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The green powder, commonly known as 'Henna' and used as a natural dye for hair derives from the leaves of a small tree or large bush that belongs to the Myrtle family. It is at home in the dry regions of northern Africa and India, where it is widely cultivated, mostly for cosmetic use. The red color results by means of a fermentation process that is activated when the powdered leaves are mixed with water and left in a hot, moist environment. The different shades of color are derived by admixture of other substances, such as tea or other dye plants. Natural Henna never dyes black. All black Henna products, as well as most commercially available Henna powders contain chemical additives to ensure an even pigmentation. In recent years Henna tattoos, a traditional body decoration usually applied ceremonially at major rites of passage, such as birth, marriage, circumcision and funerary rites, have become popular in the West. However, so called black Henna has been indicated to produce very intense allergic reactions that are due to the chemical additives mixed in to produce the artificial black dye. Red Henna, which has been traditionally used for this purpose does not result in allergic reactions, on the contrary it has some beneficial effects on the skin.

In India, Pakistan and Northern Africa Henna is not only used cosmetically but also for medicinal purposes. The white flowers produce a delightful fragrance and have been distilled to produce an essential oil and flower water which are used in perfumery. It is often planted as a hedge plant since its spiny thorns deter animals and intruders.

To dye hair red with natural Henna, mix the powder with hot water until it has the consistency of creamy spinach. Apply thoroughly to the hair, taking care not to rub it into the skin below the hairline, as it will dye the skin as well. Wear plastic gloves to protect your hands as well. Natural red Henna is beneficial for the hair, adding luster and volume. The color wears off over a period of time.

Medicinal:
Henna has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which have been used medicinally to treat athlete's foot and other skin diseases, boils, burns, bruises and inflammatory conditions of the skin as well as chickenpox, small pox and leprosy. The medicinal use of Henna is widespread in Ayurveda, Unani and traditional folk medicine of India, Pakistan and Northern Africa, where seeds and roots as well as the leaves are used internally for various conditions, from diarrhea, to enlarged spleen or as a contraceptive.

Magical:
The red dye of Henna traditionally represents the color of life and is thus associated with all rites of passage: birth, circumcision, marriage and death. It is considered protective against evil influences, malevolent spirits and the evil eye. Henna has also traditionally been associated with love and sexuality, its fragrant flowers adding a seductive perfume to its protective shade.

While related to the more well-known Ocimum basilicum, the basil used in cooking, Holy Basil is a medicinal herb used to make teas and extracts. It's known as a sacred plant in India.

All parts of the holy basil plant act as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is natural substance that helps your body adapt to stress and promotes mental balance. The concept of an adaptogen is a holistic approach. But scientific research shows that holy basil has pharmacological properties to help your mind cope with many types of stress.

According to the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, holy basil has antidepressant and anti-anxiety properties comparable to diazepam and antidepressant drugs. One study found that people who used holy basil once a day felt less anxious, stressed, and depressed. People also felt more social.

Ayurvedic practitioners recommend drinking holy basil as tea using the leaves. And since it’s caffeine-free, it’s okay and even recommended to drink daily. The act of drinking tea can be ritualistic and as calming as yoga. It fosters clear thoughts, relaxation, and a sense of well-being.

A member of the mint family, White Horehound displays attractive whirls of sweetly scented white flowers - but its pleasant first impression belies its intensely bitter taste. Nevertheless, it has claimed a niche in herbal medicine and found its circle of admirers.

In ancient Egypt it was dedicated to Horus, the God of the Morning Sun, and it was variously known as 'The Seed of Horus', 'The Eye of the Star' or 'Bull's Blood'.

Dioscorides recommends it for numerous conditions, including the bites of venomous creatures and the effects of poisons.

These days it is far less popular than it used to be not too long ago - at one time, Horehound candy could be had on any street corner, an effective remedy for sore throats and persistent tickles.
It also was traditionally used as flavoring for beer or may have been smoked as a tobacco substitute.
Before electricity was commonly installed its stems were floated on oil as wicks for nightlights.
Bees love Horehound and beekeepers took advantage of that fact by putting bunches of flowers beneath their beehive in order to encourage the bees to mate.
Farmers utilized Horehound's appetite stimulating effect by placing wreath of the herb around the necks of their cows, which was thought to stimulate their appetite and thus make their milk flow more abundantly.

