Root / Bark / Wood
No other tree is as full of vitality and self- regenerating power as the Willow tree. Even cut and seemingly dead branches will come back to life when planted into the soil. This quality of unconstrained growth is exploited in the practice of pollarding. The newly sprouting flexible twigs, also known as 'withies', are regularly harvested and woven into baskets and light furniture. The wood itself is susceptible to rot- Willow loves to grow by the water's edge, but it does not resist its destructive power. Willows are sacred to the Triple Moon Goddess, whose mysteries of regeneration are evident in her abundant vitality. This is why sacrifices to the Great Goddess were always offered in wicker baskets - the regenerative power of the tree was magically transferred to the sacrificial offerings contained therein, which were soon to be reborn in the Underworld. Sacred to the Moon Goddess Hecate, Willow is a tree of magic and enchantment and associated with purification and resurrection. Witches fashioned their brooms with the life-giving withies.
Medicinal:
Willows became famous for their salicin content, which is powerfully anti-inflammatory and acts as a pain relief and febrifuge. For a while it was used as a substitute for the expensive Cinchona bark (Quinine) in the treatment of 'ague' (malaria). It also served as the precursor for salicylic acid, the base substance from which Aspirin was derived.
Willow bark is not as powerful as aspirin, but gentler on the stomach and thus better tolerated by most. It is a good nerve tonic and strengthening herb that is very helpful in treating inflammatory conditions such as gout, arthritis and rheumatism. It is good for aching muscles and joints, especially where these are tensed from one-sided use and bad posture. It is a also good remedy for stomach and intestinal catarrh and may be helpful in bladder inflammation. It can be a great supporting herb in feverish conditions such as flu and other infectious diseases.
Magical:
Willow is a tree of witches that has been used in fertility magic to both, increase and decrease fecundity. It is associated with the ebb and flow of the lunar tides, with water and with magic. It is sacred to the Underworld Goddesses and symbolizes transformation, regeneration and rebirth. Elves and water spirits often live near Willows and thus, in popular thought, Willows are considered 'spooky trees'. Native Americans included Red Willow Bark as a sacred herb in their KinniKinnick blends.
In the United States Wild Cherry is a common species. It has many close relations, all of which can be similarly used. The cherries themselves are edible and formed part of the original Native American ‘power bar’, made of dried ground meat, nuts, fat as well as dried berries and cherries. Wild Cherry has beautiful wood and a fine grain, which has earned it its marketing claim as ‘North American Mahogany’. It has been cultivated in Central Europe as a superior timber tree for fine wood working.
Medicinal:
Herbalists use the inner bark as an antispasmodic to soothe the smooth muscles of the upper respiratory tract. It calms the nerves and reduces the cough reflex, making it especially helpful in cases of asthma, whooping cough and bronchitis.
However, Cherry Bark should be combined with other herbs that are better able to deal with the underlying infection.
The soothing and relaxant properties make it a very helpful adjunct remedy in other cases of cramping, tension and irritability, especially where these stand in the way of recovery. The inner bark also has a mild bitter quality that aids sluggish digestion and dyspepsia. Cherokee women used it to alleviate labor pains.
In combination with other herbs it can assist recovery from many conditions, such as hepatitis, urinary irritation, inflammatory febrile diseases, pleurisy, pneumonia and tuberculosis.
If making a tea: Add Licorice root, Orange Peel or Peppermint leaf to improve the taste and to enhance Wild Cherry's effect
Magical:
The wood can be used for making storage boxes for ritual tools or for carving ornaments.
Cherry is a threshold plant. It helps one face unconscious fears and deal with whatever ‘monsters’ are lurking in the inner shadow world and prevent one from moving forward on their soul journey.
Burn as an incense while performing divination to enhance the results, or while performing love spells to find a partner.
The story of Wild Yam root is shrouded in misconception and urban mythology. Wild Yam is often touted as a natural birth control or sold for menopausal problems. Unfortunately there is no evidence for either use. Back in the 1940s a scientist by the name of Dr. Russel Marker was searching for plants that could be useful as raw materials for the synthesis of hormone-like substances such as cortisone or progesterone. Saponines have proven useful in this respect, and so he went searching for saponine rich plants. He happened upon a Mexican species of Dioscorea, which incidentally had traditionally been used for labour pains, infertility and birth control, albeit in conjunction with other herbs. It was this Mexican species which eventually led to the development of the first contraceptive pills. However, the transformation that had to take place in order to convert diosgenin to progesterone took some 37 steps in the laboratory and is not a process that can naturally occur within the human body. What's more, the North American Wild Yam species, Disocorea villosa is not the same as the Mexican species and does not contain these saponines in any meaningful quantities.
