Meadowsweet – Spirea alba var. latifolia

White Meadowsweet

Through grass, through amber’d cornfields, our slow Stream–
Fringed with its flags and reeds and rushes tall,
And Meadowsweet, the chosen of them all
By wandering children….

 

By William Allingham (1824-1889)

 

This perennial shrub of the Rose family is native to Northeastern North America and can be found growing in wet areas such as edges of marshes, bogs and ditches, along streams, and wet prairies. In Kentucky, and Tennessee it is considered Endangered. While in Ohio it is listed as Extripated (locally extinct).  The plant was imported into parts of Europe; Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, United Kingdom. In Belgium and Latvia it is listed as Invasive, and in Lithuania as potentially Invasive!

 

In herbal medicine of the Ojibwa Indians a tea of leaves and flowers was used to ease childbirth. Early settlers used the inner bark as a pain killer, much like other early aspirin like herbs (willow. etc). Unlike willow or poplar, which also contains Salicylates, the properties and strength of the aspirin like effects is consistent from plant to plant. In minute amounts Meadowsweet can also be used on stomach issues. The Blackfoot Indians used a tea as an enema and a vagina douche to treat infections.

 

The leaves smell like almonds and have been used to keep linens fresh and nicely scented. The leaves have also been use in making an astringent skin tonic. The leaves have been dried and used as a China tea substitute, supposedly tasting much the same as the original. The early settlers ate the roots.

 

In magic use this plant and its flowers are used to promote love, balance and harmony. Among the Druids the Meadowsweet, Vervain and Verbena were their three most sacred herbs. The use of fresh flowers on the alter has been frequent when casting a love spell, also use the dried petals in love mixtures. The fresh flowers were often included in wedding bouquets. In Welsh Mythology, Gwydion and Math created a woman out of oak blossom, broom, and meadowsweet and named her Blodeuwedd (“flower face”).

Lady’s Mantle – Alchemilla vulgaris

Lady’s Mantle – C.A.M.Lindeman’s Flora

“It collects the morning dew and wears it like fine jewels.

Its flowers are small, greenish, and lacy

like the green hair of the fairy queen, Tatiana”

 

Rosemary Gladstar,

excerpt from Herbal Healing for Women, page 245

This native of the mountains of America, Europe and Asia can be found growing wild in a variety of countries. From England, to Scotland, Greenland, and Northern Europe all the way to Asia it is held in great esteem as the woman’s helper. In Arabic countries it is believed to restore the youth and beauty to women. In magic use the ‘dew’ is gathered and used in potions to retain or restore youth. In Iceland it was considered sacred for its ability to help women retain their youth and for restoring their beauty!

In truth it is the woman’s friend in that it treats many female complaints. A tincture of the leaves is utilized in the treatment for menstrual pain, menopausal changes and stimulates menstrual flow. Being an astringent herb it is used also for the treatment of diarrhea and bleeding disorders. An infusion of the leaves and flower tops have been utilized as a douche, a mouthwash, and as a gargle.

The plant is considered a salad herb, the bitter leaves being chopped and added to a mixed green salad. There is also reference to the root being edible, but no further details!

Dewcup, as it is sometimes called, is oft used for cosmetic treatment of the skin…for soothing dry, sensitive skin, as an astringent for use on large pores, and as a facial steam for cleansing and treatment of acne. A cold compress made from an infusion is used to reduce inflammation of the eyes.

One last note…the leaves can be boiled to make a pale green dye for wool.

The above picture is from C.A.M.Lindeman’s Flora, By Carl Lindeman (from Sweden), 1901 to 1905

[Image in Public Domain]

Peach – Prunus persica

Peaches on the tree

…From laden boughs, from hands,
from sweet fellowship in the bins,
comes nectar at the roadside, succulent
peaches we devour, dusty skin and all,
comes the familiar dust of summer, dust we eat….

- Li-Young Lee

This member of the Rose family originates in China, but today is not found growing in the wild. Long before the time of Christ they traveled the Silk Road from China to Persia and onto the Mediterranean. At some point later (what time is specifically unknown) it arrived in Greece.

As far back as 1100 BC Chinese writings note that peaches were in cultivation and use, being the prized fruit of the Emperors and Kings. After it made its way west along the Silk Road, Alexander the Great introduced the peach to Europe. The Spanish then introduced the peach to the Americas in the 16^th century. Various Native American tribes were credited with its spread west across this great continent.

The Navajo Indians of the American southwest grew peaches in great orchards, until they were forced off their lands by Kit Carson in 1863-1864 onto the ‘Long Walk.’ Kit Carson’s troops promptly employed the ‘scorched earth’ policy of the government. The idea was to deny them their food source without inflicting actual death in the process, thereby forcing the Navajo to surrender to the military so that they might eat. In Canyon de Chelly alone 3000 peach trees were destroyed!