Medicinal:
Horehound's primary use is for afflictions of the pulmonary organs. It is one of the best remedies for persistent coughs and bronchitis, especially where there is tough phlegm which proves difficult to expectorate. Horehound apparently loosens the phlegm and makes it more liquid so that it can be brought up more easily. It can even be used successfully for whooping cough and asthma.
The ancients also used it for its bitter principles, to stimulate the liver and gallbladder and aid the digestive processes or to enhance the appetite.
It is an intensely bitter herb and the usual way of administration is in the form of syrup.
Recent studies have found Horehound effective in lowering blood sugar levels and cholesterol, which suggests that it may prove beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, however, so far only preliminary studies have been done and more research is necessary.

Magical:
Horehound has a prominent reputation as a counter-magical herb of protection. It is said to "ward off witches" and protect against their evil doings. It seems to have played a role in the ancient Egyptian mystery cults, though its significance today is lost. Its name 'seed of Horus' implies a lunar connection as Horus' seed gave rise to a lunar disk that was born from Seth's forehead and which became the symbol of Thoth, a lunar/mercurial God of magic.

However, Horsetail is an extremely valuable healing herb that should be treasured instead of eradicated. Its main virtue lies in the fact that it is very rich in silicon. In the old days this property made it not just interesting for healing, but it also provided an excellent cleansing agent, which is still valued by certain craftsmen who use it as very fine sandpaper to give a fine polish to metal and precious stones. In the days when blacksmiths were closely allied with alchemists and knew some of their secrets, Horsetail was valued for giving magical strength to weapons and armor. Although gardeners don't like Horsetails, they might appreciate its fungicidal properties as Horsetail infusions are effective in treating mildew and mint rust on blackspot on roses.

It is a very effective styptic and can stop bleeding almost instantly. Thus it is an excellent remedy not just for external wounds, especially gangrene and bleeding eczema, but also for internal bleeding, e.g. bleeding stomach ulcers, bleeding from the lungs etc. Of course, these are serious conditions and professional guidance must be sought before attempting any self-treatment.

NOTE: Equisetum arvense should not be used by persons with cardiac or kidney disease. Not recommended for long term use or use by children.

Magical:
Horsetail strengthens resolve and defines boundaries. It can be used to make affirmations and commitments firm and to protect one's psychic space against unwanted intrusions. It helps to cleanse unwanted emotional rubble and debris from the system. It is an herb of Saturn.

Irish Moss is an exceptional soothing agent that coats the throat, bronchial & respiratory passage. It also provides comforting support for the delicate tissues of the digestive and gastrointestinal tract

Like most seaweeds, Irish Moss is overflowing with vitamins, minerals and trace minerals, including iodine, vitamins A, D; as well as the electrolyte minerals calcium, magnesium, sodium & potassium.
But Irish Moss has a beauty bonus too! It strengthens nails, soothes & moisturizes skin, and is traditionally added to baths, soaps and skincare blends.

Magical Uses - Irish moss can be carried or placed beneath rugs to increase luck and to ensure a steady flow of money into the house or pockets of the person.
Irish moss can also be carried while on trips for protection and safety, or used to stuff luck or money sachets.

Thyroid support And so much more! This is an herbal iodine source, supports thyroid function, and boosts metabolism.
Let Kelp unlock the secrets to a healthier, more beautiful you! The nutrient-packed sea vegetable supports thyroid and glandular health, raises energy levels, and promotes healthy hair, strong nails, and a beautiful complexion.

Kelp is a gift from the ocean that provides valuable iodine and important minerals and sea nutrients. Try this amazing seaweed in vegetable juice, soups, and salads; add to your own custom super green food blend.

Nutritionist Hint: Dr. Susan Smith Jones suggests Kelp Granules as a seasoning instead of salt. Sprinkle on food or mix with Cayenne and Garlic for a spicy seasoning blend! You can also add Kelp Granules to tomato juice, vegetable juice, soups and salads.

Traditional:
Kelp can be regarded as a nutritive agent. It is very rich in minerals and iodine and thus has the ability to restore and re-mineralize the body. The high iodine content has a stimulating effect on the thyroid gland which affects the metabolism. It has been used to tackle obesity caused by sluggish thyroid function. Its demulcent properties help to keep arteries supple and may ease digestive disorders, heartburn, bronchitis, and emphysema. It has been used in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism, for both internal and external applications.

