The Path and Life of Witchyredrose

 
A Witch's garden
Grows with the sun, flows with the rain
A flowering of air and earth
Ancient is the knowledge of herbs
Their properties and powers
A thing for Grandmothers, Midwives, Witches
Flowers speak their own language
All but a few phrases forgotten
But Witches know more than roses mean love
How now?  The drought comes
But the Witch's garden still grows green
Though elsewhere even the weeds are wilting
Through magic and the hard work of her hands
A Witch brings the rich earth to bloom
Making the world a more beautiful place
The only secret is this
Many a woman talks to her plants
But a Witch also listens

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Thirteen Herbs For a Witch's Cupboard

Armed with these thirteen herbs, you will easily be able to handle most situations that arise, from dis-ease to magickal needs. This will give you a nice foundation to build on, or it can stand alone as a fully functional Witch's pharmacopoeia or apothecary. Following in the tradition of permaculture, each herb has been selected for its multi-faceted uses. They can each be used medicinally and magickally; they can all be grown easily; and many of them can be used in cooking. Each herb description will be expanded as time permits.

The "Add-ons" at the end of the list of thirteen herbs are to help you develop your herbal in specific areas. A sampling of particularly helpful herbs in specific areas are listed such as those for healers, general magickal practitioners, love spell workers, etc.

All herbs etc are taken at the users own risk

The Thirteen Herbs

1) Comfrey Symphytum officinale

Alternate names: knitbone, knitback, black wort, consound, consolida, bruisewort, slippery root, wallwort, boneset, miracle herb, healing herb, gum plant, ass ear, yalluc (Saxon) The botanical name, Symphytum, means "grown together". The name comfrey might be from the Latin conferva "knitting together".

Habitat and Growth: Member of the Forget-me-not and Borage covens, Boraginacea. Comfrey has deep tap roots like huge carrots. This allows it to live in most soils, as it will seek out the water and nutrients needed. Deep water is preferred as it is fairly common throughout England and is native to Europe and parts of Asia. Try to plant in a wet spot, a low spot, or a place with a high water table if possible. She also likes partial shade.

Magickal Attributes: All parts used. Healing. Protective in the loving ways of a mother. Used for money spells, especially because of its prolific nature and deep emerald green leaf color. Used for safety during travel and has many "grounding" qualities, especially of the root. Comfrey is associated with the feminine, Saturn, and Water.

Physical Attributes: Roots and Leaves used. Comfrey contains a nitrogenous crystalline substance known as allantoin (from 0.6 to 0.8 percent). This substance has the ability to promote cell growth. As you can see from the alternate names, healing is comfrey's strongest talent. Allantoin is prescribed in medicines to aid in knitting bones back together, or accelerated healing of deep cuts and puncture wounds. It is also used in ointments for skin problems and psoriasis. This substance has come under attack in recent years. There is some questionable evidence that it may cause cancer or liver damage if taken internally over an extended period of time. The FDA announced December 1995 that it may have "serious adverse reactions"

Whether you believe that this is a conspiracy by the American Medical Association to again take power away from 'normal' people and natural healers, and put in into the hands of over paid physicians, OR whether you believe that it is better to be safe than sorry, it is best to never use any herb over a long period of time. Everything must be kept in balance, and herbal remedies are no exception. This could also mean taking regular breaks from any herbal supplements or teas and if you prefer, use poultices and washes of comfrey instead. These are quite effective for healing.

Comfrey also contains large amounts of a mucilage (especially the root), similar to marshmallow. It will thicken potions, and is soothing when applied to inflammations and sore throats. This mucilage also makes it easy to use the herb in compresses, as the paste sticks together. Comfrey also contains tannins and starch. It is highly nutritious and is used as fodder for livestock (it contains 35% protein).

My chickens love it, especially the flowers. It is an instant cure for soft shells and makes egg yolks deep yellow-orange. This color reflects healthy chickens and increased vitamin content in the eggs. My rabbits love the leaves, and it has helped them with bowel problems, sore or bleeding nipples from lactating, and reduces their consumption of highly processed, expensive, non-organic rabbit pellets. (no, I don't kill the bunnies and chicks for food, see the chicken page for info on that)

2) German Chamomile Matricaria chamomilla
or Roman Chamomile Anthemis nobilis

Choose either "German" or "Roman" by looking over the information for each.

Alternate names for German Chamomile: Wild chamomile, camomile, Hungarian chamomile
Alternate names for Roman Chamomile: Maythen (Saxon), Whig Plant, Manzanilla (Spanish for a little apple), Kamai melon (Greek for on the ground, and an apple), camomyle, ground apple, Heermannchen (German, they also regarded it commonly as "Alles zu vertraut" meaning completely trustworthy.) chamaimelon

Habitat and Growth: This sun loving flower needs fertile and well drained soil. The best locations for both varieties in my garden have eastern or south-eastern exposure to the sun and part shade in the afternoon. She seems to enjoy greeting the sun every morning by lifting her petals up to catch his rays.

Magickal attributes: Scott Cunningham lists this herb as masculine, and there is a tradition for this. Early Teutonic tribes dedicated it to their sun-God as did the Egyptians. However, because of the energy of the plant, and because of its medicinal uses, it seems to be feminine in some ways. Either way, there is a good balance here between masculine and feminine energies. Truly with chamomile, earth meets sun and sky.

Physical attributes: You may find it interesting that true essential oil of chamomile is blue! If you are purchasing essential oils and are presented with yellow chamomile oil, it is either diluted with a carrier oil, has oxidized and aged to yellow, or is an artificial interloper. More to come...

3) Red Raspberry Rubus idaeus

Alternate names: Hindberry, Hindbeer (Saxon), Hindbur (German)

Habitat and Growth: In the wild, they like to grow in ditches or waste areas such as fence rows. Think of an area that would receive at least 4-6 hours of sunlight each day and would not dry out very frequently. Raspberries come in all varieties now so check with your local nursery or a dependable mail order catalogy to find one that would like to live where you do. They are beautiful and easy to grow, especially if pruned and mulched well.

Magickal attributes: Protective in a 'mothering' way.

Physical attributes: Great for diarrhea, general nutrition, pregnant and lactating women. Often recommended for pregnant women because it is said to make the process of childbirth easier and to strengthen the uterus. It is a good (and proven) antispasmodic and eases painful menstration. A strong tea will soothe cold symptoms.

