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Rice Pudding

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 14:38 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

1 cup cooked white rice
1 quart milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp Cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp butter
Nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a 2 quart baking dish.

Notes:

For variation, add 1/2 cup chopped apricots to enhance the fertility energy or raisins to enhance the prosperty energy with the sugar and rice. Sprinkle with slivered almonds to add an extra crunch and to enhance all associated energies

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.

Extra Hot Chocolate

Mon, 07/28/2008 - 09:56 — kitchenwitch
Ingredients:

Per serving you need-
1 cup of milk
a dash cayenne pepper powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp Cocoa
1 tsbsp powdered milk
1 drop vanilla extract

Combine all dried ingredients and mix well. Warm the milk in a sauce pan, stirring constantly. Do not allow it to boil!

Notes:

I have heard this called Mexican and Aztec hot chocolate, though I'm not sure that's accurate. Either way, it warms you to the toes and keeps you warm much longer than other folks's cocoa and it's got a greater depth of flavor. It's also not very sweet so you might want to provide your guests with a sugar bowl.
For some, chocolate is a traditional Day of the Dead offering and this makes a great libation during Samhain and Rites of Passing. For others, this beverage combines the energies of Ares and Aphrodite and that means passion- like Beltane. But it might be too hot.

This beverage is warming in more ways than one. It's a playful blend of male and female energies that will get your circulation going and may spark a bit of lust while it's at it. Be prepared for the release of some very playful energies when you prepare this beverage; Perfect for snuggling on a cold winter's night.

But this isn't an adult's only beverage; kids love it too and t's great for a sledding break.

Quick Witch Tips:

Just add some cinnamon, ceyenne and vanilla to some instant hot cocoa for a quick treat.

Feverfew

Mon, 07/14/2008 - 09:59 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysantheim parthenium or Pyrethrum parthenium

Zones:
most
Other Names:
bachelor's button, featherfew, featherfoil, ague plant, devil daisy, feather-fully, flirtwort, maid's weed, midsummer daisy, missouri snakeroot, nosebleed, prairie-dock, rainfarn, vetter-voo, wild chammomile, matricaria

Feverfew is an short lived perennial native to southeastern Europe which is now widespread across North America, Europe and Australia.

Propagation:

Feverfew can be grown from seed, cuttings or by division. It is not picky about soil as long as isn't soggy and prefers full sun, but will also do well in partial shade. Feverfew is also a good container plant but should not be brought inside to overwinter but instead placed in a sheltered area so that it can have a dormant period. It'll die anyway if you bring it in.

It will reseed if seed heads are left on the plant at the end of the season. Due to the fact that it reseeds like crazy, this plant can be very invasive. Deadhead spent flowers to control its spread and save the seeds to plant them where you want them later.

It is said the bees do not like this plant. I can't vouch for the truth of this, but you may want to keep it in mind when placing it in your garden.

History and Folklore:

Feverfew was used by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians for inflammation and menstrual pain as well as general aches and pains.
Dioscorides documented feverfew's use for inflammation and swellings in the first century of the common era.

In medieval Europe it was used for just about everything and it has enjoyed long popularity in cottage gardens. During the time of the plagues, it was planted around houses to protect those inside from the disease. (It may have actually prevented plague carrying vermin from entering)

The name parthenium is from the Greek meaning "girl" and alludes to its traditional use for female complaints.

Harvesting & Storage:

Cut fresh leaves as needed or lay flat on a screen to dry and store in an airtight container away from light and heat.

Household Use:

Feverfew can be used to keep away bees and other insects.

Magical Attributes:

Feverfew is masculine in nature (though it has always felt feminine to me) and is associated with the plant Venus and the element of water.

Feverfew is often use in mojo bags. Alone or combined with hyssop and rosemary in a bag it is used to prevent general accidents. To prevent accidents while travelling, put it in a bag with comfrey root and a St Christopher medal and put it in your glovebox, rearview mirror or carry on bag. Likewise, using feverfew as a bath tea will help break hexes designed to make you more accident prone.

Growing this plant around the ouside of your home is said to prevent illness from entering.

Binding the flowers to the wrist is said to assist in drawing out pain as well.

Healing Attributes:

An infusioni of feverfew is good for migraines and other headaches and PMS symptoms. Chewing the leaf at the first sign of a migraine is traditionally affective at stopping it in its tracks. Because the leaf tastes aweful and can cause blistering inside the mouth, it is suggested that you add it to a sandwich instead of eating it straight. Drying seems to weaken the medicinal effect of this herb.

