Celtic Workshop #9 The Use of Herbs and Potions The role of herbs in healing, Magick, ceremonies and rituals as well as in mind alteration were presented and discussed in detail. The effects of the most popular Druidic herbs and potions were detailed and discussed. Some reformatting was done on the transcript for clarity's sake as well. A final note!!!! Please exercise caution around most of these herbs!! Some of them are considered to be POISONS! The effects of some of the others are very powerful in areas of "mind alteration". The author of one of the texts, used as a reference, presents his suggested methods for how the Druids used these herbs (they are ONLY used in a greatly dilluted state!). Once again I urge caution and good judgement before proceeding. All in all, the Workshop participants evidenced a very thorough respect and understanding of the use and effects of these herbs. Entering Workshop/Seminar 1 room... Druidic Use of Herbs We must look at many sources to determine how the Druids used drugs and herbs. Some of these sources are historical (such as the Greek and Roman historians). Other sources are the traditions of the Bards and Seanchai. Still others are the folk remedies and fables of the major Celtic areas of the world (Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Britain). We can also look to information that comes from the inspired "Awen" of others (such as Llewellyn Sion of Glamorgan and Douglas Monroe). Archaelogical evidence is also being found (the bodies of sacrificial or other burial victims have been recently discovered). Each of these types of sources will be matched against the others (where possible) to give us the best possible idea of how Druids worked with drugs and herbs. A quote from one the ancients, Pliny, a Roman, referring to the Druid veneration of mistletoe: "Seldom was the Mistletoe found growing upon the Oak, but on such occasion, the Druids gathered it with due religious ceremony, (if possible on the 6th day of the new Moon-when the influence of the orb was waxing, and said to be at its height. Following an elaborate banquet, a white-clad priest cut the plant from the oak tree with a golden sickle, while another Druid held out a white cloak for its reception. They believed that the Mistletoe, immersed in water within a cauldron, would impart fecundity to barren animals, and that it is the antidote for all poisons ñ its name meaning 'all healing.'" I recommend acquiring the following books to aid in your tree and herbal work: Scott Cunningham's "Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs". Llewellyn Publications ISBN 0-87542-122-9. Medicinal and Other Uses of North American Plants by Charlotte Erichsen-Brown Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-25951-X. Peterson's Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants by Lee Allen Peterson Ho0ughton Mifflin Co ISBN 0-395-31870-X. The Book of Forrest and Thicket by John Eastman Stackpole Books, ISBN 0-8117-3046-8. Trees for Healing by Pamela Louise Chase and Jonathan Pawlik Newcastle Publishing, ISBN 0-87877-157-3. Many of the herbs can be had from your local health food store as well or can be ordered from the New Forest Gardens, P.O. Box 491, Westfield, NY 14787. (This is Run by Douglas Monroe I believe.) (2-1,Freepowder) there are 2 varietys of Mistletoe.... american and european, the effects of them are almost opposite... european lowers BP, american raises.... the *berries* of either are deadly poisonous. GA (2-11,Rhianna) Foxglove is another example - Digitalis (which comes from (foxglove) is a poison, yet it's used for treating heart patients. (2-28,cherokee) my gt grandma used mistle toe to bring people out of fevers and unconsciousness. aspirin bark is poisonous too. its all in how you prepare it The 16 Leeches of Diancecht Diancecht was the physician of the Tuatha de Dannan. He healed their wounded during and after their Battles with the Fomorai and the Firbolgs. He is the God of Herbs and Medicines. The following list contains herbs listed in "the 21 Lessons of Merlin" and contains their correspondences to the four elements as well as their applications. How to prepare a suitable "store" of these medicines is also given. The recommended dossages are also