Herbalism - The Basics
Ewan Buckingham, cuchulain@elizium.co.uk
There has been a strong link through the ages between the practising of
magic, and the practice of herbalism. Indeed for the majority of the last few
thousand years you could argue that the two were aspects of the same thing. The
Druids and Witches of the day were aware of what they considered to be the
Mystic qualities of certain plants, and these they guarded carefully to prevent
misuse by the common folk, leading to all manner of local folk-names for plants,
some sounding quite horrific. The quotes in Shakespeare’s Macbeth about eye-
of- newt and tongue- of- dog, and actually referring not to bizarre viscera but
in fact to common herbs.
In the last few hundred years the
herbalist's art has become more scientific, and an understanding of the Mystic
qualities of the herbs has begun to arise. Taking the example of (the now
infamous) Wormwood that is added to absinthe, and has been used for thousands of
years in divination (fortune telling, seeing visions, etc.) it is now known that
is contains an active neuro-toxin which also has hallucinogenic effects - it is
though to operate on the same receptors in the brain as LSD. This information
would obviously have been unavailable in the Middle Ages and the effects were
attributed externally to some magical property, rather than internally to the
composition of the herb itself.
Below I have listed 13 of the most
basic herbs in use today. Firstly by my interpretation of their Modern Herbalist
definitions, listing them by name and by what they can be applied to, and
secondly by their magical tradition. A study of the two can yield an interesting
insight into the workings of "magic potions" , as the combination and
application of some of the herbs below could have some quite marked and
"magical" effects!
N.B. I have included no information
below on the method of preparation of the herbs. Courses are being run by the
society in the basic techniques of herb preparation. Further information can be
easily obtained from the Internet, or from reference works, particularly Simon
Mills' book,( referenced below) which I highly recommend for a beginners guide,
and also for its accuracy as the gentleman is the director of the National
Institute of Medical Herbalists.
Finally it was not my intention here
to create an Herbal Grimoire from which you could heal yourself rather it is a
swift précis of herbalism as an historical art designed to foster a slightly
better understanding of what a Magic Spell or Potion is. Obviously you should
consult a qualified medical professional with any major ailments that you might
have, and concentrate any herbalism you may choose to do on raising your overall
level of health, rather than combating a specific symptom.
BB.
Ewan. Caer Mabon Faillaich
Mills, S. (1988) The Dictionary of
Modern Herbalism, MJF.
A 13 Strong Herbal. (Or A
Herbalists' Starter Kit.)
Comfrey (Symphytum
Officinale) Found on moist banks, ditches and field borders. Has
strengthening effects on the immune system (esp. fibroblast and osteoblast
activity.) Also relaxing, mildly astringent and can be prepared to create an
expectorant.
Capsicum species, eg cayenne
(Capsicum minimum) A native of tropical America, now cultivated in Africa as
well. A strong circulatory stimulant, which markedly increases the blood flow
through all tissues of the body. Creates an increase in the subjective feeling
of heat, also acts as a gastric stimulant and antiseptic.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
inhabits banks, ditches and wasteground on limestone soils. A gentle stimulant
of the circulation which in fever actually serves to reduce body temperature.
Relieves congestion in upper respiratory pathways (smells of mint) A relaxant,
digestive stimulant and astringent.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Found is dry rocky areas especially near the coast. A circulatory stimulant,
anti-inflammatory and diuretic.
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Grown in all warm climates, and available from Sainsburys! An anti-pathogenic,
especially of the digestive tract where it appears to combat pathogens while
sparing the beneficial flora of the gut lining. Due to 100% of the volatile oil
contained in the clove (eg, allicin) being excreted, and the majority of this
through the lungs it is also effective toward pulmonary and bronchial
infections. Also shown to reduce blood-platelet clumping, vasodilatory,
expectorant and anti-histaminic.
German Chamomile (Matricaria
recutita) Found in fields and open ground. Flowers noted for their relaxant
properties. Especially effective on the digestive tract, where they stimulate
gastric juices on account of their bitterness. The plants are also
anti-inflammatory, especially with regard to allergic responses. Also have a
peripheral vasodilatory effect.
Ginger (Zingiber
officianale) Native to the hot climates of Asia, also available from
Sainsburys! A strong circulatory stimulant and vasodilator. An expectorant and
pulmonary antiseptic. A visceral antispasmodic.
Lavender (Lavendula
officinalis) Native to Southern Europe, but grown widely. Relaxant and
anti-spasmodic, a circulatory stimulant and nervous tonic.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Common garden flower in England and Europe. Effective for calming digestive
ailments, including excessive vomiting and for managing fevers, especially
during the hot stages.
Rose (Rosa germania) -
NO HERBAL BENEFIT
Red Rasberry (Rubus idaeus)
Found in woods and supermarkets throughout Northern Europe. Locally astringent,
can be used as a wash or gargle for mild eye and throat infections.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus
officinalis) indigenous to Southern Europe, but found in British Herb
Gardens. A relaxant and antispasmodic with an invigorating effect on the
peripheral nervous system.
Wormwood (Artemisia
absinthium) indigenous to maritime areas of Britain and Europe, but common
on open waste ground throughout the country. Anti-parasitic and one of the
bitterest remedies in common use today, making it a prime stimulant for
digestion. IT IS ALSO TOXIC AND A DOSAGE SHOULD NEVER EXCEED MORE THAN 2 GRAMS
OF DRIED PLANT MATERIAL PER DAY WITHOUT THE COGNISANCE OF A QUALIFIED HERBALIST.
The Magical properties of
the above herbs.
Comfrey, The wearing of
comfrey engenders safety during travel, the root of the plant is used in money
spells.
Capsicum Species, eg. Cayenne
or jalepeno. Supposedly used in love potions, not sure how this one is supposed
to work though!
Catnip. Women should carry a
sprig of this with them for its reputed aphrodisiac qualities.
Fennel, conveys, protection,
it was once thought that keeping a piece of fennel in your left shoe would
prevent wood ticks from biting your legs. Also placed above doors and windows to
ward off evil spirits. Used in purification sachets and healing mixtures.
Garlic, was once worn to guard
against the plague, and to absorb diseases - fresh peeled cloves of garlic were
rubbed onto the afflicted part of the body in the belief that the diseases would
be transferred to the plant. Then the cloves would be cast away into running
water.
German Camomile, used to
attract money, as well as more commonly in sleep and meditation incenses, an
infusion of the flowers would be added to bath water to attract love.
Ginger eating ginger before
spell-casting was thought to lend the spells more power, as you will have been
"heated up" by the ginger. Ginger was also used to attract money, the
powdered root would be sprinkled onto the insides of pockets and over coins to
try and attract more.
Lavender has been used in love
spells and infusion sachets. Love notes would be written on paper on which you
have rubbed lavender. The flowers were also smouldered as incense to promote
rest.
Peppermint commonly used in
sleep smells, sprigs of peppermint would be placed beneath the pillow. It was
also rubbed against furniture, walls and floorboards to cleanse them of evil.
Red Raspberry the brambles of
the briars are strung around doors and windows for protection, especially when a
death has occurred, as it was thought to prevent the spirit from re-entering the
house once it had left.
Rose often used in love
potions. A tea made of rose buds was often thought to create prophetic dreams.
Rosemary was burned as incense
to rid places of negativity and disease. An amulet of rosemary was believed to
aid the memory, while the smelling of the wood often was thought to preserve
youthfulness.
Wormwood was burned in scrying
(divination) incense to aid in the creation of prophetic visions. It was also
used in love potions, probably in a form similar to the liqueur absinthe.