Feverfew can be used as an infusion (or tea) but tinctures are much more effective.

Feverfew has blood thinning qualities and should not be used by anyone who is taking blood thinners or who is planning to undergo surgery.
Pregnant women should not use feverfew.

Culinary Use:

Feverfew doesn't taste very good and large quantities aren't very good for you. It can cause sores to form on the inside of your mouth, can cause stomach upset and thins the blood.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

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:

Joe Pye Weed

Thu, 02/14/2008 - 15:25 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Eupatorium spp.

Zones:
3-7
Other Names:
Queen of the Meadow, gravel root, kidney root, mist-flower, snakeroot, purple boneset, eupatorium, Sweet Joe-Pye Weed, Hempweed, Joe-Pie, Jopi Weed, Trmpet Weed,

Joe Pye Weed is a Native American perennial member of the family asteraceae found in all parts of the US with the exception of the deep south and the far north.

Propagation:

Joe Pye Weed can be grown from seed, plant six weeks before the last frost and cover lightly so that sunlight can reach the seeds. Keep moist.
Or it can be grown from cuttings.

Joe Pye Weed generally prefers full sun and moist soil. Some varieties such as E. purpureum can tolerate less moisture and part shade conditions.

History and Folklore:

It is said that the plant was named after a Native American healer who used it to treat typhus.

The name Eupatorium comes from the name of King Mithridates Eupator who lived in Parthis from 120 to 63 BCE who is said to have discovered the medical effectiveness of the Eupatorium family, which includes the European native Boneset.

Joe Pye Weed was used by many Native American tribes for healing and magic. It was used as a diuretic, to treat colds and fevers, as a love medicine, as a poultice for wounds, as a wash to strengthen children and for joint pain and the flowers were used as good luck charms.

Harvesting & Storage:

Gather leaves anytime. Dig the root after a frost. Joe Pye Weed dries well.

Household Use:

Joe Pye Weed is suitable for butterfly gardens. It attracts Eastern Tiger Swallowtails, Great Spangled Fritillaries, Pearl Crescents, Monarchs, and Tawny-edged Skippers

Magical Attributes:

Joe Pye Weed can be used in spells for love or respect. A leaf can be tucked into your cheek to ensure that words spoken to the opposite sex will be well-received. Gamblers can carry the plant on them to help bring them good luck. Carrying the plant with you will also encourage others to look upon you with respect.

Healing Attributes:

The entire plant can be used, with the root having the strongest effect. It can be made into a diuretic tea to stimulate the bladder and kidneys and to encourage sweating to break a fever. It is also useful for influenza.

Simmer 1 once dried root in 1 pint water for 30 minutes, strain and cool, take 1/2 cup 4-5 times per day
OR
Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 tsp leaves and flowers. Steep for 10 minutes, strain and drink 1-3 times per day.

WARNING: This herb can cause liver and kidney damage and severe intestinal problems if overdosed or used for long periods of time.

Culinary Use:

None

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Joe Pye Weed is supertall, so it makes a great privacy hedge.

Heather

Mon, 01/07/2008 - 21:02 — kitchenwitch
Botanical Name:

Calluna vulgaris

Zones:
4-8
Other Names:
Scot's heather, Heath, Froach, Ling, Scotch heather

This is a European native common to fields, ditches and waste areas in the cooler areas of Europe and the British Isles, especially in the heath land habitats where it is an important food source for

Propagation:

Heather will do best in zones 4-8, it prefers a bright area with acidic soil and good drainage. There are a few varieties who will tolerate some shade, but not many. Young heather should be watered regularly, but established plants shouldn't need extra water unless threatened with drought. It takes 2-3 years to reach its full size. Do not fertilize, as this plant prefers poor soil. Peat or pine needle mulch can be used. Heather should not be pruned, as this causes it to dry out faster. It does well in a container as well as in the garden.

The seeds are tiny and take up to two months to germinate. They require sunlight (don't cover them) and moisture, and cold treatment before planting is very helpful. You can sow it in the fall, or in containers at midwinter.

Deer and other grazing animals love to nibble on heather, as do the heather beetle and many butterfly and moth larvae. This makes in a wonderful addition to a butterfly or nature garden, but rather high maintenance for use as an ornamental. It is also susceptible to root rot where drainage is not sufficient.