This rest of this section may take some time to complete. For now, here are the rest of the herbs that will be explained in detail as soon as possible.

4) Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Lavendar

5) Lavendula officinale or vera (English Lavender) spica and latifolia (Spike Lavender) stoechas (French Lavender)

6) Garlic Allium sativum and others

7) Wormwood Artemisia absinthium

8) Rose Rosa gallica if available, resources to come, or other Roses

9) Catnip

10) Rosemary

11) Capsicum species, especially habanero, cayenne, purira, jalapeno, etc.

12) Ginger Zingiber officinalis

13) Peppermint

"Add-ons"

Additional Materials Recommended for the General Practitioner: Lemon Balm, Bee Balm, Elderberry, Sagebrush, horseradish

Additional Materials Recommended for the Healer: Papaver somniferum where available/legal X, Echinacea, Thyme, Hyssop Hyssopus officinalis, Sage, Cranberry, White Willow Bark, Cannabis Sativa or Indica (or hybrids) where available/legal X, Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus

Additional Materials Recommended for the Love Magick Worker: Tonka Bean X, Apple Seeds, Vanilla Bean, Patchouli, Dragon's Blood, Rose

Additional Materials Recommended for the Frequent Magick User or for Witches Under Attack: Galangal Root, Monk's Hood X, Mandrake 

---

The Power Place

 

This is an excerpt taken from the book "Witch In The Kitchen" by CaitJohnson.

 

 

One of the most important first steps in making your kitchen sacred is to create a place of nurturance for yourself there.  We deserve to have a special spot where we can relax, close our eyes and meditate, daydream, or simply think about food in peace.  Tuning in to your inner self and feeling empowered are more difficult when your muscles are tensed.  You are the goddess of your kitchen.  You deserve to be comfortable.

  All you really need is a special, cozy chair - one that everyone in your home recognizes as yours.  Every time you sit in it, you will remember that you are doing sacred work when you cook, and you will remember that comfort was once the special gift of the kitchen.

  Even though many of our modern kitchens are sleek, almost chilly places, something in our bones remembers when kitchens were snug.  Deep inside us, we remember the magical glow from a cave-fire.  Outside its bright circle of protection were all our fears - hungry wild beasts, killing cold, shapeless terrors that waited in the dark.  But inside the golden circle we were safe.  Kitchens - places where the hearth fires burn - mean safety, warmth, peace.  For centuries, the kitchen was virtually the only comfortable room in the house.  Before central heating, its roaring fires and ovens kept out the chill when the world was blanketed with snow.  The kitchen became a natural gathering place, with special seats built near the fireplace where one could rest and be at ease, warm, and comfortable.

  Hold that image of warmth and comfort in your mind while you look around your kitchen.  Is the seating soft and inviting?  Is there any seating at all?  If you live in a tiny city apartment, you may not even have room for a chair.  In this case, you can design a movable cushioned space for yourself on the floor; you can move the cushion when you need to open the oven door.

  If you do have space for a table and chairs, really notice how they feel.  Kitchen chairs are often hard and bumpy.  If your chair makes your seat and spirit sore, consider haunting yard sales and thrift shops until you find a rounder, softer, or more cushioned alternative.  An acquaintance flouted convention recently and bought herself a lush, forties-style brocaded armchair from the Salvation Army for her kitchen corner.  Now she can curl up in the lap of luxury, and read cookbooks (or murder mysteries).  She reports that it has changed the way she feels about her kitchen forever.  Having a place to plop down and relax while the stew is bubbling or the bread is baking feels very soothing to the soul.

  We create inviting kitchens not only for ourselves, but also for our families.  Most of us have a longing to share our emerging sense of deep nourishment with the people we love.  But even though we want to share our kitchen with loved ones, it is important for us to stake out this special chair or spot for ourselves alone.  Accessing our inner power is much easier when we have a place from which to access it.  A Power Place becomes an important part of our conscious effort to reclaim the role of Kitchen Priestess, freeing us from the martyrdom and domestic slavery so long associated with kitchen work.  And children who see their parents consciously modeling this claiming of kitchen power will have an easier time growing into their own someday.

  So claim your spot, and fill your kitchen with textures and colors that make you feel nourished and safe.  When we make the kitchen a serene and comfortable place, we create a heart of safety in a very unsafe world.  It is what women have done for eons:  made nests of nurturance and peace for their families.  We need those nests more than ever now.

 

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1.  A quartz crystal placed on or near the stove when cooking makes food taste better.

2.  A pot of basil herb grown in your kitchen keeps the area safe from evil forces and negative spirits.

3.  Candles keep their shape better and longer when chilled thoroughly in the refrigerator.

4.  A witch's kitchen should never be without a lunar calender or chart showing the phases of the moon and its movement through the wheel of the zodiac.

5.  A full moon increases extrasensory perception and is the ideal time to prepare and use potions that increase the psychic abilities.

6.  Love phiters and aphrodisiacs should always be prepared during the waxing of the moon.

7.  The best time to plant an herb or vegetable gardens when the moon is in Cancer, Scorpio, Libra or Pisces.

8.  Homemade magickal incenses, sachets and potpourris become more fragrant if aged several months before used.

9.  Homemade incense always should be stored in tightly capped or corked jars.

10. Unlucky influences should be kept away from the when cooking or preparing magickal recipes, and this is accomplished by stirring in a clockwise direction.

11. An aloe vera plant should be kept on the kitchen, as its juices are an instant cure for minor kitchen burns.

12. Herbal preparations should never be boiled in aluminum vessels, but in only copper, earthenware or pyrex to avoid contamination of the medicines.

13. Before casting spells or preparing potions, always keep in mind the Wiccan Rede: "Do what ye will an' harm none."

TINCTURES
 
By Nerys Purchon AKA Ravenna Morgan

A tincture is an extract of herbs, usually made with alcohol because of its
Superior extraction qualities but if alcohol is not an option then glycerine or
Vinegar may be used. These however won't extract as well and won't have the
Keeping properties that alcohol does. If you don't want to imbibe alcohol, you
Can evaporate it by placing the drops in a half cup of hot, boiled water and
Allowing it to sit uncovered for 15 minutes.
Herbal tinctures and extracts are my preferred form of treatments as they begin
To work in the mouth and are assimilated quickly, they are easy to take and
Contain no fillers.

