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 Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:23 am
Nehanda fluttered into the kitchen, where she promptly began to circle Foenix's head, merping loudly. The little gryphon's feathers were ruffled in excitement, and her tail slashed from side to side.
"Hold on, sweetie," Foenix murmured distractedly. "I'm not quite finished here." Painstakingly, she topped little rounds of toasted bread with thin slices of tomato and mozzarella, and then covered those with a mixture of olive oil and chopped herbs and olives. Beside her on the counter, several containers stood testiment to the hours she had already spent preparing food.
she finished off the last round of bread, popped an extra piece of cheese into her mouth, and smiled up at the Aerandir. "Okay! Is everyone ready to go?" She looked out into the main room, and saw Nahda, Kylara, Sunspot and Freya all waiting patiently. (Or, in Nahda and Sunspot's cases, not so patiently.)
"Okay, troops! Everyone come grap something, and let's head over to the Centre!"
To celebrate the bursting growth of Nehanda's plants, they were heading over to the Centre with enough snacks for all of the guardians and their Aerandir. Each tasty tidbit included ingediants harvested from the gardens.
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 6:34 am
On their way to the Centre, Foenix and Nahda peeled off briefly to stop at Dfly's house. Foenix looked down and Nahda and smiled at the enthusiastic Tahnee. "Go ahead, sweetie. Why don't you put it up on the porch, so she'll see it when she comes out." With a grin and a giggle, Nahda took the little item Foenix held out to her, and fluttered up onto the porch. She set the present next to the door, along with a note, and then flew back to Foenix. The two then hurried to catch up with the rest of their family. Beside Dfly's door, there was a small globe, only about half a foot in diameter. It glowed from within, and was filled with colorful butterflies that danced gracefully about.  There was also a small note: Quote: Dfly- In honor of White Day, Nahda and I would like to thank you for giving her to me. We hope you will enjoy this globe. The butterflies within are created with magic, so they will never die. ~Foenix and Nahda
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Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:05 am
Once they reached the Centre, Foenix and Nehanda walked quietly back to Alyosha's suite. As was their usual habit, they placed a small package beside the door. The package contained a silver set of windchimes, which, when hung, produced a soft, whispering music. It was quiet enough that it would not disturb anyone who wanted peace and quiet, but would instead provide a soothing background sound.  Along with the windchimes, there was also a note. Quote: Aly- Nehanda really loves the plushie you sent us for V-Day, and I hope you enjoy this White Day gift as much! ~Foenix
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:22 am
Quote: 3.15.04 Dlfly and Aly seem to like their White Day gifts. I spent quite a bit of time picking them out, so that's rather gratifying. We had a nice time at the Centre, and actually got to meet the remaining adult Aerandir, Osero. Osero is a hunter (fisher, actuallly). I liked him; he has a quiet, soothing personality. He looks like another wolf blend, so it's not surprising that Pueblo likes him. and speaking of which, Fae and Pueblo showed up at the Centre, and we were able to have a nice chat. Nehanda certainly seemed to enjoy herself. I really do need to take her around the village more, so that she can spend time with the others. There are still gryphons that she hasn't met, and she evolved over a month ago! that makes me pretty ashamed of myself . . . (Centre conversation found here.) ((More detail will be added once the RP is actually finished.)) The gardens are doing just wonderfully. The entire house smells of herbs and greenery; fortunately I enjoy that! I'm even thinking about looking into how to make essential oils, lotions, and that sort of thing. I've always wanted a good, strong ginger lotion. And some oils and the like for the other Aerandir would probably be appreciated. Herbal Info for the day . . . Cowbane [Oxypolis rigidor] is a perennial herb with short tuberous roots and purple-striped or -mottled, hollow stems with cross-partitions at the nodes and many of these at the base of the stem; leaves alternate, clasping the stem, 2-3 pinnately divided, the leaflets with the veins ending in the notch between the teeth. The flowers are small and white, in umbrella-like clusters.
