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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 13:18 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

Pumpkin seeds
nonstick cooking spray

This autumn traditioni makes use of the leftovers from Harvest Festival pies and Samhain pumpkin lanterns and often makes its way into the

Notes:
Quick Witch Tips:

Mulled Cider

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:32 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

½ gallon apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
5 whole cloves
1 orange, sliced

Put it all in a saucepan. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Strain and serve hot.

Notes:

This beverage is traditional at harvest gatherings and as a special treat when the kids come in from Trick or Treating on Halloween, or to warm up your hands sitting around the bonfire on Samhain. It's a great warm up on a brisk autumn day.

We use apple cider for our harvest and Samhain libations. It is great for giving thanks for successes in the areas of prosperity and love, and for drawing prosperity and love. This beverage features both sun energies and cthonic energies.

Quick Witch Tips:

You can buy mulling spices at most grocery stores in the late autumn. Follow the directions on the package.

Dandelion Wine

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 09:38 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

Here's an old favorite for Midsummer. My grandfather was famous for his dandelioni wine.

1 gallon fresh dandelion flowers (See note)
1 gallon boiling water
3-4 pounds sugar
1 lemon
1 orange
Brewer’s yeast (wine yeast?)

Take a gallon of fresh picked dandelioni flowers and place them in a large tub, pour 1 gallon of boiling water over them and let it steep for about 10 or so days stirring now and then.

Notes:

Dandelion blossoms are actually made up of many tiny yellow flowers that many folks take to be petals. Only these should be used in to make the wine, not the green bracht that holds them all together as that's very bitter. Taste the different parts and you'll see. Dandelion flowers are delicious!

This recipe has strong solar associations so it is great for use at sun festivals, such as Midsummer day! Also, try this wine as an aid to divinationi, especially in association with love.

Quick Witch Tips:

Dandelion Punch

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 08:28 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

If you're serving dandelioni wine for your Midsummer gathering, be sure to also serve dandelion punch for the kids and those of us that don't drink!

3 cups dandelion flowers, rinsed and separated
1 gallon orange juice
juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup of sugar
Ginger Ale (Vernors is the only popular brand that actually has ginger.)

Warm the orange juice and lemon together, then add the dandelions. Add the sugar, stirring constantly until dissolved. Let cool and then refrigerate overnight.

Notes:

Dandelion punch is a traditional beverage for MayDay and Midsummer gatherings. It has strong solar energy and strong male energy. Drink it at the beginning of a project (or season) to encourage success in your endeavors and to enhance your health and strength as you move toward completion.

Quick Witch Tips:

To speed things up, have the kids pick your dandelions for you and use pre-squeezed juice. Otherwise, this couldn't be quicker or easier to put together!

PS Make sure you only use yellow dandelioni flowers, not the green bracts or fuzzy bits!

Valerian

Sat, 05/31/2008 - 15:36 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Valeriana officinalis

Zones:
most
Other Names:
garden valerian, garden heliotrope, all-heal, wenderot

Garden valerian, or garden heliotrope (no relation to heliotrope) is native to Eastern Europe.

Propagation:

Valerian is happy in most situations provided it has fertile, weed-free soil and enjoys partial sun. It is best grown from shoots or by division as seeds do not germinate reliably. You should not allow valerian to dry out.
If you are growing to harvest the root later, it is best to cut off the flowers as they appear.

History and Folklore:

The Latin valere from whence the common name of this plant originated means "to be strong or healthy" and it may refer to the healing applications of the plant or it may refer to its strong odor. Indeed the ancient Greeks called this plant "Phu" (like phew!).
It was believed that this plant had the properties of turning anything bad into good.

Harvesting & Storage:

Harvest valerian roots in autumn of its second or third year after the leaves have died back. Wash them and then dry them quickly and put in the oven at 120 degrees until they are brittle. Store in an airtight container.

Household Use:

Cats love the smell of valerian and find it quite intoxicating. It is useful stuffed inside cat toys.

Magical Attributes:

Valerian root is associated with the planet Jupiter and the element of water. It is also useful in Samhain and Yule celebration rituals.

Valerian root is useful in spells related to ending guilt and negative self talk and developing self acceptance. It is also useful in animal magic, especially cat magic and evoking animal spirits. Also, transformation spells, for turning bad situations around into positive ones.

Healing Attributes:

Valerian has a sedative action useful against insomnia, anxiety, and stress. It is also used to treat gastrointestinal pain and irritable bowel.

However, valerian is reported to be a mutagen so it is not recommended for women who are pregnant or trying to conceive.

Culinary Use:
Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Maple

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 10:45 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Acer spp

Zones:
most

There are approximately 125 species of maple. Most are indigenous to Asia but there are many native to America, Europe and Africa as well.

