Forget-me-not / Myosotis Arvensis This is a sweet small blue flower, from the plant family Boraginaceae. There are many species of Forget-me-not, growing in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Loving damp moist soil usually found in woodlands or by rivers. The name Myosotis comes from the Greek meaning mouse’s ear. According to Greek Mythology, Zeus thought he had names every plant when a small blue flower called to him Forget-me-not. He then used this name for the pretty blue flower. In fairylore it is said to mark the place where fairies buried their treasure, but also can be used by the fairies as a decoy. Symbolising true, never-ending love and fidelity, also representing truthfulness in a relationship. In folklore this flower has been worn in the absence of a lover to show fidelity. It is said a man was swept away picking some from a riverbank for his lover. His last words carried on the breeze “forget me not” Native to North America and 1st known to be used in homeopathy in 1398 in England to treat King Henry IV. Used today in homeopathy to treat cough with night sweats, chronic bronchitis, and inner chest and lung infections. The herbalist Henry Lyte 1529-1607, uses the name scorpion-grass when referring to the forget me not. This can only be used in homeopathy as a tincher as the plant is toxic and highly poisonous if ingested in any other way. Lots of love Freya Witch x
A powerful herbal medicine. Used to relieve anxiety, reduce stress, and help against depression. With many benefits Ashwagandha can also help boost brain function, lower blood sugar aswell as cortisol levels.
Ability to increase muscle mass and strength, in sandskrit Ashwagandha means “smell of the horse” also for its unique smell.
Able to increase fertility and testosterone in men. Ashwagandha also has anti-inflammatory effects and may help improve heart health by reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Ashwagandha has a high concentration of withanolides, which have been shown to fight inflammation and tumor growth.
I personally use this in small amounts daily and have to say it is best used on a daily bases to get the full benefits.
How to help with flu and help keep your immune system working well during.
This remedy is made using dōTERRA essential oils
10 drops of Lemon
10 drops of On Guard
10 drops of Melaleuca
5 drops of Frankencense
5 drops of Oregano
Mix in a 10ml bottle or vial with Fractionated coconut oil.
Rub every 2-3 hrs under the soles of your feet, behind your neck and rub on your back and chest.
This is an antibacterial, antiviral, anti-microbial, anti fungal anti-inflamatory blend of ingredients
This blend known as F.L.O.O.M can also be used in a diffuser
Preferably use distilled water.
I am a dōTERRA essential oils advocate and practitioner if anyone wishes to purchase any of the above oils please message me. For a full flu bomb remedy you can also use 3 drops of Tea tree in place of 10 of Melaleuca.
Clary Sage ( Salvia Sclarea) – Known for its relaxing, soothing and balancing properties.
Clary Sage can be used to promote restful sleep as well as soothing benefits to the skin. Clary Sage can be used for healthy looking hair and scalp. During a menstrual cycle Clary Sage can be applied to the abdomen for soothing relief. While trying to balance hormones either for PSOS or menopause, Clary Sage can be used in a massage to support a healthy mood. Combine with Lavender and add to the bath for a stress relieving experience. Combine with Fractionated coconut oil to massage and rejuvenate skin.
Roses have been used since ancient times, revered for their medicinal properties and loved for their romantic associations.
To zinc with my previous post about the Goddess Aphrodite I hope you enjoy my findings.
The rose associated with the Goddess Aphrodite, love, beauty, purity and passion.
According to Anacreon the poet, dripping seafoam from the body of Aphrodite as she is born, turns into white roses, representing her purity and innocence. Later, she tries to help Adonis, her wounded lover. A few drops of blood trickle from Aphrodite onto a white rose changing it to red. This possibly represents desire and passion.
Roses also appear as the mischievous symbol of love and earthly desires and are often associated with Eros.
In some Greek folklore, the magic of roses illistrated when a hero prince leans over a sleeping princess to kiss her, thereafter receives a pair of roses.
He then uses their magical powers to escape his evil pursuers. This was a story named “The Monk”.
It is believed the love he holds for the princess saves him.
Roses are also attributed to Flora Goddess of flowers and spring time.
As far as medicinal purposes, roses are a mild seditive, aswell as an antiseptic, anti parasitic and an anti inflammatory.
Rose petals can be used topically to treat wounds and rashes.
Tonics and teas can be drunk as a means of lowering cholesterol and attaining better heart health aswell as treating sore throats and ulsers.
Roses are known to stimulate the liver and increase circulation and known to relieve headaches.
Helps with respiratory problems such as asthma.
