I love Halloween! So I thought it would be fun to create a post that not only informed you of the health benefits of these herbs but a little of the folklore. Hope you enjoy!
1. Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo)
Of course, what’s Halloween without Pumpkins? When you carve them, do you save anything from the inside? Well the seeds are highly nutritious! They are rich in beta-carotene, Zinc and Magnesium. They also help the body in getting rid of parasites and worms. Pumpkin seeds are often considered an herb for men in that it is beneficial for the prostrate gland.
2. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
And we have to have an herb with Witch in the name. The twigs and branches were once used to dowse for water. Today, it is known as a great astringent. We use it topically to clean cuts and wounds, for insect bites, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It is also used in cosmetics and makes an excellent facial toner.
3. Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
This herb has a long history in being used magically. It was used for protection against evil spirits and witchcraft. It was one of the sacred herbs to the Druids along with meadowsweet and water-mint. Vervain is most well-known as a flower essence. It helps people who are too much in their head, who are highly strung with fixed ideas that they rarely change. The flowering tops in an infusion or tincture benefits the nervous system as well as the respiratory system where there’s congestion.
4. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
While yarrow was used for protection against evil spirits, disease and for traveling, it was most commonly used in love spells. There are several variations, however a girl would pick it, put it under her pillow and then dream of her true love. Therapeutically, it’s good for colds and flu. Drinking the tea will make you sweat which helps rid the body of fever. It helps staunch bleeding making it good for cuts, nosebleeds and wounds.
Bonus… Mugwort ( Artemsia vulgaris)
I decided to include Mugwort because, lets face it, it is a ‘witchy’ kind of herb. However, it doesn’t have alot of health benefits and when it is used, should only be used for a short period of time. Travelers used it to protect them on their journey, people put it in their homes to protect against harmful influences and it was used as a divination tool through dreaming. Historically, midwives used it to aid childbirth. Today, it’s used topically for sprains, bruises and insect bites.
So were you surprised by any of the above? Do you think there was an herb that I should have included? Post a comment and let me know.
Until next time…
References
- Mac Coitir, Niall (2006). Irish wild plants: myths, legends & folklore. Cork: The Collins Press.
- Ritchason, Jack (1995). The little herb encyclopedia 3rd edition. Pleasant Grove, UT: Woodland Health Books.
- Wood, Matthew ( 2009). The earthwise herbal: a complete guide to new world medicinal plants. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books.