The Traveler’s Sachet
The Traveler’s Sachet: Protection, Love, Money, & Health Sachet
A magical sachet is a small bag that can be kept near you or in a space to embue a selected intention using magical items. Items are usually combined with a goal such as protection, healing, love, etc. Historically indigenous Americans wore medicine bags filled with healing herbs and in Voodoo practice gris gris bags are carried. A magical sachet is a spell you can take with you.
This sachet is available in both leather with a long cord and cotton with a draw string for the traveler’s protection, love, money, & health.
Crystals: green adventurine, rose quartz, clear quartz, red jasper, tiger’s eye, carnelian, garnet
Herbs: mugwort, echinacea, Tonka Beans, galangal root, bayberry, rue, catmint, nettle root, agrimomy, witch hazel, slippery elm bark
All pictures, designs and content are the sole property of The Adoring Crow and may not be reproduced.
For legal purposes I am required to state that all my handmade items at The Adoring Crow are sold as curios only, offered solely for entertainment purposes and are not guaranteed to give any specific healing, abilities, or results. All purchases and use are the responsibility of the buyer and owner. I take no responsibility for use or misuse of my items and the buyer takes full responsibility for items once purchased. The Adoring Crow cannot guarantee that the products will provide a desired outcome.
Thank you for looking!
#Travelersprotectionsachet #protection #protectionsachet #lovesachet #prosperitysachet #greenwitch #greenwitchery #hedgewitch #hedgedruid #Druid #pagancraft
Rosso Sicilian Tomatoes
Rosso Sicilian Tomatoes from my garden on Nipmuc land that I started from seed. These come from @bakercreekseeds
“The Rosso Sicilian tomato is an heirloom that arrived in the United States from Sicily in 1987. While the age of the Rosso Sicilian cultivar is unknown, tomatoes have been present in this autonomous region of Italy since the 1500’s, when they landed on the island from the “new world.”’ Tomatoes themselves originated in the Andes where they were used as food since prehistoric times. So, this tomato actually traveled from the America’s and back again. I would love to know what it’s original name was. Tomato is descended from the indigenous name tomati. I am unsure if it is an Aztec or Inca name. The Andes are home to the Incas where the fruit grew wild. The Aztecs were the first to cultivate the wild fruit around 700 AD. So, not only do I honor my Italian ancestors but I also honor the indigenous people who first cultivated the plant.
My ancestors are Italian and I am a descendent of my great grandfather Max Lorenzo who came to America to escape WWII. I try to honor my Italian ancestors by growing plants native [this tomato is not native to Italy but grown and appreciated] to their homelands. My family is from Calabria, Sicily, and Campania.
Though I grew up American little things like this help me remember where we came from. Honoring my ancestors is a large part of my practice. This includes recognizing colonization and the part it played in the foods and medicine I grow.
#ancestors #Druid #Bard #Greenwich #herbalist
quote from: specialtyproduce.com
TAC Booklist
Below is a list of books you may find interesting and informative. I have not read them all but they are on my list. Some are meant to own for reference and learning. The list will continue to expand as time goes by so check back often.
