Aphrodesiac
Okra
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:47.Abelmoschus esculentus or Hibiscus esculentus
Okra is a member of the hibiscus family and an African import to the American South.
Okra seeds can be planted about 1/2 inch deep. It also doesn't like being transplanted, so starti in peat pots or direct sow after temperatures have warmed up, or grow it in a container. Okra does not like cold, so don't put it outdoors until the weather is consistently warm into the evening. Temperatures below 50 degrees will halt growth.
You should allow eight to twelve inches between plants in each direction and make sure they are placed in a sunny spot with good circulation. Place them near the back of the garden, because they will get quite tall. Plants grow quickly and flowers soon appear followed by buds about 60 days after sprouting.
Keeping pods picked will encourage the plant to keep producing. Keep the bed clear of weeds and mulch deeply but water sparingly.
Companion Planting
Plant okra near peppers as it provides protection to them from sun and wind damage.
Okra is an African native plant first grown in Egypt in the 12th century BCE and then throughout North Africa and the Mediterranean. It has since spread throughout the world. Ground okra seeds may have been used (among other things) by Southerners during the blockades of the Civil War as a coffee substitute.
Cut young pods from the plant shortly after they appear. If you wait too long they will get tough. How long is too long depends on the variety. Refer to the instructions that came with your seeds or experiment. 3 inches is a good general rule. Once you starti, you'll need to keep harvesting every two days until the weather gets cold.
Okra can be trimmed, blanched, patted dry and frozen. Before using frozen okra, thaw completely and pat dry. If you fry okra, try slicing and breading it then freezing it in meal sized portions for future use. Okra can also be pickled.
If your okra gets too tough for eating, dry it and use it to make crafts like you would gourds.
Okra is a suitable offering for many Orishas.
Okra contains powerful masculine energy and can be added to achieve balance or to increase masculine energy in a mixture.
Okra is high in fiber. It helps stabilize blood sugar. Its mucilage binds cholesterol and toxins in the body. It is also cleansingi to the colon and encourages the growth of healthy bacteria.
Okra is a necessary ingredient in gumbo and is also delicious breaded and fried and pickled. It is also delicious grilled on skewers over hot coals.
Okra prepared with lemon juice is said to be an effective aphrodisiac. More practically, both are purifying and soothing to the digestive tract.
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Bloodroot
Submitted by DawnBlack on Sun, 01/06/2008 - 20:03.Sanguinaria canadensis
Bloodroot is an herbaceous flowering perennial native to the Eastern North American woodlands.
Bloodroot is a native american plant which can be found growing wild in hardwood forests throughout Eastern North America. However, because it is collected by many herbalists and magic-users and because of habitat loss, I do not suggest gathering this plant from the wild. Unlike many wildflowers, it is relatively easy to grow in a shady spot in your yard. You may be able to purchase plants from a plant conservancy or a native plant dealer in your area. Do not take bloodroot from the woods or from parks. Unless you have the permission of the landowner, this is illegal.
You can propagate bloodroot by seed or by cuttings or by division. It will spread by its rhisomes and its seeds forming lovely clumps.
Bloodroot likes a shady position in a well-drained, slightly acidic soil with high organic content. It likes to be grown with other plants, and black cohosh is a wonderful companion for bloodroot. It generally prefers to be kept moist, but is pretty forgiving. You'll want to mulch well with dead lives or woodchips to give it the feeling of being in the woods.
Don't worry if your plant seems to die in the summer. It does go dormant and will probably return in the spring.
The roots grow a bit bigger each year and are best harvested around the sixth year. You should divide your clumps every 4 years or so to keep them vigorous.
Bloodroot is very attractive to slugs. If they become a problem, fill a tuna can with beer and half bury it near the bloodroot.
Bloodroot is a native American wildflower that was used by the native population for red dye. It was apparently used as body paint as well, though it must have been cut with some other ingredient to prevent serious skin damage.
Bloodroot has enjoyed a long history of traditional medicinal use, but lately has come under fire due to its caustic nature. It has been used in toothpastes and most recently as an antibacterial agent in meat production in Europe.
