Plantain

Plantain (AKA White Man’s Foot)

(I would like to start out with that this blog is for information purposes only. I would also like to point out that we are not doctors and that any medical trouble you may have should be discussed with a medical doctor.)

Plantain was brought to North America in the 1600’s by European settlers. This is why is has the name White Man’s Foot, it seemed to follow the Europeans wherever they went.

Parts of the plant to use: Leaves

General idea how to prepare Plantain:

· Crush or chew fresh leaves and apply to the skin.

· Use fresh or dried leaves to make a tea.

· Tea – 2 teaspoons to a one cup of water. Steep 20-minute max. Ingest ¼ cup up to 6 times per day.

Healing Energies:

Externally:

· Treatment of skin inflammations/irritations – bites, stings, rash, bruising, swelling, and minor wounds.

· Helps stop bleeding.

· Snake bite (please seek medical help in case of a snake bite.)

· Plantain can be used in a compress for larger areas, ie – sunburn or large rash.

· Can also be used to help with hemorrhoids.

Internally:

· Helpful with discomfort of Urinary Tract Disorders.

· Helps with gastrointestinal disorders like, ulcers, diarrhea, and constipation.

· Helps with arthritis pain, lower back pain.

· Respiratory disorders like cough and asthma symptoms.

Elder Berry

Parts of the plant to use: Leaves, Flowers, Berry

General idea how to prepare Elderberry:

Two Teaspoons of flowers in one cup of water. Steep for 20 minutes. You may drink one cup, up to three times a day.

Healing Energies:

Internal:

Berries – Helps with cough, colic, diarrhea, sore throats, asthma, and flu (you may add cinnamon to add warmth)

Flowers – Helps with fever, viral rashes, bronchial/lung infections, bronchitis, and promotes sweating

External:

Can be used as an insecticide (simple leaf infusion). Can be poured down mice/mole holes.

Berries – can be used to make a salve.

Berries – can be used as a skin wash for blemishes, sunburns, or mild irritations.

Elder Berry is sacred to goddess Hollie

DO NOT BURN ELDER – IT IS CONSIDERED INSULTING TO THE GODDESS.

Do not cut from a living tree.

Used for protection and removing curses.

Mugwort

Parts of the plant to use: Leaves

General idea how to prepare Mugwort:

· 1.5 teaspoons to one cup boiling water. Steep 20 minutes and drink approximately 1.5 cups a day or ¼ of a cup four times a day.

Everyday use: If you place it among clothes, it repels moths.

· DO NOT USE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT!!!

Healing Energies: (Tea)

· Helps with colds, bronchitis, rheumatism, and fear.

· Helps with kidney and bladder troubles.

· Helps relieve inflammation, gout, sciatica, and cleans the liver.

· Helps with water retention.

· Helps relieve female disorders.

· Helps with nervousness.

Applied externally:

· To help with inflammations – apply as a poultice

· To help with abscesses, carbuncles, and bruises

- soak area in strong Mugwort tea.

Nine Sacred Herbs of Braucherei

The Lacnunga describes the nine herbs sacred to the Anglo-Saxons, but what is

not as well known is that the Deitsch have their own sacred nine, Neine Heiliche

Gegreider.

Three come from wood (Dogwood, Elder, Wintergreen). Three come from the fields (Fimffingergraut or Cinquefoil, Catnip, Ground Ivy), and three from the garden (Horehound, Sage, and Thyme). In Urglaawe, these herbs are gathered after Wonnet (May 15).

Those that come from wood can include many parts of the plant.

Wood

1. Dogwood (Deitsch: Hundsholz): Cornus

Florida

2. Elder (Deitsch: Hollerbeer): Sambucus

nigra but also Sambucus canadensis

3. Wintergreen (Deitsch: Bruschttee),

a.k.a. Teaberry (Buchsbeer) Gaultheria

procumbens but also the distantly related

Chimaphila umbellata (Pipsissewa;

Deitsch: Gehlwassergraut)

Field

1. Cinquefoil (Deitsch: Fimffingergraut):

2. Potentilla reptans or Potentilla canadensis

3. Catnip (Deitsch: Katzegraut): Nepeta cataria

Garden

1. Horehound (Deitsch: Edann): Marrubium vulgare; other species

2. Sage (Deitsch: Groddebalsem; Salwetee): Salvia officinalis and many

other varieties

3. Thyme (Deitsch: Gwendel): Many varieties, but especially Thymus

pulegioides ("Pennsylvania Dutch Tea"; Deitsch: Deitscher Tee)

One thing that is interesting to note is that Mugwort (Aldi Fraa; Artemisia vulgaris and other species) is mentioned in The Lacnunga but is omitted from the Deitsch sacred herbs list... yet in Braucherei and Urglaawe, Mugwort is probably the most commonly used sacred herb. It has a standing of its own. Holle is represented in the Nine Sacred Herbs by Elder.