Being a mild laxative this can help with constipation and cramps.
Amazingly rose can help regulate menstrual circles and enhance mood.
Their anti inflammatory properties can also bring down a fever.
Roses are an anti viral which can be used to aid the recovery from colds and flus.
Rose hip is especially useful for joint care helping conditions such as arthritis.
High in vitamins C, D, A, E and B3 Roses have strong antioxidant properties due to flavonoids too.
Rose hip also is high in iron.
Rose has long been used in beauty products for its hydrating and anti aging properties.
In magical practices and spell craft.
Roses are often use in love and beauty spells,
Rose petals sprinkled into a bath to enhance self love and bring you into a better sense of being.
When using rose in spells, red roses can ignite passion in a relationship, lust and increase your sex appeal.
Pink roses are more self love and bringing love into your life or current relationship.
Yellow for friendship and so on.
Rose can also be used in an elixer although I’m not writing any spells in this post.
Rose can be drunk in infusions some of my favorite are paired with other flowers, roots or herbs like camomile for example.
There are several types of lavender from English lavender, Lavandula officinalis to the Portuguese variety, Lavandula latifolia also french which refer to atleast two species Lavandula dentata and Lavandula stoechas which is also refered to as spanish lavender to name a few.
With fragrant purple flowers used since ancient times, today uses include helping against anxiety, insomnia, depression and a range of mental health issues.
Lavender is also used to treat headaches, toothaches, acne, skin irritation, insect bites, hair loss, high blood pressure and nausea.
Most commonly used in aromatherapy to relax and relieve stress also used as a sleep aid.
Lavender is known to have antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties.
Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine found that when applied topically lavender, sage and rose, could reduce the severity of menstrual cramps. They also mention that lavender oil may help in combating antifungal resistant infections.
According to the National Cancer Institute, aromatherapy helps patients manage the side effects of cancer treatment and may also help adults who suffer from dementia.
Alopecia aerate is a scalp condition responsible for hair loss. According to Archives of Dermatology, lavender oil aswell as thyme, rosemary, and cedarwood can help hair regrow over the period of several months when applied directly to the scalp.
When using oils on the skin I suggest mixing with a base oil as essential oils are concerned and may cause skin irritation.
Lavender has also shown positive results in helping with eczema, acne and sunburns.
I recommend mixing lavender with camomile into a gel with aloe vera (inner leaf) for nappy rash.
I promise to write some of my home recipies for creams and gels in another post.
In magic and spell craft lavender is an important plant. The purple flowers enhance psychic ability and can help you to remember your dreams.
Lavender perfume has been used in love spells (to invite your next love into your life) also by adding lavender to your beauty routine or beauty spell.
Burning lavender to purify a space as a smudge stick or just dipped in water in a room can remove negative energies.
Carrying a lavender flower with you in folklore was said to bring you long life.
Lavender can bring happiness by baking into cakes and cookies.
Lavender tea can be steeped for a matter of minutes then enjoyed bringing benefits of increased brain power and boost intelligence aswell as helping relax you before bed.
Lavender oil is also brilliant used as an aromatherapy while in meditation enhancing spiritual connections.
As a grower of orchids, they bring me much joy, so I’ve decided to do this piece hope you enjoy it.
Orchid
Orchids are beautiful plants their flowers come in amazing varieties of different colours.
The name orchid comes from the Greek orchis, meaning testicle.
English variety of early Orchis is the “long Purples,” mentioned by Shakespeare in Hamlet and is sometimes named “Dead men’s fingers,” from the pale colour, and the hand-like shape of its tubers.
Quoted “That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
But our cold maids do ‘dead men’s fingers’ call them.”
There are many types and species of orchids to name a few of the cool growing varieties are:
Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Odontoglossum and Miltoniopsis.
They enjoy temperatures between16°C- 21°C no temperatures below 10°C in winter
A few warm varieties are:
Phalaenopsis and Vanda. They like temperatures of between 21-29°C in summer and no less than 18°C in winter.
These make a good choice for centrally heated homes.
Orchids grown at an intermediate temperature include Cattleya, Cambria, Paphiopedalum and Oncidium. They like temperatures of between18°C-24°C.
The vitamin A and antioxidants present in orchid can make your skin healthy and young, keeping wrinkles and skin problem at bay.
They contain vitamin C and fibre assisting your immune system.
Some health benefits include releiving stress, improving air quality and improving recovery after surgery.