In herbal medicine the seed kernels, leaves, stems, bark, root, and flowers are used. The seed kernels are used in CTM (Chinese Traditional Medicine) it is used for blood stasis (hemorrage, congestion, thrombosis, and local ischemia), to counter inflammation and to treat allergies. Also used to treat constipation in the elderly; plus coughs, asthma, and menstrual disorders. The leaves are gathered and dried for later use, being used in the treatment of gastritis, whooping cough, and bronchitis. The flowers and bark treat constipation and edema. The root bark is for the treatment of dropsy (edema) and jaundice.

The real treat, from a taste stand point are the fruits! These juicy, fragrant fruits are eaten out of hand or cooked in a large assortment of recipes. From cakes, pies, crumbles, to jellies and jams. They are often canned for winter use. They can be used in appetizers, desserts, even entrees.

In 1995 the “Peach State” was officially claimed by Georgia, their self proclamation made their peaches sound tastier, juicier, prettier, even more nutritious. A little known fact is that many places grow very good quality fruit, and actually greater quantities than Georgia!

A green dye can be made from the leaves. A dark gray to green dye is available from the fruit.

Apricot – Prunus armenianca

Apricots

Cultivated for almost 3000 years, this tree followed the Silk Road from China to Armenia. Later it was introduced to southern Europe by Alexander the Great in approximately the 4^th century BC. Pliny credits the Romans with cultivation by 100 BC, and the Greeks had their own name for the fruit, “the golden eggs of the sun.” The Spanish brought them to the western hemisphere, planting them first in Mexico and later transporting them north to the missions in California.

 

The fruit can be eaten out of hand or dried, stewed, grilled, poached or made into jam or jelly. The seeds or kernels of the apricot are used in the Italian liqueurs Amaretto and amaretti biscotti. The oil expressed from the kernels is used as cooking oil.

 

Healers have valued the apricot for its medical properties for thousands of years. The fruit, kernel, leaves, blossoms, and oil have been used. It was used to treat cough, fever, skin problems, constipation, infertility, eye inflammation, spasm, worms and parasites, gallstones, and vaginal infections.

 

The expressed oil can be found in cosmetics, soaps, and skin products. It is also used in perfumery, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. A green dye can be obtained from the leaves, and a dark grey to green dye from the fruit.

Almonds – Prunus amygdalus dulcis

Almonds

…Here there’s an almond tree—you have never seen

Such a one in the north—it flowers on the street, and I stand

Every day by the fence to look up for the flowers that expand

At rest in the blue, and wonder at what they mean.

 

Under the almond tree, the happy lands

Provence, Japan, and Italy repose,

And passing feet are chatter and clapping of those

Who play around us, country girls clapping their hands…

 

By D. H. Lawrence

 

This tree is native to the Middle East, found in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. There appears to be some concern over planting almond and peach trees in close proximity, as it is believed they will hybridize to make bitter almonds!

 

Almonds were found in Tutankhamen, the boy Pharaoh’s tomb in Egypt, dating from 1325 BC. It is held that almonds, along with dates, grapes and olives were amongst the earliest foods to be cultivated. Almonds were probably cultivated in the Early Bronze Age (3000-2000 BC).

 

In Ayurvedic medicine, of India, almonds are given to nourish the brain and nervous system. Almonds have anti-inflammatory, immunity boosting, and anti-hepatotoxicity effects. A study showed that eating 73 almonds daily would lower LDL cholesterol by 9%.

 

The almond nut may be eaten out of hand either raw, or cooked. It can also be used to make almond milk or flour. Almond butter is made from ground almonds and used much like peanut butter.

 

Dyes can be obtained from various parts of the tree:

            Leaves – green

            Fruit – dark gray to green

            Roots & leaves – yellow

Domestic Apple – Malus domestica

MacIntosh Apple, immature and still on the tree

A Drop Fell on the Apple Tree—

Another—on the Roof—

A Half a Dozen kissed the Eaves—

And made the Gables laugh—

By Emily Dickinson

 

This native of Central Asia is grown just about anywhere people want it now. China, Turkey, France, Italy (the largest producers worldwide) and the United States all have healthy populations of apple trees. This medium tall tree grows well with other plants. In companion planting it is noted to produce better quality fruit if grown with foxglove or wallflowers; if the ground cover in the orchard is mainly clover the fruit stores better; grow any of the alliums under apples and it helps prevent or cure scab; finally I found this note… ‘If climbing nasturtiums are grown into the tree they can repel woolly aphids.’

In herbal medicine apples are suggested for the treatment of intestinal infections, constipation, mental and physical fatigue, hypertension, rheumatism, gout, anemia, bronchitis, urine retention, hepatic disorders, gastric and kidney malfunctions, hoarseness, coughing, and excess cholesterol in the blood.

At one point, when my eldest daughter was a wee little one we lived in South Carolina. She developed diarrhea that did not respond to any thing the doctor prescribed. An older neighbor lady suggested I give her honey sweetened tea and some applesauce. According to her the pectin in the apples and the tannin in the tea would do the trick. Within 6 hours of starting her regimen, the diarrhea was over and my baby was back to nursing, and being happy!

Super Sin-ple Applesauce

To make applesauce, all you need to do is quarter as many apples as you want, place them in a deep pan with just a small amount of water, so they don’t stick. Turn the heat on medium and allow the apples to simmer (keeping an eye on the liquid so that it doesn’t stick or burn) until the apples are so soft they are breaking down and separating from the skins.

