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Post by Thorn on Jul 20, 2006 13:02:34 GMT -5
Been away for awhile - twisted the heck out of my back and couldn't come to work (which is where the computer is.) I'll come up with some more herby goodies to add soon.
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Post by Summer on Jul 20, 2006 15:31:15 GMT -5
Oh no, I am sorry that you got hurt Thorn! I hope that you feel better soon! Sending good vibes your way!  |
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Post by Thorn on Jul 20, 2006 15:55:57 GMT -5
Thanks Deb! *big hugs*
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Post by Thorn on Jul 21, 2006 12:40:00 GMT -5
Mugwort is sacred to the moon goddess, specifically Artemis, as it's Latin name "Artemisia vulgaris" still reminds those who are paying attention. This is a plant for dreams. Make a dream pillow stuffed with mugwort and sleep with it for prophetic dreams, lucid dreaming, or astral travel.
It can be smoked as a substitute for tobacco. I haven't tried this, but it's supposed to give a light, dreamy sensation. Because of this, some people have used it to break a marijuana habit.
Traditional Chinese Medicine has a fascinating procedure called "moxibution." It involves burning a compressed stick of mugwort and holding it as near to the affected area of a patient's body as they can stand. (It burns very hot.) I've done for pain relief and it's effects are pretty amazing. There are many other uses as well, such as repositioning a breech fetus.
Mugwort contains thujone, which is dangerous. It should not be taken internally or smoked when pregnant; it can cause miscarriage. Caution should be used when taking internally under any circumstances.
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Post by Summer on Jul 21, 2006 12:50:37 GMT -5
Very interesting, Thorn. Too bad it seems it isn't supposed to be taken internally. Although I would like to try it for the pain relief aspect of the herb. |
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Post by Thorn on Jul 21, 2006 13:03:06 GMT -5
Very interesting, Thorn. Too bad it seems it isn't supposed to be taken internally. Although I would like to try it for the pain relief aspect of the herb. Sources conflict about internal use. My teacher was against it, but she is very cautious with her classes - for obvious reasons in this day and age. I know another herbalist who is more adventurous that smokes mugwort instead of tobacco. But, then again, he smokes a lot of things that some people say aren't that good for you... So I guess it's an individual call. Pregnant people should definately avoid it, though. |
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Post by Summer on Jul 21, 2006 19:47:58 GMT -5
I see. Yes, I heard of this powdered herb that some nationwide company is selling for use to get high called silia. I had a friend of mine try to smoke it yesturday. He didn't seem to really get what I would call a high though. It is supposed to help with having a "spiritual experience". At least, I think it's called silia. I don't know if that is exactly right, but I can find out. Any way, he tripped out on it in a bad way! He lost track of where he was, and got really out of it for about 15 minutes, then he just came out of it and said that he was in fog of some sort. Any one here anything about this legal herb besides me? I guess it has been around for a few years now.  |
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Post by Thorn on Jul 23, 2006 0:48:17 GMT -5
I don't know silia. (The closest thing I can think of is psyllium, but I don't think smoking it would help. It's main use is to make one "regular.")
But if you find out that the name is diferent, let me know and I'll see if I've got anything for you.
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Post by ledpixie on Aug 2, 2006 12:18:33 GMT -5
What is Bella Donna used for? Is it real?
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Post by Thorn on Aug 2, 2006 16:32:09 GMT -5
What is Bella Donna used for? Is it real? Belladonna is real - Atropos belladonna, or Deadly Nightshade. The "Atropos" comes from Greek mythology, she's the Fate that cuts the thread of life. As one could guess from that alone, this a very strong poison. It's mostly used to kill people. This is either on purpose - no magick needed - or accidently, often by trying to incorporate it in a potion or salve, or by thinking it might make a fun high. This is a serious don't-try-this-at-home herb. OK, so other than poisoning enemies and the unwitting, Belladonna was historically used medicinally as a surgical anesthetic or sleeping aid. Women in Italy also used it to dilate their pupils, thus making their eyes more attractive? (Nothing gets me hotter than that just-left-the-optomitrist look, I'm tellin' ya!) Anyway, thus: "bella donna." Most commonly today (and thanks to Wikipedia for a lot of this), Belladonna is used homeopathicly for scarlet fever and pink eye. (This is safe, because there is only a tiny amount of the actual herb in any given homeopathic preparation.) Eye doctors still use it to dilate pupils. The US Army uses atropine, one of the active ingredients, as an antidote for some nerve agents. Atropine is also a major ingredient in roach poisons. The Manson Family apparently took small amounts of Belladonna for "fun." Magickally, belladonna is best known as an ingredient in many of the infamous flying ointments. When applied to the skin, it causes tingling, numbness, and hallucinations (among other, less pleasant, things - unless you're either very skilled or very lucky.) It is sacred to Atropos and Bellona, as well as death and magick goddesses such as Hecate. |
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Post by ledpixie on Aug 2, 2006 16:48:18 GMT -5
Thanks Thorn!
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Post by Summer on Aug 2, 2006 17:05:18 GMT -5
Wow, thanks for all of the info. Thorn! Lovin' it! |
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Post by Thorn on Aug 2, 2006 17:28:32 GMT -5
Glad to help, guys. This is fun!
One more thing, be prepared if you google this herb: "BellaDonna" is also the name of a porn actress. (Plus, it's the name of Gambit's comatose assassin wife in X-men. Er, is my geek showing then?)
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Post by Summer on Aug 7, 2006 1:42:09 GMT -5
This isn't really all that magickal, but it is a really cool thing. I found out that corn is a natural antidepressant! It activates the seratonin in one's brain after eating it, and gives one a happy feeling. Needless to say I am going to be serving corn to my crabby family nearly every night from now on, LOL! ;D
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Post by Thorn on Aug 7, 2006 15:28:42 GMT -5
You might want to serve them a nice turkey dinner as well. Those tryptophanes in the turkey work on serotonin as well. Is that what's working in corn, I wonder?
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