A study of 90 people recovering from a hemorrhoidectomy were randomly assigned to either control or plant rooms. With half the patients, live plants were placed in their rooms during postoperative recovery periods. Data collected for each patient included length of hospitalization, analgesics used for postoperative pain control, vital signs, ratings of pain intensity, pain distress, anxiety and fatigue.
Findings of this study confirmed the therapeutic value of plants in the hospital environment as a noninvasive, inexpensive, and effective complementary medicine for surgical patients.
Orchids are known to do a lot more.
Dating back to hundreds of thousands of years, orchids have been used to alleviate symptoms as well as cure sickness. Across the world in a multitude of different cultures, from Asia to Australia.
Medical professionals and horticulturalists have experimented with the use of this tropical species and have found some amazing possibilities.
According to ancient Chinese history the orchid flowers, stems and bulbs have been used in traditional Chinese medicine, some practitioners continue to use these remedies today.
Juice extracted from the orchid flower can help in relieve stomach ulsers which occur due to stomach acid. The mild compounds found in orchid can help you in relaxing and removing an ulcer condition.
Orchids tubers, roots and petals have been utilized in elixirs that are then added to teas and powders.
In most cases, orchids can be quite harmful and in some cases deadly so its best to either ask your doctor or visit a reputable health food store outlet.
I found the common house orchid to be edible since my daughter attempted to eat one as a toddler. Petrified I called 111 who assured me the only thing I needed to worry about was with any new food an allergic reaction which thankfully didn’t occur.
Obviously poisons in edible plants can be present if specific fertilisers are used instead of soil for growing fruit and veg for example.
NOT all orchid species are edible.
Dendrobium Orchids can be used to increase the immune system, has anti inflammatory properties, can increase eyesight and eliviate some symptoms of cancer.
Cymbidium Orchids can assist fertility in both men and women.
Vanda Orchids is also an anti inflammatory, can reduce fever, treat arthritis and is used by alternative practitioners as a remedy for bronchitis.
Orchids for magical purposes and spell craft:
Ochids revered for love, lust and potency.
Both the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the Orchid could stimulate male virility and was widely used in love matters.
The famous New Orleans “jezebel root,” seemed to have been well sort after to be used by women to attract men.
I won’t write any love spells on this post but I’ll just say
that the use of Orchids (root) in love magic is not only effective, it can also be exceptionally potent.
Orchids are also associated with Beauty, Wealth, Love, Spirituality, Harmony, Concentration, Will Power, Memory.
Orchid flower can be cooked like other vegetables in a pan or grilled. It can be blitzed into juice.
Added to cakes and cocktails or just enjoy them added to salads and sauces.
Today I want to write about an oil I absolutely love.
Patchouli (pogostem cablin)
Patchouli has been used over centuries.
A bush exhibiting beautiful white and purple flowers.
The leaves can be dried, oil is also extracted from the stem.
Associated with the celtic Goddess of healing Airmid.
Also a member of the mint family.
Patchouli has long been used in magical and spiritual practices.
Originating in Asia, its uses date back centuries as an important medicine used to treat diorreah, snake and insect bites.
Also used in ancient times to prevent the spread of fevers and epidemics. This oil was also believed to strengthen the immune system.
Patchouli can be used in a variety of spell work most commonly associated with love and prosperity.
Some ritual uses are to the aspects of attraction and fertility.
Patchouli oil is known to have anti inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
It is known to relieve symptoms of depression easing anxiety and stress.
Used topically can treat a range of skin conditions.
Some include dermatitis, acne and dry or cracked skin.
Patchouli oil has also been proven very effective as an insecticide, without being as damaging to the environment than man made pesticides.
Patchouli can be diffused as aromatherapy to better your overall mood by increasing dopamine and seritonine levels in the body these are “feel good hormones” also known to boost libido.
A less known fact about Pachouli oil is that it can help fade scars by generating new skin growth.
Patchouli oil must be diluted with a base oil when applying directly to skin or hair. Lots of love and brightest blessings
Over centuries Geranium has been used in many different ways.
In folklore, white geraniums were said to keep snakes away. Aswell as having near an open window to keep flies away.
Known in medieval Germany as Gottesgnade, which derived from this plants oldest name Odin’s grace or Odin’s flower.
Geranium roots were used as cures for sore throats and to stop internal bleeding for some American Indians.
Geranium essential oil, and rose geranium essential oil come from different varieties of the Pelargonium graveolens plant species.
Many alternative practitioners use Geranium oil to treat a variety of condition some include anxiety, depression, infection and pain.
