Blackberries - The Medicine You Find On the Side of the Road

Blackberries are one of life’s sweetest gifts, growing abundantly in the bramble along the rambling path. An extremely effective medicinal tonic can be made by soaking a quart of berries in a quart of malt vinegar for three days. Drain and strain the liquid into a pan. Simmer and stir in sugar, one pound to every two cups of tonic. Boil gently for five minutes and skim off any foam. Cool and pour into a sealable jar. This potion is so powerful; you can add a teaspoon into a cup of water and cure tummy aches, cramps, fevers, coughs and colds. Best of all, blackberry vinegar is both a medicine and a highly prized dessert topping in the UK. Pour some over your apple pie and cream and you will soon scurry off to pick blackberries all summer. 

Healing Herbal Cure: Bay Leaf Balm

Any body oil or herbal oil can be turned into a salve with the addition of wax.  The ratio for a body salve is 3 ounces coconut oil to one ounce of beeswax.  If you have a bay laurel tree, pick some fresh leaves. You can also go to your spice rack and take three leaves from the jar and grind in your mortar and pestle until broken up into fine little pieces.  Set aside a fourth whole leaf.  Use a double boiler to heat the oil and wax until completely melted. Test the viscosity of your salve by pouring a dab onto a cold plate. If satisfied with the consistency, pour off into jars to cool. If you need to add more wax, now is the time to do it. Balms are simply salves with the addition of essential oils. Add two drops of eucalyptus essential oil and two drops of lemon oil when mix is still warm. Sprinkle in the finely crushed bay laurel into the mix, stir well and seal to preserve the aroma. Bay Leaf Balm will have a wonderfully calming effect anytime you use it and can be rubbed on your temples when you need to destress. I recommend Sunday night baths where you slather on the balm before stepping into a hot bath. Take a washcloth and massage your skin, then lie back and relax for twenty minutes. When you drain the tub, your stress will also empty out and you can start your week afresh and ready to handle anything that comes your way.

An Essential Guide to Essential Oils for Common Ailments

Use these oils in bath water, diffusers, dabbed onto pulse points, or sprays to infuse your home with the healing vitality of these plant essences:

Allergies: Melissa, chamomile

Headaches: lavender, geranium peppermint, linden.

Immune boosters: hyssop thyme, rose, jasmine.

Insomnia: clary sage, hops, lavender

Colds and flu: pine, thyme, eucalyptus, lavender

Tummy troubles: peppermint, chamomile, basil

Cramps, yarrow, sunflower, linden

Arthritis: marjoram, rosemary, eucalyptus, pine

Fatigue: rose, clary sage, neroli, bergamot

Saffron Serenity Spell

Light a yellow candle, for mental clarity, and anoint with calming and uplifting bergamot oil. Place a yellow rose in a vase to the left of the candle. To the right, place a bowl containing at least two citrine or quartz crystals.

Saffron water is made by boiling a single teaspoon of saffron from your cupboard in two quarts of distilled water. Let cool to room temperature and pour into the bowl of crystals. Put your hands together as in prayer and dip your hands in the bowl. Touch your “third eye” in the center of your forehead, anointing yourself with the saffron water. 

Now, speak aloud:

Goddess great, fill me with your presence

This night, I am whole and at peace.

Breathing in, breathing out, I feel your safe embrace.

And so it is. 

Spells for Wellness: Breathe Easy

Banish colds and coughs or keep them at bay with this sweet-smelling spell. Shake together in a blue bottle the following essential oils:

10 drops rosemary

10 drops tea tree

10 drops eucalyptus

10 drops lavender

One teaspoon sea salt

Hold the open container in both hands under your nose and breathe deeply three times. After the last exhalation, intone:

Power of wind,

Strength of the trees,

Energy of the earth,

Salts of the sea,

I call upon you to keep me well and strong.

With harm to none, so mote it be.