After harvesting, wash the roots thoroughly taking care not to bruise or break the skin. Lay on a screen to dry in a warm place with good air flow. Protect the roots from light and humidity. Roots are done drying when they have shrunk 1/4 of their original size and can be bent without breaking. The dried bloodroots can be stored in paper or cardboard away from heat, moisture or light for up to two years.
The red root sap yields an interesting but caustic red dye. It can be used to stain wood as well.
Bloodroot is a popular protective hexi-breaker in Voodoo and Rootwork magic. It is also a marriage protector and aids in promoting harmony with extended family members, especially in-laws and helps prevent people from interfering in your marriage.
Bloodroots vary in color with the darker red to brownish roots being considered male or King roots and the lighter orangei to pinkish roots being considered female or Queen roots. Combined in a single sachet of red flannel, these are used to encourage a healthy marital sex life by placing the sachet under the couple's mattress. Likewise, a bit of one of each root steeped in liquor, sometimes in combination with other herbs, is said to ensure sexual potency. After the herbs have steeped for several weeks, strain and drink a shot of the liquor to acheive the desired affect.
Place a bloodroot over your door to encourage anyone who enters to respect your marriage.
If you fear someone is trying to break up your marriage, sew some dried bloodroot into yours and your spouse's pillows.
Bloodroot can be carried or placed around the home (very high out of the reach of pets and children) as general protection from negative energy or spells or it can be burned to cleanse an area of negative energy.
Assuming you're not expected to eat it or rub it on your body, bloodroot can be used in place of blood in spells. Dried bloodroot can be pounded into powder and added to water to reach the desired consistancy.
Most of the active constituents of bloodroot is stored in the rhizome. This sap is very toxic. It contains morphine like compounds and also destroys animal tissue. It is traditionally used in herbal medicine as a component to ointments designed to destroy abnormal skin growths such as malinoma, warts and skin tags. This is an extremely painful process and can result in serious scarring if not done properly. The FDA has investigated and prosecuted practitioners for carrying out this particular remedy.
However, the FDA has approved sanguinarine, a constituent in bloodroot sap, for use in toothpaste and mouthwash to help destroy plaque, though it has been linked to oral lesions.
Bloodroot has also been used for sore throats, the juice dropped onto lumbs of maple sugar which is then sucked. It is also said to have expectorant and emetic properties.
It is my opinion, however, that Bloodroot should only be used for its ornamental and magical values and should never be applied to the skin or taken internally and should not be handled by pregnant women. Long term use of bloodroot has been linked to oral cancer, glaucoma, edema, heart disease, miscarriage, fainting, collapse, vision changes and diarrhea.
None.
Bloodroot is poison.
Cardamom
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Thu, 01/03/2008 - 22:41.- Antibacterial
- antimycotic
- Antispasmodic
- antiviral
- Aphrodesiac
- Aphrodisiac
- Attacts butterflies
- Bastard Cardamom
- Capalaga
- Cardamom
- Cardamon
- carminative
- Cinnamon palm
- Ela
- Elachi
- Evergreen
- expectorant
- Grains of Paradise
- Love
- lust
- Malabar Cardamom
- Mars
- Pai-Tou
- Partial Shade
- protection
- Sha-Ren
- stimulating
- Tonic
- Venus
- warm
Elettaria cardamomum
Cardamom is a member of member of the ginger family and has a thick fleshy root, a rhizome.
Sow seeds in autumn or propagate by division in spring or summer. Prefers rich, moist soil in part shade. In the north, this plant should be grown in a pot and brought in when temperatures drop below 65 degrees.
Cardamom is grown commercially in India, Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Cambodia & Veitnam
It is believed that the West got its first taste of cardamom when Alexander the Great brought it back from India. It was used widely in Europe to treat digestive problems.
In Asia and Africa, cardamom has been used to flavor food for centuries and has also been used as an aphrodisiac. It is a very important part of Indian and Arabic cuisine.