Propagation:

Maple seeds, called samaras, have wings designed to carry them some distance away from the mother tree. These can be gathered and planted and will often grow quite well. Most need to be stratified first, either through cold stratification or by using a file to wear down the hard outter shell.

Maples can take up to six months to germinate and can be troubled by root rot when young. Keep young maple trees in a sheltered, semi-shaded area.

Maples of all ages can be bothered by aphids and are popular hosts for many species of butterfly and moth. Maples are also affected by a number of fungal parasites. Although these may look ugly, they don't usually cause lasting harm to the tree.

History and Folklore:

The word acer is from the Latin meaning "sharp" which refers to the pointed leaves.

Maple sugar was being made by the Native Americans long before Eurpean colonists came to America. A number of stories exist to explain where the practice came from.

One story says that when the Creator first made the world, maple syrup ran from maple trees all the time. One day Glooskap came by and saw that all the villagers were laying under the trees letting the syrup run into their mouths and all the work was undone and the fields overgrown. So he made the sap runny and told the people that if they wanted syrup they'd have to work for it and showed them how to turn the runny sap into sweet, thick syrup.

Another story says that red squirrel first showed a hunter how to get sweet sap from the maple. He liked to bite off the branches to make the sap ooze out and when it had dried into a sugar crust would come back and lick it joyfully.

Harvesting & Storage:

Pick up branches after a storm to make wands and staves.

Household Use:

Maple trees make great bonzai. The wood of sugar maple and sycamore maple are especially prized for making furniture and flooring.

Maple trees are a valuable host to many species of moth and butterfly and make an excellent addition to a butterfly garden.

Magical Attributes:

Maple is feminine in nature and associated with the moon and jupiter and the elemental energies of water.

Maple is excellent for wands, staves and maypoles.

Maple is useful in moon magic and in spells related to travel, learning and decision-making, especially in matters related bringing about or dealing with change. Maple is also useful for spiritual healing.

Maple syrup may be used in Kitchen Witchery for love spells and spiritual healing, i.e. soothing the psyche.

Healing Attributes:
Culinary Use:

Maple wood is useful for smoking and curing meat.

The sap of the sugar maple can be boiled down to make maple syrup, maple sugar and maple candy.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Asparagus

Wed, 02/20/2008 - 18:05 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Asparagus officinalis

Zones:
most
Other Names:
sparagrass, sparrowgrass , sperage

Asparagus is a Eurasian member of the lily family (liliaceae) and a fast-growing, long lived perennial. Spears shoot up early in the spring sometimes growing as much as 10 inches in a 24 hour period.

Propagation:

Asparagus is great for permaculture because it can live 15 years or more and keep providing you with tasty spears each spring. It grows best in sandy, alkaline soil in full sun, but it's not picky. It can handle a bit of shade and less than perfect soil too, as long as you fertilize it well.

You can get asparagus crowns at most garden centers. Dig a furrow about 10 inches deep and wide and as long as you want your row to be. Fill the trench about halfway with compost and place your asparagus crowns on top, about 10 inches apart and cover loosely with soil and water. This is best done in the springtime as soon as the danger of frost has past.

You won't get any spears your first year, but the fern-like foliage will still be pretty. Make sure you mulch well every autumn to keep weeds down and a steady stream of nutrients coming. Asparagus is a hungry plant.

History and Folklore:

The word asparagus comes from the Greek and it refers to any young, tender shoot that can be eaten.

Asparagus was prized by the ancient Greeks over 2500 years ago. It was considered to be a cleansingi and healing herb and used it for many medicinal purposes. The Romans in their turn also prized asparagus and cultivated it (the Greeks wildcrafted it) from the and spread it throughout Europe on their conquests. Emperor Augustus coined the term “velocius quam asparagi conquatur” which means to do something quicker than you can cook asparagus. Similar to our phrase “two shakes of a lambs tail”. So much did the Romans prize asparagus, that in the first century, runners took asparagus from the Tiber River valley to the Alps so that it could be frozen and thus preserved for the Feast of Epicurus

King Louis XIV had asparagus grown in his greenhouses so that he could enjoy it year round, he dubbed asparagus the King of Vegetables. It was also popular in England and other parts of Europe and colonists brought it to America where Native Americans used it for medicine.

Asparagus was considered a phallic symbol banned from girls schools in the 19th century, but Victorian women were taught to detect the scent of this aphrodisiac on their husbands- a sure sign that he was behaving improperly!

Harvesting & Storage:

Do not harvest your asparagus until it's at least three years old. This allows the plant to have time to build a strong root system.
Your plants will starti sending up shoots shortly after the frost has past and may continue well into June. Cut the shoots near the base when they are about 10 inches long and about as thick as your finger. If they are thinner than a pencil, your plant isn't ready for harvesting yet, or it's gotten tired of being harvested and needs to be let alone. Make sure the heads of the spears are tight and haven't started to feather out. Once they've started to get ferny, it's too late to harvest them.