Cowbane is a very poisonous plant and internal use will quite often lead to a painful death. The symptoms are muscle spasms, dilated pupils, dizziness, diarrhea, stomach pain, convulsions and eventually paralysis of the respiratory organs. Despite the dangers, this herb was used as a pain killer and also as a remedy for epilepsy and cramps.
Because of its believed ability to check sexual desire the plant was commonly cultivated in the monastic gardens
The bane in Cowbane comes from the Anglo- Saxon word, "bana", meaning "murderer or destroyer." This and other old, English names like Fleabane, Dogbane and Baneberry, have come to reflect the creatures thought to be killed or repelled by the plants. It is among the most important plants of medieval witchcraft.
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Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 6:51 pm
Quote: 3.16.05 It was a lovely, slow day. I spent an hour or so sun-bathing while the girls worked in the gardens. I know that sounds horribly lazy, but a three hour dance practice this morning left me with a pulled muscle in my back. So not moving is a really good thing right now. Of course, as a result, I ended up with -as usual- a minor sunburn. It will be gone tomorrow, as they always are, but Nehanda was really adorable in her concern. When she noticed that I had fallen asleep in the sun, she trotted over and woke me up, and all but pulled me inside. And then she played mother by making Nahda get my lotion and spread it over my back and shoulders. Nehanda is going to be such a sweet, wonderful, caring person. that is to say, she already is now, but I just know that she'll be even more incredible once she's grown and, well, verbal. And a bit more mobile. Don't I sound like a doting mother? It almost makes me laugh at myself. But on to the Herbal Info, so I can tuck myself in to bed. Cowslip [Primula veris] is a well-known wildflower, native to meadows and pastures throughout England, Europe and temperate Asia. A hairy perennial, it has loose rosettes of oblanceolate to obovate, wrinkled leaves, 50-250mm long. The lobes of the calyx are acute at the apex. The bright yellow flowers are funnel-shaped, 8-28mm across, with orange spots at the base of each lobe, all drooping to one side in a cluster of ten to thirty on a long naked stalk. The ripe capsule is shorter than the calyx, and contains dry seeds. The plant favours open woodland, scrub and grassland on lime-rich soils. Pseudonyms include Herb Peter, Paigle, Peggle, Key Flower, Key of Heaven, Fairy Cups, Petty Mulleins, Crewel, Buckles, Palsywort, Plumrocks, Mayflower, Password, Artetyke, Drelip, Our Lady's Keys, and Arthritica.
Cowslip is useful as a sedative and antispasmodic. In olden days, Cowslip flowers were in great request for homely remedies, their special value lying in strengthening the nerves and the brain, and relieving restlessness and insomnia. The Cowslip was held good 'to ease paines in the head and is accounted next with Betony, the best for that purpose.'
Cowslip Wine made from the flowers is an excellent sedative. Also, 1 lb. of the freshly gathered blossom infused in 1 1/2 pint of boiling water and simmered down with loaf sugar to a fine yellow syrup, taken with a little water is admirable for giddiness from nervous debility or from previous nervous excitement, and this syrup was formerly given against palsy.
In earlier times, the Cowslip was considered beneficial in all paralytic ailments, being, as we have seen, often called Palsy Wort or Herba paralysis. The root was also called in old Herbals Radix arthritica, from its use as a cure for muscular rheumatisrm.
In A Plain Plantain, (Russell G. Alexander) we read, 'Cowslip water was considered to be good for the memory, and Cowslips of Jerusalem for mitigating "hectical fevers." Mrs. Raffald (English Housekeeper, 177 cool gives a recipe for the wine. "For the future," says the poet Pope, in one of his letters, "I'll drown all high thoughts in the Lethe of Cowslip Wine" (which is pleasantly soporific). Our Lady's Cowslip is Gagea lutea.'
The old writers give a long list of ills that may be remedied by application of the roots or leaves of the plant; the juice of the flowers 'takes off spots and wrinkles from the face and other vices of the skin,' the water of the flowers being 'very proper medicine for weakly people.'
