Despite my poor sleep schedule I woke up feeling a little more peaceful with myself…I feel better. I’m still swimming in my ocean of uncertainty and self-loathing and anxiety but I have my head above water and I’m breathing…
I’m determined to finish all of my tasks and do it with minimal stress as possible. I need to tell myself It’s okay…It’s okay if I don’t finish. It’s okay if it’s not 100% there’s still tomorrow…and sometimes tomorrow is enough.
Another positive note I’m currently sitting here watching the sun rise, eating a donut and drinking chocolate milk. It’s the littlest things that make me happy.I’m okay…I’m going to be okay. Life is good.
One of my teachers was very insistent that before I was allowed to study a plant, I had to get to know it first. Head knowledge is one thing, but when you are working as a herbalist you have to have more than that.
Before using any herb, even for these exercises it is important to look up contraindications for the herb. Herbs are medicinal, even in small doses. Personally I like to use this book. And remember to always tell your doctor if you are taking any herbs!
Based on the type of herb, make a decoction or infusion. Fragile herbs, usually dried leaves or flowers, are better suited to an infusion (let steep in nearly boiling water for 20 minutes). Hardier herbs such as roots can be simmered in the water for 20 minutes (decoction).
Sip slowly, taking notice of how the tea feels in your mouth. Does it trigger a salivary response? How does it taste? Anything your experience is worth taking note of. I’ve never been sad I took too many notes!
Take a bath with it. If a full bath isn’t possible, do a foot or hand bath. I was taught to start with water as close to room temp as possible. This can be a good way to determine if the herb has warming or cooling properties.
Again, make notes! Lots of them.
Get creative with how you experiment. Cook with them, use them for facial steams. Any way that you’re called to, and remember, take notes!
Study It – Materia Medica
It’s time to make your own herbal! We’re going to take our observations and start a Materia Medica. This is the term herbalists have been using since the 1st century AD, thanks to the Ancient Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides. Modern science now often uses the term pharmacology but I greatly prefer the Materia Medica.
Some witches will combine this with a Materia Magica which goes into the magical correspondences for the herbs. But this post won’t be covering that.
How each herbalist organizes the Materia Medica is going to vary, but it should hit a few key points. And, of great importance, is to track your sources! Any information that you include in your MM needs to have a citation so that you can track your info.
Latin Name
My Materia Medicas always start with the Latin name for the herb. Herbs have many, many different names. Both through history and throughout the world. The best way to ensure that you’re using the correct plant is to use the latin name. But then, after that, I make not of common names and historical names.
History/Lore
If a herb has an interesting history, or appears in folk lore I make note of that next. It can be interesting and is helpful for knowing the herb. There’s a lot of knowledge to be gleaned from old stories!
Description
If you’re inclined for either wildcrafting or foraging, a section on the cultivation and appearance of the plant.
Chemicals
Now, we get into the medicine of it. Herbs work because they contain chemical compounds. A lot (all?) of modern medicine is derived from the manufacturing of these chemicals.
Make a list of the chemicals that are found in the herb. Making note, where you can, of what these chemicals actually DO. Over time you’ll want to get to know which ones are the active ingredients and how the work. Yup, it’s science!
Herbal Actions
Actions come next. Herbal actions are a whole language to learn. But as you are putting together the Materia Medicas you’ll start to get the hang of things! An action describes the way a herb works on the body.
It can seem a bit overwhelming, so here is an example.
Bitter is an herbal action, and it is aptly named. Herbs with this action typically taste… bitter! The action that they have on the body usually starts in the mouth where it stimulates saliva production as the first step of aiding in the digestive process. (they do a lot more but we’re keeping it simple for the example).
Examples of bitters are: arugula (also called rocket), dandelion greens, and black coffee.
Here’s a very simple way to experiment yourself! Take some time to sample one of the above mentioned bitters and see how your body reacts.
Christopher Hobbs is an herbalist I respect a lot. He has a handout that he uses in his classes which lists herbal actions, indications (we’ll get into that next), and lists example herbs.
I highly suggest printing this sheet out and keeping it handy, reading it over often. Eventually it’ll become more intuitive, but it takes time and practice.
Indications
Indications are where we want to use the herb. IE: where is the herbal action of the herb indicated? This is going to be a list of conditions that the herb in question is good for treating.
For example, Corn Silk (zea mays) is an antiseptic, demulcent and a diuretic. Because of this, it’s indicated for use with a urinary tract infection. (it’s indicated for other things too, but I’m trying to keep things fairly basic!)
The demulcent soothes the irritated skin, the diuretic helps to increase urine output, and the antiseptic of course helps to prevent the growth of harmful organisms.
Medicine
The last section of my Materia Medica deals with dosing and contraindications.
I like to include dosing for both teas and tinctures as they are my personal favorite ways for treating people.
Contraindications means anything that counteracts with the herb. St John’s Wort is a popular one for this, as it has many. It is a highly reactive herb and can interact negatively with many drugs!
It is very important to know how the herb interacts. People think that because herbs are natural/plants that somehow this excludes them from the realm of medicine. But the very reason that herbs are effective is because they ARE medicine!
When I am working with a client, I do my best to take a detailed history, even things they don’t think is important. But I also inform them of every herb I am giving them and encourage them to do their own research. And it’s important to be aware of your body when you are taking herbs. From the practitioner to the person taking the herb, everyone needs to do their own due diligence.
If you found this post useful, or have any comments/thoughts/etc I would love to hear it. If there is interest I can do posts on salves, tinctures, etc. And perhaps examples of my own materia medicas.
On the New Moon, clean and cleanse the entire house you’re getting ready to let go of. Create a crystal grid (optional) around an intention candle. Light the candle and state your intentions on how you would like this process and transition to go.
bless this new trend of saying ‘yikes’ honestly this is the word i’ve been looking for my whole life. the perfect combination of disinterested, detached, amused, and passive aggressive. five letters that say so much yet are vague enough that you won’t get involved in any drama
A lot of you may know me and my bedridden posts from my main blog, @heatherwitch. For those of you who don’t: I’m both mentally and chronically ill and do a majority of my worship to Hestia from my bed!
Burn a candle on your nightstand, or use an electronic one!
Open your curtains and let the sunlight warm the room.
Make a potful of tea and keep it in a large thermos.
Watch movies that make you feel nostalgic and cozy.
Make a spray that smells yummy and use it when things feel a bit stale.
Set aside time to read a good book.
Knit or crochet. Craft something with your hands.
Say goodnight and good morning to her.
Get an electric blanket and feel the warmth connect you to her.
Cuddle with pets if you have them (or a stuffed animal).
Make a blog/journal filled with cozy, homely things.
Keep a few locally baked goodies nearby for when you need them.
String up fairy lights and use them as your only light source.
Whisper prayers and devotional pieces before you go to sleep.
Use a Himalayan salt lamp to connect to feeling of a fire.
Invest in little things (pillowcases, photos, curtains, etc.) that make your room feel welcoming and peaceful.
Make a little bottle filled with herbs, crystals, and other things that remind you of her, and keep it near – like a portable altar!
Listen to music that makes your soul happy and your heart content.
Take care of yourself. Brush your hair, use a wet cloth on your face. Be gentle and kind to yourself.
My other post on devotional acts for Hestia can be found [here], and my posts on bedridden witchcraft [here].
Heatherwitch 