{"id":16579,"date":"2018-03-01T01:10:34","date_gmt":"2018-03-01T06:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=17237"},"modified":"2018-03-17T19:21:05","modified_gmt":"2018-03-18T00:21:05","slug":"notes-from-the-apothecary-37","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2018\/03\/01\/notes-from-the-apothecary-37\/","title":{"rendered":"Notes from the Apothecary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Notes from the Apothecary: Dill<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Feathery and fragrant, the herb dill is so much more than just a flavouring for fish dishes or pickles. This magical herb has been used for centuries as a medicine, and as a potent tool for magical practitioners. From a muscle toner for Greek athletes, to a medicine for treating boils, this versatile herb is truly fascinating.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Kitchen Garden<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You can find dill growing wild, so if you manage to harvest a few seeds, or purchase some from your local supplier, you could cultivate a little patch of dill yourself. It likes loose soil with good drainage, and you can plant the seeds directly where you want the herb to grow, ideally in a sunny spot. It\u2019s an annual or biennial, which means that at most each plant lasts two years, or two growing seasons. However, it self-seeds, which means that you should get plenty of fresh seedlings the following spring.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The delightful, tiny yellow flowers are a real draw for bees, butterflies and other essential pollinators, so planting dill will definitely increase the number of visitors to your garden. Conversely, dill helps repel aphids and other pests, making it a great companion plant to cabbages, lettuce and many other food crops.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have a garden, or quite frankly, the time and energy to grow herbs, dill is widely available at grocery stores as well as herbal retailers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For culinary purposes, it\u2019s normally the leaves that we\u2019re talking about. Small amounts of leaves can be cut from each plant, so that you don\u2019t kill the plant by harvesting. If you have more leaves than you need to use immediately, put some in a sandwich bag and pop them in the freezer. Don\u2019t forget to label them!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dill leaves can be added to salads, cheese (such as cottage cheese), soups and other foods as a garnish and to add flavour. Leaves or seeds can be added to a bottle of vinegar to create a unique, flavoured condiment. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The seeds are also used, primarily for flavouring the liquid that pickles are soaked in. Hence the term \u2018dill pickles\u2019.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

These are but a very few of the culinary uses of dill. It is used all over the world in dishes from curry to crayfish. Because of this, it is relatively cheap, and very easy to get hold of. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Apothecary<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Charlemagne had dill tea made available for his guests who dined with him, to aid their digestion and prevent hiccups. It has been used as a \u2018gripe water\u2019 for infants, helping relieve colic and gas, but obviously don\u2019t feed herbal remedies to children without consulting a pediatrician first.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It is normally the seed of dill that is used medicinally, as it has high amounts of the oil anethol, or anethole, also found in anise and caraway. Mrs Grieves recommended it as a stimulant and for easing stomach issues, flatulence and simply as an aromatic.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Modern research has found that the active oil has antimicrobial properties, which are effective against some bacteria, fungi and yeast. It\u2019s even been found to be effective against salmonella in some instances. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

It can also be used as an insecticide, which probably explains why it\u2019s effective at repelling certain unwanted critters in our gardens.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Wash your hands after handling dill and don\u2019t use the oil in massage. It causes photosensitivity so can lead to burning. Don\u2019t take if pregnant or breastfeeding, as it can affect the uterus.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Witch\u2019s Kitchen<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Mrs Grieve notes that during the Middle Ages, dill was used by magicians in spells and in charms against witchcraft. If this is true, we can surmise that there is a protective aspect to dill, particularly against supernatural or magical attack. Dill can be used in a poppet to provide protection to the person you are visualising. You could carry a sprig to ward off negative intentions towards yourself, or sprinkle some seeds around yourself and visualise a wall of light rising up from the seeds, protecting you from all harm.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