Turner says, 'Some weomen we find, sprinkle ye floures of cowslip wt whyte wine and after still it and wash their faces wt that water to drive wrinkles away and to make them fayre in the eyes of the worlde rather than in the eyes of God, Whom they are not afrayd to offend.'
Formerly an ointment was made from the flowers as a cosmetic. Culpepper says, 'Our city dames know well enough the ointment or distilled water of it adds to beauty or at least restores it when lost. The flowers are held to be more effectual than the leaves and the roots of little use. An ointment being made with them taketh away spots and wrinkles of the skin, sunburnings and freckles and promotes beauty; they remedy all infirmities of the head coming of heat and wind, as vertigo, false apparitions, phrensies, falling sickess, palsies, convulsions, cramps, pains in the nerves, and the roots ease pains in the back and bladder. The leaves are good in wounds and the flowers take away trembling. Because they strengthen the brains and nerves and remedy palsies, the Greeks gave them the name Paralysio. The flowers preserved or conserved and a quantity the size of a nutmeg taken every morning is a sufficient dose for inward diseases, but for wounds, spots, wrinkles and sunburnings an ointment is made of the leaves and hog's lard.'
A later writer, Hill (1755), tells us that when boiled in ale, the powdered roots were taken with success by country folk for giddiness, wakefulness and similar nervous troubles for which the syrup made from the flowers was also taken.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 7:21 pm
Foenix glanced over at Nehanda, who, as was usual by this time of night, was kneeling on her sleep cushion and merping tiredly. Foenix had brought the cushion with them for this short trip, thinking it would help the little gryphon to sleep better in new surroundings. "Ready to go home tomorrow, sweetie?" The Aerandir looked up and blinked, then nodded. The red-haired woman smiled and nodded. "Me too. It will be good to see the others. I'm sure Nahda has taken good care of your garden, but there's really nothing like doing your own work in your own space, you know?" There was no reply; the exhausted Nehanda had fallen asleep! With a shrug, Foenix reached out and grabbed her journal. She might as well make at least a quick entry before she went to bed. Quote: 3.19.05 I'm writing from the mainland, where I had to go with my husband to inspect a house, which we might be buying. It's all very exciting. This time, rather then leave Nehanda behind, I decided to bring her with me. This won't have been her first trip, but it has certainly been the longest, as well as her first time away over night. I think she's dealt with everything astonishingly well. Since the past two days have been very busy, and I've been heavily involved with the house, I decided to use today for some fun. Nehanda and I had a picnic in the park, and we went shopping! I thought Nehanda's eyes were going to pop out of her head; she was so amazed at everything around her. The mainland is certainly nothing like Cetalu. But we're heading back to the island tomorrow, and I have to admit that I'm quite ready to be back. I left Nahda under the care of Kylara. The Jivvin is larger and faster, so I trust her to keep Nahda out of trouble. the little Tahnee promised me that she would take care of Nehanda's gardens. We'll see. Frankly, I'm not sure that silly goose will have remembered! Among other things, we bought some new pots in which to keep the kitchen herbs. Unlike the boring, utilitarian pots currently in use, these are lovely: all painted and glazed, and really something that I won't be ashamed to display in my house. I think I may keep some of them aside to use for gifts down the road. But my hand is getting tired, and I can't control my yawns, and we have a very early flight out tomorrow morning. So I think this will bwe it for the night! The rest of our adventures from this trip can be told in later entries.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 11:03 am
Kylara lay on the front porch, enjoying the sun and keeping a very close eye on Nahda, who was busily pulling weeds out ion the garden plots. The Jivvin sighed and stretched, and looked around the front yard. Zimra and Rani meandered aimlessly within their fenced off area, and Kylara could hear Freya humming inside the house as she groomed Spotty.
"When are they getting back?" Nahda's voice broke Kylara out of her reverie, and she looked over to see the Tahnee standing at the edge of the porch.
