Spirit Online: Herbal Healing: Apple (Pyrus malus)
There are many varieties of apples, all of them having some medicinal and cooking purposes. To list them here would be futile effort, as nearly everyone is familiar with the apple and has a personal favorite. Of the apple trees, perhaps the most beautiful is the crab-apple tree. When in bloom (which unfortunately lasts only a short time), the blossoms are pink and very lovely. They resemble cherry blossoms.
HEALING
To eat an apple going to bed
Will make the doctor beg his bread
Digestion: The malic and tartaric acids in the apple can be attributed to most of the apple's medicinal properties. They can be used to help balance out the acid in the system, which especially useful for digestive problem. Eat sweet apples if you have too much acid, sour apples if you have too little or are constipated.
Fever: Apple water can be a good drink for bringing down a mild fever. A decoction of apple bark can also be used to cool high fevers.
Skin: Apple cider vinegar can be diluted with mineral water or rose water and splashed on the face in the morning to refresh and restore skin. Or, a cup of apple cider vinegar added to your bath water will make your skin soft and supple.
Teeth: Apples act as a multi-purpose dental aid. Their acidic juices are a natural tooth cleanser, and they are just firm enough to push the gums back so that the border between the teeth and the gums is clean. Sometimes a loose baby tooth can be pulled out by biting into an apple.
CULINARY USES
The taste of apple is familiar to most people, it is tangy, sweet, and juicy. It is found in everything from pie to jelly. But the fruit itself is not the only part used in cooking. The bark of the apple tree produces an edible oil. An alcholic solution has also been used which is called Apple Essence, and is used as a flavouring liquid.
FOLKLORE and HISTORY
Here's to thee, old apple-tree!
Whence thou may'st bud, and whence thou may'st blow,
Hats full! Caps full!
Bushel - bushel-bags full!
And my pockets full too! Huzza!
According to A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve, the above is a toast to health used in an old Christmas Eve ceremony. In Devonshire, England, wassailing was once a popular custom on Christmas Eve. It is nearly forgotten, but the ceremony still exists in remote parts of Devonshire.
If a woman has several suitors and can't choose just one, she would remove the seeds from an apple. She would then throw them one at a time into a fire, saying the name of one of her suitors with each one. If one of the seeds popped in the fire, she should marry him. Another bit of lore says that a young woman would take a whole apple peel and throw it over her shoulder. If it formed a letter when it landed, that would be the initial of the man she would marry.
In Scandinavian mythology, Idun kept apples in a box that would renew the youth of the gods if eaten.
In Celtic lore, apples are revered as the fruit of the faeries ("fruit of life of the Sidhe") and are believed to be a passport to the Otherworld.
Cayenne peppers grow on a shrubby plant with long, red fruit and little, flat seeds.
HEALING
Cold and Flu: You can make a gargle from a few grains of cayenne powder added to a cup of water to help fight symptoms of winter sicknesses, especially a sore throat. Here is a wonderful recipe for preventing the fly and staving off symptoms in people who've already caught it:
Antiflu Preparation
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1╜ teaspoons sea salt or common salt
1 cup boiling water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
Grind together the cayenne pepper and salt to form a paste. Add boiling water (or some strong, strained chamomile tea). Steep and cool. Add the vinegar to the water. Most adults can take between a teaspoon to a tablespoon every half hour. If it seems too strong, dilute it.
(From Herbal Medicine by Dian Dincin Buchman)
Aches and Pains: The medicinal properties of cayenne can be effective in relieving pain from gout and arthritis. The herb has been shown to effectively reduce even the most chronic pain. It can be applied in a direct herb or ointment form to the achy joints. It may burn at first, but it it bearable and will kill much of the pain. Such an ointment may also be a favorable pain reliever for chronic rheumatism.
Blood: If you suffer from cold feet due to poor circulation, try putting a bit of cayenne powder in a pair of old socks (it will stain) to warm your feet up and get the blood flowing.
Cayenne is also a strong astringent. A few grains dropped into a wound will stop even very profuse bleeding. A small amount of cayenne in hot water may also be drunk to halt internal bleeding. This should only be used in an emergency, but it can be very effective when the situation demands it.
Stomach Discomfort: A little bit of cayenne can actually help ease (not worsen) a churning stomach. A pinch added to foods, whether raw or cooked, will act as a digestive aid.
FOLKLORE and HISTORY
Roman armies rubbed cayenne pepper, combined with vinegar and rosemary, over meat to prevent spoiling. It has also been used to purify milk. A pepper is placed in the milk for 15 minutes, then removed. The milk will be hot, but all the germs will be dead!