Cardamom is an important ingredient in coffee in many cultures. For Arabic coffee, seeds are ground and added to coffee grounds before brewing, or pods are steeped in the coffee itself. In Bedouin traditioni, cardamom pods are placed in the spout of the coffee pot so just the right amount of cardamom flavor is added as the coffee is being poured. In Ethiopia, coffee beans are roasted together with cardamom seeds and other spices immediately before the coffee is prepared. Alli of these are parts of important hospitality traditions within their cultures.
Cardamom pods should be picked when they are plump, but still immature and laid in the sun to dry.
The fruits should be stored whole and dry. The seeds can be removed and ground immediately before use. They lose flavor quickly when outside the pod and even more quickly when ground.
When shopping for cardamom pods, only buy green ones. White pods have been bleached and the brown ones will not have the flavor you’re looking for.
The larvae of the Endoclita hosei use this plant for food and so it can be used in the butterfly garden.
Cardamom seeds can be chewed after a meal to freshen the breath. It has a eucalyptus like flavor.
Cardamom is fragrant and often used in perfumery. Seeds can be placed in sachets and stored with linens to keep them smelling nice. And since Cardamom is an aphrodisiac, their scent might be particularly welcome on your sheets. (If you just want to sleep, use lavender instead). You can also impart their fragrance into your laundry by making a sachet for your dryer.
To encourage a would-be lover, chew some cardamom seeds before talking to him or her. This is also useful in any situation calling for eloquence, when you must charm your audience. Cardamom seeds can also be added to lust drawing sachets. Cardamom is a stimulating herb that relaxes the body and clarifies the mind and should be used in any situation where these are needed.
Cardamom has expectorant, stimulating, tonic, warm, aphrodisiac, antibacterial, antimycotic, antiviral, carminative, antispasmodic and expectorant effects.
Amomum spp is used most widely in Asian traditional medicine, especially in India.
A. subulatum, commonly called Elaichi is used to treat infections of the teeth & gums, throat troubles, coughs, congestion, tuberculosis
Inflammation of eyelids and stomach complaints A. villosum is used in Chinese medicine for stomach complaints, constipation, dysentery called “Tsaoko”
People who have digestive problems, particularly with gluten, may find it helpful to have a cup of cardamom tea after a meal. Or Chai tea, which contains cardamom. It is also excellent for chest congestion.
Elettaria cardamomu, or Amomun kravanb are both used for food
Cardamom is used in Turkish, Arab, Indian and African cuisine and some Scandinavian and German cookies, pastries and, of course, sausages. Its addition to a dish immediately gives it an Eastern flair. It is used in Chai tea, Turkish coffee and Belgian ale beers. Ground cardamom seeds are used in baking. You can find white cardamom, that is, seeds that have been bleached, if you do not want the black specks of ground unbleached cardamom seeds in your food.
Cardamom pods and seeds (ground or not) are used to flavor seafood, chicken, rice dishes, and stews. It is an ingredient in curry powder and Garam Masala spice.
You can place whole cardamom pods in stews or rice dishes at the beginning of cooking and remove them at the end, or remove the seeds from the pods and grind them immediately before sprinkling onto your dishes toward the end of cooking.
Drink cardamom tea after every meal to aid digestion and prevent gas. Milk boiled with cardamom seeds is excellent with a little honey.
Cardamom should not be used by pregnant women or people with gallstones.
Solomon's Seal
Submitted by DawnBlack on Sat, 12/29/2007 - 13:40.Polygonatum biflorum
Solomon's Seal is a lovely woodland perennial with native varieties in North America, Asia and Europe. It can grow up to two feet tall.
Solomon's Seal prefers a light soil, a good mulch and a shady location. It can be grown by division or by seed. It will return year after year and spread itself. It is a lovely, delicate addition to a shade garden.
Some areas list Solomon's Seal as an invasive weed.
Solomon's Seal is named for King Solomon of Hebrew lore who was granted great wisdom by the Hebrew God and had a special seal that aided him in his magical workings, allowing him to command demons without coming to harm.