Magical uses:
Includes healing, protection, travel protection, psychic powers, business success, attracting customers, and any type of water/sea/wind magic. Also Called: Sea Grass, Seaweed, Bladderwrack, and Seawrack

Lady's Mantle is an intriguing little herb of the Rose family that is mostly admired for its lovely foliage rather than its inconspicuous flowers. The velvety leaves are almost star-shaped, with folds that are reminiscent of a Lady's cape. The flowers on the other hand are barely noticeable, tiny little clusters of yellow-green flowers growing in bunches on a tall stalk. Nevertheless, they are rich in nectar and attract plenty of bees.

Alchemilla - the "little alchemist" was highly revered by the great alchemists, who went out early in the morning to collect the magical dew from the leaves of this plant - for this was no ordinary dew. Lady's Mantle "sweats" crystal clear pearls of water, which collects in the center of its funnel-shaped leaves. These pearls of magical dew were deemed essential to the Alchemist's "Great Work": to produce the Philosopher's Stone.

On a more mundane note, women also sometimes collected the dew - not in search of the philosopher's stone, but in search of eternal beauty: they believed that to moisten the skin with the sacred dew would impart a special radiance of elfin allure.

Medicinal:
As the name suggests, Lady's Mantle is a woman's herb and used for many female complaints. Lady's Mantle is a powerful astringent that can stop undue flows such as excessive menstruation or leucorrhoea. It is also said to regulate the female cycle. It is given to strengthen the uterus and is believed to thus increase fertility.
Its tightening qualities were also applied externally to female genitalia "to make them more virginal". In a similar vein some women applied compresses to their breasts in order to make them more firm.

Dioscorides praises this herb mostly for its ability to stop bleeding, which makes it an excellent wound herb that can be applied both, externally or internally.

Magical:
Lady's Mantle is an important plant in the Great Work of Alchemy. The 'dew' drops can also be used to cleanse the third eye to make it more acute to perceive visions and the magical dimension. Originally an herb of Freya, this herb is used in fertility magic and for protection. Lady's Mantle is also associated with Fairy lore - it is said that the Fairies too appreciate the sacred dew, which they collect and drink as a magical elixir.

Sometimes the humblest of herbs bear the greatest treasures. Melissa is a common garden herb and spreads so liberally that some people consider it a weed. No showy flowers, nor pretty seeds, yet its essential oil is precious, indeed. The ancients praised Melissa as 'an herb of Jupiter that gladdens the heart', the Prozac of antiquity it seems, which Paracelsus thought capable of entirely restoring a man's vitality. Other writers admire its ability to strengthen the mind and memory. Melissa is a great herb for students as well as for old people whose memory begins to fade. It brings cheer to those who feel burdened. Lemon Balm is sacred to the Great Goddess and her honey bees, in fact, the name Melissa means 'bee' in Greek, and even in Britain Melissa is sometimes called 'bee balm'. Bee keepers rub their hives with the herb to ensure that their bees will always come back. Similarly, in times gone by, Melissa was used as a strewing herb to keep the home scented sweet and welcoming.

Medicinal:
An excellent herb for the nervous system. It strengthens the vital spirits and eases heart and mind. It can be used for all kinds of nervous conditions such as depression, nervous tension, mental exhaustion, anxieties, phobias, hypochondria and even hysteria. It helps regulate menstrual problems and is helpful for PMS and menopausal problems.

It is also useful for the digestive system and can relief cramps and colic due to wind. Old herbals recommend simmering the herb in white wine instead of infusing it with water.

It is a wonderful herb for insomnia and ideal for deep relaxation after a stressful day. It takes away gloominess, tension and depression and gladdens the heart.

Melissa is also known as a premier antiviral agent, which, among other things, is effective for treating Herpes simplex.

