Willow’s Herbal Haven
Greetings to everyone at PaganPages and to all our viewers. My name is Lady Willow Hawk and I have been a solitary practing Pagan witch for over thirty years. I grow and preserve my own herbs and I would like to invite everyone to Willows Herbal Haven to share in the knowledge of Herbalism. In this monthly column I will discuss a variety herbs, their Latin name, plant facts recipes, healing power ect. So sit back and enjoy your journey with me.
** Please always remember that herbal remedies are to combine and inhance your health and to never be taken in place of medications prescribed by a doctor. Always consult with your doctor first! **
Woodruff
( Galium odoratum )
In days gone by sweet woodruff was once stitched into cotton fabric bags to hang in closets to prevent frabrics from becoming musty. Also it had a popular use for diuretic with liver – stimulating properties and this is according to medieval herb books. Today, woodruff and white wine is used as a tonic and is thought to invigorate and strengthen the heart and gladden the spirits.
Plant Facts
Woodruff is a member of the madder family. It stands between ( 4 – 8 inches tall ), is a shade loving plant and is related to benna and coffee. Tasting a fresh plant, it will be slightly bitter and is odorless, but when wilted or crushed a sweet scent is released similiar to fresh bay. Woodruff is a perennial herb that has narrow green leaves, and small white flowers that bloom in the spring.
Origin
Woodruff is native to most of the Middle East and Europe. Ppredominantly in forests in shadey areas, where it grow in clusters that are very dense. As a medicinal plant woodruff also grows and is cultivated in many gardens.
Parts To Use
In natural medicine only the above – ground portion of the plant is used. Before or just as it is flowering is when it should be harvested.
Constituents
Woodruff contains coumarin glucosides which ferment slightly as they dry. It releases dicumarol and coumarin, its medicinally active constituents. The molecules act as an anticoagulant, and to counteract excess blood clotting woodruff can be used.
Indications
Woodruf has been used both topically as a compress forthrombophlebitis and as a tea. As an antispasmodic and an anti – inflammitory, it has a soothing relief for intesinal discomfort, especially abdominal cramps, as well as headaches and migraines. For liver disease and kidney stones it has been valued and also a strengthener for the heart
Take Care!
In large doses, woodruff may cause internal bleeding. Do Not use if you are pregnant or taking conventional medications for circulatory problems!
Methods of Administration
It is useful as a mild seditive and antispsmodic.
Curative Tea – Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 rounded tsp. of dried woodruff. Steep for 5 min.; strain. Drink 2 – 3 cups a day, preferably unsweetened.
Cool Tonic – Steep 2 tsp. of dried woodruff in a cup of cold water for 8 hrs.; strain.
Drink 1 – 2 cups every day to strengthen the heart.
Wine Punch – Add no more tha a 3/4 tsp. of fresh, slightly wilted woodruff to 1 qt. of dry, slightly sweet white wine. The herb is more aromatic when slightly wilted. After it has sat for a few hours strain and serve chilled.
Healing power
To fight insomnia, take a 1/2 a tsp. of powdered woodruff mixed with fruit puree or honey 30 min before retiring.
Soothing Compress
With a mortar and pestle grind the fresh herb. Spread it on a cloth, after folding the cloth up apply it to the forehead. Caution: Do not let the plant pulp touch you skin.
Potpourri and Sachets
Make a woodruff pillow to encourage sleep. In a display bowl, add the dried herbs to freshen and scent the room. Or sweeten the closet with a herb sack.
Other names: Sweet woodruff, bedstraw, sweetscented bedstraw, hay plant, star grass, sweet grass.
Folk Names: Herb Walter, Master of the Wood, Wood Musk
Elemental: Fire
Magickal Properties: Commanding, Consecration, Endings, Magick, Overcome Opposition, Protection, Protection Psychic, Release, Renewal, Success, Transformation, Victory, Money.
Planetary: Mars
Drying Herbs
Drying herbs is a very straight forward process. It’s simple and natural to dry your own herbs for year round use.
It can be a bit of a stretch to use whole herb plants when you grow them, or even when you purchase a fresh bunch from the shops. Don’t let it go to waste.
My preferred method for drying most herbs goes like this:
Cut the top six inches of the stalk where the tender leaves are. This should be done in the morning before the heat of the day robs the plant leaves of their essential oils. Remove any tough or old leaves.
Wipe any dirt off the cuttings, but don’t soak the stems or leaves. Dampness will cause mould to form.
Gather into bunches of 6-8 stalks and put them stalk end up in a small paper bag. Secure with an elastic band or string around the top of the bag. Lots of people don’t use a bag, but I prefer it. It allows the air and moisture to pass through but doesn’t allow the herbs to get dusty while drying. (Nasty!)
Hang the bag in an airy place away from direct sunlight. This can be indoors or out, but there must be circulating air.
The drying will take a couple of weeks generally. When the leaves crumble easily, they’re ready. Force them through a sieve into containers.
Store your herbs in small, air tight containers. Dark glass is best to preserve their colour. Make sure you have labels ready! The herbs should then be stored in a cupboard or away from the stove. Heat and sunlight are both unkind to fragile herb colours and tastes.
Once they’ve been in jars for a couple of weeks, check them carefully for any moisture leaks or mould. They should be bone dry.
The key to herbs is preserving them at their best when essential oils are at their peak. In most cases, this is just before the flowers bloom. Mints should be done while in full bloom.
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author bio:
Lady Willow Hawk’s
Services
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I do house calls in the Brant and Oxford county areas in Southwestern Ontario. My services include prayers and blessings, purifications and cleansings, protection and binding spells ect. My motto is, You never pay to pray! Although I do charge a fee for protection spells, binding spells ect., to cover the cost of the materials I use such as, herbs, candles, oils, incense ect.
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You can reach me for further information at [email protected]
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(519)458-4133
Goddess Bless
Lady Willow Hawk
http://www.celticsorceryproductions.com/