Dandelion: Magic & Medicine

It has been several months since I have written anything online, because I fell very deeply into a fictional story that I am writing, but I am very pleased to pick up where I left off with some practical folk lore.

Today’s lore is inspired by a friend who woke up in the middle of the night with cramps and a UTI from a complicated systemic candida infection, which for those of you who have experienced this, understand how painful it is. So, she looked up the normal home remedies, but due to her doctor prescribed diet is unable to utilize quite a few of them. So, today I am going to make her a fresh leaf dandelion detox tincture. My own recipe, that I adapted from a similar fresh leaf tea my mom used to make me.

To get started here is a bit of lore on dandelions!

This precious flower, now crossed off as a weed, was a gift to the new world by the French, it is said. The break down of the name “dande-lion” is translated as lion’s mane. Modernly treated with horrible pesticides, this stubborn plant refuses to die off. A lesson to be learned from one would think. It has many wondrous healing properties including: liver and kidney detox, natural dye, tincture (tea), roasted leaves make a tasty caffeine free coffee replacement for a healthy morning pick-me-up, anti-bacterial milk from the stem can be applied on the go for playtime scrapes, they enrich your garden soil with acidity necessary for plant growth, it is a natural anti-depressant, it can be used as a diuretic, and no part of this plant is poisonous. You can eat the leaves in a salad, and then have the roots and petals in a complimentary infusion with honey afterwards.

I have even seen a video on youtube of a woman making a dandelion wine. (Awesome.)

Perhaps, I will make a video and a demijohn of homemade dandelion wine myself!

According to occultist and author Sarah Anne Lawless, “Dandelion belongs to Hecate and is mainly a chthonic plant associated with the underworld and necromancy. It is beloved by bees, goats, pigs and is considered a toad plant (all have a certain underworld nature), with bees sometimes acting as psychopomps in old folklore. Dandelion is also a very Mercurial weed associated with the air element explaining its use in aiding in communication with the dead and increasing psychic ability. Drink an infusion of the dried and roasted roots to enhance your psychic abilities before performing divination or summoning spirits of the dead. Medicinally, Culpepper writes that Dandelion has an “opening and cleansing quality… it openeth passages”. This can be applied to sympathetic magic, meaning this weed is excellent for walking between realms and communing with the spirits that reside.”

You can read more about this on her site, where she has a written piece about the growing, and usage of dandelion in magical practices: http://www.sarahannelawless.com/2010/10/16/weeds-for-witches-part-iii-dandelion

For me personally, being an herbalist in the making, I find it pure joy and magically profound that this tiny, underestimated, and forgotten flower has so many incredible traits just waiting to be tapped in to, yet it is ever to often written off as a nuisance. Let this be a lesson about following the common opinion. Just because it is said to be true by the masses, doesn’t make it so, not in the slightest.

So, here is the recipe for the Dandelion Detox Tincture

Firstly, start with two large bunches of organic dandelion greens. These can surprisingly be purchased at a grocers like Sprouts.

Wash lightly in cool water, and cut off the long portion of the stems and set aside. Start boiling 2-3 quarts of water on the stove and add the stems. (I do those first because they are more fibrous and therefore harder to breakdown.

Boil for 15 minutes.

Then take hand fulls of thee greens and twist them into halves and then quarters with your hands, adding them to the mixture as you go.  Stir.

When you have gotten all of your greens in, let boil until they are soft and pliable, much like spinach.

Here is where you can go a couple of different ways. Because we are in Texas and its summer time, doing a traditional tincture just didn’t sound that appetizing. However to make one, you simply strain out the green remnants, and serve hot like a tea.

What we did is this:

Throwing all of the greens and juice into a blender we added a lot of ice and lime, and then pureed it until mostly liquid. Grab a straw and a bit more ice to your glass and you have a very healthy detox smoothie.

-Dandelion Picture Photo Credit to Louise Docker

Tibetan Story of The Tree of Life

If you do not quarrel you are safe–if you have no debts you will be rich.

  – Tibetan Proverb

ONCE upon a time there was an old beggar dressed in rags and tatters, with wisps of gray hair about his face. He was so very old that it seemed he could have never been young, and never in all his life had he had a bath. This old beggar traveled everywhere asking for rice and *tsamba and receiving more rice than he could eat he spread it out in the sun to dry and went on begging.

One day as his rice was drying a hundred parrots came along and ate it all up. When he came home he was angry and said,

“Here I work every day, begging for a little food, and these old parrots come along and eat it all up.”

