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Subscribe to this list via RSS Blog posts tagged in #herballiving
Potions, Prayers and Invocations for a Good Night’s Sleep

Several years ago, I went through a phase where I woke up at 4 am, no matter what time I went to bed. I had just moved after a difficult breakup and was wholly unsettled. My coworkers, who were such kind people that they published the Random Acts of Kindness books, probably noticed as I became more fatigued and bedraggled but said nothing. This went on for many weeks. Finally, I mentioned to my boss I was having  sleep disruptions and she said, “Oh, 4 am; the hour of anxiety.” She had experienced the same which, in her case,  was due to hypervigilence where she could not “shut down” and going over her to-list in her mind, etc  A brilliant Buddhist, she noted her spiritual practice was her path to restored health and deep rest. In this instance, I knew my path could do the same for me. And it has. I pondered the wisdom of my Aunt Edie and the hedge witches of yore and realized I had gotten away from my roots. I was a farm girl yet I was spending zero time outdoors. I started going for daily walks in Golden Gate Park, unpacked my witchy tools, oil and teas and got some herb post growing on the windowsills and stoop of my tiny new apartment dwelling, I  self-soothed with these simple steps. It was not overnight but, soon enough, I was sleeping through the night, awakening refreshed. Sleep itself is healing and these remedies will keep you rested and rosy!

 Respite Rite: A Good Night’s Sleep Herbs

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Following on from my previous post about foraging and working with plant spirits to add extra magic to our potions and hedgerow cooking, one very important berry to collect at this time of year is the rosehip. Rosehips are the hard, oval shaped berries of the rose. Packed with vitamin C and a host of other essential vitamins and minerals these rich red berries have been used medicinally for thousands of years all around the world and are a potent magical resource. Like roses, these are usually thought of as sacred to earth goddesses as well as goddesses of love, and astrologically they are usually thought to be ruled by Jupiter and Venus and are suitable for magic related to these themes; love, abundance, exuberance, fertility and sexuality. Like roses rosehips also have strong faery energy, and are attractive to the sidhe  and nature spirits. Rosehips however have quite a different energetic feel than rose flowers. Far more robust, their taste and scent is quite fruity and zesty, hinting at their high vitamin C content. Traditionally the best ones to use for flavour or magic are hips from rosa canina the wild dog rose, although garden roses also work well.

Medicinally rosehips have been used to help with intestinal problems, kidney and bladder infections, stress and depleted immune systems, and to boost the circulation. When using rosehips some like to remove the seeds inside which are covered in tiny hairs and can be an irritant, but personally I've never noticed this be a problem. To remove the hairs, slit the berries and scoop out the seeds, or roughly chop the berries in a mixer, and then sieve. The tiny hairs will fall through the sieve easily.      

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My study of magic and metaphysical healing has emphasized magical herbalism from the beginning. The first pagan book I bought for myself was Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. I knew nothing about plants at the time; I couldn't even identify lavender or rosemary, and I was a little shaky on dandelions. Sometimes figuring out which herbs to use in a spell was very difficult.

I hadn't yet learned to hear my intuition, much less trust it. So I usually chose herbs off the lists of correspondences in the back of the Encyclopedia and hoped I could buy them from the botánica in my New Orleans neighborhood, or from the bulk section of the Whole Foods across town.

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     Midsummer Day dawns to a fanfare of birdsong against the backdrop of an early morning sky of pink and grey. Walking barefoot upon the spongy mounds of moss and grasses I revel in the thought of my feet being bathed in the purity of fresh morning dew. I kneel before a great Oak to scoop a handful of dew into the palms of my hands and splash my face with its invigorating coolness. As I open my eyes a flurry of Elderflower petals shower me from above and stick to my wet face. I look up and am sure I hear the childlike titter of faerie folk having one last laugh before the true day dawns and they are gone.

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Posted by on in SageWoman Blogs
Happy, Happy October!

The most best-est favorite time of year!! Yes I am quite aware that is improper grammar, but October is our time. There is so much to do, rituals to plan, parties to attend; decorating and cooking, that we can sometime wear ourselves down, compromise our immune system and catch a virus. This month Herbal Living will focus on three of my favorite herbs: Basil, Eucalyptus and Ginger.  If you carry nothing more in your magickal cabinet ~ you must have these. Come by my Pinterest Page and take a sneak peak at what I have planned for you! http://www.pinterest.com/YourWellnessGuide/herbal-living/

Take a stroll in Magikal Martha's garden and sit for a spell.

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Posted by on in SageWoman Blogs
Chickweed

I recently spent sometime learning how to scour the California country side for medicinal plants and herbs. One plant that was a surprise to me was the abundance of a weed known for its fascinating health benefits and tasting remotely like fresh picked corn.

The botanical name ~ Stellaria media ~ meaning ‘little stars’, or commonly known as Chickweed, can affect your physical and psychic health, by opening up cosmic energies and giving the strength handle these energies. Chickweed has been used in folk medicine for skin conditions, indigestion rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, stomach ulcers and as a "blood cleanser". When chickweed is consumed, it increases the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, especially minerals. It can also dissolve and break down unwanted matter, including disease-causing bacteria, cysts, benign tumors, thickened mucus in the respiratory and digestive systems, and excess fat cells. Yes, you heard me correctly; drinking chickweed infusion can eliminate fat cells.

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Posted by on in SageWoman Blogs
Natures Finest Medicine - Wheatgrass

While visiting the local Farmers Market today, I noticed a great addition to the growing easy ups. This new vendor just sold freshly grown hers.  You can buy the herb picked or planted,  I was particularly drawn to the Wheatgrass display.  It looked so fresh and healthy I decided to share some of the interesting benefits shared by the vendor.

Wheatgrass is one of the most potently healthy substances on earth. Yet for some reason it is still not mainstream – even though there are thousands of wheatgrass benefits that are so clear and felt so quickly. A few of the benefits really caught my attention. Did you know that Wheatgrass can cause gray hairs to vanish; clear Rosacea; and get rid of bad breath?

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Recent Comments - Show all comments
  • Paola Suarez
    Paola Suarez says #
    Shared this post on my Goddess Spiral Health Coaching FB page (http://www.facebook.com/GoddessSpiralhc). Thank you for providing a
  • Tammye McDuff
    Tammye McDuff says #
    Thank you very much for sharing Paola!
  • SophiaDawn
    SophiaDawn says #
    Thanks for the great info. I recently started growing wheat grass and selling the juice shots at my shop. It has been a learning
  • Tammye McDuff
    Tammye McDuff says #
    I used it in the past as a hit and miss - but after doing the research and speaking to the vendor - I will be including it much mo
  • Lizann Bassham
    Lizann Bassham says #
    Wonderful post! Reminds me to get some at the Farmer's market tomorrow!

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