The common chamomile plant is low-growing and "creeping", with clusters of flowers and leaves reaching about 12 inches in height. The stems branch freely and have a fuzzy surface. The flowers bear some similarities to the daisy, with white petals and a yellow center.
HEALING
Stomach: A chamomile tisane can be made for digestion, stomach spasms, gas, and stomach aches. Add one or two tablespoons of chamomile flowers to a cup of boiling water and drink slowly, 1/2 a cup at a time. When you make this tisane (tea) remember that you should always let the tea brew in a covered container or else the steam escapes, along with the medicinal value of the flowers.
Antiseptic: Mrs. M. Grieves writes in A Modern Herbal that the "antiseptic powers of Chamomile are stated to be 120 times stronger than sea-water." Use hot chamomile paste applied to inflamed, sore, or swollen areas to reduce the irritation and redness. You can make the paste by adding a little hot water to to the flowers and grinding them with a mortar and pestle. Combine with an equal amount of crushed poppy heads for an even more powerful poultice.
Hair: A strong infusion of chamomile can be used to subtly add golden highlights to ashy brown hair. According to Buchman (Herbal Medicine) chamomile can be combined with henna to "add beautiful highlights to dark hair".
Skin: Steaming the face with chamomile is a wonderful way to have your own at-home facial. Bring some water to a boil and remove it from the heat, then pour it in a wide bowl. Add a generous amount of chamomile flowers. Turn your face down towards the bowl and drape a towel over your head to keep the steam in. Steam for 15-20 minutes. This will open the pores and gently release any trapped dirt. Rinse face with lukewarm water immediately after steaming.
Pain: Applying a chamomile paste will help ease pain in sores and swellings. An infusion can be added to a bath to relieve sore and aching body parts.
Insect Repellant: A strong tea can be poured in a spray-bottle and sprayed on exposed skin to repell flies, gnats, and mosquitos. This is a good natural alternative to store-bought chemical repellants.
FOLKLORE and HISTORY
Chamomile has a long, rich history. It has been used for a spectrum of purposes for hundreds and perhaps thousands of years all over the world. The Anglo-saxons believed chamomile to be one of the nine holy herbs given by Woden to heal the world, and the Greeks called it "groundapple" because of the sweet, apple-like smell.
In the Middle Ages, it was planted along walkways because stepping on the plant helps it flourish.
Like a camomile bed -
the more it is trodden
the more it will spread
The plant has also been called the "Plant's Physician". It is believed that chamomile plants placed throughout the garden contribute to the well-being of all the other plants. When one plant starts to look sickly, place a chamomile plant next to it and it will liven up.
In the old times, the herb's ability to drive away insects was seen as magical in nature. But today we know that the apple-like scent is what keeps the bugs away.
Gypsies believed that chamomile prevented nightmares, so drinking chamomile tea on a bad night may keep the dreams sweet. A little bit of chamomile under the pillow at night would have the same mystical effect.
Comfrey is a leafy plants, its long stem and large leaves are rough and hairy all over. They are not generally pleasant to touch and make the fingers itch. The flowers grow in clusters and are either pale yellow or purple.
HEALING
Bruises and Breaks: Bruised comfrey roots can be places on fresh cuts and wounds, resulting in a quicker healing process. Comfrey has long been favored in ointment form to quickly heal any sores, bruises, cuts, wounds, and abrasions. A salve made of the fresh herb helps heal and reconnect broken tissue and bones. It has long been revered as the "cure" for a broken bone.
Bug Bites: Comfrey can be comforting for insect bites. Rubbing a fresh comfrey leaf on a bug bite will relieve the pain and irritation.
Arthritis: Softened comfrey roots can be applied to arthritic body parts to relieve the pain and discomfort.
Gout: Nicholas Culpeper contends that "the roots of Comfrey taken fresh, beaten small and spread upon leather and laid upon any place troubled with the gout presently gives ease: and applied in the same manner it eases pained joints and tends to heal running ulcers, gangrenes, mortifications, for which it hath by often experience been found helpful."
CULINARY USES
Until the late 1970s, it was believed that comfrey was acceptable for internal use. However, later research showed that young comfrey leaves (those most commonly eaten) contain natural poisons, namely alkaloids which may be carcinogenic. It is recommended that comfrey not be ingested in any form whatsoever. Recipes are still available for using comfrey as a remedy for digestive problems; do not use these recipes.
FOLKLORE and HISTORY
Comfrey first came to popularity in the Middle Ages. Its modern name, "comfrey", evolved from its original name, con firma, which alludes to its power to unite broken bones. Its botanical name, Symphytum, comes from the Greek word "symphyo" meaning "to unite".