So he planned to be revenged and made one hundred snares of bamboo, put them all around in the reeds and went off to beg again. When he returned, sure enough, he had caught the whole hundred in his snares. Among them happened to be the king of the parrots, who, before the old man came home, spoke to his companions, saying:

“We are in a bad fix. He has caught us all and he’ll kill us every one. When we see him coming let us all hang down as though we are dead, then he will take us out of the snares and pitch us away. But the first one thrown must keep count, and as soon as one hundred are thrown he shall call out and we will all fly away. We must all lie perfectly still until the last one is thrown.”

Finally the old man came home with some rocks in the front of his gown to throw at the parrots, for he didn’t think they would all be dead, but when he saw them all hanging perfectly still he climbed up and began to throw them down. He had pitched down ninety-nine and was untying the string off the king’s leg when the rocks in his gown got in his way and he threw one of them down. As soon as it lit, away flew the ninety-nine.

“Huh, they were all fooling me, but I have one left and I’ll take a rock and kill him.” The parrot suddenly came to life and sticking up his thumb said, “Please don’t kill me, it is true we were very bad and did eat up your rice, but you are a good man, so don’t kill me, take me and sell me and you can get more than your price of the rice.”

So he tied a string around the parrot’s leg, took him to town and tried to sell him to a merchant. The beggar said he was a fine parrot and could talk, but he didn’t know what he was worth, so the merchant had better ask the parrot himself. The parrot answered that he was worth a lot of money and the merchant must pay the old man fifty *taels of silver for him. The merchant gave the money to the old man, who almost died of joy to have so much money. After the parrot had been with the merchant for two or three years he asked permission to visit his home and parents, as they were getting old. He said,

“You treat me very nicely here and I love you, and I will soon come back again and bring you
some nice fruit.”

The merchant took the chain off the parrot’s leg and let him go. He was gone two or three months, when one day he came, carrying some seeds in his mouth, and said,

“Plant these seeds, and when you are old and eat of the fruit of this tree you will be young again. Plant the seed care-fully, and in three years you will have plenty of fruit.”

The merchant planted the seeds and at the end of three years, sure enough, there was much fruit. One day he was in his garden and one of the fruits had fallen to the ground, but he was afraid to eat it lest the parrot had thought of this as a scheme to kill him. That night a poisonous snake coiled around the fruit and slept. The next morning the merchant called his dog and showed him the fruit, which he ate, and which killed him immediately. The merchant knew now that the parrot had schemed to kill him, and poured hot water on him and scalded him to death.

Now in this country were two old people, very frail and too feeble to go out and beg, so they were about to starve to death. So the old man said one day,

“Let’s eat some of this fruit; if it makes us young it’s all right, if it poisons and kills us, it doesn’t matter, as we are about to die anyway.”

So they got their walking sticks and went slowly to the merchant and asked him for some of the fruit. He said,

“You can’t eat that, for it will kill you at once.”

They told him it didn’t matter, for they were about to starve to death anyway, and it was easier to take poison and die quickly. He finally gave them one each, they ate it and grew young at once. They were much pleased and almost worshiped the man. Then the merchant knew that something must have poisoned the fruit as it lay on the ground and he was grieved to think that he had killed his parrot.

1. Tsamba–   flour made from parched ground barley or wheat that is the chief cereal food in and near Tibet

2. Tael–

•  any of various Chinese units of value based on the value of a tael weight of silver
• any of various units of weight of eastern Asia

 

“The Story of the Tree of Life.”  http://www.sacred-texts.com/asia/tft/tft43.htm

“Tsamba.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tsamba&gt;.

“Tael.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tael&gt;.

Herb Lore: Tea Tree or Melalueka Alternifolia

Tea tree oil is derived from the tea tree plant, Melaleuca alternifolia, and is native to Australia. “Bundjalung Aboriginal people from the coast of New South Wales crushed tea-tree (or paper bark) leaves and applied the paste to wounds as well as brewing it to a kind of tea for throat ailments. In the 1920s, scientific experiments proved that the tea-tree oil’s antiseptic potency was far stronger than the commonly used antiseptic of the time. Since then, the oil has been used to treat everything from fungal infections of the toenails to acne.”

http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/journal/10-most-common-aboriginal-bush-medicines.htm

 The usage of tea tree in the form of an oil has become internationally popular. So much so that herbalist or not someone you know probably is using it on their dog or their dandruff.  I today I hope to show you some incredibly traditional uses of this amazing plant, that might just change how you view it.  “The oil (and even rubbing natural leaves on the skin) has been shown to have several different useful antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, some proven better than others,” says Jessica Krant, M.D., M.P.H., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in New York City.

