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Carrot Cake

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 13:59 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

1-3/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2-1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups shredded carrots (5 to 6 medium)
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Frosting

One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
5 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 300 degrees. In mixer bowl, combine sugar, oil, and eggs; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir together flour, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.

Notes:

This is my favorite birthday cake. Since my birthday is on Midsummer, I associate this cake with that holiday too. But its warmth and heartiness lends itself well to cooler weather and harvest celebrations as well.

This cake has energy related to prosperity, fertility and lust and is particularly aligned to the sort of sweet, devoted love of an idealistic young couple eager to starti a new family making it great for a wedding cake. That also makes it appropriate for your Heiros Gamos (or Sacred Marriage) on whatever holiday it happens to fall on.

Quick Witch Tips:

Spiced Milk with Honey

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:36 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

1 quart milk
1 tablespoon honey
4 cardamom pods
4 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf

Tie up all the spices in a cheesecloth square, or, if you don't have one you can just put them right in the pan and strain the milk before serving. Combine spices, milk and honey in a saucepan.

Notes:

This is marvelous before bedtime after a long hard day playing in the snow. It warms the heart and soul, as well as the body and casts a sleepy spelli. It's marvelous for topping off the Imbolc festivities just before sending the little ones off to dreamland. Its energies promote familial love, strong bonds and a feeling of being nurtured and loved.

Quick Witch Tips:

Plantago

Tue, 07/08/2008 - 13:06 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Plantago major

Zones:
3-10
Other Names:
plantain, greater plantain, common plantain, Soldier's herb, White man's footprint, Cart track plant, dooryard plant, healing blade, hen plant, lambs foot, roadweed, roundleaf plantain, waybread, wayside plantain, white man's foot

Plantago major is often called plantain, not to be confused with the banana-like plantain which is delicious fried.

Propagation:

Plantago likes full sun. Other than that, it's not very picky.

History and Folklore:

Plantago seeds are often found in grain seeds and that is how they have spread all over the world. It was called "White man's footprint" by Native Americans because it sprouted up wherever European settlers had spent any amount of time. It was also called "Soldier's herb" due to its use as a field dressing.

The "waybread" mentioned in the Nine Herbs Charm of Wodin or Odin is believed to be plantago.

Harvesting & Storage:

Leaves should be used fresh if at all possible. Select young, tender leaves whether you are using fresh or drying for tea. If you're cooking it, you may wish to remove the sinewy veins.

Household Use:

The sinews in the veins pull out cleanly and are strong and pliable. They could be used for crafts. When I was a child I used to pull these out and braid them when I was sitting outside bored. They become hard and brittle when dry though.

Magical Attributes:

Plantago is feminine in nature and resonates with the planet Venus and the element Earth. It is used in spells related to strength, healing and protection and as a charm against snakebites.

It can also be used in any working to enhance the affect of other herbs.

Healing Attributes:

Comfrey has traditionally been used to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth by douching with the infusioni. It has also been used as a field dressing. Indeed it is a potent coagulant and can be used to stop bleeding. Ground (or chewed in the case of an emergency) fresh leaves can be applied to cuts, scrapes and insect bites to ease pain and stop bleeding.

Plantago is also rumored to have an expectorant affect on the lungs and the tea is recommended for people who are trying to quit smoking as well as for people suffering from lung complaints.

People who take blood thinners or who are at risk for blood clots should never take plantago internally, not as a vegetable or a tea, but can use it externally.

Culinary Use:

The leaves are edible, but tough and stringy. Young leaves are preferred as they are more tender. They may be prepared like spinach. Dried, they make a good tea.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Plantago may be used in place of comfrey in all herbal preparations. It is a safer alternative and has similar healing properties.

Some people get contact dermatitis from plantago, so use caution.

As plantago is a coagulant, those who are taking blood thinners or who are at risk for blood clot should not use it internally.