*Soon. Have you finished the weeding? And don't forget to water everything.*
Nahda sighed loudly in frustration at her non-answer, and picked up the watering can. With yet another sigh, she plodded across to the pond to fill the can.
Kylara grinned and lowered her head to her paws.
Only to jump to her feet and start running down the front path ten minutes later. Her sharp ears had picked up the sound of Nehanda's high-pitched excited merps!
*Foenix! Welcome home!*
Foenix and Nehanda walked (and flew) quickly up the path. They had arrived back on the island fifteen minutes earlier, and had headed straight for home. Foenix carried her luggage and several shopping bags. Both looked quite happy to be home.
As they walked into the yard, Nahda dropped the watering can and flew quickly over to throw herself into Foenix's arms for a hug. The woman laughed and caught the little girl with one hand, carefully shifting bags into the other so that she didn't drop anything. "Hey there, sweetie. Did you behave for Kylara?"
Nahda nodded eagerly. "I took really good care of the garden, too!"
Kylara smirked and shrugged. *Actually, she did. There were a few little fits over bedtime, but we did okay.*
"That's good to hear." Foenix looked around for Nehanda, but the little gryphon had taken off straight for her gardens. She now trotted slowly between the rows of plants, carefully inspecting every stem and leaf. With a flap of her wings, Nehanda headed into the house, to check the kitchen herbs and potted plants up in her workroom.
Foenix sighed happily and continued on toward the front porch. "Looks like everything's back to normal. Boy, is it good to be back. I promised Nehanda we'd go over to the Centre this afternoon, so I guess I'd better put these things away."
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2005 5:17 pm
Quote: 3.20.05 It's nice to be home. "Foenix, Spotty took my brush!" Nahda's voice broke Foenix's concentration, and the woman sighed as she leaned back in her chair to peer out into the main room. "Sunspot, you give that back right now. Don't make me come out there!" Running a hand over her long ponytail, Foenix turned back to the journal, with an amused grimace as she reconsidered that first sentence. Quote: At least, I think it's nice to be home. Although with the children running around in the midst of their various quarrels, it's certainly not very relaxing! I think Nehanda really enjoyed her first major foray away from the island. But she was very excited to return to her home and gardens. In fact, after we got back from the Centre, she spent the entire evening outside, rooting around in the dirt. I have to admit, she looks much more normal with those faint grass-stains on her toes. And speaking of the Centre, we met a rather interesting individual there today. Orion Ironarm is new to the island. He was actually wearing a set of Fae's clothes. He has a metal arm, which fascinates Nehanda to no end. and his manners are exquisite, at least when he's not nervous and flustered. On the other hand, he fell asleep right in the middle of a conversation. He did look exhausted. I hope that Aly allows him to stay on the island, because I'd like to get to know him better- ((Centre conversation found here.)) "Foenix!" "Fine! Give me five minutes to finish this!" "But-" "Five minutes!" Quote: Did I actually say I was glad to be home? Herbal Info, and then I need to go deal with the latest of my kids' crises. Cumin [Cuminum cyminum] besides being used medicinally, was in the Middle Ages one of the commonest spice of European growth. It is a small annual, herbaceous plant, indigenous to Upper Egypt, but from early times was cultivated in Arabia, India, China, and in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean.
Its stem is slender and branched, rarely exceeding 1 foot in height and somewhat angular. The leaves are divided into long, narrow segments like Fennel, but much smaller and are of a deep green colour, generally turned back at the ends. The upper leaves are nearly stalkless, but the lower ones have longer leaf-stalks. The flowers are small, rose-coloured or white, in stalked umbels with only four to six rays, each of which are only about 1/3 inch long, and bloom in June and July, being succeeded by fruit - the so-called seeds - which constitute the Cumin of pharmacy. They are oblong in shape, thicker in the middle, compressed laterally about 5 inch long, resembling Caraway seeds, but lighter in colour and bristly instead of smooth, almost straight, instead of being curved. They have nine fine ridges, overlapping as many oil channels, or vittae. The odour and taste are somewhat like caraway, but less agreeable.
