Oregano

Oregano

This week I'm going to provide information about Oregano.  Basil's brother in a lot of ways, Oregano is another herb prominently used in Italian cooking.  It has a savory flavor, is good fresh or dried, and is readily available in any market. Its availability makes it a plant not many people grow at home anymore, but growing it is relatively simple.  Much like basil and mint, it grows like a weed!

I picked up a very detailed description of Oregano, and will provide a link to the page at the bottom of this note, as there was also folk remedies listed there too, which I will also share.

"Suganda is an erect, spreading, branched, rather coarse, strongly aromatic, green herb, with fleshy stems. Leaves are fleshy, broadly ovate, 4 to 9 cm long, often heart-shaped, and somewhat hairy, with rounded toothed margins, with the tip and base decurrent. Flowers are small, and occur in distant whorls. Calyx is bell-shaped; the throat is smooth inside, with two lips, the upper lip being ovate and thin, the lower lip having four narrow teeth. Corolla is pale purplish and 5 times longer than the calyx, with a short tube, inflated throat, and short lips." 

Before I go in to the medicinal uses of Oregano, the standard disclaimer:

If you want to use this or any holistic remedy you should consult your physician first.  Make certain you are not allergic to the plant in question, and be careful when using essential oils.  Always dilute them.  Do not burn any plant you are not certain is safe.

Some information about Oregano:

Holistic uses:

-Make a pulp of fresh leaves and apply this to burns to soothe them.

-Bandage leaves that have been bruised (press them between your fingers) over bug stings to soothe them.

-Rub the fresh leaves on your temple to alleviate headaches.

-Drink a strong tea made of the leaves to help with dyspepsia, asthma, chronic coughs, bronchitis, colic, flatulence, and rheumatism.

-Drop fresh juice of the oregano leaf into your ear to alleviate ear aches.

-A weak tea can be drunk an hour before or after a meal to help with a soar throat.

-Some countries even use it to treat Epilepsy! (extra disclaimer: Epilepsy is a very serious condition and I don't suggest doing this.  In fact, if it might have properties that help with this, you should mention this to your doctor before introducing it to your diet, because it may interfere with medications you are already on).

-A few drops of fresh juice from the leaves can help stop diarrhea.

-Take an oregano tablet (available at most vitamin stores) when you start to feel a cold or flu coming on the shorten the duration or avoid the illness.

-It has antimicrobial and antibacterial  properties so you can use a few drops or oregano oil in a wash for surfaces.

-High in antioxidants

-Please see the links below to read about even more holistic uses for oregano!

Magical Uses:

-Happiness - Burn an incense with oregano, or an candle ith a few drops of the oil.

-Tranquility - Hang a satchel with oregano around your neck for all-day inner peace.

-Animal blessings - Smudge around their bedding, or rub them somewhere they can't lick (like behind their head where you put flea medication) with a fresh leaf.

-ease grieving - Baked goods with Oregano have tremendous comfort power.

-Harmony - Burn an oregno candle or some incense with oregano when things get our of synch in your home.

-Love - Give your love a newly sprouted oregano plant and take care of it together.  When it is mature, make a meal together and use Oregano in every dish.  You will certainly find yourselves deeper in love!

-Peace 

-Protection - Hang satchels of dried oregano over your doors, or smear the oil on your window sills. 

-Psychic Development - Use an oregano scented candle, or anoint yourself with fresh oregano leaves while meditating and strengthening your psychic powers. 

-Wedding blessings or charms for a flawless wedding day -  Fresh Oregano leaves in the floral arrangements and bouquets will keep things going smoothly. 

Oregano is good for use in satchels, charms, or as anointing oil for candles.  I don't suggest putting the essential oil, even diluted, directly on your skin other than fingertips for anointing,  The scent is very strong and can be overwhelming.  Instead, get some fresh Oregano leaf and use that to anoint your skin.

Oregano Blessing of Tranquility

Make a tea of oregano using six tablespoons of dried leaf to four cups of water.  Fill a spritzing bottle with it.  You can also pulp a cup of fresh leaves, add a couple of cups of water, and strain the pulp with cheesecloth.  You may prefer the smell, as it is sweeter when you use fresh rather than dried.

Start at the front door of your home, outside.  Walk clockwise around your home and spray the perimeter, saying "Plant of tranquility, Venus blessed, keep my home safe, Allow us all rest."

Finish by entering your home and placing a satchel with dried Oregano and a piece of Dragon's blood over the door or tying it to the doorknob.  You may also spray the oregano mixture on the windows, door frames, and around any other doors in your home.