Tincturing also extracts valuable constituents not found in teas since certain
Active plant properties are only soluble in alcohol. Tinctures are more powerful
And last for years while dried herbs, even well stored have a life of only a
Year.

Making your own tincture is much cheaper than buying it ready made and you have
The added satisfaction of knowing that it is of the very highest quality.

You can make special combination formulas that will suit the particular
Complaint that you want to treat.

I prefer to use dried herbs to make tinctures, as I don't want to further dilute
The tincture with the water content of the plant. If you want to use fresh herbs
Make sure they are unsprayed and not grown near a roadside or other place that
May have contaminated them and hang them up to wilt for a day to dry out some of
The water content.

Never harvest plants that have been exposed to pesticides, herbicides, car fumes
Or other toxic substances.

While some recommend determining the amount of herb to use by its weight, I have
Found that its density can be more reliable. For example, 125g (4oz) comfrey
Root is quite a small amount in volume, while 125g (4oz) calendula petals is a
Large amount which may not be covered by the amount of alcohol, glycerine or
Vinegar specified. You should find this method gives you a very fine tincture.

Tinctures made with alcohol are stronger and more concentrated than teas or
Decoctions and the alcohol will extract volatile oils and most alkaloids from
Your herbs. You can make them in advance and, if well made and stored, they will
Keep for years whereas the dried herbs even when stored well are only viable for
About a year.

The other advantage to using a tincture is that the alcohol causes the tincture
To be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream after swallowing. If you don't wish
To drink alcohol you can put the recommended dosage into a cup of boiling water
Where the alcohol will evaporate off leaving the therapeutic qualities of the
Herb in the water.

The keeping qualities of the tincture are largely determined by the strength of
The alcohol you use. Pure alcohol is usually only available to professional
Users but occasionally you will find a pharmacist who will sell you 95% ethanol
Alcohol (almost 200 proof) that will need to be diluted to 50-60% using purified
Water. Otherwise, rely on your wine and spirit merchant to advise you on the
Highest proof vodka gin or brandy he has in stock, some vodka is about 100 proof
Therefore it is approximately 50% water and 50% alcohol.

NEVER use isopropyl rubbing alcohol, as it is very toxic when ingested!

To Make A Tincture Using Alcohol

To make an alcohol tincture you will need the herb, the highest proof alcohol
You can obtain, vegetable glycerine (optional) and a glass jar with a well
Fitting, non metallic lid.

To make:
Leaves, Petals and Flowers - fresh or dried

1.Fill a jar to within 2 ½ cm (1in) of the top with finely chopped fresh plant
Material or half fill with dried.
2. Fill the jar with alcohol and close the jar tightly with a non-metallic lid.
3. Label the jars, (not the lid), with the common and Latin name of the contents
And a date two weeks hence when the tincture will be ready.
4. Keep the tincture where you can see it, so you can tend it twice a day. To do
This, fold a cloth and place it on the bench. Then tap the jar base gently but
Firmly on the cloth for at least one minute. This process, called 'succession',
Releases the medicinal properties from the herb into the alcohol.
5. After 2 weeks the tincture is ready to be strained. Pour the tincture through
A sieve into a jug, squeeze the herbs well to extract as much liquid as possible
And then pour the tincture through a coffee filter paper into a dark-coloured
Glass bottle.
6. Label clearly with the name, Latin name, date and the symbol Æ , which
Denotes that it is a Mother Tincture. 7. Store the bottle in a cool dark place
and it should last for years. If you like, you can add 2 teaspoons vegetable
glycerine to each 1 cup (250ml/8fl oz) tincture to increase the keeping
properties.
Roots, Bark and Seeds
Cover approximately 60g chopped or crushed material with 1 cup (250ml) alcohol.
Close the jar with a non-metallic lid.
Follow the instructions above for leaves, petals and flowers, from 3 onwards.

To Make a Tincture Using Glycerine.
Glycerine is very sweet and will dissolve mucilage, vitamins and minerals but
won't dissolve the resinous or oily properties of herbs to the same extent as
alcohol. The tincture will only last for about two years. It's important to use
vegetable glycerine.

Glycerine tinctures are well tolerated by children because of the sweet taste.

To make:
Dilute the glycerine with an equal amount of purified water. Follow the same
instructions as the alcohol tincture above but substitute glycerine for alcohol.

To Make a Tincture Using Vinegar
Vinegar doesn't draw all the medicinal properties from the herbs, it mainly
dissolves alkaloids but it is a useful (and inexpensive) tincture for people who
can't tolerate alcohol.

Vinegar tinctures have a life of approximately 1 year if stored in a cool dark
place.

To make:
Follow the instructions for alcohol tincture making sure that the herbs are
completely submerged. It's advisable to use dried herbs to make this type of
tincture, as the water content in fresh herbs would dilute the vinegar and
reduce the keeping time.

Uses and Dosages of Tinctures

Internal
5-20 drops depending on age (not to be given to children under the age of 5
years) in 2 tablespoons (40 ml) fruit juice or water 3 times a day between
meals.
Tinctures may be added to a tea or decoction to strengthen the action.

External
Add to poultices, fomentations, compresses, ointments, wound washes or herbal ice cubes. Use tinctures such as calendula neat on cuts to stop bleeding and prevent infection.

Useful tinctures: Astragalus, calendula, cayenne, dandelion, echinacea,
lavender, myrrh, rosemary, shepherd's purse, willow bark, distilled witch hazel.

Magickal Gardening

Where should I plant?

     Full sun is a must, as is a location reasonably convenient to the kitchen door.

How large should the garden be?

     That's up to you,  how much time do you plan to put into your gardening, but keep it a manageable size; a 10-foot-by10-foot plot is all you really need if you are planning to grow standard veggies. I have an herb garden that measures 4-by-4 and it's a perfect size if you are just planning to grow lots of herbs. To save space and prevent disease from spreading, train space hogs like cucumbers to grow up a trellis. You can also grow additional herbs and compact veggies in containers placed around the edge of the garden or patio. Remember be honest with yourself on how much time you can devote to your garden. We have over extended ourselves several times and even though we loved the garden it was too big to manage. Some years we just grow herbs, tomatoes and flowers. Seems each year we get busier and our interests vary and have little time for a large garden. Do what ever satisfies you the most. Many Kitchen witches just grow herbs in pots on their window sills and others just shop at markets and stands.