In the bible, the Scribes and Pharisees are berated for paying a \u2018tithe\u2019, or tax of rich goods, but neglecting their morals and ethics. One of the items in the tithe is dill, along with mint and cumin, so we can assume that dill was very valuable. This can be translated magically into using the herb for money spells, perhaps a little in your purse to protect your existing funds, or used in a little pouch with other herbs to draw wealth towards you.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Both Culpeper and Cunningham assert that the plant is ruled by the planet Mercury, which one can also extend to include the god the planet is named for. This reaffirms the wealth and money connection, as the Roman god Mercury is strongly connected to financial gain, especially commerce and trading. He is also associated with eloquence, so dill could be used to help you find the words you need in a tricky situation. Linking the two, a charm made with dill is ideal for a sales person, as it will boost the holder\u2019s communication skills and promote wealth coming to them.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cunningham also states that placing dill in the cradle protects a child, which most likely links back to the herb having been used in children\u2019s medicine for centuries. A sachet under the mattress where the child cannot reach it, or even under the bed or cot itself would be best for safety.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Home and Hearth<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sprinkle dried or fresh dill leaves or seeds around the boundary of your home to keep out unwanted visitors or negative energy. Walk widdershins (anti-clockwise) whist doing this if you feel there is an existing energy you need to banish. Walk deosil (clockwise) if you are wanting to boost the current mood or atmosphere in your home. You can boost the power of this simple spell by adding elemental energies, if appropriate to your path and beliefs. Sprinkle water, salt for earth, carry a candle for fire and walk the boundary again holding a lit incense stick to represent air. Don\u2019t try and carry them all at once! Juggling candles and incense might seem impressive but actually it just leads to burnt fingers and clothing. If you are not mobile, hold the dill or have it near you, and visualise your energy surrounding your home or sacred space. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Once a year (I would do this at Imbolc as I have the idea of early spring cleaning firmly ingrained in my psyche) sweep the boundary and refresh your protective ward.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I Never Knew\u2026<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

There is a superstition that burning dill leaves will cause thunderstorms to clear up. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Image Credits:<\/b><\/i> Anethum graveolens by Forest and Kim Starr via Wikimedia Commons, copyright 2007; Dill seeds by Arto Alanenp\u00e4\u00e4 via Wikimedia Commons, copyright 2008.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mabh Savage<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span>is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

