Category: Apothecary

Nerve Soothing Tea

Apothecary, Culinary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Teas

This tea is a general circulatory and heart tonic. It is soothing to the nerves and is particularly good for stressed-out people.

1 part dried hawthorn berries

1 part dried mixed hawthorn flowers and leaves

1 part dried linden blossoms

1 part dried motherwort

1 part dried mixed yarrow flowers and leaves

Gently crush the hawthorn berries using a pestle and mortar to break them up slightly. Mix with all the other dried herbs in a bowl, then transfer to an airtight container.

To use, add 1–2 teaspoons of the dried herb mixture per cup (250ml) of boiling water in a mug or teapot. Cover and leave to infuse for 15 minutes. Strain to serve. Alternatively, use an infuser to make the tea.

Take one cup of the tea, up to three times a day.

Shelf Life: Keep the dried herb mix in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

Peaceful Dream Tea

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Relaxation, Teas

This tea promotes relaxation and sleep. Anyone can easily grow each of these herbs in the backyard, and since the herbs are gentle and effective for quieting a busy mind, releasing muscle tension, and promoting general relaxation your body naturally feels tired and falls asleep.

1.25 parts chamomile

1 part catnip

1 part skullcap

1 part mint

0.375 part licorice root

0.25 part hops

Steeping:

Hot Infusion: Pour 1 ½ cups hot water over 2 tablespoons tea. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

Cold Infusion: Combine 2 cups cold water and 1 to 2 tablespoons tea in a lidded jar. Shake the jar to make sure all the tea is saturated. Place in the refrigerator or a cool place for at least 2 hours.

Wolfsbane or Monkshood (aconitum napullus)

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Poison Garden, Witchcraft

Wolfsbane or Monkshood (aconitum napullus)

One of the most beautiful and also oldest and most deadliest of poisons. The principal alkaloids are aconite and aconitine; of these aconitine is thought to be the key toxin and one of the most toxic plant compounds known. Ingestion of even a small amount results in severe gastrointestinal upset, but it is the effect on the heart, where it causes slowing of the heart rate, which is often the cause of death. The poison may be administered by absorption through broken skin or open wounds and there are reports of florists being unwell after working with the flowers.

Its distinctive taste makes it unpleasant to eat so accidental poisoning is extremely rare but not unknown. The taste is described as initially very bitter followed by a burning sensation and, then, a numbing of the mouth. All parts of the plant are extremely poisonous if eaten and may cause systematic poisoning if handled.

Magical propensities for invisibility and protection from evil. Excellent for redirecting predators.

Lymph Cleansing Tea

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Paganism, Teas

This tea is nourishing to the body and cleansing to the lymph glands. Use for painful breasts and skin problems.

1part dried red clover flowers

1 part dried cleavers *

1 part dried calendula flowers

1 part dried oat straw

1 part dried nettle leaves

Mix all the dried herbs together in a sterilised jar, then seal, label and date.

To use, place 1 teaspoon of the dried herb mix in one cup (250ml) of boiling water and leave to infuse for 15 minutes, then strain and drink.

Take up to three times a day, as and when required.

Shelf Life: The dried herb mix will keep in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

* Common Names: hitchhickers, cleavers, clivers, bedstraw, goosegrass, catchweed, stickyweed, sticky bob, stickybud, stickyback, robin-run-the-hedge, sticky willy, sticky willow, stickyjack, stickeljack, grip grass, sticky grass, bobby buttons, whippysticks and velcroplant

Mandrake (mandragora officinarum)

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Poison Garden, Witchcraft

A stemless perennial with a fleshy taproot and broadly ovate leaves; small white to blue-white, bell-shaped flowers are borne at ground level in spring, followed by aromatic yellow fruits. One of the most written about plants in history with whole books devoted to its properties and its ability to scream when pulled from the ground. It is a relative of deadly nightshade so contains the tropane alkaloids, notably hyoscine and atropine; the effects are hallucinogenic, narcotic, emetic and purgative similar to deadly nightshade and henbane. Mandrake root is supposed to look like the male form (having two legs, a body and often a hairy top) and, under the Doctrine of Signatures, its use ‘would give a man that power which men are always willing to spend a lot of money to get!’ Its high price was maintained, in part, by the difficulty of harvesting it.

Magical propensities for magical uses include protection; prosperity; fertility; exorcising evil. Carry to attract love. Wear to preserve health.

Sources: By Wolfsbane and Mandrake Root