Mistletoe

Mistletoe – viscum album – Also known as Birdlime, All-Heal, Druid’s Herb, and Golden Bough. It is the most sacred “tree” of the Druids and rules over Winter Solstice. The berries are poisonous. Mistletoe is thought to be most powerful if growing on an oak tree. The leafy twigs, toxic in volume, are a heart tonic, reduce blood pressure, slow heart rate, strengthen capillary walls, stimulate the immune system and inhibit tumors.
Mistletoe grows from northern Europe to northwest Africa and east to Asia and Japan. Different varieties are found on hard-wood and softwood trees, which include apple, elm, oak, spruce, pine, and poplar. Druids considered that the mistletoe found on oak was the most potent and sacred. The berries ripen in midwinter and have a further peculiarity in that the ripe berries, open flowers, green berries, and immature leaves can all be found on the same plant. Mistletoe does not adhere to the linear logic of most plants, with their budding, flowering, and seed production sequence. It also seems to ignore heilotropism and geotropism, it will grow upside down, sideways, or in any direction it “chooses”. Another unique feature is that it germinates only in the light, unlike most plants, which require darkness to germinate. The flower buds form in May but do not open until February. The berries ripen the following winter. The entire process, from flower to fruit, can take almost two years!
Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant, generally spread by bird droppings. It forms a globular mass that can reach up to three feet in diameter. There are male plants and female plants, and both derive thair water and minerals from the host tree and produce their own carbohydrates via photosynthesis.
Mistletoe seems to hold itself aloof form the rhythms and laws of the earthly seasone, and in this way parrallels the illogical and uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells in the body. As early as 1961, laboratory studies demonstrated that mistletoe, along with other immunostimulant plants such as -eupatorium, astragalus, echinacea, acathopanax, chamomilla, and sabal- inhibited tumors in mice. Fermented mistletoe taken from oak trees was shown to stimulate the activity of killer cells and showed an especially stron effect on rat hepatomas -liver cancers. Unfermented mistletoe showed a strong effect on human leukemia -Molt 4- cells. Korean mistletoe -Viscum coloratum- was found to be more active in inhibiting the growth of leukemia L1210, especially when used fresh.
Mistletoe extracts have been shown to possess significant antitumor activity, not only against murine tumore but also in cases of Lewis’ lung carcinome, a colon adenocarcinoma 38 and C3H adenocarcinomas of the breast. The extracts are not toxic and may be administered in high doses. Twenty drops four times a day is the average dose.
Many nervous conditions such as convulsions, delirium, hysteria, neuralgia, urinary disorders, and heart conditions have benefitted from the activity of mistletoe. It has also been used to temper the spasms of epilepsy. Mistletoe strengthens the heart and has been used as a heart tonic in cases of typhoid fever. It strengthens the glandular system and has helped with inflammation of the pancreas. It promotes hormonal balance when taken daily for six months.
Mistletoe is recommended for use after a stroke or when hardening of the arteries is suspected. It will stop pulmonary and intestinal bleeding caused by dysentary and typhoid. It helps to lower high blood pressure and raise low blood pressure, and it has been used to ease heavy menstrual flow, heart palpitations, hot flashes, and the anxiety associated with menopause. The fresh juice has been said to increase fertility in barren women.
The green plant can be simmered using a standard concoction of two teaspoons of the herb per cup of water and taken in tablespoon doses several times a day.
CAUTION: Large doses have been known to induce convulsions in children. The berries should not be used for internal consumption. They are used in salves and washes for wounds.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The leafy twigs, toxic in volume, are a heart tonic, reduce blood pressure, slow heart rate, strengthen capillary walls, stimulate the immune system and inhibit tumors.

Other Uses: Kiss your love beneath mistletoe and you’ll stay in love. Burned, Mistletoe banishes evil. Its wood is a good choice for wands and ritual inplements. Mistletoe is an excelllent all-purpose herb. Spell Use: Protection; Love; Hunting; Fertility; Health.

Morel Mushroom

Morel Mushroom – morchella sp. – a rare mushroom,, nutty flavor and woodsy scent.

Morning Glory

Morning Glory – ipomoea purpurea – a climbing plant. This herb has been used to treat mental disorders. It is somewhat hallucinogenic and has laxative and diuretic properties. It is also anthelmintic – aids the expulsion of worms

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: diuretic, hallucinogenic, laxative, anthelmintic.