Asparagus is best eaten fresh, but if you want to save some for later, put it in a glass of water like a bouquet of flowers and store it in the fridge. If you want to save some for a long time later, steam the stalks for about five minutes and then freeze them in a freezer bag.

Household Use:
Magical Attributes:

Asparagus is aligned with Mars and Jupiter and the element of fire. It is also sacred to Zeus.
It is used in lust and fertility spells especially as relates to male stamina and potency.

Healing Attributes:

Asparagus is a good diuretic and is full of nutrients to help build up strength. It is a good food to eat when you are doing a bodily cleansingi, a great "spring tonic" kind of food.

Culinary Use:

Asparagus is one of the most nutrient dense vegetables you'll find at your grocery store. It is high in folic acid, potassium, fiber, vitamins B6, A, C and thiamin, contain no fat or cholesterol and are low in sodium.
Steam asparagus for five minutes so that it is bright and tender-crisp. Then serve plain or with a butter or cream sauce. It is also excellent in creamy soups or lightly stir fried with other vegetables. My ex husband used to like his asparagus boiled until it was mushy and served with toast and butter and I have to admit, it's good that way. Asparagus is also good raw, with or without dip.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Echinacea

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 22:39 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

E. purpurea, E. pallida, E. augustofolia

Zones:
4-9
Other Names:
Purple coneflower (E. purpurea), pale purple coneflower(E. pallida), Narrow-leaf purple coneflower(E. augustofolia), Kansas niggerhead, Sampson root, American coneflower, Black Sampson, Black Susan, Comb flower, Hedgehog, Indian Head, Kansas snakeroot, Red sunflower, Rock-up-hat, Scurvy root, Snakeroot

Echinacea is a native of North America and can be found in wild prairies and open woodlands. It also adapts well to the garden. There are nine species, three of which, E. purpurea, E.

Propagation:

E. purpurea is the easiest to grow.

Sow seeds in the fall so that they freeze over the winter, or store them in your freezer for a few weeks before planting. Scatter them over the surface, as light is necessary for germination. These plants prefer alkaline soils with good drainage. Weeds are a serious danger to young seedlings, because they grow very slowly and herbicides are just as dangerous to Echinacea as it is to the weeds, so you’re going to have to be diligent about weeding. Plant in full sun. It will tolerate shade, but it will result in an inferior harvest. Seedlings should be thinned to about a foot apart.

It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Echinacea is being stripped from its wild populations and responsible herbalists should grow their own. Buying plants that have already been started will remove the hassle altogether, as adult plants are remarkably easy to maintain. This is an incredibly drought tolerant plant and natural rainfall is usually sufficient for its needs. Only water if the surface is dry. Echinacea usually does not need fertilizer and has very few disease problems. It will return year after year and if you don't deadhead it, it will drop its seeds and have babies too.

Echinacea attracts bees and butterflies and birds may come after your seeds in winter!

History and Folklore:

The name Echinacea comes from the Greek echinos, meaning hedgehog or sea urchin, which refers to the bristly scales of the dried seed head.

This is a North American native and was used extensively by the Native American populations for all manner of ailments. The Plains Nations used it more than any other herb.

Harvesting & Storage:

Harvest the tops in the third year, and the roots in the fourth year.

Thoroughly wash and dry the roots. Lay roots and tops out in the sun to dry.

Household Use:

The long-lasting cut flowers are beautiful in arrangements.

Magical Attributes:

Carrying Echinacea will provide inner strength during trying times. It is an appropriate flower for offerings, especially to place spirits and river God(dess)es. Including Echinacea in a spelli or charm will increase its effectiveness.

Healing Attributes:

Echinacea is a wonderful all-around healing tonic and it has been used as a cure for just about everything. It increases your T-cell count and stimulates your immune system. It is safe to use indefinately, but loses potency if you use it too long, so it's best to only use it during flu season or when you're not feeling well and take a break the rest of the time. Two weeks on and two weeks off seems to be the most common recommendation. It can be alternated with astragalus.

The entire plant is useful, but most of the power is in the root. To make a tincture, use the root or uproot the entire plant and chop it up fine and place it in a wide-mouthed jar. Cover it with 80+ proof alcohol and seal it. Store it in a cool place for several weeks, giving it a shake every few days.

Alternatively, you could make a tea out of the leaves. Or just chew them.

Although many immune combinations combine echinacea and goldenseal, it's not recommended.
People with asthma or autoimmune dysfunction including AIDS and Lupus should use Echinacea with caution. No studies have documented negative affects, but the action of the active constituents of Echinacea could theoretically complicate autoimmune problems.