She is the author of\u00a0A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors<\/b>\u00a0and\u00a0Pagan Portals: Celtic Witchcraft<\/b>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Follow Mabh on\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0and her\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>blog<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For Amazon <\/b><\/span>I<\/b><\/span>nformation <\/b><\/span>C<\/b><\/span>lick <\/b><\/span>I<\/b><\/span>mages<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Notes from the Apothecary: Dill Feathery and fragrant, the herb dill is so much more than just a flavouring for fish dishes or pickles. This magical herb has been used for centuries as a medicine, and as a potent tool for magical practitioners. From a muscle toner for Greek athletes, to a medicine for treating boils, this versatile herb is truly fascinating. The Kitchen Garden You can find dill growing wild, so if you manage to harvest a few seeds, or purchase some from your local supplier, you could cultivate a little patch of dill yourself. It likes loose soil with good drainage, and you can plant the seeds directly where you want the herb to grow, ideally in a sunny spot. It\u2019s an annual or biennial, which means that at most each plant lasts two years, or two growing seasons. However, it self-seeds, which means that you should get plenty of fresh seedlings the following spring. The delightful, tiny yellow flowers are a real draw for bees, butterflies and other essential pollinators, so planting dill will definitely increase the number of visitors to your garden. Conversely, dill helps repel aphids and other pests, making it a great companion plant to cabbages, lettuce and many other food crops. If you don\u2019t have a garden, or quite frankly, the time and energy to grow herbs, dill is widely available at grocery stores as well as herbal retailers. For culinary purposes, it\u2019s normally the leaves that we\u2019re talking about. Small amounts of leaves can be cut from each plant, so that you don\u2019t kill the plant by harvesting. If you have more leaves than you need to use immediately, put some in a sandwich bag and pop them in the freezer. Don\u2019t forget to label them! Dill leaves can be added to salads, cheese (such as cottage cheese), soups and other foods as a garnish and to add flavour. Leaves or seeds can be added to a bottle of vinegar to create a unique, flavoured condiment. The seeds are also used, primarily for flavouring the liquid that pickles are soaked in. Hence the term \u2018dill pickles\u2019. These are but a very few of the culinary uses of dill. It is used all over the world in dishes from curry to crayfish. Because of this, it is relatively cheap, and very easy to get hold of. The Apothecary Charlemagne had dill tea made available for his guests who dined with him, to aid their digestion and prevent hiccups. It has been used as a \u2018gripe water\u2019 for infants, helping relieve colic and gas, but obviously don\u2019t feed herbal remedies to children without consulting a pediatrician first. It is normally the seed of dill that is used medicinally, as it has high amounts of the oil anethol, or anethole, also found in anise and caraway. Mrs Grieves recommended it as a stimulant and for easing stomach issues, flatulence and simply as an aromatic. Modern research has found that the active oil has antimicrobial properties, which are effective against some bacteria, fungi and yeast. It\u2019s even been found to be effective against salmonella in some instances. It can also be used as an insecticide, which probably explains why it\u2019s effective at repelling certain unwanted critters in our gardens. Wash your hands after handling dill and don\u2019t use the oil in massage. It causes photosensitivity so can lead to burning. Don\u2019t take if pregnant or breastfeeding, as it can affect the uterus. The Witch\u2019s Kitchen Mrs Grieve notes that during the Middle Ages, dill was used by magicians in spells and in charms against witchcraft. If this is true, we can surmise that there is a protective aspect to dill, particularly against supernatural or magical attack. Dill can be used in a poppet to provide protection to the person you are visualising. You could carry a sprig to ward off negative intentions towards yourself, or sprinkle some seeds around yourself and visualise a wall of light rising up from the seeds, protecting you from all harm. In the bible, the Scribes and Pharisees are berated for paying a \u2018tithe\u2019, or tax of rich goods, but neglecting their morals and ethics. One of the items in the tithe is dill, along with mint and cumin, so we can assume that dill was very valuable. This can be translated magically into using the herb for money spells, perhaps a little in your purse to protect your existing funds, or used in a little pouch with other herbs to draw wealth towards you. Both Culpeper and Cunningham assert that the plant is ruled by the planet Mercury, which one can also extend to include the god the planet is named for. This reaffirms the wealth and money connection, as the Roman god Mercury is strongly connected to financial gain, especially commerce and trading. He is also associated with eloquence, so dill could be used to help you find the words you need in a tricky situation. Linking the two, a charm made with dill is ideal for a sales person, as it will boost the holder\u2019s communication skills and promote wealth coming to them. Cunningham also states that placing dill in the cradle protects a child, which most likely links back to the herb having been used in children\u2019s medicine for centuries. A sachet under the mattress where the child cannot reach it, or even under the bed or cot itself would be best for safety. Home and Hearth Sprinkle dried or fresh dill leaves or seeds around the boundary of your home to keep out unwanted visitors or negative energy. Walk widdershins (anti-clockwise) whist doing this if you feel there is an existing energy you need to banish. Walk deosil (clockwise) if you are wanting to boost the current mood or atmosphere in your home. You can boost the power of this simple spell by adding elemental energies, if appropriate to your path and beliefs. Sprinkle water, salt for earth, carry a candle for fire and walk the boundary again holding a lit incense stick to represent air. Don\u2019t try and carry them all at once! Juggling candles and incense might seem impressive but actually it just leads to burnt fingers and clothing. If you are not mobile, hold the dill or have it near you, and visualise your energy surrounding your home or sacred space. Once a year (I would do this at Imbolc as I have the idea of early spring cleaning firmly ingrained in my psyche) sweep the boundary and refresh your protective ward. I Never Knew\u2026 There is a superstition that burning dill leaves will cause thunderstorms to clear up. Image Credits: Anethum graveolens by Forest and Kim Starr via Wikimedia Commons, copyright 2007; Dill seeds by Arto Alanenp\u00e4\u00e4 via Wikimedia Commons, copyright 2008. *** About the Author: Mabh Savage\u00a0is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist. She is the author of\u00a0A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors\u00a0and\u00a0Pagan Portals: Celtic Witchcraft. Follow Mabh on\u00a0Twitter,\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and her\u00a0blog. For Amazon Information Click Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":206,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/206"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16579"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16579\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}