How do you prepare the soil?

Clear away grass or weeds, of course, and add a good vegetable fertilizer and some compost or humus, especially if the soil is slow to drain.

Kitchen Refuse

Includes melon rinds, carrot peelings, tea bags, apple cores, banana peels - almost everything that cycles through your kitchen. The average household produces more than 200 pounds of kitchen waste every year. You can successfully compost all forms of kitchen waste. However, meat, meat products, dairy products, and high-fat foods like salad dressings and peanut butter, can present problems. Meat scraps and the rest will decompose eventually, but will smell bad and attract pests. Egg shells are a wonderful addition, but decompose slowly, so should be crushed. All additions to the compost pile will decompose more quickly if they are chopped up some before adding.

To collect your kitchen waste, you can keep a small compost pail in the kitchen to bring to the pile every few days. Keep a lid on the container to discourage insects. When you add kitchen scraps to the compost pile, cover them with about 8" of brown material to reduce visits by flies or critters.

What's the best way to water plant?

Gardens get thirsty, so keep moisture high with mulch and soaker hoses if possible. Four to six inches of organic mulch (shredded leaves, compost or even grass clippings) will smother any weed seed. You may want to consider inexpensive soaker hoses you can conceal under the mulch. They deliver water directly to plant roots with just a turn of a faucet handle.

Are some herbs easier to cultivate than others?

     Some perennials, such as lavender, rosemary and thyme come back every season without replanting. (Even some annual herbs like basil will drop their seeds and sprout next season.) Start with transplants if you like, planting seeds can take months to mature; seedlings are readily available at garden centers.

Are there perennial veggies or fruits?

     Yes! Asparagus, rhubarb and strawberries. Be sure however; to plant in separate beds where they can remain undisturbed.

Can you plant flowers, too?

     Edible flowers like nasturtium are great. Fragrant bloomers such as nicotiana and sweet pea and shrub roses for their beauty. Sow multiple-headed sunflowers and vivid cockscomb for cutting flowers.

When you plant, group varieties of the same family in different parts of the garden to discourage pests and disease. Nest planting season, rotate crops so you don't plant the same family in the same space. In this way, you wont' deplete nutrients in the soil. There's no needs to rotate herbs from year to year.

-----SPROUTING INFORMATION-----

You can purchase a sprouting jar (available at most health food stores ) or you can make your own. To make your own get a 1/2 gallon clear glass container. Be sure to wash it out well. Cover the mouth with a fine screen and use a rubber band to keep it on. That's it. Really though, the purchased jars are inexpensive and are made just for the purpose.

** How to sprout seeds

1.) Place dry measured amount of seed, beans, or grain into sprouting jar. Add water and soak overnight following chart recommendations below.

2.) Pour off soak water and place jar mouth down at 45 degree angle for drainage and ventilation between rinsings, then rinse twice a day with fresh cool water.

3.) After sprouts have matured (see chart below) place them in a bowl of water. Seed hulls will float to the top and sprouts will sink. Skim hulls off with your hand and discard them. Gently remove sprouts from bowl and drip drain before storing them in a glass or plastic (closed) container or bag in the refrigerator.

4.) Place Alfalfa, Mustard, Cabbage, Clover, and Radish in indirect light for two days before harvesting to develop chlorophyll.

Use the sprouts in preparing your next meal, in salads and sandwiches.

** Sprouting tip

The ideal sprouting temperature is between 65~ and 75~. Sprouts grow best in darkness or indirect light. When sprouted too long some seeds and beans may become bitter. Grains become sweeter on the fourth and fifth day of sprouting. Start new seeds every 3 days for a continuous supply.

Sprouting Chart

                      Dry Measure of Seeds

Beauty Tips from the Cupboard

Generally Accepted Magickal Associations

Aromatherapy

What is aromatherapy? A pleasurable way to find out is to put several drops of lavender essence into your next tub bath. As you slip into the warm water, notice the relaxing, fragrant herbal aroma surrounding you. You'll feel peaceful and tranquil soaking in the soothing fragrance. For centuries, healers have used lavender, as well as other herbs, spices, and essences to evoke memories, alter moods, and promote well-being.

Even the business world uses aromatherapy. Realtors showing homes often tell clients to simmer cinnamon sticks and allspice to entice potential home buyers. Fragrances create receptivity, attraction, and relaxation. Conversely, foul odors anger and repel us.

Office managers recognize that the fresh, invigorating aroma of peppermint helps keep office personnel alert and productive.

Good cooks understand that the smell of onions gently sautéing stimulates appetites. Remember how appealing chocolate-chip cookies smell while baking? How about that first pot of freshly-brewed coffee? What about familiar aromas that bring back childhood holiday recollections? Aromatherapy works because the most primitive part of our brain, the limbic system, responds immediately to the messages that fragrances send.

Let's explore some of the fragrances that can enhance our personal lives:

You can begin your aromatherapy adventure by purchasing a few outstanding essences. Be sure to include calming lavender, a general all-purpose aroma that is said to help allergies. You can use your aromatherapy diffuser, or even lightly inhale lavender essence from its vial. Chamomile is also useful for both respiratory and digestive allergies. Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces respond very well to lavender and chamomile.

If you feel cold and sluggish and have a diminished appetite, inhale or bathe in ginger, fennel, rosemary, or basil. These herbs warm and stimulate you. Capricorns, Scorpios, and Taureans respond well to ginger baths, especially in cold weather. Never apply ginger directly to your skin, mucous membranes, or wounds because it will sting.

If you're nervous, sleepless, or agitated, try lavender, rose, clary sage, sandalwood, hyacinth, carnation, vetiver, jasmine, orange, or geranium. You can combine these fragrances or use them separately. It's best to test each individual aroma to discover which one is most effective for you. Aries, Cancer, Leo, and Aquarius respond quite well to these aromas.

If you're a Libran with romantic problems, surround yourself with the scent of roses and lemons. This could put a smile back on your Libran face and help you feel more receptive and social.