Cumin is mentioned in Isaiah xxvii. 25 and 27, and Matthew xxiii. 23, and in the works of Hippocrates and Dioscorides. From Pliny we learn that the ancients took the ground seed medicinally with bread, water or wine, and that it was accounted the best of condiments. The seeds of the Cumin when smoked, were found to occasion pallor of the face, whence the expression of Horace, exsangue cuminum, and Pliny tells us that the followers of the celebrated rhetorician Porcius Latro employed it to produce a complexion such as bespeaks application to study.
Cumin also symbolized cupidity among the Greeks: Marcus Aurelius was so nicknamed because of his avarice, and misers were jocularly said to have eaten Cumin.
The spice is a stimulant, antispasmodic, and a carminative. The older herbalists esteemed Cumin superior in comforting carminative qualities to Fennel or Caraway, but on account of its very disagreeable flavour, its medicinal use at the present day is almost confined to veterinary practice, in which it is employed as a carminative.
Formerly Cumin had considerable repute as a corrective for the flatulency of languid digestion and as a remedy for colic and dyspetic headache. Bruised and applied externally in the form of a plaster, it was recommended as a cure for stitches and pains in the side caused by the sluggish congestion of indolent parts, and it has been compounded with other drugs to form a stimulating liniment.
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Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2005 7:36 pm
Foenix entered her room and sat down, followed closely by Nehanda. The gryphon alighted on Foenix's shoulder and folded her snowy white wings, briefly nuzzling her beak against the woman's cheek in a fond gesture. Foenix smiled and raised a hand to carress Nehanda's softly-feathered head. The little Aerandir was growing smarter and more sure of herself every day. And her activities out in the gardens made Foenix so very proud of her. "I'm just going to write a bit in our journal. Then we can head to bed." Nehanda merped and spread her wings again, gliding quickly over to the bed. She made short work of fluffing the sleep cushion to her preference, and settled down, lifting her head to watch her guardian. Quote: 3.21.05 There's something going on over at the Center. Aly's up to something, but I didn't have much time to run in and chat. Today, Nehanda and I went to a walk around the island. There are several spots that we had never visited, so I decided that, since today was sunny and perfectly warm, it was a good time to make a foray. Nehanda spent a lot of time snuffing around the edges of the forest greenery. I think she might have found a few unfamiliar plants, because there were times when she seemed rather unwilling to catch up with me. If i could jsut find one of the other gryphons, or even one of the adult Aerandir, I'd be willing to let her go out on her own and explore. But Pueblo is just too timid, and I really don't know any of the others well enough to trust them. As for the adults . . . they all have occupations important to the welfare of the community. I'd hate to interrupt anything important for the sake of a nature walk. In terms of herbal knowledge, I'm finally leaving the C's. There are so many herbs with so much value. And I keep finding more! I can't wait until Nehanda is old enough to take care of much of this on her own. It'll be good for her to come in out of the sun and spend some time with books and pencils. Daffodil [Narcissus Pseudo-narcissus] Also known as Narcissus, Porillon, Daffy-down-dilly, Fleur de coucou, and Lent Lily, the Common Daffodil, a representative of the Ajax group, grows wild in most European countries. Its green, linear leaves about a foot long, and golden, terminal flowers, are familiar in moist woods and country gardens.
The bulbs should be gathered during the winter, and the flowers when in full bloom, in dry weather, and dried quickly. The bulbs and not the flowers of other species are used.
The following is a quotation from Culpepper, 'Yellow Daffodils are under the dominion of Mars, and the roots thereof are hot and dry in the third degree. The roots boiled and taken in posset drink cause vomiting and are used with good success at the appearance of approaching agues, especially the tertian ague, which is frequently caught in the springtime. A plaster made of the roots with parched barley meal dissolves hard swellings and imposthumes, being applied thereto; the juice mingled with honey, frankincense wine, and myrrh, and dropped into the ears is good against the corrupt and running matter of the ears, the roots made hollow and boiled in oil help raw ribed heels; the juice of the root is good for the morphew and the discolouring of the skin.'