Magical:
Melissa enables the student to absorb knowledge more deeply and to commit to memory what has been learned, while refreshing the mind and keeping spirits up. It is also a great herb for dispelling the demons of depression and loneliness. It is very useful for meditation as it helps centering and brings peace to heart and mind. It can be used to open or balance the heart chakra. Melissa may help the practitioner connect with the cosmic flow of prosperity and help gain an understanding of the laws of giving and receiving. Melissa is also well known as a 'dream herb'. It may induce prophetic dreams and can be used for astral journeys

Lemon Verbena originates in Peru and Chile and was first introduced to Britain in 1784. In the 18th and early 19th century it was a common garden plant that was valued for its beautifully fragranced leaves, but it has since then fallen out of fashion. In Mediterranean countries it has escaped from cultivation and can sometimes be encountered in the wild. In Latin America, and to some degree in Spain as well, it was appreciated for its medicinal and therapeutic values - as relaxant and carminative herb. Some sources ascribe it aphrodisiac properties though this is not so much due to any direct, stimulant action, but rather the result of its ability to relax an overly excited mind and to awaken sensual awareness. Lemon Verbena is often confused with Vervain, a herb that belongs to the same family, but otherwise bears little resemblance as far as energy or attributes are concerned.

Traditional:
Lemon Verbena is refreshing, yet soothing and calming. A very pleasant tasting tea can be made as a digestive tisane. It also soothes the mind and make a good relaxing bed time tea that brings deep and peaceful sleep. Thus Lemon Verbena can be included in blends for all sorts of stress related conditions, especially those that affect the stomach. Lemon Verbena stimulates creativity and may help to overcome inertia and listlessness. It and may also help those who have difficulties enjoying sensual pleasures.

Magical :
Lemon Verbena is well suited to connecting with the inner child. It opens the mind to experiencing familiar things in a new light. It can be used for creative endeavors and for festivals that celebrate the gifts of Mother Earth. It is may be included in love philtres and potions and for rites of sacred union. It may also be used for astral travel and prophetic dreams.

Until the advent of Asian cuisines expanded our epicurean horizons Lemongrass used to be wholly unknown in the West. Now we are used to finding it in our Thai curries and appreciate its delicate lemony flavor. In Asia it has long been appreciated, not just as a spice, but also as medicine, to treat feverish conditions and to keep bugs at bay. Lemongrass lends its scent to scores of washing up liquids and other household cleaning agents, though we are usually led to believe that their citrus scent derives from actual lemons. Our noses are fooled by the citrols, the lemony fragrance component common to both. Other parts of the world find more romantic uses for Lemongrass: in the Caribbean an aphrodisiac elixir is prepared with Lemongrass as its main component that is supposed to stimulate a dormant sexual drive in both men and women. In Central Africa it is likewise used as an aphrodisiac and has also been used it in divinatory practice.

Medicinal:
Lemongrass is best known for its efficiency to repel insects such as mosquitoes and fleas. However there is more to this herb than 'bugs-be-gone'. It is very refreshing as a footbath for tired feet and checks excessive perspiration. It is wonderfully cooling in feverish conditions. It awakens the senses and clears headaches and mental congestion. In Aromatherapy skin care it can be used to tone and tighten the skin, especially where open pores call for an astringent.

Magical:
Lemongrass can be used for purification of ritual tools. It can be added to cleansing water to purify a magical or ceremonial space. It is a good herb for meditation as it clears the mind, opens psychic channels and aids concentration. It can be used in divination and scrying practices. Lemongrass is a cheerful, light hearted herb that serves as a reminder to keep things in perspective and not take them too seriously. It energizes any ritual with a gentle lift rather than a punch. It can be used to get in touch with the inner child. As a stimulating aphrodisiac it can be included in love potions.

Linden is a mother of a tree - everything about her is feminine, nurturing, loving and caring as only mothers can be. She spreads her branches protectively like and arboreal embrace.

In Norse and Germanic mythology she is sacred to Freya or Frigga, Goddesses of Love and in the hearts and minds of the people she was perhaps the most beloved of all trees. Linden trees were especially honoured in Slavic countries, but also in France and Germany, where just about every village had a central Linden tree that served as the social and cultural focal point of village life. It was here that dances and festivals were celebrated, where couples promised each other their undying love, and justice was spoken in open-air courts called 'tings'.

No other tree features as prominently in popular poetry, songs and literature as the Linden. The outpouring of nectar from her flowers provides a feast for gazillions of bees and epitomizes her generous, providing nature. Bees, of course, are sacred to the Great Mother Goddess and the honey they produce is nectar for the Gods. Linden honey is indeed among the finest tasting and most valuable of all honeys - though unfortunately almost entirely used for pharmaceutical preparations.