From www.foodnetwork.com:

Corn and Tomato Salad with Fresh Oregano

Ingredients

§             15 ears of fresh corn
§  2 tablespoons salt
§  10 Italian Roma tomatoes, cored and diced
§  2 yellow peppers, diced
§  2 medium red onions, minced fine
§  2 jalapeno or Serrano chiles, stemmed, deveined, seeded if desired and minced
§  2 cloves of garlic, minced or pureed
§  1/4 cup lime juice
§  1 teaspoon salt
§  1/2 teaspoon pepper
§  1/2 cup canola oil
§  2 bunches fresh oregano, washed and picked over to yield 1/4 cup leaves

Directions

Bring large pot of water to the a boil and add salt, When it returns to the boil, add 5 ears of corn and cook 3 minutes. Remove from pot and set aside to cool. Drop another five cobs, and repeat process until all corn is cooked. When cool, cut corn from cobs with a sharp knife. Combine cut corn, tomatoes, yellow peppers and red onion in a large bowl. Place chiles, garlic, lime juice, salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Drizzle in oil while whisking so as to form an emulsion. Pour over vegetables and stir gently to combine. Can be held in refrigerator 2 days or at room temperature 1 hour. Stir in oregano right before serving.

http://www.stuartxchange.org/Oregano.html

http://windspirit57.tripod.com/id4.html

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/corn-and-tomato-salad-with-fresh-oregano-recipe/index.html

Cinnamon

Cinnamon

If you've ever been to a pastry shop, you've probably smelled Cinnamon.  The strong, sweet aroma of cinnamon is often associated with the holidays when people make pies and pastries to take to the homes of friends and families.  Cinnamon scented candles, pink cones, oils, and brooms are sold at every craft store, sometimes all year round.  It is a scent, a flavor, and a color.  Cinnamon is so distinct its hard to go through life without being exposed to it at least once.

Cinnamon is a bark, specifically an inner bark.  It has a lot of mythological and religious history, even associated with Moses in the New Testament.  There are two kinds of cinnamon.  Cassia and Ceylon.  Ceylon is "true cinnamon" and has a more balanced flavor.  Cassia is sweeter but has a more acidic edge.  For magical uses, I suggest making sure you have Ceylon cinnamon.  The oils from it are stronger.  If using either of these for consumption, please keep in mind that too much of either can have negative effects on the body. A good rule of thumb is to not use more than you would use in a serving of a recipe, so break open your favorite desert cook book before deciding.

DISCLAIMER: If you plan on using cinnamon for any holistic remedy, make sure you speak to your doctor and you are not allergic.  Exercise extreme caution before making any plant a regular part of your every day, especially if you are using it to alleviate an illness.  Never use it in large doses and never jump right in to a daily regiment.  Start with twice a week and work up to daily.

Cinnamon has some fantastic holistic and magical uses.

Holistically cinnamon is used for:

-Regulating blood sugar (It has worked for me very well in the past, now with helping my Insulin Resistance, and in the past helping my hypoglycemia.)

-Kills food born microbes like e-coli.  Some people swear by using a few drops of cinnamon oil in a bottle of vinegar and lemon juice to disinfect their kitchen.) 

-Boosts memory and cognitive skills if used as an aromatherapy scent.  Put a few drops on an unscented candle, or in an oil diffuser.

- Defends against cancer - Have lots of garlic with dinner, and a cinnamonny dessert. I am on a strict low carb diet, so I sprinkle cinnamon on fresh fruit when I want to add kick to my cancer fighting regimen. 

-Bronchitis - Use as aromatherapy, or stir a stick of cinnamon in hot lemon-water and sip.

-Appetite loss - If you suffer from appetite loss and its effecting your health, try drinking some cinnamon water (prepared like above) or making lozenges using basic hard candy methods. Have a serving an hour before you want to eat, and you should have your apetite back!

-Colds - Apply diluted cinnamon oil (I use mineral oil to dilute) to your temples to help with symptoms of a head cold, and drink cinnamon tea for coughing and sore throats.

-fever - Consuming cinnamon seasoned foods or drinking cinnamon tea can help control a fever, but won't drop you down to the normal temp.  Remember, when you have a fever it means your body is fighting something off, so don't cram too many things in there or you'll just feel worst.

-Indigestion - I take cinnamon tablets if my stomach aches after a big meal, or eating spicy food.  Works like a charm.

-Soar Throat - Good old cinnamon lemon tea.  Its a staple for any household during cold and flu season.

-Infections - Apply a compress using a clean towel soaked in cinnamon tea to the infected area between bandaging. 

