#52plants

Disclaimers: Herbalism: The information I offer comes from many source books on medicinal plants and is a product of opinions I form as a self-training herbalist. I try to be transparent about differences with scientific sources; I usually pin discrepancy of folk-use and modern science to modernity’s tendency to isolate compounds from the whole plant. Submit corrections at will or reblog with your own perspective if you feel strongly about the risks and rewards of use.​ Witchy Perspective: I’m not a trad witch or a devotee so you will not see many of those uses and correspondences here. I’m an animist and believe that all plants have spirits. We must ask permission and help from the plants we wish to work with and give ample gratitude (by way of protection and propagation) in return. I use books and such to form magic opinions but mostly make shit up that makes sense to me and listen to plants who will tell of their gifts. Feel free to submit corrections at will or reblog with addendum, but I don’t care for following convention without feeling it myself.

Transcript: Poke Weed​ phytolacca americana​ Family: phytolaccaceae Identification:​By the deep fuchia stems and dark black berry raceme. Come back to the same place next spring to harvest edibles.  Alternate leaves.  Edibility: Young shoots, NO RED less than 6 inches - use like asparagus, always use at least 2 changes of water for boiling out toxins serving ~3-6. ​ When to Harvest: Green shoots in spring. Berries ripen in late-summer and persist through Oct. Roots, any time will work, choose an auspicious time to correspond with the magic or medicine. Wearing gloves is recommended. I have not found just picking berries bare handed to cause issue.​ Witchy Use: Inks and dyes from the berries would be great for magic to make someone ill. Can use the plants in healing magic if the aim is similar to its medicinal properties. Any magic for which "clearing the way" is needed. Herbalism:  The roots have anti-rheumetic, stimulant, and anti-catarrhal properties. Use for lymphatic problems- especially mastitis. Can help with Upper Respiratory Infections but other herbs better I say.​ * Make an ointment to apply externally (1 part roots to 2 parts carrier oil) especially as a warm compress.​ * Dose for internal – ¼ tsp of dried powdered or tiny roots boiled and simmered in a cup of water for 10min, strain out and drink up to 3 times daily.​ * Larger doses will be a powerful purgative and emetic- there are other safer herbs to use for this.​* Don't use if symptoms of low BP, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea are already present.​

Disclaimers: Herbalism: The information I offer comes from many source books on medicinal plants and is a product of opinions I form as a self-training herbalist. I try to be transparent about differences with scientific sources; I usually pin discrepancy of folk-use and modern science to modernity’s tendency to isolate compounds from the whole plant. Submit corrections at will or reblog with your own perspective if you feel strongly about the risks and rewards of use.​ Witchy Perspective: I’m not a trad witch or a devotee so you will not see many of those uses and correspondences here. I’m an animist and believe that all plants have spirits. We must ask permission and help from the plants we wish to work with and give ample gratitude (by way of protection and propagation) in return. I use books and such to form magic opinions but mostly make shit up that makes sense to me and listen to plants who will tell of their gifts. Feel free to submit corrections at will or reblog with addendum, but I don’t care for following convention without feeling it myself.

Transcript:

Eastern Black Nightshade​ solanum ptycanthum​ Petty Morel, The Black Toad​ Family: Solanaceae​ 

Identification: These have large slightly hairy leaves, alternate spacing, though smaller leaves at ends. Black berries have star shaped cap, and numerous pulpy seeds. White flowers star shaped. Edibility:  Nah, poisonous. Though some serious foragers eat the very ripe berries which lose much of their toxicity but cause digestion trouble in some people still.​ When to Harvest:  Blossoms summer with an auspicious moon. Berries summer to fall when ripe at auspicious times in the moon cycle for your working. Approach this plant with serious intention or not at all. Herbalism:  This is not deadly nightshade (Belladonna) and is not used as a herbal remedy. Anything it might be useful for has a much better alternative.  Witchy Use:  Making Ink especially for communications with the dead and dying...or to do curse or hex work on those you wish ill/dead. Dyeing fibers for knot magic would be a good binding.​​ If you make offerings to death associated beings offer whole berries or blossoms.​​The dried flowers (picked full moon) drowned in a poison/potion made from the berries (new moon) is a working for corruption or a curse jar. Empty the jar in the sun and then water (purified in a full moon) over them to unweave it.

Disclaimers: Herbalism: The information I offer comes from many source books on medicinal plants and is a product of opinions I form as a self-training herbalist. I try to be transparent about differences with scientific sources; I usually pin discrepancy of folk-use and modern science to modernity's tendency to isolate compounds from the whole plant. Submit corrections at will or reblog with your own perspective if you feel strongly about the risks and rewards of use.​ Witchy Perspective: I'm not a trad witch or a devotee so you will not see many of those uses and correspondences here. I'm an animist and believe that all plants have spirits. We must ask permission and help from the plants we wish to work with and give ample gratitude (by way of protection and propagation) in return. I use books and such to form magic opinions but mostly make shit up that makes sense to me and listen to plants who will tell of their gifts. Feel free to submit corrections at will or reblog with addendum, but I don't care for following convention without feeling it myself.