Do you want to feel babied and pampered? Use heliotrope in your bath. It'll bring back pleasant, comforting memories of baby lotion. Again, never apply heliotrope directly on your skin.

Some of you may be bothered by PMS, cellulite, and tension. Try a brisk massage using oil scented with fennel and geranium. Some women swear it works. If skin blemishes appear, you may get help by using tea tree oil directly on blemishes. Tea Tree oil is widely recognized for its anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. Lemongrass astringent is also recommended, especially for Geminis. After a workout, refreshing lemon astringent is recommended for problem skin.

To add a rosy glow to dry, mature skin, sensuous jasmine oil is an aromatic tonic that feeds and softens your skin. If your mature skin is rough and chapped, try the ancient resin Myrrh to promote healing. Sandalwood is also a wonderful and sensuous moisturizer for over-40 skin.

Recently, scientists experimented with various aromas and found that the scent of pumpkin pie has an aphrodisiac effect on men. Rather than baking pies every time your loved one is around, simply simmer or diffuse pumpkin pie spice for the same result.

The sweet, luscious smell of vanilla says, "welcome home". It brings back childhood memories of sugar cookies and pound cake. Vanilla calms some people, but arouses others sexually. For obvious reasons, it's one of the most popular aromas today.

Orange and lemon scent is frequently used to dispel stale odors. But aromatherapists recognize citrus is a powerful mood elevator. Bathing, inhaling, diffusing, and massaging with a bit of citrus is said to alleviate depression. One well-known addiction treatment center uses citrus diffusers during group therapy sessions.

Aromatherapy works in powerful and subtle ways. Try it on yourself and your loved ones.

W I N D O W S & A L L - P U R P O S E

Streak-Free Window & Glass Cleaner
Combine 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and up to
½ teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle. That's all
there is to it. (Make sure to label the bottle and keep it out of the
reach of children.)

All-Purpose Cleaner (Fantastic Cleaner)
½ teaspoon washing soda (not baking soda)
2 teaspoons borax
½ teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups hot water
Combine the washing soda, borax, and soap in a spray bottle. Pour in
the hot water (it will dissolve the minerals), screw on the lid, and
shake to completely blend and dissolve. Spritz every 6 inches, or so,
of surface once or twice, wiping off the cleanser with a rag as you
go. For tough dirt, leave the cleanser on for a few minutes before
wiping it off. Shake the bottle each time before using.
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Leave in a labeled spray bottle

Vinegar as a disinfectant
Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen references numerous studies
to show that a straight 5 percent solution of vinegar-such as you can
buy in the supermarket-kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of
mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). He noted that Heinz couldn't
claim on their packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the
company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). However, it seems to be common knowledge in
the industry that vinegar is powerfully antibacterial. Even the CBS
news show 48 Hours had a special last December with Heloise reporting
on tests from The Good Housekeeping Institute that showed this.
Just like antibiotics, common disinfectants found in sponges and
household sprays may contribute to drug resistant bacteria, according
to researchers of drug resistance at Tufts New England Medical
Center. Furthermore, research at the Government Accounting Office
shows that many commercial disinfectants are ineffective to begin
with, just like antibiotics.

Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in
your kitchen near your cutting board, and in your bathroom, and use
them for cleaning. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the
toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

B A T H R O O M

Drain Cleaners
Baking Soda Drain Cleaner
If water hasn't yet backed up in your drain, pour 1 cup of baking
soda followed by 3 cups of boiling water. The boiling water will
change the chemical composition of baking soda, making it more
alkaline. Repeat a few times until the drain is clear.

The Bubbling Method Using Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda and vinegar react with each other to cause bubbles and
fizzing. Sometimes the fizzing can dislodge clogs. Follow the baking
soda and boiling water formula, above, with 1 cup of vinegar.

Disinfectant Cleaning Spray
1 part vinegar, 1 part water; essential oil for scent (I use tea tree-
lavender oil for additional disinfecting qualities and it smells so
nice, too). Combine in spray bottle and use as needed.

Toilet, Tub and Tile Cleaner
½ cup liquid soap, 2 cups baking soda, 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp. vinegar,
½ tsp. tea tree oil. Squirt inside the toilet, and on the tub and
tile. Rinse with vinegar.

Soft Scrubber
This is one of everyone's favorite recipes. It is used on the
bathtub, sinks, Formica countertops, and the shower stall. Use ½ cup
baking soda
and enough liquid soap or detergent to make a frosting like
consistency
5 to 10 drops antibacterial essential oil, such as lavender (optional)
Place the baking soda in a bowl; slowly pour in the liquid soap,
stirring all the while, until the consistency reaches that of
frosting. Add the essential oil (if using). Scoop the creamy mixture
onto a sponge, wash the surface, and rinse.
Shelf Life: Make only as much as you need at a time; natural soft
scrubbers dry out.

Mold Cleaner and Inhibitor/Tea Tree Treasure
This spray works wonders to eradicate mold and mildew. It has been
used to successfully treat a moldy ceiling, a musty bureau, a musty
rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a
little goes a long way. Unless you have frequent mold crises, this
mixture can last for months.
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray
on problem areas. Do not rinse. The strong odor will dissipate in a
day or so.
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Leave in a labeled spray bottle

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F L O O R S

Floor Cleaner with Fragrant Herbs
This recipe is nice to rid the house of the stale smell of winter.
1/8 cup liquid soap or detergent
1/4 to 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 cup fragrant herb tea (peppermint is great as it adds
antibacterial qualities) Combine ingredients in a pail or bucket.
Swirl the water around until it is sudsy. Proceed as normal.
Shelf Life: Discard

Carpet Freshener
1 cup Baking soda mixed w/few drops tea tree/lavender oil
Sprinkle on carpets and vacuum up after 30 minutes. Keep children and
Pets away until done!

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L A U N D R Y

Fabric Softener
Use vinegar in a Downy ball in the washer - that's all! (Or add ½
cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle.) For a nice scent, put a few
drops of an essential oil on a washcloth and toss it in the dryer.

Spot Removers- always check for color fastness!