1. Bacterial Infections: Use topically, either massaging into the reflex points of the feet, adding several drops to a bath or cautiously applying over an infected site.

2. Cold Sores: Apply a drop or two of oil directly to the sore with a cotton swab. Re-apply 2 – 3 times daily.

3. Earache and Infection: Add 2 – 3 drops of oil to 2 tbsp warm olive oil. With a dropper, drop a small amount into aching ear, tilting head to one side for a moment. Use cotton swab to absorb oil. Repeat 2 – 3 times daily.

4. Household Cleaning: Can be used aromatically or added to vinegar with a few sprigs of
lavender,  to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flues. You can make a general tea tree cleaning spray at home:

1 teaspoon of tea tree oil

handful of lavender

3 cups of water

1 cup of vinegar

combine in a spray bottle. Shake it up really well and use liberally as it is non-toxic! =)

5. Seborrhea: For skin: Add 5 drops oil to 1 tbsp of carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat 2-3 times daily. For scalp: Add 5 drops of oil to 2 tbsp shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair, leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse. Repeat. Bath: Add 5-10 drops of oil to bath.

6. Air Freshener: Keep a supply of cotton balls soaked in tea tree oil packed away in a plastic bag or tin.  When confronted with foul smells from cooking, musty orders from dampness or even the medicinal smell in a sick room, take a few out the freshen the air and remove the nasty smell

7. Muscle Aches and Pains: Depending upon the purity and potency add 5-10 drops of oil to half cup Epsom salts, and dissolve in your  bath water. Do not use if you are pregnant. If you have sensitive skin reduce by 1/2. If you have a candida infection use on a nightly basis for a week.

8. Toenail fungus: Rub the tea tree oil directly onto the affected toenail and underneath the tip of the nail. Apply 1 to 2 drops of tea tree oil. Apply the oil once a day, preferably at bedtime.

9. Tonsillitis: Inhale from steaming water with tea tree, gargle, and massage into neck and soles of feet.

10. Colds and sore throats: According to the Mother Nature Network, tea tree oil,“One of the best things I use tea tree oil for is when I feel
a sore throat or anything else cold-like, coming on, I start to take a couple of drops of tea tree oil on my tongue every hour or so,” says Ingrid Perri, an aromatherapist in Melbourne, Australia. “More often than not, after two or three doses, the symptoms disappear.” You can also try gargling with a few drops of tea tree oil in a glass of warm water, then spit. Heads up: the taste is not pleasant. Generally tea tree oil is not for oral consumption as it can be toxic in large quantity to the central nervous system when consumed liberally.

This information above is meant to be informative and should not be used in place of seeing a healer, homeopathic doctor, or regular physician. For more medical information on tea tree oil and its uses, I defer to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Here’s the link for what they say on the subject: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/tea/treeoil.htm

Comfrey: A Plant You Can Rely Upon

Comfrey was highly valued by the Greeks as an herbal remedy. In medieval times, comfrey was used to mend fractured bones. Comfrey has many benefits, and can treat many ailments both internal and external. Comfrey has been used as an antibacterial and antifungal, to reduce inflammation, ease pain, stop swelling, and shrink blood vessels. Comfrey grows in many areas of the world, from Newfoundland to Georgia to Louisiana, and is also found in Europe. It thrives in soft, wet ground and is usually found in meadows or valleys. Comfrey is a big plant and can be up to five feet tall. Its leaves are dark green, long, and oval-shaped, and they grow on the upright, branch at the top of the plant. It blooms from May to September and its flowers are soft, and bell-shaped, and are either purple or yellow. The root of the plant is dark, almost black, on the outside and pale and fleshy on the inside. The root secretes a thick liquid. Medical Indications and Benefits Comfrey is an effective remedy for a variety of conditions. It is a powerful antibacterial, antifungal, and to reduce swelling and inflammation. Comfrey is an anodyne, meaning that it relieves pain; it’s an astringents, meaning that it shrinks blood vessels; it expels mucous; it’s a haemostatic, meaning it can stimulated the clotting of blood; it’s a proliferant, meaning it stimulates cell growth; it’s a refrigerant and can be a mild sedative; and it expedite the healing process. Comfrey is often used to treat maladies like lung disorders, and it can help break up and build-up in the throat. Comfrey is a laxative. It contains a substance which will relieve diarrhea and assist food digestion. These properties make comfrey very valuable to people with bowel disorders like irritable bowel syndrome. Studies have also found that comfrey is beneficial in treating ulcers and diabetes. Mucilage, a gum-based thing that is produced by comfrey, keeps the bowel from emptying and represses the amounts of glucose and insulin that peak after meals. It also helps eliminate cholesterol, and the amount of nutrients in the comfrey leads to better general health. Comfrey as a Food Supplement Comfrey is an excellent tonic or dietary supplement because it contains many nutrients and beneficial chemicals, including protein, vitamins A and C. Comfrey is also one of only two plants that naturally contain vitamin B12 (alfalfa is the other one). Comfrey has many other B-complex vitamins as well. It also contains mucilaginous fiber, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, sulphur, copper, zinc, selenium, and germanium. http://www.naturalherbsguide.com/comfrey.html