According to herbal lore, King Solomon himself placed his seal upon this plant when he recognized its great value. Those with imagination can see the seal on the root stock in the circular scars left by the stem after it dies back.
Solomon's Seal has also been traditional used to "seal" wounds.
You can estimate the plant's age by examining the rhizome. Each year the stem leaves on scar, or "seal" on the rhizome. Counting these will give you an idea of how long your plant has been alive.
Although this plant is not currently listed as endangered, the usual warnings about responsible wildcrafting apply. Because this plant is so easy to grow in a shady garden bed, wildcrafting is usually not necessary.
Gather the rhisomes in the fall and lay on a screen to dry in a warm, dry location with good circulation free from humidity and sunlight. Once dry, store in a cool location away from light.
Solomon's Seal aids one in making difficult decisions and accepting and seeking change. Helps in spellwork to aid changing/breaking habits and helps in smooth transitions for changes beyond our control. It is also used in love potions to amplify commitment between partners and to "seal" a spelli or a sacred oath or promise.
An infusioni of Solomon's Seal, or insense made of Solomon's Seal root can both be used to drive away negative vibrations and malicious spirits. It can also be used to summon helpful spirits and elementals.
The root can be carried as an amuleti to ward off malicious spirits and to increase wisdom.
Solomon's Seal is appropriate for use during Autumn Equinox rituals.
The fresh root, pounded and applied topically helps fade bruising. (I have not tried this on a hicky, but it might work for that too.) A decoction can also be used as a facial rinse to help fade blemishes or for poison ivy and similar skin problems.
An infusioni can be used for profuse menstruation and internal bleeding, indigestion and other stomach and digestive complaints including ulcers, bowel problems and hemmorhoids. It is also said to speed the healing of broken bones. Used as a mouthwash, it is said to help strengthen gums.
Solomon's Seal root tea is a good tonic acting on the kidneys, heart and sexual organs as well as soothing the digestive system.
Oil infused with Solomon's Seal root is good to keep on hand for first aid treatment of sprains, strains and broken or bruised bones. (Not to replace, but to enhance traditional medical intervention.) Solomon's Seal root tea or tincture aids in the repair of broken bones and may be drunk after a doctor has set the break. It is also great for torn ligaments, disolcations and other issues with joints.
Young shoots harvested in early spring can be prepared and eaten like asparagus.
The roots should be boiled with three changes of water before being roasted and eaten.
Alli parts of the adult plant, especially the berries are poisonous and should not be consumed.
Solomon's Seal seem innocuous, but parts of it are poisonous. Seek out a personal consultating with a skilled herbalist before using internally for food or medicine.
Tomatoes
Submitted by DawnBlack on Sat, 12/29/2007 - 11:09.Lycopersicon esculentum
Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family along with potatoesi and eggplants. They are either upright and bushy in habit, or they grow in trailing vines.
Plant tomatoes 1/4 inch deep in peat pots 6 weeks before the last frost date for your area. Tomatoes are best planted in the 2nd quarter, the closer to the full moon the better, when the moon is in Scorpio. Pisces and Libra are also good. Transplanting is best done when the moon is waxing and in Cancer, Pisces or Taurus.
Tomatoes like lots of sun, at least six hours. Plant them deeply in good soil in the sunniest location in your yard. Compost the base of the plant. As your plants get taller, you will probably need to stake it to keep it upright. You can do this with a stick and some string, tie the string to the plant and then to the stick (Don’t hogtie the plant to the stick) or you can use a tomato cage. Occasional pruning, preferably while the moon is in Scorpio, produce bigger fruits.
Tomatoes grow well in containers. Use 3 gallon buckets or larger. Don’t let the soil dry out completely, but don’t over water either. Be sure to water the soil and not the leaves to prevent fungal infections. Cut back on watering and stop fertilizing when the tomato begins to fruit. Tomatoes reseed readily.