Mugwort

Wed, 07/02/2008 - 11:11 — DawnBlack
Botanical Name:

Artemisia Vulgaris

Zones:
most
Other Names:
Common wormwood, wild wormwood, Felon herb, St. John's Plant, Chrysanthemum weed, sailor's tobacco, moxa, Artemis Herb, Naughty Man, Old man, Old Uncle Henry, Muggons

Mugwort is a member of the daisy family (Asteracea) with characteristic disk flowers in panicles,(flower made up of many small flowers, in groups, several off the same stem) very small, reddish or gre

Propagation:

Prefers nitrogenous soil, lots of sun, very hardy. Spreads by an underground root system, so care must be taken that they don't escape. Do not over water. This plant is nearly impossible to kill. Save yourself a hassle and plant it in a pot!

History and Folklore:

The name Mugwort is said to have come from the plant's traditional use of flavoring drinks- which you drink out of mugs, see?

Another theory suggests that the name came from a word meaning "moth" alluding to the plant's usefulness at keeping away pests.

"Wort" is an old term for "plant", especially one of a useful nature.

Roman soldiers put mugwort in their sandals to keep their feet from getting tired.

In Holland and Germany the plant was considered sacred to John the Baptist who presumably wore a girdle of Mugwort. The plants are gathered on St. John's Eve, made into a crown and worn to protect from possession, disease and general misfortune.

Poultry and grazing animals enjoy this plant, and it may be the same Artemisia of Pontos lauded by the ancients as excellent for fattening livestock.

In Wales, mugwort was tied to the left thigh of a woman having a difficult labor. But it was believed that if the mugwort was not immediately removed after the birth, she might hemorrhage.

Harvesting & Storage:

Harvest shortly before the plant flowers and hang to dry.

Collect the root in autumn. Wash and dry thoroughly and spread on a screen to dry. Do not let the roots touch one another or they may mold.

Household Use:

Dried mugwort added to a fire is useful in keeping it smoldering for a long time. The stalks make good kindling.

Mugwort's long stems and nifty leaves make great wreathes and garlands.

An infusioni of Mugwort, or Mugwort oil is a good all-purpose cleaner and insect repellant.

Magical Attributes:

Alli varieties of Artemesia are sacred to the Goddess Artemis who gives comfort (or death) to women in labor. Also, Diana through association and Hekate, Patron of herbalists and midwives.

It is also associated with the moon which in turn is associated with the cycles of womanhood.

Mugwort is feminine in nature, associated with the element of Earth, and either Venus or the Moon (depends who you ask) and ruled by either Taurus or Libra.

Mugwort can be used as a sacred smoking or smudgingi herb for protection or divinationi. It is safe to smoke (as safe as smoking anything is) by itself, mixed with tobacco, or other smokeables in a rituali context and enhances astral projection, lucid dreaming and altered states of consciousness. Some say that simply keeping mugwort under your pillow or in your bedroom will encourage prophetic dreams. (Try making a dream pillow stuffed with mugwort.) Others say you must burn it as incense or smoke it. Burn mugwort as you use divination tools.

Mugwort is also used in protective sachets, especially those created in relation to travel. It is said to prevent delays, and other annoyances associated with traveling, as well as to protect the traveler from accidents, thieves and other dangers associated with traveling.

Mugwort stems also make very nice wands.

Use herbal water made of mugwort to cleanse ritual tools, especially those used for divination.

Hanging mugwort over or on a door will keep unwelcome energies from passing through.

A garland or girdle of mugwort can be worn while dancing around the midsummer balefirei and thrown into the fire at the end of the night to ensure protection throughout the year.

Healing Attributes:

Mugwort is a topical anesthetic with antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Fresh, crushed mugwort leaves applied to the skin relieves burning, itching and pain and, with continued application, can help get rid of warts.

It is also said that coating your skin with mugwort juice before exposure to poison oak will prevent a rash.

It is said that chewing fresh mugwort leaves will help relieve fatigue and clear the mind. A tea of the roots was used also for this purpose.

An infusioni of fresh leaves can be used for chronic stomach complaints and to stimulate the appetite.

Mugwort has also been used in Europe to induce abortions. It helps strengthen contractions and it is used in a compress to promote labor and help expel the afterbirth. It is also used to help regulate the menstrual cycle and ease painful menstruation and the onset of menopause. Use in combination with ginger in a tea to soothe difficult menstruation.

Interestingly, it has also been used in China to prevent miscarriage and ease excessive menstrual bleeding.