Linden trees are very healing indeed - not just her honey and flowers, but also the inner bark, charcoal and leaves are used in folk medicine for a wide variety of conditions.

Naturally, this motherly tree is also protective against witches, devils and other evil spirits. Twigs were hung above doors and leaves were pinned to hats or collars to avert all evil.

According to folklore, Mary, mother of Jesus, blessed the Linden tree with all these virtues. One day Jesus was wandering the earth feeling tired and ill. He lay down to rest under a Linden tree and fell asleep. Protectively the Linden tree spread her branches over the sick man. Some time later Mary, who had followed him, came by and found her son under the tree. Alas, when he woke up he was cured and restored. Mary, grateful to the tree for having so lovingly cared for her son, blessed it with healing and protective virtues, of which it has given generously ever since.

Medicinal: Linden Blossom is calming and relaxing. It also acts as a hypotensive by dilating the blood vessels. Thus it can be useful in cases of high blood pressure and angina pectoris. It is antispasmodic and useful for relaxing cramps. It is also one of the best diaphoretics that can be used to induce a sweat to break a fever. It opens the heart and relaxes those that feel they have too much on their chest. It can be used for migraine, stress related conditions and nervous tension. It is also beneficial for insomnia, hysterics and stomach conditions that are due to stress. It is also helpful in cases of lung catarrh and kidney troubles.

Magical: Linden represents the essence of love and compassion, the Green Tara of trees. It can be used to meditate on the Mother energy and to celebrate the mother aspect of the Great Goddess. It represents love in action, compassion and caring. It can be used to meditate on spiritual and transcendental love and to open the heart chakra. Its protective and healing energy is well suited to any healing ritual. Linden protects against demons that torture the mind with anguish and fear.

The Lobelia inflata, or Lobelia Herb, is named after the botanist Matthias de Lobel, and is an erect annual or biennial herb, growing one to two feet high. The stalks of the lower leaves and flower are pale violet-blue in color and tinted pale yellow within. Several species of the Lobelia inflata, or Lobelia Herb, are grown throughout English gardens for the splendor of its flowers, coming in every shade of scarlet, purple, and blue.

Lobelia Herb is a yellowish green, with an irritating odor. The taste of the herb is very similar to that of tobacco, sharing almost identical burning and acrid qualities

Lobelia Herb is sometimes referred to as Indian tobacco, and was commonly prescribed by early North American doctors for a variety of complaints.

Medicinal:
Lobelia is used for breathing problems including asthma, bronchitis, whooping cough, and shortness of breath (apnea) in newborn infants. Some people take lobelia as a sedative to help them relax. Other people use it to increase sweating.

Lobelia is applied to the skin for muscle pain, joint lumps associated with rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatic nodules), bruises, sprains, insect bites, poison ivy, and ringworm.

Lobelia has been used in cough preparations and counterirritant products. Some stop-smoking products around the world include lobelia as an ingredient (although it is not effective as a stop smoking aid)

Magical:
Associated with the Element of Water and Neptune on account of its ability to facilitate a dreamy, relaxed state and because it is an expectorant. Its Neptune aspect is also shown in its involvement in storm magic. Its prominent ovaries (the "inflata") make it a very female plant, and it is often used in love magic. Curiously enough, in the language of flowers, this magic herb represents ill will.

A specialty collection of herbs to honor the the Trickster!

• Mistletoe
• Cinnamon
• Mullein Leaf
• Dandelion Leaf
• Birch Bark

Lotus leaves, also known as folium nelumbinis and He Ye herb, has long been characterized as a good herb for weight loss in TCM. For modern people who want to lose weight and stay slim, lotus leaf tea is a very good choice as it can simultaneously burn excess fat, eliminate constipation, and induce diuresis. What’s more, its health benefits don’t end here. Besides being used for dieting , it could provide even more to women plagued by obesity and middle-aged adults who are seeking to prevent adult diseases. This is simply because it contains a wide range of alkaloids. These active substances are known for their significant physiological activity, which can significantly reduce blood fat and fight against viruses. Last but not least, it is also the secret ingredient in some Asian cuisines!