-Tumors - I don't know how this works, personally, but I suppose like with cancer, consuming cinnamon can alleviate and help avoid tumors. 

-Heart Problems -  Because it helps regulate digestion and blood sugar, cinnamon can help with heart problems since many heart problems are exacerbated by these other issues. 

-Dental Pain - swish lukewarm cinnamon tea around in your mouth like mouth wash to help with minor pain like gum pain after a cleaning, or a toothache. 

-Urinary tract issues - Make a pot of cinnamon tea, about one 4"-6" stick per 2C of water.  Boil until the water is reduced by about 1/3 and water has taken on color.  Drink throughout the day, diluting it as you drink it.  1C water to 1C tea.

Chewing on a cinnamon stick can help you quit smoking as well.

Magically Cinnamon is used for:

-Purification - Hand cinnamon sticks over your sacred space, or use a besom with cinnamon in the handle and bristles to sweep away negativity before ritual.

-Focus and concentration (Good for long term spells) - Use one in spellwork and make it in to a talisman. Because its hearty like other woody plants, you can carry it around and it is unlikely to break (unless you feel the spell has been successful, then it'll probably break as a sign!).

-Divination - Swirl ground cinnamon in water and look for shapes.  Sprinkle cinnamon water around your space, burn a cinnamon candle, or add cinnamon leaves when reading tea leaves. 

-Peacefulness - Cinnamon candles help clear your mind and open you up to the messages from the Divine.  

-Prosperity - Keep cinnamon near your checkbook as a charm against overspending.

-Love - Cinnamon, in any form, is an aphrodisiac, and using it will light the fires of passion and attract true love.

Cinnamon Love Spell

Items you will need

§  Cinnamon

§  pink or red string

§  candle(optional)

Pick up the cinnamon and say ''scent familliar, love true,bend -------'s heart threefold rule!'' then pick up the string and say ''with this thread/yarn i tie this love so true''

wrap the string around the cinnamon three times, tie it and state, ''it is my will, so shall it be!'' keep the cinnamon on your altar with the string still on and keep it as is untill it starts to show results. Be pationt as it may take a while, and sometimes it isn't meant to be.  Don't push it.  This spell invokes the threefold rule, meaning you understand that you are attempting to press your will upon another, and it might backfire if there is no ember from which to stoke the flame of love.

Scandinavian Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:

4 c unsifted flour

1 tsp. salt

1/4 c sugar

1 c soft margarine or butter

1 pkg. active dry yeast

1/4 c very warm water

3 egg yolks, beaten

1 c lukewarm milk, scalded, then cooled

1/4 c sugar

3/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

Add flour, salt and sugar in large bowl; cut in margarine until mixture looks like meal. Dissolve yeast in very warm water; add to flour mixture along with egg yolks and cooled milk. Beat well. chill in refrigerator overnight. In morning, divide dough in half; roll out each piece into 12 x 10-inch rectangle. Brush with melted butter or oleo; sprinkle with mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Roll up as for jelly roll. Cut each piece into 1-inch slices to make 12 rolls. Place on greased cookie sheet. Roll out second piece same way. Cover with waxed paper. Let rise in warm place 1 hour. Rolls will rise slightly and look light.Bake in 375 degree F. oven. Frost with powdered sugar icing.

Note: Doesn't say how long to bake, so you'll just have to watch them

Important links:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Cinnamon---A-Natural-Holistic-Source-of-Health&id=1859451

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/herbalism/96147

http://www.ehow.com/list_6860048_magical-uses-cinnamon-sticks.html

http://recipes.epicurean.com/recipe/1725/scandinavian-cinnamon-rolls.html

Basil

Basil

I thought instead of talking about yet another flower, I would talk about something most people have in their kitchens in some form, be it ground, dried, fresh, or potted.  Basil is a staple in many cuisines, and also has many interesting magical and medicinal uses. 

Basil has a lot of flavor, and can be considered both sweet and savory depending on how it is prepared or what it is added to.  It isn't traditionally a desert spice, like cinnamon and nutmeg, but I don't see why you shouldn't experiment the next time you make muffins. Basil is especially tasty in sauces, rubs, marinades, and breads.

DISCLAIMER

As with any holistic medicinal practice, if you want to use basil for anything you should first be absolutely sure you won't have a bad reaction.  You should never ingest anything when pregnant or breastfeeding without express permission from your doctor.  The same goes if you have any chronic illness.  If you ever want to use basil essential oil, always dilute it before applying it to any skin.  It is very very strong.  Mineral oil is a good dilution agent.  Always test it on a small area of skin (I test on my underarm) before using it anywhere else.