In Herbal Medicine, Dian Dincin Buchman tells of the secrets of Indian bonesetting. Interestingly, there is a "sect" of bonesetters in India who manually set fractures without a cast and use a unique, secret herbal preparation to heal the bone. What is most fascinating is that the bones "heal in a fraction of the time it takes with Western medicine". Unfortunately, bonesetters are not abundant because they refuse to entrust their secrets with anybody, so the magic of the bonesetters may just die out. But according to Buchman, we may already know one herb that belongs in this secret recipe -- comfrey!
Ginger roots creep and spread around underground, while a stalk spikes up bearing narrow leaves and a white or yellow flower. What color your ginger root is depends on where you obtained it, but most store-bought ginger is called black (scalded and unpeeled) or white (peeled). The flowers are quite fragrant, but the root is the only part having any real medicinal use.
HEALING
Stomach: Ginger is every herbalist's favorite for calming tummy turmoil. Stomach aches, menstrual cramps, morning sickness, and heartburn can all be soothed with a cup of ginger. It can also be excellent for soothing motion sickness, in fact, it may be more powerful for this purpose than familiar medications such as Dramamine. Use 1500-2000 mg for this purpose.
Digestion: A small amount of fresh or powdered ginger will stimulate the digestive system. In cases of gastritis or alcoholic gastritis, a pinch of ginger powder or a slice of the fresh root can be made into a tea to calm this discomforting problem.
Aching Joints: Use ginger to help soothe your aching muscles and joints. Add a couple spoonfuls to a warm bath to soothe your joints. Or, you can brew a tea with ginger to have the same joint-relieving effect.
Cholesterol: Recent studies have shown that ginger may help keep down cholesterol levels. Along with exercise and a healthy diet, ginger tea may be a pleasant way for those with high cholesterol levels to start towards a healthier life.
Menstruation: A ginger tea can be used when the menstrual period is late because of a cold or when cramps are especially severe.
Sore Throat: Treat a sore throat by gargling with a ginger infusion or sucking on a ginger candy. Remember that a little goes a long way! Try the ginger candy recipe under the culinary uses of ginger.
CULINARY USES
Ginger has a spicy-citrusy flavor and is a favorite cooking spice in Asian, East Indian, North African, and Carribean cooking. Here is a unique recipe you may enjoy:
Ginger and Honey Candy
1 pound honey -- the darker the better
1 pound walnuts -- shelled and chopped coarsely
╜ teaspoon ginger
Simmer the honey over low heat and add the walnuts and the ginger. Stire for forty-five minutes over very low heat.
Butter a large platter and pour the candy. Take it away from the heat, and let it stand for a few hours. This can be cut into different shapes with a wet knife.
(From Herbal Medicine by Dian Dincin Buchman)
FOLKLORE and HISTORY
Many centuries ago, English herbalists believed that ginger was a "remedy" for rotting meat. It was also used for many other curious purposes, including insomnia, cold breasts, snakebites, swooning, and bad eyesight.
Ginger was first introduced to Europe by Alexander the Great upon returning from Asia. It quickly became a favorite and no dinner was complete without the herb.
At one time ginger maintained a good reputation as an aphrodisiac (and it still does to some extent). It was believed that even the most prudent women would be transformed into a vixen with the aid of ginger.
The common marigold, or calendula as it is often called, is a flowering plant with pale green leaves and golden orange petals.
HEALING
Skin: An ointment made of marigold petals may be used to soothe and moisturise chapped hands. An infusion of the flowers may also be used in a bath to reduce scars and varicose veins. Calendula (marigold) lotion is also useful to heal painful lesions caused by eczema.
Inflammation: Dip a hand towel in a strong marigold tisane combined with apple cider vinegar. Apply this to the inflammation.
Wounds: Marigold is an excellent healing agent. When placed on an open wound, it speeds healing. It has amazing abilities to cause broken skin to heal very quickly. It can also be used after you've had a tooth pulled. Or, taken internally, it can help heal and reduce ulcers.
Insect Stings: Wasp or bee stings can be healed and soothed by rubbing a marigold flower on the affected area. It will relief the pain and irritation and bring any inflammation down.
Fever: An marigold petal infusion or tea can be used to bring down a fever. This will promote perspiration to stop the fever.
CULINARY USES
Marigolds are indeed an edible flower. They can be used as a garnish or as a primary ingredient in a dessert. Whether candied or decorating main dishes, marigolds have a unique, syrupy-sweet flavor. Why not give this recipe for marigold custard a shot?
