Handcrafted Botanicals & Supplies
“One of the first aspects of primitive culture to fall before the onslaught of civilization is knowledge and use of plants for medicines.” – Richard Evans Schultes Ph.D.
As I prepare to teach the Fall/Winter series of classes dedicated to herbal immune support I wonder how much longer I and my fellow herbalists will be able to do so.
Where am I going? What do I mean by this? Continue reading “The People’s Medicine”
We see them everywhere this time of year, in all shapes, colors, and sizes, it’s Pumpkin season! Pumpkins are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidents, not to mention many varieties are just plain tasty. Easy to grow, cook, can, and store, pumpkins are a favorite of homesteaders everywhere. Roasted pumpkin, soup, breads, pies, the list goes on, even the seeds are a tasty snack when baked. Fun fact, many of the store-bought tins of “pumpkin” contain very little if any real pumpkin, they are usually a mixture of other winter squashes.
Symbolizing the Full Harvest Moon, prosperity, fertility, abundance, and protection, the seeds can be used in any manner of spell work with these intentions. Cleaned out pumpkins make the perfect vessels for candle workings as evidenced by the magical Jack O Lantern, faces carved into pumpkins to keep the spirits away. The jack o’ lantern originates in Ireland though the Irish didn’t use pumpkins. Ancient Celts carved Turnips, Rutabagas, and other large root vegetables to ward off evil spirits. Pumpkins did not exist in Ireland at that time.
The next time you want to bless your friends and family with love, and prosperity bake them a pumpkin pie!
Pumpkin Pie
1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
¾ c evaporated milk
½ c brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ginger
¼ tsp cloves
2 large eggs
Unbaked 9” pie crust
Preheat oven to 425. Mix sugar and spices in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a large bowl then add pumpkin, spice mix and evaporated milk. Pour into pie shell and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce temp to 350 and bake an additional 50 minutes.
I am often asked what my favorite herb is. There are so many wonderful herbs that it’s difficult to have a favorite. Most people assume it’s Thyme since the apothecary is named after it. But one always stands out to me over all the rest. It isn’t that it’s somehow more amazing than the others, it is in the personal relationship that we have with each other. That herb is Yarrow. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), is a European native that has been naturalized in North American. The name Achillea is a nod to the great warrior Achilles who was purported to have used the herb extensively on his soldiers. Millefolium translates to thousand leaves for its finely divided wisp like leaf formation.
Yarrow has been used for both medicinal, and spiritual properties, and many indigenous peoples classify it as a sacred herb. Other names have been used such as woundwort, devil’s nettle, bloodwort, soldier’s woundwort, nosebleed, and staunchweed. Many of these common names refer to great ability as a hemostatic, astringent, and antibacterial. Pollen of Yarrow has been found in burial caves dating back 60,000. Years.[1]
The spiritual use of Yarrow also has a long history. It is used mainly for protection, divination, and love. Yarrow stalks are traditionally used to cast the I Ching, the Chinese book of prophecy. It has also been used in exorcism rites. Ruled by Venus, this powerful herb was hung over the marriage bed to guarantee love for 7 years (what happened in the years after that I can’t say). It was also hung over a newborns crib to protect it from evil. Carried as a charm or talisman Yarrow it seems has been a “go to” since ancient times. A flower essence of Yarrow can aid those who are empathic or feeling vulnerable. It has been used to cleanse the aura, and as an amplifier for other herbs.
My personal journey with Yarrow began many years ago when I first began studying herbs in earnest. She was the first herb I ever worked with medicinally, and later spiritually. Yarrow is always with me. Indeed, while shopping with a friend one day I pulled out my wallet at checkout only to have a little baggie drop out of my purse onto the floor. The looks I got as I explained that it was Yarrow, and not cannabis were priceless! So why didn’t I name the apothecary after it? Well… A Moment in Yarrow just wasn’t as catchy. Or perhaps a deeper part of me just wanted to keep her to myself, like a treasured friendship that is part of my heart, the intimacies of the relationship not meant for public display.
Green blessings,
Ali
*Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and in no way constitutes medical advice. I am not a doctor, and do not, diagnose, or treat patients. Please check with your primary care physician before using herbal remedies.
A Moment in Thyme 2018©
[1] https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/yarrow