Depending on the variety, tomatoes may be red, orange, yellow or green when they are ripe. Tomatillos (little green tomatoes inside husks that look like Chinese lanterns) are ready when the husks start to split. Be sure to harvest your tomatoes the moment they are ripe, or their skins may start to split or the birds and squirrels will eat them. Tomatoes reseed readily. A fruit abandoned to rot on the ground will return next year, whether you want it or not.
Tomatoes often have problems with hornworms.
Companion Planting
Consider planting tomatoes with asparagus, to protect the asparagus from asparagus beetles and the tomatoes from nematodes.
Basil will also help keep harmful pests away from your tomatoes.
Borage will help keep away hornworms.
Carrots help loosen up the soil for your tomatoes' roots.
Chives deter aphids.
Garlic repels red spider mites.
Lemon balm deters many pests that annoy tomatoes.
Marigolds deter tomato worm and nematodes. They can also be used to draw slugs away from other plants.
Mint deters aphids and many other pests. Plant it in a pot as it's invasive.
Nasturtium deters aphids, whiteflies, squash bug, and many other pests.
Parsley grows well with tomatoes, carrots and chives, but not mint.
Petunias repel asparagus beetles, leafhoppers, aphids, tomato worms and many other pests.
Do not plant cabbage, cauliflower, corn, celery, dill, potatoes, pole beans, fennel or kohlrabi near your tomatoes.
The botanical name for tomatoes means “edible wolf peach”.
Tomatoes are native to Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador where they have been cultivated since time immemorial. Common folklore says that when Christopher Columbus first landed in South America he decided the Orinoco River in Venezuela (where he discovered tomatoes) was the gateway to the Garden of Eden.
Tomatoes were once considered a powerful aphrodisiac and associated with the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden. Their French name, Pomme d’amore (apple of love) and the Spanish name poma amoris, reflect this. Hungarians called it paradice appfel (Apple of Paradise). The Greeks called it pomadora, Golden Apple, and associated it with the Hesperides and the golden applesi of Hera.
At any rate, it was about 150 years after their discovery before Europeans considered them safe for civilized consumption and even then they were only suitable as ingredients for sauce. Those who weren’t afraid they would succumb to uncontrollable lust at the taste feared their teeth might fall out.
In 1820, Robert Johnson of New Jersey announced that he was going to publicly eat a tomato. People came from miles around to see what they were sure was a foolish act that would end in a horrible death. He, of course, survived.
Tomatoes will last for several days at room temperature. Their flavor is best if they are not stored inside a refrigerator. If they aren’t completely ripe when picked, they will ripen off the vine.
Tomatoes do not freeze well, but they can beautifully and can be made into sauces and salsa and canned for use later in the year. Sun dried tomatoes are delicious.
Tomatoes are associated with Venus and with Aphrodite and Hera. This plant is feminine in nature.
The presence of a tomato help protect from negative influences. Putting one on the window sill will prevent evil from entering the house.
Eating the fruit inspires love and passion. It is a good addition to romantic dinners and also good to eat to inspire creativity.
A much anticipated summer treat, tomatoes are suitable offerings for first harvest festivals and are especially suitable for Native American deities.
Although the flavor is completely different, tomatoes can be used in place of applesi in many magical spells. They can also be used in place of other members of the nightshade family.
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, lycopene (an antioxidant), potassium and citric acid making them a valuable addition to the diet for the general maintenance of health. They aid in liver function and help cleanse the body of environmental toxins. They are also said to aid in the digestion of fatty foods and help maintain the health of the circulatory system. They are also excellent for rehydration after a fast or strenuous exercise.
Tomatoes are acidic in nature and they may upset some peoples’ stomachs. Some people are also very allergic to them.
Tomatoes are great raw or cooked. They are excellent marinated, in salads, or sliced and sprinkled with sugar or salt, or not as you prefer, or made into sandwiches with mayo or cream cheese. They are great roasted with other vegetables, stewed and served with pasta or as a soup base, or made into sauces for pasta, rice or couscous. Some tomato varieties are more acidic than others. Adding a bit of sugar will help cut the acidity.