Yet, by some careless fluke Mexican Yam and North American Wild Yam have been confused in the literature and their use have been wrongfully described as pretty much equal. Unfortunately, this is based on fiction rather than fact and North American Wild Yam has traditionally never been used for birth control or as an infertility remedy.
Medicinal:
Native American women have used Wild Yam root to ease the pain of labor, though only extremely experienced healers, after close observation of each individual case, dared to administer the remedy. Self-treatment for this purpose is not recommended.
Native Americans also used Wild Yam internally and externally to treat rheumatic pain. It is traditionally used for liver and gallbladder problems. The white settlers mostly used this herb to treat colic, which is why they called it colic root.
It is indicated for intestinal cramps, colic and diverticulitis.
Magical
There are no traditional magical uses associated with this herb, but its properties suggest a role in fertility and sex magic.
Witch Hazel bears striking resemblance to regular Hazel, although the two species are completely unrelated. The leaves almost look the same and even the nuts are very similar. However, unlike regular Hazel, Witch Hazel flowers produces the strangest looking scraggily blooms in the midst of winter.
The name 'Witch Hazel' is derived from the old English word 'wytch', which means 'dowsing' and refers to the Old World use of regular Hazel as dowsing rods to divine hidden water veins or lost treasures.
The pilgrims learned about the use of Witch Hazel from Native American healers. Witch Hazel became popularized through the collaborative efforts of a native Oneida healer and a certain Mr. Pond, a local friend of the tribe. Together they prepared the first commercial Witch Hazel preparation, which they called 'Golden Treasure' and which later became known as 'Pond's Extract'. It is still sold under this name today and is a common toiletry article in most North American bathroom cabinets.
Medicinal:
Witch Hazel is an excellent astringent herb. It can be used for all sorts of swellings, whether they are due to inflammation, e.g. as a gargle for tonsillitis and inflamed gums, or bruises, insect bites or poison ivy rash.
One of the best known applications for Witch Hazel is as a remedy for hemorrhoids, which is said to be very effective.
It is also used for afflictions of the veins, giving support and strength in cases of varicose veins. It makes a great ingredient for various skin care preparations, not just because it soothes and draws together 'spider veins', but also because it contains powerfully active antioxidant agents, which can fight the effects of aging.
Witch Hazel has also traditionally been used to treat all manner of eye infections and inflammations and even temporary blindness caused by blows to the head.
Internally it can be used to astringe inflamed or irritated tissues, especially of the digestive system.
It will curb inner bleeding, diarrhea or leucorrhoea and it has also been used to reduce excessive menstruation or to reduce the loss of blood during child birth.
Magical:
As with common hazel, Witch Hazel twigs are cut and used as dowsing rods Native Americans also used the seeds in certain medicine ceremonies and for divination practice to determine whether a patient would recover.
Witch Hazel has an affinity with water and may be used in weather magic.
Most people are familiar with this common herb, which populates almost every field. But few will know it as a healing herb beyond the virtue of its leaves to soothe the stinging bites of nettles. Yellow Dock is not the prettiest of herbs, but with its large curly leaves and thick mass of confetti-like seeds it is impressive in its own way. In the old days Dock leaves were sometimes used as a wild vegetable, but only the very young leaves are palatable. Also, their high oxalate content makes them not particularly recommendable. Individuals who suffer from gout, arthritis or kidney disease should avoid them altogether. For medicinal purposes the root is used.
Medicinal:
Yellow Dock root is described as an alterative tonic, which means that it has a non-specific cleansing action on the digestive system and metabolism.
Yellow Dock is a mild laxative that stimulates the peristaltic movement and the flow of bile, thus supporting the eliminative process.
It is indicated for congestive conditions of the liver and gallbladder. It cleanses the lymphatic system and can be used in cases of scrofula, hardened lymph nodes or glandular swellings.
It is indicated as a supportive blood cleansing remedy in all kinds of systemic skin conditions that arise from impurities of the blood, such as eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis.
Yellow Dock is excellent for making iron available to the body.
Old herbalists also repeatedly mention its usefulness as an anti-tumor herb and include it in various folk-medicine cancer treatments. This use warrants further investigations.
In the past it was also recommended for anemia during pregnancy.
Externally it can be applied to varicose veins, which are said to benefit greatly from this application.
Magical:
Yellow Dock may be used to clear blockages and cut binding ties that prevent one from moving on. It can help eliminate emotional waste that accumulates as garbage and is lugged around as a burden. It helps one deal with and release emotions tied to problems of the past, anxieties and old pain. Yellow Dock can help open the practitioner to new influences and clears the boundaries between inner and outer space. It is a good herb for periods of transition and transformation at the cusp to a new phase in life.