Marigold Custard
2 cups milk
1/3 cup unsprayed marigold petals
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. sugar
1 to 2-inch piece vanilla bean
3 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. rose water
Heavy whipped cream
Using a clean mortar and pestle, pound marigold petals or crush them with a fork. Mix the salt, sugar and spices together. Scald milk with the marigolds and the vanilla bean. Remove the vanilla bean and add the slightly beaten yolks and dry ingredients. Cook on low heat. When the mixture coats a spoon, add rose water and cool.
Top with whipped cream, garnish with fresh marigold petals (optional).
FOLKLORE and HISTORY
The Romans named the flower Calendula after the calendar after realising that the flower bloomed on the first day of each month.
Linnaeus was among the first to recognise that the marigold flower seemed to be open only during a short period of the day, observing that they opened at nine in the morning and closed around three in the afternoon. This same observation is mentioned in Winter's Tale:
The Marigold that goes to bed wi' th' sun,
And with him rises weeping.
According to Buchman (Herbal Medicine), Henry the VIII used marigolds in his "Medycyne for The Pestilence." This included also sorrel, burnet, feverfew, a bit of rude, and a few snapdragons. He believed that the tea could be taken when symptoms appeared and the person would be healed with "God's Grace."
The flower was also used to color hair yellow in the old times, according to Eleanour Sinclair Rohde's Old English Herbals:
"Of marygold we learn that Summe use to make theyr here yelow with the floure of this herbe, not beyng contet with the naturall colour which God hath geven the."
This yellow dye is extracted from the flowers by boiling. Being an edible flower, the marigold was also used to give cheese a yellow color, and milkmaids churned marigold petals with butter to give it a golden hue.
Magical lore tells that putting marigolds under the matress will induce prophetic dreams. The herb is also said to have the power to make dreams come true. The marigold was also believed to be protective and was used in wreathes to keep a home safe.
Similar to St. John's Wort, it was thought that marigold could strip a witch of her will.
The latin name Rosemarinus means "dew of the sea". The wild rosemary plant flourishes along cliffs, on rocky shores, and by the sea. Rosemary is a shrubby herb with short, evergreen leaves which are dark on the top and pale on the bottom. The flowers are small and light blue, and are usually considered the most medicinally valuable part of the plant, though the stems and leaves are useable as well. Rosemary has a strong scent reminiscent of camphor and pine.
HEALING
Headache: A bit of fresh or dried rosemary can be added to a lavendar, chamomile, linden, or peppermint tea to make a wonderful drink for soothing a headache.
Hair: Rosemary is loved for its potential is improving the texture and color of hair. Rosemary can be added to a shampoo or an infusion of rosemary may be added to borax to create a hair wash that strengthens the hair and adds shine. It also can help with dandruff-prone scalps, and some say it can prevent baldness if used regularly. A strong infusion of rosemary can be used to subtly brighten dark hair as well.
Skin: A bath in rosemary or a rosemary steam facial can benefit the skin greatly. The volatile oils help increase circulation to the skin, bringing life back to dull skin. Rosemary also has antibiotic and antifungal properties, so in a steam facial one a week, it can be useful to those with acne problems.
Bad Breath: Drink the distilled water of the rosemary flowers each morning and each night to combat bad breath.
CULINARY USES
Rosemary is a pungent herb with a tangy, woodsy flavor. It combines very well with garlic, thyme, and parsley, and is a favorite for use on lamb and fish.
FOLKLORE and HISTORY
The historical uses of rosemary for medicine are endless. It was thought that rosemary was a "cure-all". In Bancke's Herbal, it was claimed to be a treatment for weakness, sallow skin, loss of appetite, gout, tooth decay, and difficult in breathing. It also claimed that a box made of the "wood of rosemary" could be sniffed daily to prevent aging, and that the herb could prevent books from being moth-eaten.
Rosemary was the herb of memory, perhaps you will recognize this quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet:
There's Rosemary, that's for remembrance.
Because of this, it was valued for loyalty, fidelity, weddings, friendship, and funerals. It was entwined in the bride's headdress, and gilded rosemary branches ornamented with colorful ribbons were given to the wedding guests. An old Welsh tradition that is still used today was to hand a sprig of rosemary to the guests of a funeral as they left to cast upon the coffin.
The Spaniards believed that the rosemary bush gave shelter to the Virgin Mary in the flight into Egypt, and they also believe it protects against evil and witchcraft.
It was said that Queen Philippa's mother was the first to bring the rosemary plant to England.