given. Note: Some of these herbs can be considered "POISONS"! I heartily recommend using extreme caution with them. I have attempted to identify those that may be considered harmful. Please proceed at your own risk. I must say that generally Monroe stays away fron poisonous herbs in topical or internal medicines. He does use some very dangerous substances in some of his recommended incenses. A long list will follow please bear with me! The 16 Leeches of Diancecht Spirit Mistletoe Uchelwydd or All-Heal vertigo, dizziness, headaches, heart/problems/palpitations, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, nervine. Preparation one ounce of dried herb, in a jar with twice it's volume of vodka. Leave for two weeks, strain and place in labeled dropper bottles. Dosages 1 drop for every 10 pounds of body weight every 3 hours. Earth Phu (Valerian) sedative, cramps, pain, coughs. Hoodwort (Skullcap) nerves, fevers, coolant Nerve Root(Lady Slipper) nervine, indigestion, headache Absinthe(Wormwood) digestion, liver/gall bladder, worms, topically for: insect bites,sprains, rheumatism, bruises. Air Golden Pipes(Chamomile family) stomach aches/digestion/gas, calamative vs insomnia in children, eye wash and open sores, kidneys. Holigold (Calendula) Marigold. topical application for sores, burns, bleeding hemorrhoids & wounds, in oil for ear aches, vaginal infections. Eerie (Yarrow) internal bleeding (especially lungs), gas, diarrhea, fevers(measles, colds,flus). also antiseptic. Brittanica (Vervain) colds, flus, coughs, upper respiratory inflam- mations, stomatic, insomnia, pneumonia, asthma. Water Catwort (Catnip/Catmint) digestion/stomach ache or cramps, calmative, fevers, headaches, bronchititis & diarrhea. Beerflower (Hops) Sleep aid, liver/digestive/gas/cramps. externally for: boils tumors swellings & skin inflammations, refrigerant. Withe (Black Willow) pain, fevers, arthritis, kidney/bladder troubles, antiseptic, gargle, tonsilitis, refrigerant. Coneflower (Echinacea) antibiotic (immune system stimulant), tooth/body abscesses, lymph node swellings, digestive aid. Fire Goldenruthe (goldenseal) Antibiotic, general purpose internal/external, eye-wash, female infections, sores, skin conditions, colds/viruses/infections Amber (St. John's Wort) nerves, bed-wetting, liver tonic, insomnia, mix with olive oil: use externally for skin conditions, tumors, wounds, ulcers, burns, swollen glands, bruises and muscle pains. Sacred Bark (Buckthorne) Constipation/laxative, digestive stimulant, gas, liver, gall bladder/ stones. Quercus (White Oak) internal bleeding, vaginal infections, antiseptic for all wounds/bites/skin conditions, poison ivy/oak, gum problems, lymph node swellings, varicose veins. To activate these drugs, the Druids would include a small amount of Mistletoe preparation to each before use. Since it was considered "all heal". Draughts of Inspiration (Only one is given) These drinks are thought to instill the correct state of mind required for "Awen". According to Monroe, nine exist in total, though only one is given in his book. Perhaps we can discover the others? I suggest that the other tree barks that were used are from the red chestnut, white chestnut, Elm, Beech, Larch, Oak and Fir trees. I would guess these based upon Hints contained in "Practical Celtic Magick" by Murry Hope. I also would guess that ivy was used in a draught based upon information from Scott Cunningham's "Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs". 5 tablespoons of spring water 1 pinch Evening Primrose Flowers 1 pinch Black Willow Bark 1 pinch Thyme sit in Glass bottle (closed in the Sun) for 3 days strain/ add 1 tsp apple cider vinegar before use add 1 tsp chlorophyll (alfalfa) take 3 drops subligually prior to Magickal Workings with trees/plants. Threshold Smoke These concotions are used to aid one in having an Otherworldly experience. They are cast upon the flames of a fire. Please note that some of the ingredients are POISON! and that another one of them is considered "illegal". The use of these herbs are indicated to aid solitary meditations in the deep woods. Be aware that they will induce "Dark Visions" and reveal your inner fears. According to Monroe, the Druids required one to master such fears to be