Herbs have long played a part in everyday life, from spicing food and making medicine, to relaxing with a hot cup of tea. Herbs can be both useful mundanely and magickally.
The use of herbs dates back to the dawn of man when the healers would gather them from the wild and use them to aid the sick and injured.In modern times we have come along way. What pagans have always known and used, the medical profession is just now starting to notice and accept, possibly even embrace?
A very popular part of the North American landscaping, this is a white, paperlike, barked, tree. Medicinal Uses: Tea steeped from about 6 freshly collected leaves, makes a good anti-inflammatory for arthiritis and/or rheumatoid conditions. Birch also makes a potent disinfectant for the urinary system, it can aid in the breaking up of kidney and bladder stones. Sap from the tree makes a natural shampoo and the oil of the bark makes a natural insect repellant. Magickal Uses: Birch is the start of the Celtic Tree Ogham, placed such, as symbol of new beginnings and opportunities. Also on a spiritual level, it is a symbol of the idea that one should work toward a state where you will be willing to give up all you have worked for and all that belongs to you for the common good. Birch maies an excellent wand, symbolizing will of the magick user, as will is what we use to accomplish our ends.
Also a well known and loved tree, the mighty oak is the bearer of the acorn. It is magickally linked from ancient times, to the Druids. Medicinal Uses: Acorns can be used to make a very powerful antiseptic, and crushed leaves of the tree can be utilized the same way, directly on wounds. A gargle made from the inner bark is good for sore throats, and a decoction made from the outer bark can be used for severe fever. Fresh leaves, boiled and left to cool make a wonderful soother for tired or inflammed eyes. A decoction of both acorns and bark, is said to be a poison antidote and is good for relief from menstrual pain. Magickal Uses: The mighty oak has been associated with Druids and magick throughout time. This makes it a very important tree. The oak is called "the exalted or highest of bushes" in word Ogham. The oak is very useful for shelter and protection.
A lovely bush, adorned by purple, red and bluish flowers, a wonderful aroma, it is much favored by bees for it's pollen. Medicinal Uses:It's uses are mainly in the arena of nervous complaints and cardiac palptitations. Although, it is not always necessary to administer the plant, as a walk in the sun through a heath or even aromatherapy treatment, can leave the patient feeling much better. It can also be used to relieve the pain of migraine headaches and mestrual cramping.Magickal Uses:It is representative of a phase of violent destruction followed by something new. It also has strong connections from the ancient Celts to being war-like and fierce. In dealing with the destruction of spiritual, mental, or physical aspects, you are infact, beginning a new phase to rebuild new spiritual, mental and physical aspects, this is the perpetual life, death and rebirth cycle, and it is beneficial when heather is invoked in these instances.
A beautiful creeper that is known for adorning buildings and also makes a lovely houseplant. Medicinal Uses:The berries of the ivy have many medicinal uses, but can be dangerous if taken in too large of portions, for that reason, I will only list the external remedies of the ivy plant. The leaves boiled in vinegar and pressed against the affected area will relieve the pain of a stitch or headache. A similar potion of fresh leaves makes an excellent cleanser used directly on the body, for wounds and sores.Magickal Uses:The importance of ivy magickally is that, although similar to a vine, it is even stronger; the vine rarely kills it's host, however, ivy can and infact, more likely than not, does. And because of it's ability to kill even the mighty oak, the ivy is considered very powerful indeed. It has the ability to gather together all of the trees of the forest and build an impenetrable thicket. Seeing ivy in magickal travels or dreams can be a symbol to turn the opposite direction for what it is you are looking for, this can symbolize a dead end.
All of the apples we know and love from the grocer, link back to one ancestor, the crab apple.Medicinal Uses: A poltice made from roasted or boiled fruit relieves pain in the sides and can remove burn marks from the skin. Also when cooled the very same poultices are good for sore and inflammed eyes. The fruit raw and fresh is good for sufferers of asthma and lung congestions. It also helps keep the bowels regular. Magickal Uses:The apple tree has very close links to the Celtic Shaman, it is used by them when undergoing transformations (shapeshifting) and/or otherworld journeys. It is a sign of protection in the otherworld. It is also considered a very sheltering tree and can be used to sit under for shelter in your otherworld journey. .
