 |
Herbs and Herbal Lore…
Herbs have been used throughout the ages not just for their culinary flavourings. In the use of Magic and Healing certain herbs and plants are prized for the special range of Magical and healing properties. Herbs were used in potions, incenses and amulets to ward off evil, attract prosperity, and give protection and to heal all manner of illnesses. In ancient times when herbs were added to foods, they were primarily included for their Magical or medicinal properties, rather than for their flavour. Much of this Herbal Lore has been forgotten, but fortunately the popularity and rising interest in Wicca and Paganism has meant more people have increased their knowledge on this fascinating subject and are focusing on the gifts that nature has to offer us. In Magic, herbs, flowers and plants are used for several purposes. Herbs can be used for purification, protection, banishing, divination, evoking and Spell casting. I use a range of different herbs, tree barks, flowers, plants and wild herbs along with other ingredients in the Spell casting process. All are chosen for their potent magical properties and positive energies and are ethically gathered at peak potency and are selected for their powerful energies. All the ingredients I use to formulate Spells I cast on your behalf are gathered, ritually blessed, charged and prepared personally by me during the appropriate Magical Lunar Phases. Click on the pictures below to learn more about the Herbs that grow abundantly here on Crete and why I use them in the Spells I cast.
Other than in the use of Magic I take advantage of what Mother Earth has to offer and use herbs, blossoms and plants at the mundane level. Living as I do on the beautiful Greek Island of Crete I am extremely fortunate to have access to a wide variety of fragrant herbs and spices growing wild on the hillsides and mountainsides. I enjoy the Cretan diet, which features the use of these herbs quite heavily and adds flavour, aroma and variety to foods. (Incidentally, the Cretan Bowl Diet is a slimming version of the famous Cretan diet and can help you shed excess weight effortlessly, healthily and without hunger pangs. It certainly worked for me!) I, like the Cretans, also use some of the wild herbs to make aromatic herbal teas with distinctive medicinal qualities, Dittany of Crete (dictamnus) and Greek Mountain Tea being the most famous and also Lemon Verbena. The blended Cretan Bowl Diet tea combines all three. How you can use Herbs Infusion Pour boiling water over the herb of your choice in the proportions of one-ounce of herb to one pint of water. Steep for a minimum of five minutes until brewed. Enjoy! Wash For external use, a wash is made using a quarter ounce of herb to one pint of boiling water, steeped until cooled to lukewarm. Washes are generally used for purification, cleansing, etc., but can be used topically to prevent infection to cuts or wounds. Always ensure you select herbs known to be non-toxic.
Place one ounce of herb in one pint of water. Once the water has reached boiling point, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes and leave to cool. Strain and use as needed. Macerate Use oils such as olive, almond, walnut or sesame. Warm one cup of oil and place in saucepan over a low heat. Add one ounce of herbs. Continue warming until the herbs have lost their colour and the oil has soaked up the rich aroma. The herb scented oil may be used much like a salve or ointment Poultice Place herbs in enough water to cover them and steep. Strain the water and apply the dampened herbs directly to the affected area. This method is used for rashes and other mild skin disorders. You can place the herbs between layers of in gauze or cheesecloth too.
Make an infusion or decoction. Soak a piece of clean cloth or gauze in the liquid. The cloth or gauze is applied directly to the affected area. Keep the compress as hot as can be tolerated. When the compress cools, change it for a new moistened cloth. Do not re use the cloths.
For long-term storage this is the best method of herb preparation. Four ounces of herb steeped in eight ounces of alcohol for two weeks will produce a good tincture. Place herbs into a glass or ceramic bottle or jar. Then pour on 80% proof alcohol over the herbs. I use the Cretan locally produced Raki but any strong white alcohol such as vodka will be ok. Store in a dark and warm place and shake the jar gently, twice a day for two weeks. Then strain the tincture through a muslin cloth. Pour the resultant tincture into a dark bottle and keep tightly closed until ready to be used.
You can search this site for your favourite themes and subjects! Just enter the word or words you are searching for on my site or from the entire web and a list of pages with links will appear where you’ll find just what you’re looking for.
|
