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Wicca 101
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Blkbry.hrb.doc
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1991-01-10
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Blackberry
Rubus various species
Blackberrys have been used through the ages for a variety of
medicinal purposes, from diarrhea to a general restoritive.
The main chemicals present in blackberries are gallic acid and
tannin, and it is present in every part of the plant.
Blackberries picked and dried then powdered can be stored and
used with a small amount of water to counter act diarrhea.
The tea made from the leaves, steeped in water for five minutes,
or simmering bark of the root, can be used in 1 cup increments
several times a day. Blackberry leaves are available at most
health-food stores, or you can dry your own. Cordials have been
used in the past for those with colds and flu, along with vinegars.
Also old folk tales state that mixing vinegars with water seems to
aid those with gout and arthritis. And the use of vinegars for a
fever is suppose to be lowered by the use of blackberries. Blackberry
shoots boiled into a tea is said to have been used for mouth irritations
such as cankersores. Possibly because of it's astringent properties.
A tea from the leaves and the drinking of the juice has also been
used in the past for an upset stomach.
A cordial from the juice of the blackberry has been used in the
past as a stimulate for the body and heart, and is helpfull in
overcoming an illness. To make a cordial, press out the juice,
for every quart of juice add, 1/2 - 1 oz of nutmeg and cloves and
about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of sugar (honey also works well, about 2/3
cup of honey is equivalent to on cup of sugar, the amount of total
liquid also needs to be monitored, about 3 tablespoons less liquid
per amount of honey used) Heat and simmer this mixture till it
reaches the point of becoming a syrup. This syrup can be mixed
with brandy to taste. Note: Using honey does cut down on the shelf
life of this cordial and it may cause it to ferment if not kept cold.
Vinegars can be used to sooth the throat, and be made into compresses.
Dip a cloth into the vinegar and wrap around the throat, then wrap
with a couple of layers of dry cloth and then an old sock. (my
mother use to do this for all sore throats.. what the sock has to
do with it I have no idea.. but it does work) To make Blackberry
vinegar, take the berries make sure that they are cleaned of stems
branches etc. Place them in a covered non-aluminum container, poor
apple cider vinegar or malt over them and let them sit for a min.
of 3 days. Then strain the mixture through cheescloth or a strainer
do not force it through. Let it drip on it's own. To each pint of
juice measure about a pound of honey, simmer, remove the scum that
rises to the top and bottle. Make sure that your bottle is closed
tightly with a cork or lid.
A modification of the above is to use glycerite in place of the
honey, approx 8 oz of glycerite is the equivalent amount. Both of
the above I might add work can be used as external compresses for
arthritic joints. Now the short cuts or when you don't have fresh
berries or don't have time to wait. Take blackberry jelly mix it
with vinegar heat and use as in the above.