demulcent
Pulmonaria
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Sat, 05/31/2008 - 17:51.Pulmonaria officinalis
Pulmonaria or lungwort is a European native with large hairy leaves, green often mottled with light green or white, which appear in basal rosettes.
Lungworts multiply quickly and can be propagated by division or seed. They prefer moist soil in a cool, shady spot protected from afternoon heat. In hot climates they will go dormant in the summer and return in the autumn when temperatures cool down again.
Slugs love it and woodchucks will also eat it.
The latin name Pulmonaria comes from "pulmo" which means, the lung. In English, Lungwort and the German Lungenkraut also refer to the lungs. Some Eastern European names refer to honey instead, such as the Russian "medunitza" and the Polish "miodunka"
Lungwort is associated with the element air and is used for protection when traveling through air.
Pulmonaria leaves are used in sympathetic magic to represent diseased lungs.
As its name implies lungwort is useful for bronchial and pulmonary complaints. It is best prepared as an infusioni.
Coltsfooot
Submitted by kitchenwitch on Sun, 01/06/2008 - 21:24.- Antitussive
- Ass's foot
- Bull's foot
- Butterbur
- Clayweed
- Cleats
- Coltsfoot
- Coughwort
- demulcent
- Divination
- Donnhove
- Farfara
- Fieldhove
- Filius ante patrem
- Foal's foot
- full shade
- Hallfoot
- Healing
- Horse Foot
- Horsehoof
- Imbolc
- Love
- Ostara
- Pas d'âne
- peace
- Perennial
- tranquility
- Tun Hoof
- tussilago farfara
- Venus
- Water
- Winter heliotrope
Tussilago farfara
This is a plant in the Compositae family, to which dandelions and sunflowers also belong. The flower is similar in appearance to a dandelioni and forms a similar fluffy white seed head.
Coltsfoot is a perennial. It should be grown in a damp area, preferably in clay soil in a full sun position. Will tolerate some shade, but not much. Coltsfoot is invasive and travels underground by rhizomes, so cultivating it may be frowned upon in some neighborhoods. You might be better off to keep it in a pot to keep it from escaping. Try planting in a large pot sunk into the flower bed.
The name Farfarus is an ancient name for the Poplar tree, which has similar leaves.
Tussilago means "cough dispeller".
Theocritus's Idyll 2 mentions coltsfoot in the context of a spelli to bring back a wandering lover.
The flowers should be collected when they bloom in early spring and the leaves after Midsummer.
Coltsfoot is one of the first flowers to emerge in the springtime, often appearing as early as February. This and its bright sunny yellow flowers make it suitable for springtime rituals welcoming the return of the sun, such as Imbolc, Ostara and Beltain- depending on when they bloom that particular year! The long stems can be woven into wreaths.
Coltsfoot has been used as in love, tranquility and money spells and burned during divinationi rites. It is also burned in divinatory and healing incense.
Both flowers and leaves make an excellent cough remedy in conjunction with horehound, licorice and marshmallow. You can make it into a syrup or tea. Steep 1-2 teaspoons of leaves or flowers in 1 cup boiling water. Drink no more than 3 cups daily. It can also be smoked by those with asthma, bronchitis and other lung problems, particularly those involving wet coughs.
Hot or cold coltsfoot tea compresses can be applied to swollen areas, and a cool such compress is soothing on the forehead or stomach when one has a fever.
A poultice of the leaves or flowers can be applied to eczema, sores, ulcers and insect bites.
The root is also useful for similar purposes, but it has higher levels of potentially toxic alkaloids and it is not recommended that it be used internally. Alli parts of coltsfoot contains these alkaloids, which can cause liver disease, but the leaves and flowers are considered safe for normally healthy adults to use in moderation. If you still aren't better after a few days, switch off with mullein for awhile.
Do not use while pregnant, trying to conceive or nursing. Do not give to children (that is, folks who are still growing).
Do not take more than 3 cups of coltsfoot tea per day, for three days. Do not take coltsfoot for more than 30 days out of the year.
Don't combine coltsfoot with blood pressure medication.
People who are allergic to ragweed are also likely to be allergic to coltsfoot, proceed with caution.
People with a history of alcohol abuse or liver disease should not take coltsfoot. Do not combine coltsfoot with other potentially liver damaging substances, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or comfrey.
If you ever begin to feel nausiated while using this herb, stop immediately. It is not a "normal" side affect, but a sign that the coltsfoot is hurting your liver.
Flowerbuds and young flowers can be added to salads or steamed as a vegetable. The flavor is similar to anise.
The leaves can also be added to salads, soups or steamed as a vegetable. The flavor is similar to licorice.
It is not recommended that you make a habit of eating coltsfoot because of its potential toxicity in high doses, but it is a nice, sunny addition to the Ostara or Imbolc feast.
Do not confuse common coltsfoot with Western coltsfoot Petastites frigidus, which has much higher levels of potentially toxic alkaloids. This plant may not be used to substitute for the other under any circumstance.
Coltsfoot, like Comfrey, has come under fire for containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids which can cause liver damage and there have even been suggestions that it be banned. That being said, Tylenol contains these same alkaloids. Therefore, I suggest you take the same precautions with coltsfoot (and comfrey) as you would with Tylenol. Don't overdose. Do not take tablets containing concentrated comfrey or coltsfoot. If you do use them internally, use them in their natural form or in tea and use the leaves, not the roots. If you begin to feel nauseated, stop using them. Don't use them in combination with other PA containing substances. Pick your poison, don't mix them. Don't use them for long periods of time. No more than a week. And don't use them more than three times a day. Some herbalists also suggest using milk thistle extract once you've completed a course of coltsfoot (or Tylenol/acetamenophen for that matter) as milk thistle is believed to help the liver heal after stress. And, of course, if you've ever had liver issues before, don't use coltsfoot, comfrey or Tylenol.
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.