Queen Elizabeth of Hungary was supposedly cured of paralysis by constant use of rosemary on her limbs. The queen wrote the formula for the rosemary water in 1235 and it was sold all over Europe through apothecaries and European gypsies.
It was also believed that a bit of rosemary underneath the bed would ward off nightmares. From Bancke's Herbal:
"...put the leaves under thy bedde and thou shalt be delivered of all evill dreames."
Herbal Healing: St. Johns Wort (Hypericum performitum)
Spirit Online: Herbal Healing: St. Johns Wort (Hypericum performitum)
The St. John's Wort plants grow wildly in a vast array of terrains. The leaves are long and pale green. The five-petaled blossoms are yellow with blood-red tips that look as if the petals were dipped lightly in blood, and when pinched, they turn entirely red, appearing to "bleed". For most people, the prefered form is in store-bought capsules, though it may also be used in the form of a liquid.
HEALING
Depression: St. John's Wort is loved for its power in dealing with mild depression, anxiety, and nervousness. The chemicals in St. John's Wort work to stop destruction of general "feel good" enzymes and amines. Thanks to the fact that the effects of St. John's Wort are broken up into different mechanisms rather than just one powerful function, there are fewer side effects than other remedies may offer. You can use the product in many forms - tea, capsules, powders, oil, liquids, tablets, and whole dried leaves. Regardless of the form, buy only a product which tells the hypericin concentration and follow the dosage instructions on the packaging.
Improvement of depression should be noticeable in 2 to 6 weeks, so give it time before giving up on it.
WARNING: Do not use St. John's Wort if you are on a prescription antidepressant, specifically protease reuptake inhibitors such as Paxil. Excessive sun exposure should be avoided when using the herb because it is likely to cause photosensitivity.
Wounds: Some claim that St. John's Wort oil, when applied to a wound, helps aid in healing and staunch bleeding. The oil is made from St. John's Wort flowers infused in olive oil.
Bedwetting: St. John's Wort can be effectively used to help with children who experience incontinence of urine at night. The child may be given a tea made of the herb or one ounce of the herb can be infused in a pint of water and a couple teaspoons can be given to the child before bed.
FOLKLORE and HISTORY
St. John's Wort blooms around the time of John the Baptist's death, hence the name.
The sap is red and looks much like blood. In Celtic lore, it is said that if someone stepped on the plant while on the Isle of Wright at twilight, a faerie horse would appear and carry them around until dawn.
It was also believed that the herb could strip a witch of her will. During the Burning Times, a handful of St. John's Wort was stuffed into an accused witch's mouth to force her to confess.
Trefoil, vervain, John's wort, dill,
Hinders witches of their will
(Sir Walter Scott, The Nativity Chant)
Welsh families also used St. John's Wort to judge the life span of family members. A sprig of the herb was assigned to each person in the family and hung from the rafters at night. Then in the morning, the length of each person's life was judged by how shriveled their sprig was.
St. John's Wort was also weaved into wreathes for protection. It is used in many cultures to exorcise demons and ghosts.
Herbal Healing: Other Herbs
Spirit Online: Herbal Healing: Other Herbs
Allspice
Teeth: Allspice is wonderful anesthetic for tooth pain. It contains eugenol, a chemical dentists use to anesthize the teeth and gums. Simply use a cotton swab to apply allspice oil to the tooth.
Digestion: Allspice is also useful to promote digestion. To make a medicinal tea for this purpose, brew 1-2 teaspoons of powdered allspice for 15 minutes and strain.
Parsley
Bad Breath: Chewing a sprig of parsley is a very nice way to get rid of bad mouth odors caused by garlic, onions, and such. It works quickly and leaves your mouth tasting sweet and clean, and your breath smelling the same!
Mint
Car Sickness: To use mint effectively against car sickness, take a couple springs and bruise them. Place them in the car where the smell will circulate. This will help relieve the problem quickly!
Echinacea
Immune System: Echinacea is a much-loved herb for its many, many uses. It helps balance out the amount of white cells present in the blood, so it is valuable in boosting the immune system. This makes it ideal when there is a germ or bug going around and you want to do your best to avoid catching it. (See the tea recipe further down.)
Flu: When the flu hits, echinacea can help prevent a person from getting the flu, or it can help someone who already has the flu fight off the symptoms. Echinacea may be used in capsule or tincture form or brewed in a tea (not for those with sensitive stomachs). To make a tea, brew a couple tablespoons of powdered or fresh echinacea for five minutes and drink slowly. Drink this tea every 6 to 8 hours.
Skin: The herb can be used in capsule form for people with skin problems, especially acne. It also can be applied to wounds as a poultice to prevent infection and speed healing of the wound