You can administer this respiratory booster with four drops added to the water of a vaporizer or diffuser or a cotton ball tucked into your pillowcase. Six drops poured into the running water of a hot bath will ease breathing immediately

Green Witchery Healthy Brews

I began practicing the Craft as a child.  For me, witchcraft was and is the most natural thing in the world- and indeed it is all about being in the natural world. On woodland walks, my Aunt Edith pointed out nettles, wild mint, Queen Anne’s Lace and other herbs which grew by creek beds near my home. We picked, steeped, and sipped concoctions we made together as she imparted her homely wisdom. Little did I know at the time, I was being gently schooled as an apprentice kitchen witch. Lately, I have been called upon to craft spells for peace of mind; so many of us are overwhelmed due to the  fragmented lifestyles requiring long hours at work, zillions of emails, texts,  tweets and all the demands that don’t stop coming. 

Here are some of the herbal cures my dearest Aunt Edith taught me:

Herbal tea nourishes the soul, heals the body and calms the mind. Try these:

Blackberry leaf tea reduces mood swings, evens glucose levels aiding in weight management. This miraculous herbal even helps circulation and such issues as inflammation and varicose veins. It is helpful to cancer patients and is believed to be a preventative.

Cardamom is a favorite of expectant mothers everywhere as it calms nausea and morning sickness; this East India fragrant is excellent for digestion, clears and cleans your mouth and throat. Anyone who likes cinnamon will love cardamom.

Nettle raises your energy level, boosts the immune systems and is packed with iron and vitamins.

Fennel is excellent for awakening and uplifting and is excellent for digestion and cleansing. Fennel also is a natural breath freshener. Catnip is a gentle but potent sleep-inducer

Catnip is one of the witchiest of teas and is not only grown as fun for your feline familiar. At the first inkling of a sore throat or impending cold, drink a warm cup of catnip tea, and head off to bed and you will awaken feeling much better. Catnip soothes the nervous system and can safely help get a restless child off to sleep,

Echinacea lends an increased and consistent sense of well-being and prevents colds and flu. It is a very powerful immune booster.

Ginger Root calms and cheers while aiding digestion, nausea and can also fend off coughs and sore throats.

Dandelion root grounds and centers, provides many minerals and nutrients. This wonderful weed is also a cleanser and a wholly natural detoxifier. 

Melting Stress Away With Magic

How often to you see a stressed out witch?

Rarely, I assure you.

We witches also have to keep pace with the modern world, but our connection to the earth and the cycles of nature help maintain balance and harmony, despite the hurly burly of these tech-driven times. This chapter is aimed at conjuring wellness so you can stay centered, grounded and healthy. When our grandmothers and elders who came before us tended cuts, bruises, colds, flu’s, fevers and other illnesses their family suffered, they didn't have a corner drugstore. Instead, these wise women relied on simple wisdom, common sense, and pantries well stocked with herbal remedies. These preparations were made from plants that grew in the kitchen garden or were wild weeds gathered in the fields and woods surrounding their homes. This stash of kitchen cupboard cures combines the wisdom of our elders with a modern kitchen witch sensibility. Yes, you will save money, but more importantly, you will begin to learn what works for you and master the art of self-care as you bring much comfort to your loved ones.

Deep Breaths

Breathe Easy Spell

Banish colds and coughs or keep them at bay with this sweet-smelling spell. Shake together in a blue bottle the following essential oils:

10 drops rosemary

10 drops tea tree

10 drops eucalyptus

10 drops lavender

One teaspoon sea salt

Hold the open container in both hands under your nose and breathe deeply three times. After the last exhalation, intone:

Power of wind,

Strength of the trees,

Energy of the earth,

Salts of the sea,

I call upon you to keep me well and strong.

With harm to none, so mote it be.

You can administer this respiratory booster with four drops added to the water of a vaporizer or diffuser or a cotton ball tucked into your pillowcase. Six drops poured into the running water of a hot bath will ease breathing immediately.