The rhizomes and leaves of the lotus are combined with other herbs in China, India, and other Asian traditional medicines to treat sunstroke, fever, diarrhea, and the whole plant is used to treat mushroom poisoning. Lotus is also considered to improve virility and treat premature ejaculations

Mistletoe is surrounded by more myths and legends than any other herb. Airborne between heaven and earth, the enigma of a skyborne plant has always been a mystery. The Druids, above all others, revered Mistletoe as the holiest of holies. It was deemed especially sacred when it appeared on an Oak tree, the most sacred tree of Druid lore. Mistletoe was their 'Golden Bough', the key to the heavens and to the underworld. Indeed, it was regarded as the creative essence of Thor himself. Thor is the god of thunder, who presided over the sacred Oak tree, over fertility and abundance. In the Druid tree calendar, the 23rd December is given to the Mistletoe, the day when it was ceremoniously cut.

After offering prayers the chief druid would ascend into the tree to cut the Mistletoe with a golden sickle. Utmost care was taken to prevent the herb from touching the ground. Instead, it had to be caught in a white cloth. Two white bulls, sacred to the Moon-Goddess, all dressed up in garlands were also sacrificed on the holy occasion. The sacrifice of the regenerative power of the solar deity was to bestow blessings of abundance and protection from all evil for the New Year. It was a symbolic marriage of the solar and lunar forces, a harmonization of all opposites in perfect balance at the turning point of the year. To celebrate the return of the life-force an orgiastic celebration ensued.

To this day Mistletoe twigs are hung in doorways at Christmas time giving permission to kiss, even a stranger, and receive the blessing of the Mistletoe.In some of the rural, more traditional areas of France young children can occasionally be seen distributing Mistletoe blessings on New Year's Day. Running through the village, shouting 'Au gui l'an neuf' (gui de chêne - Mistletoe) they dedicate the New Year to the Mistletoe and invoke its protective blessings. Mistletoe was believed to ward off all evil, bad spirits and witchcraft, and was sometimes worn as a protective amulet. It was also believed to bestow fertility and abundance.

In Norse Mythology Mistletoe inadvertently becomes the agent of death for the *almost* immortal sun-god Baldur. Mistletoe also found its way into Christian mythology as the wood from which Christ's cross was said to have been fashioned. According to Christian morality teaching, it is due to this disgrace that the Mistletoe has been reduced to its parasitic existence.

In Greek mythology Mistletoe was also associated with the Underworld. Here, the sacred bough presented the key with which a living mortal could enter the Underworld and return to the world of the living unharmed, as is told in the story of Aeneas.
Aeneas, a young hero, enters the underworld by the power of the golden bough and the aid of the age-old Sybil as his guide. He enters this frightful place in search of his father to seek his guidance and advice. He finds him and receives his teachings concerning the cycles of life and death, which he had come for. Eventually he returns safely to the world of the living. But it is the Mistletoe that provides him with the key to his destiny and opens the gates to the transformational powers of the underworld from which he returns spiritually reborn.

Medicinal
Mistletoe not only has an interesting mythology, but also a host of medicinal uses. Indeed, the Druids regarded it as a panacea, capable of curing practically any disease. Though their claims may have been exaggerated herbalists still value it highly. Most notably Mistletoe is recommended for conditions of the cardiovascular system. Mistletoe herb improves the pulse, regulates the heart rate and simultaneously dilates the blood vessels, which lowers the blood pressure, thus reducing symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. It is an effective aid in arteriosclerosis and improves the overall function of the circulatory system, which results in a sense of well-being.

Recently another interesting property of Mistletoe has become a matter of scientific interest: its ancient reputation to cure tumors. Modern research has confirmed this ancient claim. Mistletoe preparations show cytotoxic properties in vitro and to some degree in vivo. It has also shown to stimulate the immune system response through an increased number of white blood cells. Both of these properties have made Mistletoe a candidate for cancer and Aids research and these days Mistletoe is even used in chemotherapy.

Mistletoe also has a reputation to regulate digestive functions and curing chronic constipation, probably by stimulating the gall bladder. It also stimulates general metabolic activity and is thus recommended as a blood cleanser. Older sources recommend Mistletoe for sterility and menstrual difficulties. Considering its nervine properties this would make sense where these conditions are due to an underlying nervous condition (stress, tension, hysteria, fear).