It is used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine to make Moxas to cure rheumatism and to correct fetal position prior to delivery. The fluff is carefully removed and rolled into a cylinder which is heated and placed near pressure points to relieve pain. This method is called moxibustion.

It has been used for centuries for disorders and epilepsy, as it has mild sedative and antispasmodic properties.

An infusion of the dried leaves and flowers helps expel pinworms.

Mix the dry herb with honey and apply to bruises to fade them (could try this on hickies too).

Infusioni - 1 ounce dried herb to 1 pint boiling water. 5-10 minutes. Do not make too strong as it is very bitter.

Tincture i- Cover four ounces of fresh herb with 1 pint 100 proof alcohol, vodka, gin or brandy. Cover and keep in a dark place, shaking several times per day for two weeks.

Do not continue to take Artemesias for more than 1 week. Break for several weeks before taking mugwort again as regular use of mugwort can cause nervous issues.

Culinary Use:

Mugwort has a slightly bitter taste. It is used to season fish and meat, especially game and is a traditional seasoning for Christmas Goose in Germany. It is also used to flavor rice cakes in Asia.

Before hops, it was used to flavor beer. For this purpose, the plant should be gathered while in flower and dried before use.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Mugwort is considered a noxious weed in some of the United States. Check with your States laws before planting as some carry heavy fines for planting certain plants.

Mugwort should never be used during pregnancy or lactation or by anyone who has pelvic inflammatory issues as it causes uterine contractions and can be passed through the mother's milk.

Mugwort should not be used for more than one week continuously. Continued, habitual use of mugwort can cause nervous problems, liver damage and convulsions.

Some people have topical allergies to mugwort. Test some on your skin before using.

Bistort

Sat, 01/05/2008 - 21:46 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Polygonum bistorta, P. bistortoides

Zones:
4-8
Other Names:
Osterick, Oderwort, Snakeweed, Snakeroot, Easter Mangiant, Adderwort, Twice Writhen, Serpentaria, Columbrina, Dracunculus, Serpentary Dragonwort, Patience dock, Red Legs, Easter Giant, Passions, English Serpentary, Dragon’s Scales, Snake,

Bistort P. bistorta is native to many parts of Europe and Western Asia. P. bistortoides, the American native version is very similar.

Propagation:

Bistort prefers a moist, shady area and is great for a woodland or bog garden or it looks nice planted around an ornamental pond. Divide the root stock in early autumn or spring.

History and Folklore:

The name Bistort comes from Latin meaning twice-twisted, referring to the shape of the root.

Harvesting & Storage:

Harvest and dry the rootstock in the spring when the leaves first begin or in autumn. Cut lengthwise to dry in the sun.

Household Use:

Can be used to cure leather, but you need large quantities.

Magical Attributes:

Bistort is considered to be feminine and associated with Saturn and the Earth element.

Bistort is used for psychic powers, especially burned in combination with frankincense. It is also a useful addition to money and fertility sachets, or simply carry it with you if you want to conceive. It can also be added to the holy wateri or smudge mixture that is used during exorcisms. An infusioni of bistort root is said to help chase away spirits of the earthbound dead.

Healing Attributes:

Bistort root has a high concentration of tannini, so it is an astringent. It has been used most commonly as a poultice for boils and festering sores..

It is also styptic and is useful for internal and external bleeding, as well as for diarrhea, dysentery and cholera. Keep the powder on hand to use for external bleeding or mix a half teaspoon into a cupful of warm water for internal bleeding and bowel problems.

A decoction has been used for heavy menstruation and as a gargle for ulcers of the mouth and for bleeding gums. It can also be added to lotions for use on sores with discharge and it can be used as a douche to stanch excess discharge.

The powdered leaves were once used to help expel worms from children.

Culinary Use:

Leaves and young shoots can be used as a vegetable eaten raw or cooked. They have a tangy acidic taste.

The roots are very starchy and can be roasted, baked or boiled with baking and roasting being the tastier of the three options. They can also be dried and pounded, the resulting powder used like flour.

The seeds can also be eaten raw and cooked, but they are very small.

Bistort is an ingredient in Herb Pudding, traditionally eaten during Ostara.

Excessive use of bistort may cause photosensitivity.