Botanical Health
Phytochemistry and Pharmacy for Practitioners of Botanical Medicine by Eric Yarnell Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie: An Ethnobotanical Guide by Kelly Kindscher Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine by Rosalee de la Forêt
The Herbalist’s Bible: John Parkinson’s Lost Classic Rediscovered by Julie Bruton-Seal
The Earthwise Herbal, Volume I: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants by Matthew Wood The Earthwise Herbal, Volume II: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants by Matthew Wood The Earthwise Herbal Repertory: The Definitive Practitioner’s Guide by Matthew Wood
The New Age Herbalist: How to Use Herbs for Healing, Nutrition, Body Care, and Relaxation by Richard Mabey
Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care by Maria Noel
Groves A Modern Herbal ((Volume 1, A-H): The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-Lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs & Trees with Their Modern Scientific Uses by Margaret Grieve
A Modern Herbal (Volume 2, I-Z and Indexes) by Margaret Grieve
Plants
Weeds: In Defense of Nature’s Most Unloved Plants by Richard Mabey
The Cabaret of Plants: Botany and the Imagination by Richard Mabey
Nature
Chrysalis: Maria Sibylla Merian and the Secrets of Metamorphosis by Kim Todd
Maria Sibylla Merian (Artist Monographs) by Daniel Kiecol
Maria Sibylla Merian: Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium by Maria Sibylla Merian
Folklore, Spirituality, Traditional Practices
The Secret of the She-Bear: An unexpected key to understand European mythologies, traditions and tales by Marie D. F. Cachet
The Poetic Edda: Stories of the Norse Gods and Heroes (Hackett Classics) by Jackson Crawford (Also follow his YouTube and find him on Patreon)
The Prose Edda: Norse Mythology (Penguin Classics) by Snorri Sturluson
The Hávamál by Cyrus Gorgani
Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes & Feminine Powers by Freya Aswynn
Leaves of Yggdrasil: Runes, Gods, Magic, Feminine Mysteries, and Folklore (Llewellyn’s Teutonic Magick Series) by Freya Aswynn
Ásatrú for Beginners: A Modern Heathen’s Guide to the Ancient Northern Way by Mathias Nordvig PhD Tending Brigid’s Flame: Awaken to the Celtic Goddess of Hearth, Temple, and Forge by Lunaea Weatherstone
Agrimony
Common Names: Common Agrimony, church steeples, Sticklewort
Botanical Name: Agrimonia Eupatoria
Family: Rosaceae
Description: A perennial that grows to a height of roughly 3-4 feet, 0.5-2 meters. Natural habitat is woods and fields.
Origin: Northern Hemisphere, grows in England the United States and southern Canada.
Cultivation: Sun or partial shade, gather herb in summer while flowers are in bloom.
History: The name Agrimony is from Argemone, a word given by the Greeks to plants that were healing to the eyes, the name Eupatoria refers to Mithridates Eupator, a king who was a renowned concoctor of herbal remedies. The Anglo-Saxons, who called it Garclive, taught that it would heal wounds, snakebites, warts, etc.
Parts Used: All of the above ground parts of the plant can be used. It can be harvested when flowering, but avoid the flower spikes that have burs, and then dry for use.
Storage: Dry plant and store in airtight container away from heat or light, or in the freezer.
Uses:
Agrimony is astringent, and contains tannins, glycosidal bitters, nicotinic acid, silicic acid, iron, vitamins B and K, and essential oil. The high tannin content makes it a good astringent.
* Agrimony is used in herbal baths to help sore muscles.
* The decoction is used externally for pimples and skin eruptions.
* Can be used as an eyebath for tired eyes and conjunctivitis.
* Once an important herb for cleaning wounds, the vitamin k content promotes blood clotting.
* Agrimony has been known to help with hemorrhoids and allay bleeding
* As a wash it helps minor injuries and chronic skin conditions.
* In lotion applied externally to minor sores and ulcers.
Other Uses: In Chinese medicine Agrimony is used to control severe menstrual bleeding. Flowers can be used to make a yellow dye. Used as a gargle it has been used to help with sore throat.
Contraindications: Not recommended during pregnancy, those suffering from lupus, myasthenia gravis, or any other autoimmune disease.
Sources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/a/agrim015.html#his
Herbal Body Book, pg 42
http://www.herbalextractsplus.com/agrimony.cfm
Alder
Common Names: Black- Black Dogwood, European Alder Buckthorn
Botanical Name: Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Red Alder (Alnus rubra), Italian Alder (Alnus cordata)
Family: Betulaceae
Description: The Alder is a flowering tree reaching 30 to 35m. The Green alder is more of a shrub reaching only 5m. Bees love their pollen
Origin: Europe, North Africa, and Central Asia, introduced to North America in 1800’s.
Cultivation: Alders thrive in well-drained soils that are neutral-to-acid. They enjoy sun or partial shade.
History: In the Highlands of Scotland it is used for making handsome chairs, and is known as Scottish mahogany.
Parts Used:
Storage: The bark is stripped from young plants in spring and early summer and dried for one or (preferably) two years before being used in herbal remedies.
Uses:
Alder’s are antiseptic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and haemostatic (stops bleeding).
*Alder barks soaked in vinegar and mixed with other cleansing herbs make a cleansing wash for skin irritations.
* Black alder tea is said to be good for skin problems.
* Herbal baths or poultices for swelling, inflammation and rheumatism-type complaints. To make the poultice uses fresh or dried leaves and simmer them in hot water. Then apply to affected area. Or pulp the leaves and moisten with warm milk.
* Black Alder has tannins, which are believed to be astringent, and have been used to treat hemorrhoids.