Some information about basil:

Holistically it can be used to:

-Lower blood pressure - Cooking with basil and garlic isn't just delicious, its good for you!

-Lower blood sugar levels - I take basil capsules when I can't afford cinnamon.  Most vitamin stores should have them.

-Lower tension and stress - Basil tea, though powerfully flavorful, melts away the tension!

-Lower cholesterol - People who eat lots of foods using fresh basil have a better chance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

-Alleviate depression - Growing a basil plant in your home or office will help alleviate a droopy mood.

It is also a good detoxification plant.  It can be used to treat congestion and head colds by pouring boiling water over the leaves and leaning (a safe distance) over them and breathing in the vapors. It has anti-inflammatory properties, making it excellent to combat hay fever or asthma as well.  Planting it near doors and windows will keep flies and some other pests away, but be careful.  From my own experience, earwigs seem to love to live in it, so check regularly for them or any strange larvae on the plants. Always wash well before using in anything.

Basil can be used magically as well. Here are some of its magical uses:

-Attract money/wealth - Rub fresh basil behind your ears to attract opportunities.

-Protect your home from evil spirits or mischief makers

-Purify a sacred space

-Aid in psychic attributes like clairvoyance, precognition, and telepathy. - Placed under the pillow at night!

-Encourages prophetic dreams. 

-Love magic

-Exorcism of a person.

-Cleansing negative energy from a space or person. - Prepare a meal using basil for a friend suffering from negativity or possible possession. 

Basil is a good plant to add to money incense, or burn it in your home for 24 hours, a few hours in each room, to protect it and to keep away annoying or negative people who mean you harm. 

Basil Money Spell

What you need:

A green candle

A lighter

A fireproof bowl

A bowl of warm basil infused water (make it like you would make tea, but don't use a tea ball or bag)

A charcoal disk

Dried, ground basil

You should perform this in a well ventilated area, or outside.  The smoke from basil is often considered rather acrid.

Light the candle and concentrate on it.  Clear your mind and focus on what it is you want, and how you wish to get it.  Remember, just asking for money to fall in your lap won't help.  You have to make a game plan, how you plan on attaining this money.  You are asking the greater powers to provide you with a path to wealth, not to give you money you haven't earned.

Put the charcoal disk in the fireproof bowl and light it. Sprinkle the ground dried basil on the disk and begin washing your hands in the water.  As you wash your hands, repeat:

Money go, money come

I will work to make some

Bring me money, though harm none.

Repeat it as many times as you wish.  When you are done, snuff the candles and let the charcoal burn out somewhere safe.

Simple Garlic Basil Pesto:

Ingredients

§  3 cups chopped fresh basil

§  1 cup extra virgin olive oil

§  1/2 cup pine nuts

§  1/8 cup Brazil nuts

§  2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

§  2 tablespoons minced garlic

§  1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Directions

1.     Place the basil in a blender. Pour in about 1 tablespoon of the oil, and blend basil into a paste. Gradually add pine nuts, Brazil nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, chili powder, and remaining oil. Continue to blend until smooth.

Some links where I got some of the information, along with more information on basil:

http://www.natures-health-foods.com/basil-remedy.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5504594/holistic_properties_of_basil.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/378935/magical_properties_of_herbs_spices.html?cat=68

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Simple-Garlic-and-Basil-Pesto/Detail.aspx

Chamomile

Chamomile

Many people have experience with chamomile.  You can find chamomile tea easily in any grocery store.  It is a fragrant, sweet flower with mild flavors and aroma.  It has a varied history of magical and medicinal use, but not much use as a culinary flavor, as it easily becomes bitter and is a purgative, meaning is helps expel toxins from the body.

DISCLAIMER: Chamomile should not be consumed in large doses.  Brew any chamomile tea to be weak, as it can cause stomach aches.  DO NOT consume chamomile when pregnant or breastfeeding without express permission from your doctor.  Consuming chamomile in too strong a dose or too often when pregnant can cause a myriad of side effects.  As with any homeopathic remedy, you should consult your doctor before relying on them.  If you want to use chamomile essential oil for aromatherapy, make sure you dilute it with mineral oil, as with all essential oils.  It is very strong.  Always test on a patch of skin before applying it to more noticeable areas and wait an hour to see if there are any issues with skin irritation.

