: Energy; Strength; Purification; Changes; Determination and Cleansing.

ELDER: (Sambucus canadensis)
A Sacred Tree belonging to the Midsummer. Used to both bless and curse. Wands made from Elder can be used to drive out evil. Music on panpipes or flutes made of elder have the same power as the wands. Stand or sleep under an elder on Midsummer Eve to see the Fae. Elder flowers are used in wish spells. The leaves, flowers, and berries are strewn on a person, place or thing to bless it. Flowers are used for altar offerings. Hung over doorways and windows, it keeps evil from the house.
THIS WOOD IS NOT TO BE BURNED AS IT IS SACRED TO HECATE.

EUCALYPTUS: (Eucalyptus spp.)
Add to all healing blends. Also used in purification mixtures. For...

Crystals and Rocks

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:55:22 PST

I hope this answers your question. D, Here's a short summary. If anyone has anything to add or correct please do so.

Stones and rocks, crystals are "helpers" and are a gift from Mother Earth. They have their own energy and "spirit" and if we are attuned to them they can "speak" to us and assist us in many ways. Crystals amplify, absorb and effect other energies in their enviorment, they can be charged, and diffused they can also diffuse, correct dysfunctional energy patterns and guard against unwanted energies. Crystals are a larger "grown" form of a stone and whatever properties and influence a stone has is amplified if it is a crystal say for example; smokey quartz, it has a gentle prolonged grounding effect. This effect will be even more prevalent if it is in the form of a crystal.

Crystals and stones often "find...

Crystals

feeds@kickapps.com (Diane Choo) — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:39:12 PST
Whats the deal with crystals. I dont have any but whenver I see them they kind of make me feel good and I know they are supposed to have special powers so can anyone give me some 411 on them. Info about the different types and their properties and uses would be cool too.

Tia

D

Britain's prehistoric recipes uncovered

feeds@kickapps.com (xCall me Ishmaelx) — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:46:14 PST

Britain's prehistoric recipes uncovered

By Paul Stokes

Last Updated: 2:27am BST�17/09/2007

�Have your say�� Read comments

The menus may lack a little refinement for today's discerning diners, but the signature dishes of our ancestors were nothing if not adventurous.

Kitchen Witchery

feeds@kickapps.com (xCall me Ishmaelx) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:39:52 PST
Other then what I've gleaned from Gunter Grass' brilliant but only loosely referential novel "The Flounder" , I know very little about what Kitchen witchcraft is all about. I know there are a few of you here that are well versed in this discipline and I would like to hear more about it.

~Mark~

Question about dried herbs

feeds@kickapps.com (SchatziSnook) — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 03:23:30 PST
My niece has recently dropped off a huge bunch of dried juniper & sage to my house.

What do I do with this? She said it was to cleanse and purify my home.

Any help would be appreciated,

SS

frankinsence

feeds@kickapps.com (kattaiska) — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 07:25:49 PST
is there another that can substitute for this?

Prickly Pear Cactus

feeds@kickapps.com (blazengreen) — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 16:01:38 PST
I post herbal articles on a another board and try to write my own stuff. This requires a bit of research and I learn a lot. I wrote a post awhile back about prickly pear cactus. It is something that can be taken as a supplement and is used for lowering cholesterol and is an anti hangover if taken before consuming alcohol. It works by coating the digestive tract and limiting the absorbtion of fats and alcohol by the body. That got me to thinking about it cuz of the possibilities it holds. Maybe if a women took it before a night out on the town maybe it would also prevent being incapacitated if some one slips her a date rape drug. Please tell me what you think and if you or anyone you know is educated in the field of medicine please give me some feedback on this. Or maybe this possibility could be addressed in research. If this would...

Magickal Properties??

feeds@kickapps.com (PhxMercury) — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 17:51:32 PST
I am new to the craft and have been devouring everything written on the web to gain the most knowledge I can. The one thing I can not seem to find is what the magickal properties of the Saguaro Cactus would be. I have seen lists with all other local plants but being in Arizona, the cactus is the most prominent. Any help is greatly appreciated.

SilverPhoenix

Astral Travel

feeds@kickapps.com (charmedchild1) — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 01:59:56 PST
Does anyone know of any herbs that can help induce astral traveling?

The Apothecary

Natural Insect Repellents

Children's All Natural Bug Repellent

Medicinal Herbal Actions Defined

Catnip

Catnip Medicinal Properties and Herbal Use

Ginger Tea

Ginger Tea Recipe

Forsythia(Shrub)

Companion Plants

Gardeners Unite!

Steams for Skin and Colds

Hedgewitchery

Herbal Teas

Basic Magical Uses of Herbs

Crystals and Rocks

Crystals

Britain's prehistoric recipes uncovered

Britain's prehistoric recipes uncovered

Kitchen Witchery

Question about dried herbs

frankinsence

Prickly Pear Cactus

Magickal Properties??

Astral Travel