It has also been known to treat skin conditions such as acne, aswell as other skin irritations and skin infections. In these cases the oil is usually diluted with a base oil then applied to the skin.
Geranium oil has antioxidant, antibacterial, anteseptic, antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties.
Geranium is beneficial to Edema due to its anti inflammatory properties reducing leg and foot swelling by adding a few drops to bath water. Although as with most alternative medicines research is little and lacking in much evidence.
The geranium oil comes from the stem of the plant.
Geranium oil can also be used in aromatherapy for its soothing effects leaving an air of tranquility.
Nasal vestibulitis is an uncomfortable condition associated with cancer treatment causing bleeding, scabbing, pain, dryness, and sores.
In a study, geranium essential oil was mixed with sesame oil and used as a nasal spray in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, proving effective.
Another study proved Geranium oil to be as effective as amoxicillin (penicillin) in treating bacterial infections such as staphylococcus aureus and a different bacterial strain listeria monocytogenes.
A componant in geranium inhibited nitric oxide production, reducing inflammation and cell death in the brain. This can help conditions such as alzheimer’s desease, multiple sclerosis, parkinsons disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Geranium also stimulates secretion of salivary estrogen. This can help in respect of symptoms of menopause.
Shingles can commonly result in postherpetic neuralgia. This can be very painful effecting nerve fibres and skin around the nerve.
Geranium has been proven to significantly reduce pain but had to be reapplied as effects were temporary.
Geranium has been shown to be good at helping heal wounds with its antiseptic properties aswell as being antibacterial. It speeds up coagulation by causing blood vessels to contract.
To say a few things on the Geraniums magical properties.
Geraniums can be planted as a bringer of good health.
They are known to bring aspects of love and acceptance into your heart and life.
Also known to bring you into balance.
Associated with encouraging fertility, safe pregnancy and childbirth.
Cranesbill Geraniums can also be carried to attract happiness, positivity and prosperity.
They can also be used to aid in dream work and astral travel.
Gerainium can also be used as an aid in chakra work.
I have added rose geranium and two cransbill geranium images.
Sage can be used for many things from culinary uses, medicinal purposes to spiritual practices and spell work.
There are many different types of sage most common sage grown in the uk is Salvia officinalis or garden sage.
The Latin word “salvere”, means “to be saved” or in another translation “to feel healthy”.
Sage was used by the Ancient Egyptian to boost fertility.
Although it was traditionally used as a remedy for inflammation of the mouth and throat, as a tooth polish and gargle and an elixir of overall good health.
In around 800 AD, Charlemagne King of the Franks decreed that every farm on crown lands must grow Sage “for the benefit of the nation”.
Sage is also considered a sacred herb by Native American people, White Sage is used for purification and protection.
Native Americans also used White Sage in ceremonies of birth and death.
Sacred objects such as pipes and eagle feathers were passed through the smoke of the white sage in order to purify them.
Sage was one of the most important medicinal herbs of Medieval Europe, it was thought that Sage had the power to cure all imaginable diseases. A belief held so strongly that no self respecting Apothecary’s Garden could be without it!
Packed full of vitamins and minerals :
Vitamin K Manganese
Vitamin A Zinc
Vitamin C Iron
Vitamin E Calcium
Vitamin B6 Copper
Sage is also full of antioxidants.
Antioxidants remove free radicals from the body that could potentially cause chronic diseases.
Sage contains over 160 distinct polyphenols, which are plant-based chemical compounds that act as antioxidants in your body.
Caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid and rutin are all found in sage and are directly linked to impressive health benefits, such as a lower risk of cancer and improved brain function and memory.
A powerful anti inflammatory this works by inhibiting enzymes linked to inflammatory responses.
Anti microbial properities in sage for example can kill Streptococcus mutansbacteria, the bacteria that causes dental cavities.
Sage may treat throat infections, dental abscesses, infected gums and mouth ulcers too.
Sage can also be used to help lower cholesterol.
Sage is used during the menopause to lessen symptoms some include hot flushes, excessive sweating, virginal dryness and irritability.
As sage is believed to have estrogen like properties.
This alows sage to bind to certain receptors in the brain to treat the above symptoms.
Sage also has been used over time as a fresh herb to alleviate diorreah symptoms, support bone health and in beauty products to combat skin aging.
Sage can be used as an oil but please be aware that it does need to be diluted with a base oil before use.
Sage is also used in aromatherapy which can purify and cleanse the space. It can also help to calm emotions and help with grief or depression whilst aiding mental focus.