* Black Alder bark has been used to treat gum disease and scalp infestations, i.e. Scabies and scabs.
* Fresh crushed leaves have been used to soothe chapped skin.
Other uses: Alders have been used to make charcoal, and electric guitar bodies.
Contraindications: use only the dried bark as fresh bark can cause vomiting.
Sources:
IN DEFENSE OF PLANTS: Ep. 294 – Herbaria: Past, Present, and Future
Ep. 294 – Herbaria: Past, Present, and Future
This is an amazing podcast on Herbariums! The Adoring Crow has its very own herbarium and you can purchase sheets from our etsy and see our plant log on the blog!
“This episode takes a deep dive into the past, present, and future of herbaria. I sit down with Director of the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium, Dr. Barbara M. Thiers about her new book “Herbarium: The Quest to Preserve and Classify the World’s Plants.” Dr. Thiers has spent a lifetime thinking about and working in herbaria and she recognized the importance of telling their stories. Listen in as we discuss humanity’s impulse to save things. This podcast was produced in part by Peter, Cathrine, Melvin, OrangeJulian, Porter, Grif, Jules, Joan, Les, Marabeth, Ali, Margaret, Southside Plants, Robert, Keiko, Bryce, Brittany, Helen, Amanda, Mikey, Rhiannon, Michelle, Kate, German, Joerg, Alejandra, Cathy, Jordan, Judy, Steve, Kae, Carole, Mr. Keith Santner, Dana, Chloe, Aaron, Sara, Kenned, Vaibhav, Kendall, Christina, Brett, Jocelyn, Kathleen, Ethan, Kaylee, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Donica, Chris, Shamora, Alana, Laura, Alice, Sarah, Rachel, Joanna, Griff, Philip, Paul, Matthew, Clark, Bobby, Kate, Steven, Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Liba, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.”
Recipes: Yellow Dock Syrup
Do not use without permission
Yellow dock syrup! Amazing for iron and mineral supplementation, and works as a great digestive bitter. I added ginger to mine for some warming digestive soothing. Three times a day 1 spoonful! It lasts in the fridge for about one week. It is not shelf stable.
16 oz water
2 oz dry dock root 4oz fresh (I did 2 oz ginger fresh and 2 oz dock fresh)
4 oz molasses
Do not use without permission
Add chopped roots to water in a saucepan and simmer below boiling until water reduces to half. It took me just over an hour at medium heat.
Strain dock roots into a jar and add molasses while still warm.
Let cool and bottle up.
Store in the fridge for up to one week.
Enjoy!
Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca
Angel Crow 09/23/2020
Motherwort
cool, dry, relaxant
Leonurus cardiaca
Common Names: motherwort, throw-wort, lion’s ear, and lion’s tail.
Taste: bitter, acrid, aromatic
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Zone: 4-8
Plant Description: An herbaceous perennial in the mint family with a square stem covered in small hairs and purplish near the nodes. The leaves are hairy, lobed, thick, grooved, and toothed, they have dark green color with paler undersides. The flower grows in clusters above the leaves and has very spiky seed pods that will poke when harvesting. Blooms from midsummer to midfall in whorls of pale pink to red-purple flowers.
Cultivation: Motherwort is forgiving and will thrive in many light and soil conditions. It self seeds quite regularly so plant in an area where spread is preferable. Self seeding can be avoided by cutting back 3-4 inches after flowering to keep seed production down. Sow in the Spring and divide roots in late Spring or midautumn. Thin seedlings to 12 inches.
Propagation: Seeds need to be stratified, meaning they need the exposure of cold or cold weather. Many stratify their seeds by planting them in the fall or keep them in the refrigerator for a few months prior to seeding.
Preservation: Harvest when in full bloom. The aerial parts of the plant are to be used, leaves, flowers and stems. You can hang them in bunches in a dry dark place, or you can place cuttings in a paper bag. Shake the bag once a day to increase airflow. Once dry store in a jar away from heat or light.
Medicinal Parts: Leaves, flowers, and Aerial parts
Actions: nervine, sedative, emmenagogue, cardiac tonic & antispasmodic, relaxing, diaphoretic, digestive
Affinities: the nervous and cardiovascular systems
Notable Constituents: humulene, pinene, caryophyllene, apigenin, leonurine, leocardin,
quercetin, tannins
Medicinal Applications:
- Motherwort is a cardiac tonic and an antispasmodic. It relaxes the cardiovascular system making it a splendid aid for palpitations, heart murmur, and angina or pain in the chest. It has a vasodilating effect, opening the blood vessels and improving blood flow.