Heather releases a chemical that prevents other plants from growing near it. Keep this in mind when planning your garden.

History and Folklore:

The word Calluna is derived from the Greek meaning "to sweep"

Heather (along with thistle) is the national flower of Scotland.

In Scotland farmers carried torches around their fields before midsummer to insure good crops and around their cattle to ensure their fertility.

Harvesting & Storage:

Cut flowering stems in autumn. They don't like being cut, so it's best to do it at the end of the growing season and hang to dry for later use.

Household Use:

Heather dries well and can be used in many crafts. The branches can be woven into wreathes, baskets, mats, and are traditionally used to make brooms.

The roots can be made into musical pipes.

Heather yields a yellow dye.

Magical Attributes:

Heather is feminine in nature and ruled by Venus and the element of water. It is also associated with Gemini and, accordingly, Mercury. It is represented by the Ogham letter Ura. It is associated with the God Nechtan Mac Labraid, the Cupbearer of the Tuatha De Dannan, guardian of the sacred well of Segais and husband of Boane, after whom the river Boyne in Ireland is named. Also, Isis, Osiris, Venus, Aphrodite

Heather can be used in spells relating to new beginnings, and self-discovery, enhancing physical beauty and bringing a peaceful resolution to any conflict. It is also used at initiations.

Keeping heather about the house will attract friendly spirits and will bring peace to the household. Carrying heather will attract positive energies, general good luck and protect against rape and other violent assaults, making it useful for traveling sachets.

Burning heather together with fern will aid in magic designed to bring rain. The two plants can also be bundled together and used to sprinkle water on the ground for the same purpose.

Heather helps in summoning spirits and attracts faeries to the garden.

Heather is a good plant to use to make besoms and can be added to midsummer fires to ensure the fertility of the attendants.

Heather is said to be stained with the blood of war in Scotland, thus, white heather is the luckiest and the best for use in magic.

Heather should be part of a bridal bouquet or the decorations to ensure good luck to the couple and peace and cooperation in their household.

Healing Attributes:

Heather is useful for ailments of the genitourinary systems, including stones, kidney and bladder infections, vaginal discharge, enlarged prostate, and menstrual and menopausal symptoms. It stimulates the flow of bile and urine, making it useful in cleansingi and purifying teas.

It is also a soothing herb and is good for spasmodic complaints in any system, including stomach and intestinal cramping and spasmodic coughs. Its soothing nature also makes it good for nervousness and insomnia.

It can also be added to salves for gout and rheumatism and to soothing skin preparations.

Heather may raise blood pressure slightly, and should not be used by people with blood pressure issues.

Culinary Use:

A recipe for heather beer was found on pre-Pict potsherds dating back to 2000 BC. Heather ale remains a popular beverage in Scotland. It also makes a pleasing tea.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Hellebore

Mon, 01/07/2008 - 19:14 — DawnBlack
Botanical Name:

Helleborus spp.

Zones:
varied
Other Names:
Christe Herbe, Christmas Rose, Melampode, Black Hellebore

Native to much of Europe. Helebores are members of the family Ranunculaceae, which is often confused with members of the Rosacea family.

Propagation:

Hellebore will grow in any well-drained garden soil and is extremely shade tolerant. It is great for underplantings around shrubs and troublesome shady spots in the garden. Seedlings can be directly sowed or started indoors and transplanted no later than their second year. Sometimes it takes a few years for flowers to appear. Be patient and your Hellebore will bloom by its third year.

Divide as necessary in Mid to late summer once the root stock is big enough to be cut.

Hellebore is extremely poisonous. It is best to wear gloves when working with it to avoid absorption through the skin.

History and Folklore:

Ancient herbals distinguish between Black Hellebore and White Hellebore. White Hellebore has been identified by modern scholars as a plant now known as False Hellebore. Black Hellebore, on the other hand has been identified as Helleborus officianalis, a native of Greece and Asia Minor.

The genus name, Helleborus comes from the Greek elein, meaning "to injur" and bora, meaning "food" alluding to the plant's poisonous nature.

Melampodium, an old name for Hellebore, refers to the ancient physician Melampus who used Hellebore to cure the daughters of the king of Argos of the madness of the maenads. Where they drunk? Did the herb make them vomit themselves sober?