Bistort contains oxalic acid which can bind to other minerals impeding their absorption and so should not be ingested in large quantities. People with gout, kidney stones, rheumatism and arthritis should avoid foods containing oxalic acid. Cooking reduces the affect of oxalic acid. Other plants containing oxalic acid are sorrel, rhubarb and spinach.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Bayberry

Sat, 01/05/2008 - 21:01 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Myrica cerifera, M. carolinensis

Zones:
2-10
Other Names:
Wax myrtle, Myrica, Candle Berry, Arbre a suif, Myricae Cortex, Tallow Shrub, Wachsgagle, Tallowberry, Candleberry Myrtle, Northern Bayberry, Southern Bayberr, Small Waxberry, Yang-mei, Vegetable Wax

Bayberry grows in thickets near swamps in sandy areas, especially near the Atlantic coast and near Lake Erie.

Propagation:

Bayberry is a hardy deciduous shrub that will grow well to zone 2 in full sun. It is very adaptable to difficult soil conditions and doesn’t mind poor, sandy or heavy clay soils. It does best in slightly acid soil, however.

Bayberry will grow as wide as it is tall and it can get up to 8 feet tall. Pruning will control its growth well.

Bayberry is an attractive ornamental shrub and serves as a shelter for wildlife in a wildlife garden. It is especially useful in gardens where the soil is sandy and had little nutrients. The berries are enjoyed by many types of birds including tree swallows, eastern meadowlarks, red bellied woodpeckers, and gray catbirds and the shrubs make great nesting sites.

Because the flowers are unisexual, you will need at least two bayberry bushes, one of each sex, to get berries.

History and Folklore:

Settlers in the Louisiana area first used myrtle wax in the 1600s. The water from boiling the wax off of the berries was also used to treat typhoid dysentery, which was a serious problem at the time. Soap from myrtle wax was considered to be much gentler than common lye soap. In addition to washing, it was used for shaving and soap plasters.

Harvesting & Storage:

Harvest the root in late autumn and pound to separate bark from the root. Dry thoroughly and powder. Store in a dark place in tightly sealed containers.

Gather the berries early in the morning in the fall or winter and boil to remove the wax. The wax will float on top and can be skimmed off. It is called myrtle wax. It can be used to make soap or candles.

Household Use:

Candles can be made from bayberry wax. Bayberry candles are harder than beeswax candles, burn with little smoke and have a pleasant odor.

Bayberry boughs with berries on them are very attractive in floral arrangements and smell wonderful.

Magical Attributes:

Bayberry is feminine in nature and associated with the Earth element and the planet Jupiter.

Bayberry candles are burned to bring luck and prosperity to the household. Likewise, bayberries and bayberry leaves can be useful in money drawing spells. Try adding bayberries to a luck or fortune sachet or mojo bag.

The candles themselves are high quality, long burning, and very useful in candle magic.

Healing Attributes:

The decoction is a good gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers. It is also said to strengthen gums.

The water in which the berries have been boiled to remove the wax can be used to treat dysentery.

Poultices and washes made from the powdered root have been used for ulcers and itchy skin.

Culinary Use:

The fragrant leaf can be used similarly to bay leaf.

Bayberry can cause vomiting in large doses. Side affects from ongoing ingestion include dizziness, dry eyes and mucus membranes, dry throat, cramping, and flatulence.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Alfalfa

Wed, 12/19/2007 - 10:40 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:
Zones:
Most

Alfalfa is an herbaceous perennial that grows about two to three feet tall. From July through September, the plant bears bright purple or blue flowers followed by interesting corkscrew seedpods.

Propagation:

Alfalfa is widely cultivated throughout the world. It is an easy grower and will tolerate most soil types. Alfalfa prefers full sun and tolerates dry spells well.

Many people enjoy sprouting alfalfa for use on salads. To do this, simply soak your alfalfa seeds overnight in a jar. Strain the water from a jar, and then place it in a dark place for four days. Two or three times a day rinse and drain the seeds again. Once the little white sprouts begin to appear about the fourth day, after rinsing your seeds place them in the sun. Once the little sprouts turn green, they’re ready to eat.

History and Folklore:

As one of the earliest of all cultivated plants, alfalfa has a long history. The name Alfalfa comes from the Arabic al-fac-facah, which means, father of all foods. It has been used for centuries as a high-protein food source for cattle, horses, sheep and other livestock.