- Motherwort is a cooling cardiac remedy assisting in removing heat from the upper body in the area surrounding the heart. This is helpful for high blood pressure conditions and heat in the circulatory system, or for heat conditions such as hyperthyroidism.
- Helpful for releasing the heat of a fever by opening the periphery at the level of the skin imparting a diaphoretic action.
- As a bitter herb the digestive system is stimulated and is especially helpful for indegestion due to nerves.
- Calming and grounding as a Nervine, cardiac tonic, bitter, and antispasmodic its effects focus on the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest and digest system conserves energy and slows the heart rate). It is especially helpful for anxiety, nervousness, headaches, tension, insomnia, and repeated waking in the night.
- An emmenagogue and uterine relaxant, it helps to bring on a stagnant period especially those accompanied with emotional difficulties or anxiety. Helpful in expelling the afterbirth when the placenta does not drop easily after childbirth.
In Practice:
- An excellent remedy for nervous conditions and insomnia, especially when heat and anxiety is present.
- Known as Lion Heart, Motherwort imparts courage and aids in setting boundaries.
Cautions: Motherwort can interact with cardiac medications. Avoid taking Motherwort the week prior to menstruation in those with heavy flow. May cause contact dermatitis. Don’t use if you have a blood clotting problem.
Companion Herbs: rose, linden, hawthorn, hibiscus, blue vervain, lemon balm, sage, red rasberry
History: Used traditionally as a dark green wool dye. Sometimes mixed with mullein or other lung herbs to assist with asthma, bronchitis, and other lung problems.
Sources:
Bremness, Lesley, The Complete Book of Herbs A Practicle Guide to Growing and Using Herbs, New York, Ny, Penguin Group, 1988 Print
The American Herb Association and Kathi Keville, Director, Complete Book of Herbs Using Herbs to Enrich Your Garden, Home, and Health, Lincolnwood, Il, 1997, Print
Commonwealth Center for Holistic Herbalism, Materia Medica, https://commonwealthherbs.com
Jeanroy, Amy, The Spruce “How To Grow and Use Motherwort” https://www.thespruce.com/grow-and-usemotherwort1762292#:~:text=To%20grow%20motherwort%20in%20the,light%20conditions%2C%20and%20most%20soils.
Wesserle, Maria, Four Season Foraging “Basic Herbal Preperations with Motherwort” https://www.fourseasonforaging.com/blog/2019/8/5/basic-herbal-preparations-with-motherwort#:~:text=Motherwort%20should%20be%20harvested%20when,and%20discard%20the%20stem%20outdoors.
Herb of the Day: Burdock Root, Arctium minus
Arctium minus Burdock Root
Digging this root up was hard! The plant has seed balls covered in velcro style prickers. They stick to your gloves and can irritate the skin. The root is thick and goes very deep even in very rocky soil. They grow Burdock in hay bales in farms to make it easier to harvest. I got mine from my backyard and made sure to leave plants for next year. Harvesting roots kills plants so it is really important to harvest sustainably and respectfully. I harvested this root to make tincture. The leaf has also been used to wrap food for cooking in.
Burdock root helps blood disorders like gout rheumatic accumulation, and arthritis. It helps bring circulation to the skin and capillaries. It activates the immune response at the root of a boil, sore or rash, and can be helpful for eczema. Difficulty with oil digestion can also cause dry skin and Burdock assists with this.
Burdock is also highly nutritive and can aid in chronic illness and malnutrition. Due to its diuretic action it improves vitality by clearing the blood, liver, and kidneys of toxins. It is also a great bitter to aid in digestion. Overall, it is magnificent in all chronic skin conditions, aids in skin, blood, liver, and kidney toxin excretion, and helps digestion and assimilation of fats.
Some people may develop a rash when using Burdock but this is usually due to an underlying source of irritation that has yet been discovered in the diet or environment. This can include a pharmaceutical or food allergen. A Rash can also happen when taking too much Burdock.
Sourced from my school’s Commonwealth Herbs Materia Medica, Boston, Ma
#herbalism #herbalist #greenwitch #burdock #artiumminus
The Adoring Crow 