S T A I N S

Stain Removers
For blood, chocolate, coffee: ¼ cup borax, 2 cups cold water.
Dissolve borax in water, sponge it on and let sit until it dries.
Grease: rub spot with damp cloth dipped in borax. Or apply a paste
of cornstarch and water. Let dry and brush it off.
Ink: Wet with cold water and apply a paste of cream of tartar and
lemon juice. Let it sit 1 hour, and wash as usual.
Scorch marks: Cut a raw onion and rub its flat side on the scorched
area until the cloth absorbs the onion juice. Let it set, then soak
it in cold water for a few hours.

Homemade Pre-treating Stain Remover
1/2 cup ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup baking soda
2 Tbs liquid soap
2 qts water

Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray the liquid onto the
stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Launder as usual.

Spray Starch
In a spray bottle, mix 2 pints of cold water with 2 tablespoons of
cornstarch. Shake before using, every time.

Powdered Laundry Detergent
1 cup soap flakes, 1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax, Light loads= 1 cup. Heavy or very dirty load=2 cups.

M I S C.

Shoe Polish
Polish leather with the inside of a banana peel, then buff.

Body Scrub
3 parts Celtic sea salt
1 part virgin olive oil any amount of essential oils (use specific
oils for specific conditions/results) Baking soda-optional (you can
add fresh lemon at each use also) Lemon & salt (baking soda too) are
great for the face.

Mix & store in airtight container. Lasts at least 1 month (some have
found it to last longer with the added essential oils).

(Dry)Skin brush before each bath/shower. Using circular sweeps bottom
to top (start at feet, then do thighs) from outside in (legs, then
arms, then torso). This increases the circulation from the
extremities & flushes stagnation that causes blockages. Good for skin
tone, weight loss, circulation, and vitality.

Use the same technique for the bath scrub.

It is best to wash hair before scrubbing so as to not break the oil
(soap cuts oil). If you shave, do so after the scrub & you will need
no other shaving lotion. Pat dry & add no moisturizer. The oil locks
in the water to hydrate the skin but also lets it breathe. Never use
mineral oil (baby oil) as it acts as a magnet for any other oils in
the body causing deficiencies (A, E, Omega 3 etc.)

---

~Kitchen Witchery Charms~

Angelica - One of the traditional ritual herbs of the Candlemas and Beltane Sabbats. Angelica is both a culinary and medicinal herb. Sprinkle around the house to ward off evil. Added to the bath, it removes curses or spells that may have been cast against you.

Basil - Brings wealth to those who carry it in their pockets. Basil given as a gift brings good luck to a new home. It is one of the traditional ritual herbs of the Candlemas Sabbat.

Buckwheat - Sprinkle the flour to form magic circles on the floor around you while performing magic.

Catnip - Grown near the home, it attracts good spirits and great luck. Catnip is used in spells designed to enhance beauty and happiness. Large Catnip leaves are pressed and used as bookmarks in magickal texts.

Cinnamon - Used in healing rituals and spells to attract money. It stimulates clairvoyant abilities and raises both protective and spiritual vibrations. The oil of the cinnamon plant is used to anoint candles for love goddess invocations, love magick, and spells of passion. It is also used in sachets and infusions.

Clove - Burned as an incense, cloves attract riches, drive away negative forces, and purify the area. Burn them to stop others from gossiping about you. Wear them or carry them to attract the opposite sex.

Corn - Place an ear of corn in a baby's crib to protect it against negative forces. A necklace made of dried red corn kernels prevents nosebleed.

Cumin - Used in love spells. When carried, it gives peace of mind.

Dill - This is an herb of protection. When hung over the front door, it will keep your home safe from enemies. Dill has a magickal ability to attract money and good fortune.

Garlic - Extremely protective in new homes. Worn, it guards against foul weather.

Grape - Eating grapes or raisins increases fertility, as well as strengthens mental powers. Place grapes on the altar during money spells.

Hazel - String the nuts and hang in the house for luck. The nuts are often eaten prior to divination and give wisdom and increase fertility. Twigs of hazel are placed in window frames to guard the house against lightning. Hazel wood can be used to make all-purpose magickal wands.

Lemon - Lemon juice is mixed with water and is used to wash amulets, jewelry and other magickal objects which have been obtained second-hand. This wash ensures that all negative vibrations are cleansed from the object. Keep one of the seeds from a lemon that you have consumed. Plant it in early spring, and nurture it in a warm place. When it grows, give it to a loved

One, to keep your love fresh and true. Also, Take a slice of fresh lemon and put it under the chair of a visiting friend, to ensure your friendship will last.

Lettuce - Rub lettuce juice onto the forehead or eat the leaves to have no trouble falling asleep.

Mint - The leaves of the mint plants have been used magickally for healing, attracting money, increasing sexual desire, and protection. Mint oil is often used for anointing candles, ritual tools, and healing poppets.

Mustard - Carry mustard seeds in a red cloth to guard against colds and to increase mental powers. When eaten, mustard seed increases fertility in women.

Nuts - All nuts are potent fertility-inducers, and are carried for such uses. Nuts are also used in many prosperity and money mixtures.

Oats - Used in prosperity and money spells.

Olive - Olive oil has long been used as an anointing oil to aid in healing. Olive leaves, worn, bring luck.

Onion - An onion placed beneath the pillow can produce prophetic dreams. Magickal knives and swords are purified by rubbing their blades with fresh onions.

Orange - The dried peel and seeds are added to love sachets. The peel is also added to prosperity powders, incenses and mixtures. Orange juice is drunk in rituals in place of wine.

Pea - Shelling peas brings fortune and profits in business, and the dried peas are used in monetary mixtures.

Pear - The fruit is used in love spells, and the wood makes fine magickal wands.

Pepper - Pepper is added to amulets as a protectant against the evil eye, and when worn, it frees the mind of envious thoughts. Mixed with salt and scattered about the property it dispels evil.

Pineapple - Dried pineapple is placed in bags and added to baths to draw good luck to the bather. Pineapple juice is drunk to hinder lust, and the dried peel or flesh is added to money mixtures.

Poppy - The flowers and seeds of the poppy are highly magickal and have been used in spells, potions, and sachets to promote female fertility, attract money, and induce divinatory dreams. The poppy is regarded as good luck, and it is potent in all forms of love enchantment.

Potato - A potato carried in the pocket curse toothaches and guards against rheumatism, warts and gout. To protect against contracting a cold, a potato should be carried in the pocket or purse all winter-the same potato.