Some have speculated the Alexander the Great died of Hellebore poisoning while being treated for an illness.

In Christian lore, the first Hellebore grew from the spot where a little girl's tear dropped onto the snow because she had no gift for the Christ child.

According to some sources, Hellebore was an ingredient in the legendary "flying ointmenti".

Harvesting & Storage:

Wear gloves while harvesting. Harvest hellebore just after it blooms, on a moonless night, if you want to get fancy. Hang to dry and store in a sealed container away from moisture and light.

Household Use:

Hellebore will brighten up the shady corners of your garden and perhaps discourage critters from raiding it.

Magical Attributes:

Hellebore is associated with Mars and Saturn and corresponds to the element water.

It is used in magic for healing of mental/emotional afflictions and for banishing and exorcisms. It has been used also for increasing intelligence and for protection and invisibility spells. Apparently the plant was dried and powdered and scattered around the person to be made invisible. Ancient magicians also used hellebore to change the nature of other plants, to make their fruits have various unpleasant and uhealthy properties by either grafting the plants together or using hellebore as fertilizer.

This is a banefuli herb which should never be ingested and you should wear gloves when handling it.

Healing Attributes:

Hellebore was traditionally used as a cure for poisoning of livestock and was considered by the ancient Greeks to be a cure for insanity. It was also used as a powerful purgative. Its use is not advised by anyone today.

Culinary Use:

None. This is a poisonous herb.

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

Although Hellebore is extremely poisonous, it is also extremely unpleasant to put into one's mouth. Thus, it's not as dangerous as it could be. Animals and children who may put it in their mouth will likely spit it right back out. However, handling it extensively is not advised either because toxins may absorb through the skin.

For magical purposes, roses can be substituted for hellebore.

False Indigo

Mon, 01/07/2008 - 19:10 — DawnBlack
Botanical Name:

Baptisia australis

Zones:
3-8
Other Names:
Blue False Indigo, Indigo Weed, Rattleweed, Rattlebush, Horse Fly Weed, Blue Wild Indigo,

False indigo, baptisia, is a member of the Fabacea (aka Legumacea) family with distinctive blue pea-like flowers about an inch long.

Propagation:

Baptisia may be propagated by cuttings, division or by seed. It enjoys full sun to part shade and prefers that its soil not be too alkaline. This plant can run wild and take over, so it is best to deadhead it before the seeds fall and periodically divide the rhisomes to keep it manageable.

History and Folklore:

The genus name Baptisia is derived from the greek bapto, meaning "to immerse", in reference to the plant's for creating dyes for cloth. The specific name australis is Latin for "southern".

False indigo is native to North America and is most common in the midwest. It was used by many Native peoples for various purposes including medicine and dye, which the Europeans later did as well. Its common name comes from this practice, as it was often used by Europeans as a substitute for true indigo Indigofera tinctoria.

Harvesting & Storage:

Flower and seed stalks can be hung upside down to dry and added to wreathes and floral arrangements.

Household Use:

The seed pods of wild blue indigo yeild a lovely blue dye similar to that of true indigo. The dried seed pods are also quite pretty in floral arrangements.

This plant is said to repel flies from animals. To try this, hange a bunch of fresh flowers in your barn.

Magical Attributes:

Feminine in Nature, false indigo is an excellent protective herb. Plant it around your home for general protection, wear it on your person or use it in spells and amulets of a protective nature. It is especially useful for spells and amulets designed to protect pets and familiars- just make sure they don't get ahold of it and eat it!

Healing Attributes:

Baptisia is toxic and should not be used except under the care of an experienced practitioner. This herb should never be used by pregnant women.

This plant has been used as an antiseptic, a purgative and to combat coughs and fevers.

A tea of the roots has been used as an emetic and purgative, a poultice of the roots as an anti-inflammatory and small pieces were held in the mouth to treat toothaches.

A decoction of the stems has been used to stimulate the immune system and help the body fight of pneumonia, tuberculosis, influenza and other serious illnesses, espcially of the upper respiratory system. It may also be used externally as a wash for smallpox and similar illnesses.

Side effects of ingesting blue indigo may include vomiting, diahrrhea and gastrointestinal spasms.

Culinary Use:

This plant is poisonous and should never be ingested

Practical Kitchen Witchery:

False indigo is an excellent choice for a natural dye for robes and altar cloths and for paper and wicker crafts.

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