You then put them through a Foley food mill, which will smash the apples and separate the skins and seeds out easily. If you made enough to can, follow basic water bath directions. Save some to eat tonight! Personally we add cinnamon to ours, it is sooo good!

Check out the first post on apples here

Cherry Laurel – Prunus laurocerasus

Cherry Laurel

The cherry laurel tree drops some magic on the plants below.
They accept with open arms.
The sidewalk that winds its way

beside the tree and

under the blue lights ~

earlier laden with pear tree blossoms

and red camellias ~

is now covered

with these tiny flowers.

By D. Smith Kaich Jones 

This Toxic plant is poisonous due to the presence of hydrogen cyanide, the same thing that gives almonds their distinctive smell. The leaves and seed kernels have the hydrogen cyanide present higher than other parts. Symptoms of toxicity are respiratory failure and death!

This is an evergreen shrub has been imported from Europe. Anyone planting this one should give it a thought before doing so, as it becomes invasive readily, with the seed being spread by birds in their droppings. This bush will cause native plants and tree seedlings to be eliminated from their normal habitat. It will shade out seedlings in woodland settings, and outcompetes others.

At the Blarney Castle in Ireland there is a Poison Garden first planted in the 18^th century. In it are all the deadliest plants and one can walk amongst them there. Cherry Laurel or English Laurel is one of the bushes featured.

Regardless of its toxic properties the leaves are antispasmodic, narcotic, and sedative. They have been utilized in the treatment of coughs, asthma, indigestion, and externally in a wash for the eye. An essential oil is also extracted from the leaf.

The leaves when distilled in water has been used as an almond flavoring in cooking. The fruit is edible, as long as caution is used to not bite the seed kernel, so that the hydrogen cyanide is not released. The fruit can be used to make jellies or jams.

In magic gather the dying, yellowing leaves, write on it with a stick or other pointed tool. When the leaf is subsequently heated or warmed by body heat the writing will appear! The leaves were also used to ward off evil spirits.

Sulphur Cinquefoil – Potentilla recta

Sulpher Cinquefoil flower

This eastern Mediterranean native was imported to North America sometime before 1900. By 1950 it was well established in eastern North America, and spread west from there. This beautiful little flower has spread so readily and so rapidly that it is considered a noxious weed in Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Oregon has gone so far as to quarantine it!

You can find this flower in bloom from May through July. It is pale yellow, with a deeper yellow in the center of the flower. To see this you often have to look very closely, use an ultra violet light though, and it stands out!

The Okanagan-Colville Indians of British Columbia and Washington pounded the leaves to make a poultice to treat open sores and wounds. There may have been older uses in herbal medicine in Eastern Europe, but that, by itself, was the only reference found!

Wild animals and grazing livestock tend to avoid its consumption due to high tannic acid content that tends to make it unpalatable. There are no reports of Toxicity when animals have grazed it.

Humans can eat the seeds, but they are small. In the Language of Flowers the cinquefoil means the ‘Beloved Child.’

Common Cinquefoil – Potentilla simplex

Common Cinquiefoil

…The Cinquefoil is lover’s rose
Though blooms not large nor scarlet red
Where I attend Adonis grows
I fear my lover’s rose is dead…

By ‘Sinful’

http://72.233.66.226/poem/5831711

 

This common ground hugging ‘weed’ grows all over eastern and central North America. It has been known to become invasive due to its habit of spreading through stolons running across the ground, and that it readily self seeds!

Due to the high quantities of tannins in this plant it is highly astringent, and therefore has been used to treat dysentery, stomach ulcers, and sore throats and gum disorders! It is also useful in the treatment of ‘Thrush.’

The tender leaves have been consumed fresh in salads or cooked and added to soups and a variety of other dishes. This herb is connected to Beltane, Eostara, and Midsummer. “The five points of the leaves represent love, money, health, power, and wisdom, and so if carried grants these.” (Cunningham in Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)

Atlantic Ninebark – Physocarpus opulifolius

Atlantic Nine Bark leaves

This lovely shrub is native to Eastern North America, and produces clusters of tiny white flowers, followed by bright red fruit. It is noted for its exfoliating bark, which is most notable in winter after the leaves have fallen and the bush is dormant. The bark peels in several layers exposing reddish down through brown bark on the older stems, this is how the common name of Ninebark was given.

The Common Ninebark was used by various Native American Tribes for medicine, food, dye, or even in magic! The Bella Coola Indians used a decoction of the inner bark as an emetic (causing vomiting) by people “dizzy with pain.” They also used it as a laxative, TB remedy, and as a treatment for gonorrhea. The Southern Carrier and the Chippewa also used the inner bark as an emetic); with the Iroquois and Menominee using the bark as a gynecological aid.

As a dye the ninebark would be added to Cedar bark to darken the cedar dye to brown. Other varieties of Ninebark were used to make toys, and their fruits were eaten raw! In magic the Mallow Ninebark was used in bad medicine to cause other people bad luck.