Dandelion

Dandelion is high in iron, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins A, B, C, and D. It also has calcium, boron, silicon, choline, and flowers have lecithin.

Parts of the plant to use: The roots, leaves, sap, and the flower.

General idea how to prepare dandelion:

· The milky sap is used topically on corns and warts.

· The root is roasted and can be used as a coffee substitute.

· The flowers can be made into wine.

Healing Energies:

· Sliced root can be used topically as an antiseptic for wounds, sore, and oral inflammation.

· Dandelion is good for bone health to help prevent osteoporosis and rheumatism.

· Helps with memory loss and Alzheimer’s prevention.

· Helps with lung issues such as pneumonia as well as bronchitis.

· Dandelion also works well for edema, urinary purification, heartburn, indigestion, gallbladder issues, liver troubles, can help lower cholesterol, and blood purification.

· Helps to regulate blood sugar.

· Works as a laxative and a diuretic.

ROSEMARY

This is one of my favorite herbs to cook with as it adds a fresh taste to vegetables and potato dishes.

Parts of the plant to use:· The leaves, stem, flower, and its oil.

General idea how to prepare rosemary:

· Steep 2 Teaspoons of the dried flowering tops in a cup of water for 20 minutes.

Caution: · DO NOT TAKE TEA OR WINE INTERNALLY IN DOSES GREATER THAN ¼ CUP, 4 TIMES A DAY, AS THIS CAN CAUSE POISONING.

Healing Energies:

· Stimulates the liver and digestion.

· Rosemary is helpful for migraines.

· It can help increase circulation.

· Helpful with depression.

· Caution – rosemary can slightly raise blood pressure.

· Rosemary is helpful in fighting bad breath.

General ways of preparation:

a. Steep in wine and use topically for gout.

b. Use as a salve for rheumatism.

c. Remembering the causation from the top of the page,

Rosemary, and nervous system activity.

I use rosemary oil only (unless using the herb for cooking) topically or inhaling the vapors. I find it useful for tension relief, migraines relief, opening sinuses, and other upper respiratory issues. I have also heard that using the oil in the hair helps repel lice.

There is an old saying – “Any home where rosemary thrives is home where the mistress rules.

How to make a Tincture:

Making a tincture:
- Step 1:
  - Chop the herbs finely and place them in a clean, dry jar.

- Step 2:
  - Pour the vodka, gin, or brandy over the herbs. (Alcohol must be 80 – 100 proof)
  - If using Vinegar, warm it first to facilitate the release of herbal constituents.
  - Completely cover the herbs with the solvent and then add an additional 2 to 3 inches of liquid.
    - The herbs need to be completely submersed.
  - Cover the jar with a tight-fitting lid.

- Step 3:
  - Place the jar in a warm place and let the herbs and liquid soak for 4 to 6 weeks. (The longer the better.)
  - Place the jar where it will be seen every day.
  - Top off the jar with additional solvent as needed, to maintain the 2 to 3 inches of coverage over the herbs.
  - Shake daily during the step.

- Step 4:
  - Strain the herbs from the solvent by pouring the mixture through a large stainless-steel strainer lined with cheesecloth or muslin.
  - Rebottle the tincture and label it with content and date made.
  - Store in a cool, dark location.

- How to use tincture:
  - Place a dropperful or two in warm water or juice and drink it.

How to make a Salve:

Making a salve:
- Step 1:
  - Add a ¼ cup of beeswax for each cup of herbal oil.
  - Heat until the beeswax is completely melted.
    - May need to adjust oil/wax mixture to get the right salve consistence.
  - Add vitamin E to help preserve the salve.

- Step 2:
  - Pour the mixture into small glass jars or tins.
  - Store in a cool dry place.

How to make an infusion.

Boil 1 quart of water for each ounce of herb (or 1 cup of water to 1 tablespoon of herb).

Pour the water over the herbs and let them steep for several hours or even overnight.
- The more herbs you use and the longer it steeps, the stronger the brew.