September’s Star: THE LORE OF ASTER FLOWERS

The aster is a daisy-like flower featuring a dense center surrounded by small petals. Native to Europe and Asia, these hardy flowers are frost resistant, and many species bloom in the fall. Asters come in a range of colors, most prominently purples, pinks, blues, and white. They are a close relative of chrysanthemums, another fall flower.

The flowers got their name from the Latin, ” ἀστήρ,” which means aster, and is translated as “star,” due to its star-like shape. Asters are a popular garden flower because of their bright, cheerful appearance, the ease with which they can be grown (they can grow in all hardiness zones), and their late bloom time, which makes them a good complement to early risers. Asters are also great for attracting butterflies & subsequently good luck.

According to ancient lore, burning aster leaves are believed to drive away snakes. Among the meanings and traits ascribed to them are patience, daintiness, faith, wisdom, and valor.

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/blog/2011/09/20/september-flower-lore/

These dear blooms are also refered to as Michaelmas Daisies, because the tend to bloom right around
the celebration of Michaelmas, or for Pagans, right around Mabon. On the Gregorian calender this is between September 21 & 29th.

I am fond of the following herbal advice from a well reputed man called Jim McDonald who does herbcraft out of Michigan. Here is a link to his site, for furth awesomeness and classes to those who may find this and live in the area.  http://www.herbcraft.org/aster.html

“Aster puniceus… Stimulant and diaphoretic. The warm infusion may be used freely in colds, rheumatism, nervous debility, headache, pains in the stomach, dizziness, and menstrual irregularities. This, together with A. cordifolius, has been compared in value with valerian.

Aster aestivus…is recommended as an antispasmodic and alterative. Principally used in the cure of rheumatism in the form of infusion or tincture; recommended, however, in hysteria, chorea, epilepsy, spasms, irregular menstruation, etc., internally; and used both externally and internally in many cutaneous diseases, the eruption occasioned by the poison rhus, and in the bites of venomous snakes. Dose of the infusion, 1 to 4 fluid ounces; of a saturated tincture, 1/2 drachm to 2 drachms. This plant deserves further investigation.

Aster cordifolius…”an excellent aromatic nervine, in many cases preferable to valerian.” It is also reputed antispasmodic. The root is the part used. A decoction has been used in rheumatism.

Aster Novae-Angliae, Linné. New England aster. United States. A beautiful plant, especially when cultivated. It has rose-purple, occasionally white flowers. Used in skin eruptions and valuable for poisoning by poison sumac (Rafinesque, on authority of Dr. Lawrence).”

The root has been used for centuries in Chinese medicines. The flower and leaves are also reported to provide health benefits. Flowers can be eaten fresh and added to a salad as can the leaves. When harvesting in September or early October be sure the plant is dry (dew is gone) and cut stem about 10 cm above the ground. Hang upside down in a cool, dark location until totally dried (crumbles easily). Most of the flowers will become white and fluffy but they can still be used. Add dried plant to salads, main dishes or make a cup of tea.  Leaves contain per 100 grams: 305 calories, 32.8g protein, 5.5g fat, 50g total carbohydrate, 8.6g fiber, 11.7g ash, 328mg calcium, 594mg phosphorus, 31mg iron, 4164mg Potassium, 26mg beta-carotene equivalent, 1.41mg thiamine, 2.81mg riboflavin, 8.59mg niacin, 688mg ascorbic acid (high). 

Overall September’s flower is one of interesting history, medical properties, and lovely to view. Good for you guys Virgos.