It is said by Galen to have astringent properties. It has been used as an application to wounds. For hard imposthumes, for burns, for strained sinews, stiff or painful joints, and other local ailments, and for 'drawing forth thorns or stubs from any part of the body' it was highly esteemed.
The Daffodil was the basis of an ancient ointment called Narcissimum.
The powdered flowers have been used as an emetic in place of the bulbs, and in the form of infusion or syrup, in pulmonary catarrh.
It may be noted that Henry states that Iycorine or narcissine in warm-blooded animals acts as an emetic causing eventually collapse and death by paralysis of the central nervous system.
There have been several cases of poisoning by Daffodil bulbs which have been eaten in mistake for onions. In one case the points observed were: (1) the speedy action of the poison; (2) the fact that the high temperature did not destroy the toxicity of the poison; and (3) the relatively small quantity of Daffodil bulbs which caused the trouble.
Foenix closed the book and looked over at her bed. "Okay, all done. Ready to sleep?" Even as she spoke the words, Foenix smiled. Nehanda was waaaay ahead of her, slender white head resting, eyes closed, upon her pillow.
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:59 am
Uptairs in the house, Foenix tried desperately to tune out the giggles and squeals of her varoius kids. She was working, damn it! But they sounded like they were having so much fun . . .
A lot more fun then editing this stupid manuscript was proving to be.
"Foenix!" Nahda burst in through the door, ignoring as usual the "Mommy is working!" sign that foenix had taken to hanging on the outside knob.
"Nahda, honey," Foenix began, but the little Tahnee didn't allow her to continue.
"Nehanda wants to go back to that beach you took her to! Can we go? Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease?"
Foenix sighed. Looked at her current project, and back at Nahda. At the papers. At the Tahnee.
Damn it.
"Fine. Tell everyone to gather their things. I've got some stuff in the fridge that we can bring for lunch. I'll be down in five minutes."
As the eager child ran out, Foenix leaned over from her desk and glnced out the window. Sure enogh, Nehanda was out in her gardens. Chances were that the gryphon wanted to look at some of the plants she'd found on their last foray.
And who was she to deny her little Aerandir anything?
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 8:27 am
Foenix looked up again and smiled as she watched Nehanda flutter after Sunspot, trying to catch the Jivvin Sprite's tail. As the two little creatures were close in size, it was easy -and fun- for them to play together. Nahda sat on the porch beside Foenix, laughig and clapin her hands, cheeing on first one, then the other. "Ooo! Almost Nehanda! You almost gt him! Go faster, Spotty! Wow! That was close" The Tahnee looked up at Foenix. "Are we going anywhere today? Could we maybe go to the Centre?" Foenix glanced down at the pile of books she had carried out to the porch. "I dunno, Nahda. I've got a lot of work I need to do . . ." She had hoped to add several new herbs to her notebooks today, as the past few days had been dedicated to her mainland job. "Oh, please?" Kylara looked up from where she was lounging in the warm sunlight. * A little visit would be nice, Foenix. I think Nehanda's been missing the othe rgryphons.* Foenix sighed and tapped her fingers on her notebook. "I guess we can manage a little visit this afternoon. But I really do want to work on this for a bit longer." "Whee!" Nahda jumped up and ran over to Nehanda and Sunspot to give them the news. True to her word, Foenix picked up her pen and opened up god old Culpepper. Quote:
Devil's bit Scabius [Scabiosa succisa] is a slender, little-branched plant, with a hairy stem, few leaves, which are oblong and not cut into, and almost globular heads of deep purplish-blue flowers. It is to be found in bloom from July to October. The florets composing the head are all very much the same size, the outer ones being scarcely larger than the inner. The stamens of each floret, as in the other species of Scabious are a very conspicuous feature, the anthers being large and borne upon filaments or threads that are almost as long again as the corolla. The root is, when fully grown, nearly the thickness of a finger, and ends in so abrupt a way as almost to suggest that it had been bitten off, a peculiarity that has given it a place in legends. In the first year of the plant's existence the root is like a diminutive carrot or radish in shape; it then becomes woody and dies away, the upper part excepted; as it decays and falls away, the gnawed or broken look results. The portion left throws out numerous lateral roots, which compensate for the portion that has perished. The plant derives its common name from this peculiarity in the form of the root. Gerard tells us: 'The greater part of the root seemeth to be bitten away; old fantastick charmers report that the divel did bite it for envie, because it is an herbe that hath so many good vertues and it is so beneficial to mankinde.'
