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Lavender
Wed, 12/10/2008 - 15:32 — kitchenwitchBotanical Name:
Lavandula spp
Zones:
to zone 5
Lavender is an aromatic member of the mint family native to the Mediterranean region, Northern and Eastern Africa and parts of India.
Propagation:
Most lavenders prefer a warm, sunny spot with well-drained soil. Lavender is a plant that doesn't like its "feet wet" so well-drained soil is of the utmost importance. It will tolerate some drought and heat quite well, however. Most lavenders will grow well throughout the Southwestern United states, but more Northerly regions may have trouble. Try the Hidcote or Munstead variety in the North. The humid deep South may have trouble with any variety of lavender.
The good news is that it grows reasonably well in pots and can be brought indoors in cold or wet weather. Lavender doesn't need a big pot. Just an inch or two wider than the root ball is sufficient. The important thing is that the pot drains well. Mix your potting soil with equal parts sand and put a layer of loose gravel in the bottom of the pot before adding your soil. This will encourage drainage. Water when the soil feels dry and try not to wet the leaves. Make sure your lavender plant gets plenty of sun.
Plant your lavender where it will get full sun but be sheltered from harsh winds and not be in a drain path. Space the plants well apart to allow air circulation. It should be fed some compost the first year to get it started; After that, ignore it except for providing some protection from cold and wet. A thick layer of mulch after the first frost will protect the roots in areas where repeated thawing and freezing may stress the plant.
For best fragrance and essential oil production, the soil should be nutrient poor and alkaline.
Lavender is a good companion for fruit trees, rue and any plant that might be troubled by white fly or that would benefit from bees and other pollinating insects lavender attracts.
History and Folklore:
Harvesting & Storage:
Household Use:
Lavender deters fleas and moths. Place sachets of lavender buds or lavender wands in cupboards and closets or stuff them into pet bedding to help deter pests from these areas.
Magical Attributes:
Lavender is masculine in action and associated with Mercury, the element of air and the astrological sign Virgo.
It may be used as an asperging herb (to sprinkle water for purification purposes) and dried lavender sticks or wands can be burnt like incense.
It is also useful in spells to sharpen the mind, to encourage or strengthen pure love (as opposed to the naughty sort) and to encourage fertility.
Healing Attributes:
The scent of lavender is relaxing and uplifting all at once making it a great aromatherapy for stressed out or depressed individuals. Try adding some lavender oil to your bath or add it to grapeseed or a similar oil for a relaxing massage at the end of a hard day.
Stuffing a pillow with lavender buds may help insomniacs relax and fall asleep and soothes headaches.
Culinary Use:
Lavender is a good addition to wedding cakes because of its delicate flavor and its association with love and fertility.
To make lavender flavored sugar, layer dried lavender buds and sugar in a jar and let it sit in a dark place for about a month. Sift out the lavender buds and enjoy your sugar in delicately flavored cakes, custards and tea.
Practical Kitchen Witchery:
An easy way to scent your clothing and bedding is to stuff a knee-high stocking with lavender and knot it. Throw this in your dryer with your drying laundry. It'll come out smelling divine!
Eyebright
Sun, 01/06/2008 - 22:49 — kitchenwitchBotanical Name:
Euphrasia officinalis
Zones:
hardy to zone 6
Eyebright is an annual that is common to dry fields and pasture lands in its native Britain and also in the US where it has become naturalized.
Propagation:
Eyebright prefers alkoline soil and does not do well in perfect well-tended beds. It prefers to grow weedlike in the shadow of other plants. It doesn't transplant well, so scatter the seeds randomly among your other plants in your herb garden. It is notoriously difficult to grow in the garden and prefers to the wild grasslands. You could try growing it in your lawn if you have a section you won't be mowing. Good luck!
Eyebright is best harvested in late summer when it is in full bloom. Cut the full herb and hang upside down to dry. Use within one year. The leaves and flowers are all used together.
History and Folklore:
The name Euphrasia is taken from the name of one of the three Greek Graces, Euphrosyne, meaning gladness. According to legend, the linnet, a bird whose Greek name comes from the same root, first used this plant to clear the sight of its young and then passed the knowledge on to mankind.
Spenser, Milton and other poets mention Eyebright in their poems.
In the time of Queen Elizabeth, Eyebright Ale was a beverage believed to cheer the spirit.
Harvesting & Storage:
Household Use:
Eyebright is an ingredient in British Herbal Tobacco and makes a decent smoke.
Magical Attributes:
Eyebright is of masculine nature and associated with the element of air, the sun, and Leo. It is named after one of the three Graces of the Greek Pantheon, Euphrosyne, Goddess of Joy and Mirth. It is also associated with the Tower Tarot card.
Place a few drops of infusioni of eyebright on your eyelids before sleeping to have prophetic dreams and during the day to see that which is normally unseen.
Use in spells to help you (or others) see situations clearly and objectively, to avoid or remove deception and metaphorical cloudiness.
Use also in spells to help rise above difficult situations and to see the silver lining on dark clouds.
Appropriate for all rituals and celebrations of thanksgiving and any rituali associated with the Graces or any joyous event, especially one that marks the end of one era and the beginning of another.
It is appropriate for offerings of thankgiving.
Healing Attributes:
Eyebright, as its name implies, is traditionally used for just about any ailment of the eye. An infusioni of one ounce of herb per pint of water is an excellent all-purpose eyewash good for removing dust, debris and relieving irritation caused by allergies and mild conjunctivitis. Just put it in an eyewash cup and perform the eyewash as you would normally. (Read the directions that came with the cup)
For external eye irritations and inflammations, and to reduce general puffiness and dark circles, make the infusion with milk instead of water and apply to the eyelids and surrounding area with a cotton ball.
Eyebright can also be smoked to help relieve chronic bronchial inflammation.
Eyebright tea may be drunk as needed for general allergy symptoms, dry coughs and sinus infections. This is also said to enhance memory function.
Dimming of eyesight can result from prolonged us, or use of strong concentrations of eyebright.
None of the traditional uses of eyebright have ever been officially studied.
Because the safety of eyebright's use during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, it is best avoided during these times.
Infusioni of eyebright is a must-have for your herbal first aid kit.
Culinary Use:
Eyebright can be added to teas.
Practical Kitchen Witchery: