Welcome to Gaia! ::

I'd like to be a student if you are still accepting them. smile

I'm still on the learning path with wicca, so I'm concentrating on some other books right now. One herb I recently learned about(to be used in a spell as a symbol for fire) was Dragons Blood.

Now I've seen it in incense form, but not as a loose herb- any tips on where to find it? (I substituted cinamin for now)

Thanks!

Of course I'm still accepting students! Sorry the lessons haven't started yet though so if anyone has any ideas for lessons or stuff they want to learn just PM me. biggrin

red resin obtained from the fruit of several palms of the genus Daemonorops (<-- types of trees) and used in colouring varnishes and lacquers. Once valued as a medicine in Europe because of its astringent properties, dragon's blood now is used as a varnish for violins and in photoengraving for preventing undercutting of the printing surface during etching.

Dragons blood isn't considered a herb but its always put in with herbs for some reason. I buy mine from my local wiccan store called mystic minds, theres dragon's blood resin, insence, and oils. Theres also others I'm sure but those are the only things I can think of off the top of my head.

Some herbs are edible, but it is best to learn everything you can about anything you plan to put into your body.

You should be aware that some plants look alike; for example: Osha Root and Hemlock Root are very close in the way they look. Osha Root is good for boosting your immune system and with respiratory problems and can be put right into your mouth (in small portions... but I asure you, you won't want more than that. 3nodding ). Hemlock on the other hand is very poisonous and should NEVER be used in something that is to be ingested.

Ooh let me play. I've been growing herbs recently just because I can.

I have basil sitting on the windowsill at the moment, and five parsley seedlings outside. I've also grown tarragon, who now lives in my friend's kitchen.

They all have names. Well, except the little parsleys. I can't tell them apart yet.

Oooh, I'd like to be a student!

I've got a little herb garden. I've been busy and sick lately, so it's overgrown with weeds at the moment, but I've got Lemon Balm, Spearmint, Peppermint, Sage, Rosemary, and Comfery. 3nodding

@Ciele Fu: Oooh, what are their names? I don't name any of my herbs - I can't tell them apart sweatdrop - but I do talk and sing to them.

Are you going to expand this slightly into fungi?
I see you have agaric in the list, which is indeed a fungus if you are meaning Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) I found one in my yard the other day, and took some pictures of it. I can post the images after I get the film developed. I harvested it for one of my friends, and am currently drying for her.


Educational purposes only!

Fly Agaric is toxic, in the sense that it is intoxicating. If you eat it raw, it can make you feel high/drunk, and can make you sick. And is used as an alternative to the illegal hallucinogenic Psilocybe (Magic 'shooms). However if it is cooked it is edible, as all the toxins are destroyed with heat.
Fertility. It is said that couples who are trying to have children should keep one of these in the bedroom.

I always handle them in gloves. I keep a page of leather glove as part of my alter kit (leather because of the natural material. You could use wool or cotton as an alternative, however I couldn't trust it with the more acidic herbs and fungus). I currently do not use them in my magick, because I am far too much of a novice in fungus.

Under no circumstances should you ever eat something you found. Even if you think you know for sure what it is. Fungus can even fool the experts. The death cap (A. phalloides) or one of the destroying angels (Amanita virosa) can kill a person in the most horrible way, and can take up to 2 weeks to finish you off. If you are so 'lucky' to survive with prompt medical attention, you will need at the very least a liver transplant.

You can braid them together, hang it upside down, in a dark, well circulated area. That's what my grandmother does.

http://savoringkentucky.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/braids.jpg

One day I would love to have a proper airing cupboard just to dry, bottle, or prepare herbs for both consumption and ritualistic use.

So why did you choose a garlic crop?