Mistletoe is variously mentioned as an effective remedy for epilepsy, especially childhood epilepsy. This treatment reflects a homeopathic approach: large doses of the herb, and in particular of the berries, actually cause fits and convulsions. Mistletoe was considered a specific for this ailment and was also used as a nervine to treat hysteria, delirium, convulsions and neuralgia as well as urinary disorders and heart complaints where these are due to an underlying nervous condition (e.g. stress).

Mistletoe use is no longer used externally, but according to old sources it can be prepared as a plaster (mix with wax to make an ointment) and applied to hardened swellings and tumors. It can be employed in crèmes to soothe sensitive, sore skin. Such crèmes are disinfecting and soothing and reduce abnormal cell production, which could be useful in psoriasis lotions and anti-dandruff shampoos.

Magical
Mistletoe is a prime protective herb that bestows good fortune, health, wealth and fertility. It wards off all evil spirits and works of wicked witches. In folk-magic amulets made from mistletoe wood were thought effective in warding off epileptic attacks. Mistletoe is the sacred herb of the winter solstice that signifies transformation, regeneration and rebirth. It is the shamanic key to both, the heavens above as well as the underworld.

Moringa oleifera is a plant that is often called the drumstick tree, the miracle tree, the ben oil tree, or the horseradish tree.

Moringa has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties and health benefits. It also has antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Moringa appears to protect the liver against damage caused by anti-tubercular drugs and can quicken its repair process.

Moringa contains properties that might help prevent cancer developing. It also contains niazimicin, which is a compound that suppresses the development of cancer cells.

Moringa might help treat some stomach disorders, such as constipation, gastritis, and ulcerative colitis.

The antibiotic and antibacterial properties of moringa may help inhibit the growth of various pathogens, and its high vitamin B content helps with digestion.

Due to its antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties, moringa might combat infections caused by Salmonella, Rhizopus, and E. coli.

Moringa also contains calcium and phosphorous, which help keep bones healthy and strong. Along with its anti-inflammatory properties moringa extract might help to treat conditions such as arthritis and may also heal damaged bones. Moringa is thought to be helpful in treating depression, anxiety, and fatigue.

Moringa helps to reduce the amount of glucose in the blood, as well as sugar and protein in the urine. This improved the hemoglobin levels and overall protein content in those tested.

Moringa contains eyesight-improving properties thanks to its high antioxidant levels. Moringa may stop the dilation of retinal vessels, prevent the thickening of capillary membranes, and inhibit retinal dysfunction.

Moringa might help a person’s body absorb more iron, therefore increasing their red blood cell count. It is thought the plant is very helpful in treating and preventing anemia and sickle cell disease.

All through the ages herbalists have treasured Motherwort. It is considered ‘a women’s herb’.

According to Culpeper, Venus owns it and it is under the dominion of Leo. It is sometimes called lion’s tail, which is reflected in the scientific name ‘Leonurus’ while ‘Cardiaca’ makes a reference to the heart, one of the main organs the herb benefits.

The ‘mother’ in motherwort, however, does not so much refer to motherhood as such (although the herb is a ‘goddess-sent’ in many stress situations associated with motherhood). Instead, ‘mother’ is an old word for the womb. Despite all this, anyone, male or female, who suffers from stress related conditions, can greatly benefit from this herb.

Medicinal:
The old herbalists thought of Motherwort mostly as a nervine,- an excellent remedy for treating hysteria, free floating, cardiac anxiety and to brighten the spirits - which were all considered ‘heart problems’ in the old days.
Today it is used for many more stress related conditions, including palpitations, arrhythmia and high blood pressure.
It can also act as a supportive remedy for an overactive thyroid gland.
It is also used for all kinds of menstrual problems, such as irregular, painful or scanty periods and PMS.

Motherwort is said to ‘open the womb’ during childbirth and to help expel the placenta. It is also indicated for painful spasms and contractions during intercourse (known as ‘vaginismus’), and can be of great help for menopausal problems such as hot flashes.

Motherwort can take ‘the edge off’ and help a person relax enough to get a grip, so they are better equipped to deal with whatever pressures they are facing.

Magical:
This herb has been used to dispel bad spirits. It has been placed into babies cots to protect them and to ward off bad spells and hexes as well as nightmares.