in tune with Nature and to achieve "Balance"..I recommend that none of them be tried when unsupervised and I also recommend extreme caution. To make the incense: Blend and compound the following plants: Neckweede (Hemp) Nightshade (Belladonna) (poison) Ghostflower (Datura) Keep in a dark (light free) box. Burn as an incense to facilitate "threshold" and "traveling" works. The Spirit of the Mandrake This incense is used to attain a state of altered consciousness for resolving one's inner fears and becoming one with the Spirit of the Land and its animal Nature. I caution anyone considering using it to be aware that Mandrake is considered a POISON! This herb is used during the Night of the Wild Hunt that we discussed last week. Toss dried Mandrake (poison) root upon a bed of hot coals or embers and let the smoke cause you to travel within the darkness of the night. May apple, Peony; Ginseng or Briony roots may be substituted (also considered poisonous!). The Song of Bluestar Another herb used to achieve altered states was the Bluestar flower or the Blue Morning Glory. This plant is considered poisonous! Do not eat or drink anything made with it and handle it with care. Monroe suggests drying the flowers and seeds to make an incense for a rite of assumption or tapping into Powers. This might also be called "mind expansion". (The same plants have been used to create LSD in recent times, so I am not surprised that they are used here). I'm not advocating that anyone of you try this incense, but Monroe says the Druids did. I'm not surprised. Here is the essence of the trip or rite of assumption: "I will be as a Bluestar upon a field of Green, circling upward towards a golden Sun." .... translation by D.W.Nash The Druids believed all life was interrelated from the lowest forms to the highest. This quote from the ancient Welsh document, the Mathnawai, shows their philosopy: "I died as a mineral and became a plant, I died as a plant and rose to an animal, I died as an animal and I was a man. Why should I fear? When was I ever less dying? Yet once more I shall die as a man, to soar in the Blessed Realm; but even from godhood I must pass on...." One further quote from "The Gorchan of Maeldrew": "Each atom an evolving life, each blade of grass a potential soul." The Draughts of Oblivion I give here the "fast" (meaning quick to make) version of Celtic drinks and libations from the "21 Lessons of Merlin" as well as the festivals at which they are used: May Mead for Beltaine Add a half ounce of each of the following to 1 gallon of your favorite white wines: heather flowers, meodowsweet, woodruff leaves. Let sit for about 6 hours. Filter and chill before serving. Midsummer Ale Add a half ounce of each of the following to 1 gallon of your favorite red wines: fresh oak leaves, chamomille, red rose petals. Let sit for about 24 hours. Add 9 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Filter and chill before serving. Samhain Absinthe Add a 2 teaspoons of each of the following to 2 pints of your favorite port wines: wormwood, dried apple/mint leaves, dried pumpkin blossoms. Let sit for about 1 week. Filter through muslin and bottle. Garnish with raisins and cloves before serving. Midwinter Mulsa Add a half ounce of each of the following to 2 quarts of your favorite dry white wines: crushed juniper berries, wintergreen, Elder Flowers. let sit for about 6 hours. Filter and chill before serving. Garnish with a sprigg of green pine or hot with a cinnamon stick Now these are drinks I can get excited about! I think we can all see that Druids used a variety of herbs in their work....from "visions" to partying. (2-24,Trailstalker) Before we break up for our "free-for-all" I wanted to share a couple of addresses. 1) Natural Labs in Sedona, AZ. They make great herbal tinctures. Pure and powerful. The man who runs it is very knowledgeable about herbs and remedies. They can be reached at: 602-284-9551. 45 Castlerock Road, Suite 2 Sedona, AZ 86336 (2-24,Trailstalker) The other is Winter Sun Trading Company in Flagstaff, AZ. It is run by Phyllis Hogan who is the ... head herbalist in AZ. She's at: 602-774-2884 18 E. Santa Fe Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (2-24,Trailstalker) BTW the man's name is Don Hall.