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False Solomon's Seal

Mon, 01/07/2008 - 19:15 — DawnBlack
Botanical Name:

Smilacina spp

Zones:
3-9
Other Names:
Solomon's Seal, False Solomon's Seal, Bog False Solomon's Seal, Star-Flowered Solomon's Seal, Starry Solomon Plume, Starry Smilac, Spikenard, Scurvey berry

As its name would imply, False Solomon's Seal looks quite a bit like True Solomon's Seal.

Propagation:

False Solomon's Seal enjoys a moist shady location with well-drained soil, neutral to slightly acidic. It will do well alongside a stream or pond and will tolerate some sun, but not full sun. It prefers a cooler situation and will benefit from mulching to keep the roots cool during hot summers. It can be grown from rhizomes or from seed, though the seed may take as much as 18 months to germinate. Plants can be divided in spring or early autumn.

History and Folklore:
Harvesting & Storage:
Household Use:
Magical Attributes:

This plant is a true survivor and often the first to return after a forest fire. Use it to help you get through hard times and to rebuild after your world has come crashing down.

Healing Attributes:

The smoke of the root has been used to calm hysterics.

An infusioni of the root has been used for constipation, rheumatism, as a general stomach tonic, and to regular women's cycles. An infusion of the leaf has been used as birth control- 1/2 cup per day for no more than a week is said to prevent conception. A decoction of the leaf is said to be useful for colds and rheumatism, 1 cup 2-3 times per day.

Externally, the root relieves pain, has antiseptic qualities and stops bleeding. The dried powdered root is a useful thing to have on hand for first aid. The crushed, fresh root makes a soothing poultice for strains, sprains, boils, arthritis and swellings.

An infusion of the root has been used for inflamed eyes.

Culinary Use:

The berries are edible and bittersweet but large quantities have a laxitive affect. This is removed by cooking. Young leaves may be eaten raw or cooked and the young shoots may be eaten like asparagus. The root should be soaked in a bowl of water with a few teaspoons of baking soda added for several hours before cooking.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

This plant is fabulous in the garden, just its presence is calming. Plant it a a quiet area where you go to relax when things get to be just too much.

Cinnamon

Mon, 12/10/2007 - 10:16 — DawnBlack
Botanical Name:

Cinnamomum zeylanicum and C. verum

Zones:
tropical

The cinnamon tree is an Asian evergreen member of the laurel family. It has brown, papery bark and leathery leaves. Yellow flowers appear in the summer followed by purple berries.

Propagation:

Cinnamon is a tropical tree that is not suited to propagation in most parts of North America and nor does it enjoy being grown in a pot. Best to buy it.

History and Folklore:

Cinnamon is a much beloved spice with a long and rich history. It was mentioned in Chinese books on healing more than four thousand years ago. It was also used in Egypt and Europe. In Egypt it was part of a mix of herbs and spices that was used to fill body cavities during mummification. In Europe it was such a hit that it was one of the sparks of the age of exploration.

Harvesting & Storage:

Cinnamon sticks, pupularly used for flavoring cider or ground and mixed with sugar for a variety of uses, are formed from the bark. The leaves and buds also contain volitile oils and fragrance and oil can be extracted from any of these. The oil obtained from the leaf is not as strong and also not as likely to cause skin irritation.

Household Use:

Add cinnamon to potpourri. Ground cinnamon sprinkled in cabinets will discourage bugs from entering.

Cinnamon sticks are great in crafts.

Try making this year's yule ornaments out of sweet scented cinnamon clay.

Magical Attributes:

Cinnamon is associated with the element of Fire, the Sun and the God Apollo.

Cinnamon is commonly used in incense. It smells really good and fills the room with a warm, comfy feeling, especially nice on cold winter days. It can be burned to sanctify an area or object, to increase the spiritual "mood", to aid in healing spells or in healing in general (this is appropriate for burning right in the sick room) and also to enhance the male libido. The oil may be used to anoint objects during blessing and protection rituals. (Be sure to dilute this heavily with a carrier if it's going to touch your skin!)

Cinnamon and cinnamon oil can be used in love spells and to make charms to draw love, happiness, and money. Those cinnamon scented brooms you can buy at gift shops can be charged to bring these things to your household and hung up somewhere near the door.

If you are in need of some quick cash, make a bowl out of cinnamon clay, write the amount of money you need on a peice of paper and place it in the bowl with a few coins as offerings of good faith. when you get the money, bury the paper and the coins in the yard and your bowl is ready for your next money request.

Other herbs that enhance cinnamon's money drawing properties are cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and ginger.

Healing Attributes:

Cinnamon is great for upset stomachs, including car sickness and morning sickness, and digestive problems, including gas, vomiting and diarrhea. However, women who are pregnant should not ingest large amounts of cinnamon as it can endanger the pregnancy. I find cinnamon gum or to be very affective for morning sickness without the dangers of actually ingesting cinnamon tea. People with ulcers should also avoid ingesting cinnamon as it can irritate them. Again, chewing cinnamon gum occasionally is a reasonable alternative and effective against mild stomach upsets like that associated with motion sickness. Don't overdo it though, as over-chewing of cinnamon gum can deaden the nerves of the mouth and cause inflammation.

It is called for in teas and other healing beverages when a warming affect is desired. It is also useful in combination as it stimulates the action of other herbs. A cup of cinnamon tea after dinner is said to stimulate digestion and help regulate blood sugar.

Cinnamon should not be applied topically as it is considered a dermal toxin and it is extremely irritating to mucus membranes in particular. Cinnamon oil, however, (not essential oil) can be applied to a toothache to deaden the pain, much like clove oil, but it is not as affective as clove oil.

Culinary Use:

Cinnamon is a common spice in the kitchen often used in combination with sugar. It is especially tasty with apples, and orange squashes, such as pumpkin and acorn squash. It is an important mulling spice, great in cider and wine.

For an exotic flavor, try coating your chicken with cinnamon (no sugar) and browning it before adding stewed tomatoes and chopped peppers, heat and serve over rice. Also try it in chili. Yum! It's an important spice for savory dishes in India, Morocco and Greece.

I also like adding cinnamon to coffee and hot cocoa.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Spice up that dinner for two with garam masala. It's a marvelous Indian spice mix containing cinnamon. Trust me. It'll make you and your partner feel extra affectionate.

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