Some information about chamomile:

Holistically it can be used for:

• Premenstrual cramps- A weak tea made from chamomile with a little honey can do wonders, but always consume while still hot.
• Upset stomach- I like to add mint to it for a doubly effective tea.
• Headaches- Boil chamomile in a metal pot, pour into a ceramic or other non-reactive bowl.  Drape a towel over your head, and lean over.  Breath in deep.
• Nausea- Once again, consume as a tea.  Adding mint and bee balm or lemon balm can add to the effects.
• Sleeplessness- Warm chamomile milk tea is a great way to make yourself sleepy.
• Toothaches- Keep a strong infusion of chamomile in your home, refrigerated.  I suggest keeping it no longer than a week or two.  Dilute a quarter cup of the infusion with a half cup of water.  Swish half the liquid, and spit, repeat with the other half. 
• Gum pain- See Toothaches
• Teething (rubbed on the gums)- Also use a diluted infusion. 
• Anti-inflammatory- Create a poultice or salve, and apply to the area.  Drinking a weak tea will help as well when used in conjunction with the poultice or salve.
• Muscle pain- Same as anti-inflammatory/ 
• Stress- Chamomile tea works wonders on stress.
• Anxiety- Use aromatherapy oils (one or two drops of essential oil per dram of mineral oil). 
• Nerves- See anxiety
• Gas- Chamomile tea is a GREAT way to reduce gas pain and calm the digestive system when its making excess gas.
• Constipation- Drink a cup in the morning and a cup at night for two days.  If constipation persists, you should see a physician though.
• Dry scalp- Add two or three drops of essential oil to your bottle of conditioner, and let the conditioner sit on your head for a good five minutes.
• Skin irritation- Add a drop or two of essential oil to your body wash, or find soap with chamomile in it. Or, sprinkle a cup of chamomile in to a hot bath and soak until the water starts to cool.

Either as a tea, a steam, or a bath, chamomile can be used for any of these things.  For bathes, just put a couple of tablespoons into a tea bag and pop it in a warm bath. This is particularly effective for muscle pains.  For steaming, boil water and steep a tea bag of chamomile in the water.  Allow it to cool a bit, but still be hot enough to steam.  With a towel over your head, lean over the pot.  Teas are easy to make.  If you have pre-packaged bags of chamomile tea, just follow the directions on the box.  Never consume more than two coffee-cup sized cups of chamomile tea in one day, as this can cause diarrhea or stomach pains.  Chamomile tea is an excellent way to soothe premenstrual cramps and nausea, but do not consume it on an empty stomach.  

Magically it can be used for:

• Attracting money- Wash your hands in chamomile tea before you leave the house.
• Love- Carry some dried flowers in a pouch as an amulet.
• Purification- Burn the incense, crush and sprinkle the powder on doors and windows, or spray the tea around the person or space to be purified.  Make sure its weak if you spray, as it can stain.
• Prophetic dreams- Keep a few sprigs of fresh chamomile wrapped in purple cloth under your pillow.
• Chase away nightmares- Hang dried sprigs (or a satchel with the flowers) over your bed.
• Protection- Same as purification.
• Peace- Include chamomile tea as a part of any ritual for inner peace.
• Healing- See peace
• Sun rituals- Chamomile is a sun related plant, and makes a great offering during summer and sun oriented rituals.

Planting chamomile in your magical or culinary gardens invites good weather and prosperous growth.  Chamomile can be burned, the smoke is white and smells more like burning than most herbs, with only a hint of floral smell.

A spell to keep a lover safe:

What you need:

1 small satchel (pink or white)

1 rose quartz

Dried chamomile, not ground

1 small pink candle

1 small white candle

-Light the pink candle and say "For my love"

-Light the white candle and say "For protection"

-Put the stone in the satchel and say "This stone represents our love, may it always be strong and may it protect and strengthen."

-Add the chamomile and say "Flower of the Sun, Flower of the Goddess.  Male Sun, Female Divine.  May the love of the Goddess and the God shine on my love, and may our love protect them."

Meditate and repeat this as you see fit. Let the candles burn out.

Sweet Dreams tea:

Small spoon (like the kind you eat cereal with)

Mortar and Pestle

Tea bag or ball

Chamomile

Lavender

Mint

Star Anise

Use no more than 1 star anise bud and no less than 1/2.

Add the anise, 1 spoonful of lavender, 1 spoonful of mint, and two heaping spoonfuls of chamomile to the mortar and pestle.  Grind them as fine as you can.  The anise and lavender will not grind as fine, just do your best.  Place the mix in a tea bag and steep in 8-12 ounces of boiling water for 2-4 minutes.  Drink slowly, usually between dinner and bed time.  Don't take this on an empty stomach.

Most of my magical information on Chamomile comes from my personal library, specifically Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs.

Holistic information was found here:

http://www.herbalremedypro.com/chamomile.htm