The legend referred to by Gerard tells how the devil found it in Paradise, but envying the good it might do to the human race, bit away a part of the root to destroy the plant, in spite of which it still flourishes, but with a stumped root. The legend seems to have been very widely spread, for the plant bears this name, not only in England but also on the Continent.
This plant is still used for its diaphoretic, demulcent and febrifuge properties, the whole herb being collected in September and dried. It makes a useful tea for coughs, fevers and internal inflammation. The remedy is generally given in combination with others, the infusion being given in wineglassful doses at frequent intervals. It purifies the blood, taken inwardly, and used as a wash externally is a good remedy for cutaneous eruptions. The juice made into an ointment is effectual for the same purpose. The warm decoction has also been used as a wash to free the head from scurf, sores and dandruff.
Culpepper assigned it many uses, saying that the root boiled in wine and drunk was very powerful against the plague and all pestilential diseases, and fevers and poison and bites of venomous creatures, and that 'it helpeth also all that are inwardly bruised or outwardly by falls or blows, dissolving the clotted blood,' the herb or root bruised and outwardly applied, taking away black and blue marks on the skin. He considered 'the decoction of the herb very effectual as a gargle for swollen throat and tonsils, and that the root powdered and taken in drink expels worms.' The juice or distilled water of the herb was deemed a good remedy for green wounds or old sores, cleansing the body inwardly and freeing the skin from sores, scurf, pimples, freckles, etc. The dried root used also to be given in powder, its power of promoting sweat making it beneficial in fevers.
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Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 6:48 am
Quote: 3.26.05 I don't know what I'm going to do with Nahda. I was out with Nehanda last night, when Freya came zipping down the path to tell me that Nahda had managed to set the kitchen on fire. Needless to say, i raced back, only to find that Kylara and Nahda had already put out the flames. But the entire section of wall beside the stove top is scorched black, half of the range is ruined, and, worst of all, Kylara suffered from some minor burns! Nehanda helped me to put together a quick salve for the burns, but . . . I've grounded that naughty little girl, and she's only allowed to come out of her room for meals and to help Nehanda in the gardens. But I'm suffering from all of these mixed feelings. I'm furious, still scared half to death, worried about the others . . . Like the day before, Foenix sat out on the porch, books and a cool drink by her side, pen in hand. She thought about the damage to her kitchen, and worked very hard to avoid groaning in frustration. Nahda was currently grounded, allowed to leave her room only for meals and to help Nehanda in the garden. The little Tahnee had been nearly as frightened by her unfortunate experience as Foenix had. However, Foenix had finally decided that enough was enough, and Nahda had broken too many of the house rules. * Penny for em, Foenix?* Kylara strolled around the corner, followed closely by Spotty. Her gray and purple fur shone beautifully in the sunlight, and Foenix took a moment to admire the oldest of her kids. The Jivvin wore bandages around her front paws, placed there to protect and heal the burns she had suffered from the kitchen fire. "Oh, there's not much to share. Just thinking about the kitchen, and my current problem child." * Nahda's fine. In fact, she's still alseep! I checked on her before heading outside.* Foenix dropped her notepad to the porch floor and flopped back on her elbows. "Well, that's something at least. It's a miracle she didn't hurt herself." . . . Ten feet away, Nehanda dug in her garden. She knew Foenix and Kylara were talking about Nahda and the kitchen. What they didn't know, however, and what Nahda hadn't told them, was that the Tahnee had been trying to cook on Nehanda's behest. It frustrated the gryphon to no end that she couldn't manage so many things with her toe-hooves. Sure, she could grasp a few basic things, but that was about it. And cooking up any of the herbal remedies that she just knew, instinctively, would work was out of the question. But nahda was always willing to help. Wallowing in her guilt, the little gryphon continued to pull the weeds from her beloved plants.