Rice - When placed on the roof, rice guards against all misfortunes. Throwing rice in the air can cause rain. Rice is also added in money spells.

Rosemary - Is burned as an incense to purify, heal, prevent nightmares, dispel depression, attract fairy-folk, and induce sleep. Healing poppets are often stuffed with rosemary for its powerful curative vibrations.

Saffron - Has many magickal powers. It is an herb of love enchantment, healing, weather working, and spells and rituals to strengthen the psychic abilities. Drinking a potion made from saffron is said to give a woman or man the gift of second sight.

Sage - An herb of immortality, protection, and wish magick. When eaten, worn in a horn amulet, or carried in a mojo bag, sage leaves guard against the evil eye. This herb of magick is also reputed to promote wisdom, heal the body, mind, and soul, and attract money. The sage is one of the traditional ritual herbs of the Samhain Sabbat.

Spearmint - Is used in all healing applications, especially in aiding lung diseases. Smelled, spearmint increases and sharpens mental powers.

Tea - Burn the leaves of the tea plant to ensure future riches, and add to all money mixtures and sachets. Tea is also included in talismans designed to give their bearer courage and strength.

Thyme - This magickal herb is used in love spells and divinations, dream magick, spells to increase strength and courage and charms against nightmares. Thyme is also used in healing spells, purifications, and rituals to develop extra-sensory perception.

Tomato - Placed on the windowsill or any other household entrance it repels evil from entering. The plants in the garden are protective, and the tomato when eaten, has the power of inspiring love.

Vanilla - The vanilla plant is used in love magick. Its beans are used as amulets to improve mental powers, and its purple flowers are used in aphrodisiacs and passion sachets.

Wintergreen - Is utilized in healing spells, and when fresh sprigs are placed on the altar they call good spirits to witness and aid you magic.

~The Magic of Herbal Tea~

By Mindy Houston
From Llewellyn's 2002 Herbal Almanac

All of us have sat down at one time or another with a hot cup of tea. Be it for medicinal purposes, for relaxation, or for warmth against the chill of a cold winter's day, tea has a number of useful qualities – from enhancing everyday well-being to treating the simple maladies and complaints that plague us. And tea varieties come in endless numbers from all over the world.

Beginning with Tea

Kitchen Witchery ~ The Green Witch

One of the most common places to begin your journey as an herbalist is right
inside your own kitchen. You'd be amazed at the medicines you have stored
right now in your spice cabinet. This page will help to familiarize you with
the more common ones. It is useful to note that for medicinal purposes dried
herbs are good to keep for a year or so, those that have been purchased in
the Spice Aisle of the local grocery store are probably not the best to rely
upon for medicinal uses but for now feel free to try a few experiments with
what you already have. Later on you will want to purchase fresher herbs or
begin growing you own!

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ANISE--(pimpinella anisum)

This licorice like herb is very useful for breaking up mucus such as chest
congestion and is very useful for hard dry hacking coughs where there is
congestion in the lungs. Made an infusion by adding three teaspoonfuls of
the crushed seed to a cup of boiled water. Cover and allow to steep fifteen
minutes. You may wish to sweeten this with a little honey before drinking.
The same tea may also be used to stimulate mother's milk and to treat
flatulence. Some added to an herbal mixture for the treatment of diarrhea
will help prevent cramping.

BASIL--(Ocimum basilicum)

Sweet basil is useful as a tea for the treatment of indigestion, fever,
cold, flu, kidney and bladder, headache, cramp, nausea, vomiting,
constipation and nervous conditions. For the above purposes an infusion is
made using one ounce slightly crushed leaves to a pint of boiling water,
cover and steep twenty minutes. Drink 1/2 cup every three hours as needed.
For the treatment of fevers add three powdered black peppercorns per cup.

BAY--(Laurus nobilis)

This tree was dedicated to Apollo and Aseculapium (Greek God of medicine)
and is considered capable of increasing and maintaining great health and
happiness. One or two leaves added to home made soups and stews not only
improves the flavor but helps prevent gas and indigestion. Do not use this
herb in large amounts internally. Externally they may be applied liberally
as a poultice on the chest area with a cloth covering to aid in bronchitis
and coughs. A little Oil of Bay (essential oil not infused) is of great
benefit when applied to areas afflicted with rheumatism and arthritis as
well as other swellings and sprains.

BLACK PEPPER (Piper nigrum)

Yogis consider this to be one nature's most perfect foods, useful not only
as a cure for ailments but also as a preventative measure for general daily
health. In this manner it is taken in the dose of seven ground peppercorns
mixed with honey each morning. This mixture is also quite useful to help
over come colds and sore throats.

CARAWAY (Carum carvi)

is good to aid in the digestive process, for indigestion, gas, colic and
mild nervous conditions. For these purpose an infusion is made using once
ounce of the crushed seeds to a pint of boiling water, cover and allow to
stand twenty minutes or you may allow the mixture to stand in cold water
overnight. Drink the infusion in frequent doses of two to three tablespoons
until relief is obtained. It is also a mild stimulant and may be added to
herbal mixtures for digestion and laxatives to prevent griping.

CARDAMON (Elettaria cardamomum)

is a carminative and stimulant and is normally mixed with other herbs to
treat indigestion and gas. It warms the body and is good for diarrhea, colic
and headaches

CAYENNE (Capsicum anuum)

For those of you who like it it's a good stimulant, astringent, carminative
and antispasmodic. It is considered to be a superior herb to use in a crisis
situation, keeping a little on hand is probably a good idea. For the
purposes of general health and in the prevention of heart attack, strokes,
colds, flu, diminish vitality, headaches, indigestion, depression and
arthritis and for the benefit of the heart and circulation system, one may
take a daily tonic of one quarter teaspoon mixed with water three times
daily. A powder of tincture of cayenne may be rubbed on toothaches, swelling
and inflammations. A useful remedy for arthritis is to rub some cayenne
tincture into the inflamed join and wrap a flannel around it for the night.
For hemorrhage, internally and externally, it is useful to stop and control
the bleeding because it normalizes the circulation. In this manner it is
also suited to those who have high and/or low blood pressure.

