Herbalist Library: Historical References

Good Witches Homestead

Our ancestors cultivated a deep, rooted relationship with plants; they harvested plants in a ceremony, made herbal medicines with intention, and passed along traditional plant knowledge to help future generations maintain wellness. In many cultures, this information was shared orally, through stories or an apprenticeship with a local healer. The books we do have on traditional herbal medicines are a treasure to modern day herbalists; they’re a window into our survival as a species and often hold surprising tidbits on how we once used common plants. Below, please find some of our favorite inspirational books from western herbalists that focus on traditional plant remedies, as well as the rich history of herbalism.

A Modern Herbal, Volumes I & II by Sophia Emma Magdalene Grieve are some of the most well respected herbal books of the 20th century. Grieve is thought of as one of the first modern herbalists. During World War…

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Herb Lore: (Herbalism)

Good Witches Homestead

Hippocrates – ” Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”

For the purpose of this article, herbs are loosely referred to as the category of edible plants which can also be used for Medicinal, Spiritual or Magical purposes.

It seems that on every part of the globe where humans have lived, there has developed a body of herbal knowledge, something which has led to a special relationship developing between herbs and people. The foundation for this relationship is the fact that apart from herbs being acknowledged for their nutritional value, there has been a longstanding recognition that they also possess a variety of curative properties, being amongst the most important tools used by Shamen, Medicine men, Witch doctors, and healers, in general, the world over. Indeed, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 80 percent of the population of some Asian and African countries presently use herbal…

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Hawthorn {Crataegus oxyacantha or Crataegus monogyna}

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Also, Known As:

English Hawthorn
Haw
Hawthorn
May
May Blossom
Maybush
May Tree
Quick-set
Shan-cha
Whitethorn

The herb called the hawthorn is one of the best herbal remedies to boost the performance of the heart and the human circulatory system in general. A potent vasodilatory action can be induced in the human body by the flowers, leaves and the berries of the hawthorn. When these parts of the herb are consumed, they open up the arteries to promote circulation and improve the blood supply to all the general tissues in the body. Regular supplementation with this herb can thus help bring some balance blood pressure and it is considered to be an excellent remedy for the treatment of high blood pressure – especially when the condition is connected to hardening in the arteries of the person. Problems such as those connected to poor circulation caused by aging arteries, problems of poor circulation towards the lower body and…

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Incense

Ozark Encyclopedia – O – Onion

Nettle {Urtica dioica}

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Also, Known As:

Chinese Nettle
Common Nettle
Common Stinging Nettle
Great Nettle
Great Stinging Nettle
Hsieh-tzu-ts’ao
Nettle
Stinging Nettle

The herb known as the nettle is a small plant reaching about two to three feet in height with an erect stem; it bears dark green leaves that are marked by serrated margins. The nettle gives out small and inconspicuous flowers when in bloom. The nettle has now been designated by international botanists as the Urtica dioica L. and the herb belongs to the plant family Urticaceae. There are many sub-species of this plant and the American variety differs from the typical European sub-species of the nettle called Urtica dioica, the main difference between these two sub-species of the same plant lying in the fact that the European plant bears both male and female flowers – it is dioecious. This classification is also challenged at the same time by certain botanists…

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Ginger: The Herb To Become Acquainted With For 2018.

Good Witches Homestead

Ginger’s Quality:

The quality of the original rhizome must be the primary concern for the person using supplements of ginger in their diet. At the same time, the ginger herb is a valuable supplement in a variety of supplemental forms. At the same time, the value of the rhizome and the supplemental quality will be less if the original material is old, is shriveled, was moldy or chemically treated in anyway, in such cases, the quality of the ginger will obviously not yield the herbal values comparable to a herbal ginger product created using fresh and organically grown rhizomes.

An extensive and exhaustive grading system has been developed over the years, so as to insure that the international supply of ginger products remains top quality – the standards adopted in this grading system are fairly rigorous ensuring only good quality products pass the test. Chemical exposure of ginger products is…

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5 Magical Binding Plants

Ozark Encyclopedia – O – Oak

Essential Oils

Good Witches Homestead

If you pass through the natural health aisles of your local grocery store, you’re likely to see small glass bottles of curious liquids with poignant aromas that could fill a room. Scents like lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree oil and orange line the shelves next to oil blends with promising labels like Anxiety Release, Detoxification Aide, Energize, Immune Support, Meditative Mood, and more. While some modern shoppers may be speculative of these products, ancient homemade versions of these single note essential oils and essential oil blends have been used for nearly 6,000 years for everything from traditional medical practices to spiritual rituals.

What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are highly concentrated fragrant essences extracted from herbs, flowers, fruits, and other plants that give them their unique aromas. They are commonly used in perfume, food flavoring, medicine, massage therapy, and aromatherapy to support a general feeling of well-being. Essential oils also “have a potential…

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