Motherwort

Motherwort – leonurus cardiaca – Ancient Greeks and Romans used motherwort for both physical and emotion problems of the heart–palpitations and depression. In ancient China it was reputed to promote longevity. Contemporary herbalists recommend motherwort as a tranquilizer and for heart palpitations and delayed or suppressed menstruation. Takes the edge off PMS. Useful in menopausal changes. Some research suggests that Motherwort contains chemicals that may reduce blood pressure. Even though considered a tranquilizer, Motherwort contains a chemical, leonurine, that encourages uterine contractions, lending support to its traditional use in childbirth and menstruation promotion. Motherwort tastes very bitter, add sugar or honey and lemon to improve flavor. Should not be given to children under age 2. Persons with clotting disorders should avoid it. Pregnant and nursing mothers should not use this herb. To make an infusion, pour a cup of boiling water onto l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Mountain Laurel

Forms Available: leaf

mountain laurel – kalmia latifolia – This is a VERY poisonous plant. Some Native American Indian tribes used it to commit suicide. It is used in some homeopathic remedies but not many. The leaves slow bleeding, ease pain, disinfect, and are narcotic. This herb should only be used under direction of a qualified administrator.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: Used by homepathic doctors in remedies for fibromyalgia, shingles, osteoarthritis, rheumatioid arthritis, eye strain and bursitis

Mountain Mint

Mountain Mint – pyncanthemum incanum, pyncanthemum virginianum – A tea can be made from the leaves calms the stomach and aids the expulsion of gas – it is carminative. This tea also helps perspiration, it is diaphoretic, and so is helpful in treating a fever. If applied in a poultice, the leaves relieve headaches.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: A tea can be made from the leaves calms the stomach and aids the expulsion of gas – it is carminative. This tea also helps perspiration, it is diaphoretic, and so is helpful in treating a fever. If applied in a poultice, the leaves relieve headaches.

Mugwort

Mugwort – artemisia vulgaris – Also known as Sailor’s Tobacco, Witch Herb, and Old Man. A Druid sacred herb, this aromatic perennial Its wood is a good choice for wands and ritual inplements. The plant has medium green leaves with silver, downy undersides and red-brown florets.
The classic herb for premenstrual symptoms, used in tea and the bath. Use a standard infusion of two teaspoons per cup of water steeped for twenty minutes, take one-fourth cup four times a day. It makes a good foot bath for tired feet and legs. Cleansing to the liver, it promotes digestion. Mugwort in an emmenagogue, especially when combined with pennyroyal, blue cohosh, or angelica root. It is helpful in epilepsy, palsy, and hysteria and is useful for fevers. When laid among clothing, mugwort repels moths.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: classic herb for premenstrual symptoms, used in tea and the bath. Use a standard infusion of two teaspoons per cup of water steeped for twenty minutes, take one-fourth cup four times a day.

Other Uses: Mugwort is burned with sandalwood or wormwood during scrying rituals, and a mugwort infusion is drunk, sweetened with honey, before divination. Placed next to the bed it aids in achieving astral projection. It is said to protect travelers from fatigue.

Mulberry

Mulberry – morus alba –

Mullein

Mullein – Verbascum thapsus – Also known as Hag’s Taper, Candlewick Plant, Aaron’s Rod, Velvet Plant, and Shepherd’s Club. This biennial has a rosette of woolly leaves and a tall, thick, downy, resinous stem of bright yellow flowers, followed by many-seeded capsules. The honey-scented flowers flavor liqueurs and yield skin-softening mucilage. The expectorant, soothing, and spasm-sedating properties of the leaf and flowers are used to treat raspy coughs and are added to herbal tobacco. Woolly leaf wraps preserve figs and are used as tinder and emergency bandages. The powdered leaves are sometimes called “Graveyard Dust”, and can be substituted for such.
The leaf is a classic remedy for bronchitis, as well as other coughs, and burning urination. Simmer two teaspoons oer cup and take a quarter cup four times a day. A tea of the flowers take before bed brings on sleep. A poultice of the leaves helps wounds and sores. The leavs steeped in vinegar and water will soothe inflammations, painful skin conditions, and hemorrhoids when used externally as a poultice. They may be used in tincture form, fifteen to forty drops every two to four hours.

Aromatherapy & Health Uses: The honey-scented flowers flavor liqueurs and yield skin-softening mucilage. The expectorant, soothing, and spasm-sedating properties of the leaf and flowers are used to treat raspy coughs and are added to herbal tobacco.

Other Uses: In India, mullein is regarded as the most potent safeguard against evil spirits and magic, and is hung over doors, in windows and carried in sachets. It is also used to banish demons and negativity. Protection; Divination; Health.