Those with allergies to other members of the daisy family, ex. ragweed, should use Echinacea with caution.

Culinary Use:

Echinacea makes a pleasing tea.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Bloodroot

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 19:03 — DawnBlack
Botanical Name:

Sanguinaria canadensis

Zones:
1-8
Other Names:
bloodwort, red puccoon root, pauson, tetterwort, sweet slumber, snakebite, indian paint, coon root

Bloodroot is an herbaceous flowering perennial native to the Eastern North American woodlands.

Propagation:

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.

History and Folklore:

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.

Harvesting & Storage:

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.

Household Use:

The red root sap yields an interesting but caustic red dye. It can be used to stain wood as well.

Magical Attributes:

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 orange 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.

Healing Attributes:

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.

Culinary Use:

None.
Bloodroot is poison.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Blue Cohosh

Sun, 01/06/2008 - 18:27 — Guest
Botanical Name:

Caulophyllum thalictroides

Zones:
3-7
Other Names:
blue ginseng, squaw root, or papoose root

Blue cohosh is a pretty, feathery wildflower that grows in North American woodlands. It's one of my favorite denizens of the woods. It's just an elegant plant.

Propagation:

If you are going to plant Blue Cohosh, you will need a forest, or a forest-like area. It needs shade, and rich, moist, humusy soil. You can grow it best from a rhizome or you may be able to find a potted plant somewhere. I got mine from a plant conservancy (they go in and rescue native wildflowers from sites where condos and the like are being built and sell them to the public) and planted it off the trail in my woods, and she has done quite well there. Seeds can be difficult to germinate. They require repeated cold stratification and may take up to three seasons to germinate. Once you get her going though, she's a relatively easy plant to care for. Alli she needs is alot of shade. Too much sun (even 25%) will kill her.

If you are going to make your own blue cohosh potions, please try to grow it yourself rather than collecting it in the wild. Surely there's a spot under a big shade tree you can pile some shredded leaves to make a home for this elegant lady! She'll dance well with hellebore, or lily of the valley (not that I recommend ever growing lily of the valley) and will make a lovely companion for a hosta. Be careful when handling this plant as some people have problems with contact dermatitis from it.

History and Folklore:

Native Americans and early settlers used blue cohosh tea for a wide range of complaints.

Harvesting & Storage:

Give the plant three years or so to get big and strong before digging up the roots in the fall.
Roots should be cut into small pieces and dried.

Household Use:
Magical Attributes:

Blue Cohosh can be used to protect objects and places from evil. It can be added to washes to protective washes (like car rinse water, etc.) and it is also used in bundles to protect infants and children. Just don't let the kids get ahold of it!

Healing Attributes:

Blue Cohosh is described as a uterine tonic. It is said to improve uterine muscle tone. It is used to stimulate contractions during childbirth and also to bring on a late period. Use of blue cohosh to bring on contractions is not recommended because its toxicity could affect the newborn. Many midwives have reported increased fetal heart rate and fetal distress related to the use of blue cohosh. It also increases blood flow to the pelvic area, so it may cause extra problems if not used with great care.

Anyone who is pregnant and wishes to stay that way, should not use it! It is traditionally used in combination with black cohosh and pennyroyal to terminate pregnancy. It may also be used to help the uterus return to its normal size after childbirth, to help the uterus recover after a miscarriage, or to help expel the placenta after childbirth

Paradoxically, blue cohosh has been used to strengthen the uterus in women who are prone to miscarriage. It is used to this end for several months prior to conception and then discontinued before attempting conception. Using blue cohosh while attempting to get pregnant, may prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.

In addition to these, blue cohosh has been used for a number of women's health issues, especially those related to the uterus. These include endometriosis, cervical dysplasia and many menstrual complaints, including weak, spotty periods, irregular menstruation and painful menstruation.

For all of these, an alcohol extract is advise.

Blue Cohosh is an estrogenic plant, so people with estrogen-dependant tumors should not use it. Also, anyone who has been advised not to take birth control pills, or use any other sort of hormonal birth control, should not use this herb without consulting a physician. It is also quite hard on the heart and kidneys and should not be used by anyone who has any concerns about the health of theirs. Blue Cohosh tends to lower blood pressure. If you already have a problem with this, you could have serious problems. Headache, pain in the limbs and vomiting can occur at toxic levels. If this happens, see a doctor immediately.

Culinary Use:

The entire plant is toxic and should not be eaten.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Blue and black cohosh, and castor oil for that matter, are not the best ways to induce labor. Neither is pitocin. You might be surprised to discover that nipple stimulation (a whole lot of it, like several hours) is a very efficient way to induce labor.

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