Harvesting & Storage:
Household Use:

Besides being wonderful food for all of your vegetarian pets, alfalfa is a great plant food. Roses love it. You can apply it in tea form, or you can simply scatter some pellets (get them at the pet store) in the soil and work them in.

Alfalfa pellets make great, nontoxic, biodegradable litter for your indoor pets. They absorb moisture and odors quite well.

Magical Attributes:

Alfalfa is a feminine herb of the earth element. It is ruled by Venus.

Alfalfa is a bringer of prosperity.

To protect your home and all who dwell within from hunger, poverty and unhappiness, keep a small jar of alfalfa in your kitchen cabinet or pantry.

To protect your property, burn some alfalfa and scatter the ashes all around its boundaries and buildings.

Weave together alfalfa strands to make an amuleti to protect against poverty.

Add alfalfa to your magical cooking to ward off disease, bring money into the home and when general groundingi is desired.

Healing Attributes:

Alfalfa helps flush out excess water and as such increases urination and helps relieve bloating and water retention. It is useful in the treatment of urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder infections and helps to flush out toxins.

As a general tonic and blood purifier, alfalfa is useful in rebuilding the body after a prolonged illness. It also helps to lower cholesterol levels and reduces plaque buildup on artery walls. Alfalfa also acts as an anti-inflammatory in some cases and may be used to reduce the pain and swelling of many conditions.

Alfalfa is also useful for digestive disorders such as ulcers and constipation.

Alfalfa aids the body in absorbing nutrients from other foods and reduces fat production, making it useful for dieters.

Large amounts of alfalfa can disrupt reproductive cycles, especially when the whole fresh plant is consumed.

Pregnant women should consult a physician before using alfalfa, and should not consume the seeds which contain chemicals that promote menstruation and may lead to miscarriage.

Ingesting large quantities of seeds, which contain the amino acid canavonine, over a long period of time may lead to blood disorders and a weakened immune system. This amino acid is also contained in smaller quantities in the sprouts. Those with autoimmune disorders such as Lupus or Rheumatoid arthritis should be cautious of eating large quantities of sprouts and seeds as it may trigger attacks.

Studies suggest alfalfa may trigger destruction of carcinogens built up in the liver during the digestive process.

Culinary Use:

Alfalfa sprouts are rich in protein and trace minerals. They also assist the body in absorbing nutrients from other foods and resist fat production. They are especially good on sandwiches. I enjoy them on lawash bread with not a tuna sandwich filling.

Add alfalfa to your meals when you need groundingi.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Not everyone wants to grow alfalfa, which is just as well. It's available for sale in a variety of preparations and is often available already blended into many household products and supplements.

Maple-Pecan Yams & Apples

Wed, 12/05/2007 - 12:14 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

A handful of pecans
1 cup of apple cider
1 apple, washed, cored, cubed
2 Yams or sweet potatoes, washed, cubed
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the cubed apple and yams in a baking dish. Pour cider over all and stir to coat.
Cut the butter into tiny squares and sprinkle over the top.

Notes:

This is a fabulous recipe for your Feast of the Dead at Samhain as the yams celebrate the chthonic deities while the apples are the food of immortality.
This is also a great thanksgiving meal for harvest celebrations and its energies help to draw prosperity to the hearth.

Quick Witch Tips:

Harvest Salad

Thu, 11/29/2007 - 15:07 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

2 green apples chopped
2 red apples chopped
1 cup green grapes
1 cup red grapes
1 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp lime juice (or to taste)
2 tbsp honey (or to taste)
Candied walnuts or candied pecans

Rinse and chop fruit and place in a bowl. Set aside.

Notes:

This is best eaten right away. If you store it too long, the dressing starts to separate and if you store it with the nuts in the nuts will lose their crunch.

This is a great recipe for newlyeweds as it contains energy to enhance feelings of love and to promote prosperity and fertility. If you're more into the fertility than the prosperity, you can bring in some color magic by omitting the green grapes and apples and use more red, if you're more into the prosperity than the fertility, use more green.

Quick Witch Tips:

You could use lemon, lime or vanilla flavored yogurt as a quick dressing for this and omitt the lime and honey. But it won't be as good.

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