CINNAMON (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)

Is stimulating, astringent, demulcent and carminative. It warms the entire
system and medicinaly is used to warm the organs in specific for the
treatment of chronic diarrhea, cramps, heart and abdominal pain, coughing,
wheezing, lower back pain. For these purposes one teaspoon is gently warmed
with a cup of milk and a little honey. It is most effective when given as
tincture every fifteen minutes or so to stop bleeding from the uterus

CLOVES (Syzygium aromaticum)

They are stimulating aromatic buds and are effective in warming the body,
increasing circulation, improving digestion and treating flatulence,
vomiting and nausea. It is normally added to another herbal mixture when a
stimulant is required. Oil of Clove may be applied directly to a toothache
with cotton ball until you can reach the dentist. Or you can chew on a clove
or two instead.

CUMIN (Cuminum cyminum)

One of the best herbs to prevent and relieve gas and as such is useful when
added to cooked beans and fried foods. It is of benefit to the heart and
uterus, it is given to women after childbirth to increase the flow of
mother's milk. In these manners an infusion is made by crushing one teaspoon
of the seeds and adding to a cup of boiled water. It does have a strong
flavor and you may prefer to take it capsule form. Externally it can be used
as a liniment for stimulating circulation

FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare)

Useful as an antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, expectorant and
stimulant. An infusion is made using one teaspoon crushed seeds to a cup of
boiled water steep twenty minutes, this is used to treat colic, cramps, gas
and to expel mucus. The cooled infusion (wash) can be used as an eye wash

FENUGREEK (Trigonella foenumgraecum)

It is useful for all mucous conditions and lung congestion. A decoction is
made using one ounce of the crushed seeds and seven crushed peppercorns to a
pint of boiling water, cover and simmer fifteen minutes. The same is also
useful for ulcers and inflammed conditions of the stomach and intestine. It
is also considered to be an aphrodisiac and rejuvenator. Externally it is
used in an emollient poultice applied to boils.

GARLIC (allium sativum)

Oh! Where to begin with this one? I should just say "take it, take it, take
it!" because that's pretty much what it comes down to with this one. It is
used in the treatment of all lung ailments, in the treatment of high and low
blood pressure, high cholesterol, against parasites and infections (great
antibiotic properties!), also for headaches and moderate nervous disorders.
The fresh juice is most effective in all cases. For t his crush one clove
garlic in a glass of hot milk. For high blood pressure take twice daily.
Since this isn't really..ah..acceptable..bad breath and all..for these
purposes purchased garlic pills/capsules at the local health food store and
take them!

GINGER (zingiber officinale)

Ginger tea is made by grating one ounce fresh ginger root and simmer ten
minutes in a pint of water it is very good for indigestion,cramps and
nausea. Take with honey and lemon and it is good for colds and flu and will
induce sweating. Snack on ginger cookies if you suffer from motion sickness.
Externally it is applied for the treatment of pain, inflammation and stiff
joints. For this purpose simmer five o ounces fresh grated root in two
quarter water for ten minutes. Strain and soak a cloth in water, apply
directly to affected area. Change and re-dip cloth often to keep the
temperature constantly warm. The skin should become red as the circulation
increases. Also for massage purposes you may squeeze the juice of fresh
grated ginger and combine with equal parts olive or sesame oil to relieve
muscle pain

MARJORAM (origanum majorana)

Useful for upset stomach, headache, colic and nervous complaints. An
infusion is made using one half ounce marjoram steeped in a pint of boiling
water. This is also useful for cramps, nausea associated with menstruation
and severe cases of abdominal cramps.

MUSTARD SEED (Brassica nigra).

Internally a teaspoonful of the crushed seeds mixed in warm water acts as a
mild laxative and blood purifier but a tablespoonful acts as a quick emetic.
Externally it really is wonderful for aches, sprains, spasms and cold areas
needing circulation. For this purpose a thick plaster is made by mixing
powdered mustard with water until thick paste is made. Spread this on a
cotton cloth and place a thin layer of cotton cloth on the skin as well, do
not let the plaster come in direct contact with the skin as this may be
irritating. Leave on until desired warmth is obtained, once removed powder
the skin area with rice or other flour and wrap the area with a clean cotton
cloth.

NUTMEG (myristica fragans)

A small amount of nutmeg, about the size of a pea, may be taken daily and
over long periods to help relieve chronic nervous disorders and heart
problems. Large doses are often poisonous and may cause miscarriage.

ROSEMARY (rosmarinum officinalis)

Is of great benefit when used to treat headaches and is a terrific
substitute for aspirin. It is astringent, diaphoretic and stimulant. As such
is also useful for indigestion, colic, nausea, gas and fevers. For these
purposes an infusion is made by using one half ounce of rosemary to a pint
of boiled water allow to steep for ten minutes covered and drink. It is also
useful externally for the hair and scalp, use a strong infusion (cooled of
course!) as a rinse after shampooing.

SAGE (Salvia officinalis)

Is antispasmodic and astringent in action and is of benefit when slowing
secretions. It is used to excessive perspiration, night sweats, clear
vaginal discharge and to stop the flow of milk. Also use for diarrhea,
dysentery and the early stages of cold, flu , sinus congestion, bladder
infections and inflammatory conditions. Make an infusion by steeping one
quarter ounce of herb ina pint of boiled water steep ten minutes. This
should not be used for more than one week at a time but during this time you
may take the up to three times per day. It also makes an excellent gargle
for sore throats and ulcerations of the mouth.

THYME (Thymus vulgaris)

Is a very important and useful parasiticide useful for intestinal worms but
also wonderful for athlete's foot! For the purposes of athlete's foot make a
strong infusion and allow to cool completely, apply to the area as often as
necessary with a cotton ball. Also great when used in this manner to wash
all cuts, scraped, bruises and abrasions before other first aid treatment.
When used as a strong tea is is helpful for bronchial problems such a as
acute bronchitis and w whooping cough also laryngitis Do not use in large
amounts.

TURMERIC (Curcuma longa)

This is used as a blood purifier, stimulant and vulnerary. It may be applied
internally and externally to heal wounds, relieve pain in the limbs, break
up congestion and a restorative after loss of blood at childbirth. It is of
great benefit to the circulatory system. Also useful for reducing fevers and
for nosebleeds. A teaspoon of turmeric powder is added with a teaspoon of
almond oil to a cup of warm milk. One to two cups are taken daily.