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Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2005 1:51 pm
Nehanda could hear Foenix humming to herself as she worked to prepare dinner on a half-ruined stove. Despite the damage to her beloved kitchen, the woman seemed in a very good mood this evening. It might be because of the latest addition to their family. If she listened carefully, Nehanda could just barely hear the little mews of Atari as the Telesma beeped along with Foenix's humming.
Satisfied that everyone was occupied elsewhere, the little gryphon flew upstairs and nosed her beak around the door frame of Nahda's room. she could see the Tahnee lying listlessly on ehr bed, a single foot flopping back and forth.
"Merp?" The tone of her entry was both worried and apologetic, causing Nahda to look over and sit up.
"Hey there, Nehanda. C'mon in."
The gryphon wormed her way in through the door and cautiously approached the bed. Was her friend mad at her? Nehanda felt like she should be. "Merp merp?"
Nahda sighed. "Not, I'm not really that mad. It wasn't your fault. I just wasn't paying attention to the mitts. I guess I should ask foenix next time before i try to cook anything."
Nehanda merped and hopped up onto the bed. She nestled up to her friend and sighed thankfully. She still felt like the damage of last night was all her fault. If she hadn't wanted to try the tea Foenix had described from ehr latest herbal research, nothing would have happened in the first place.
she'd never ask anyone for that sort of help again.
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Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 8:16 am
Outside, Nehanda merped quietly to herself as she worked in her garden. the ever-fresh scents of plant life and freshly-turned soil rose to her nostrils, soothing her as nothing else could. As she reached down to pull up weeds with her beak, the little gryphon thought about the day before.
Yesterday, Foenix had risen at a very early hour and hurried out of the room. At the time, Nehanda had picked up her head, merped after her guardian, and then gone right back to sleep. but Foenix had come back in after an hour or so, waking the rest of the family. They had all stumbled sleepily out into the main room to find . . . little baskets filled with chocolate and other goodies.
Foenix had explained to them about Easter. Personally, Nehanda thought the story about the man who dies and came back to life wasn't all that interesting. While she vaguely wanted to know how the man had come back -"miracle" wasn't that explanitory- rebirth wasn't all that unusual. And by the tone of Foenix's voice, Nehanda could tell that her guardian didn't put too much stock in the story either. But it was a good excuse to hand out candy.
After that, Foenix had ushered everyone outside and had them search for plastic eggs. Again, Nehanda had been a bit confused by that, but . . . Foenix was certainly to be allowed her silly games. Spotty hd managed to find the most of the brightly-colored eggs, and he got a prize from Foenix in the form of a promised present when next she went to the mainland.
"Nehanda!"
Merping, the gryphon lifted her head and wings above the row of swiftly growing vegetables.
Foenix stood on the porch, gesturing. "It's time for lunch, honey. Come on in; I'll help you finish the garden later."
Nodding, Nehanda carefully wove her way out of the close rows of plants. Frankly, she'd have preferred to remain outside, where the many wonderful smells of nature could still find her. But Foenix usually insisted upon eating inside, at the table, like "civilized" folk.
Foenix could be awfully funny sometimes.
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Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:05 pm
Quote: 3.29.05 Well, not all that much to write for the time being. Easter came and went, and it was fun. I think the kids all enjoyed their Easter baskets, even if some didn't quite get the point of our little egg hunt. But that's okay. Nehanda has been very quite, and somewhat introverted, since the incident with Nahda and the kitchen fire. Nahda is now allowed out of her room, as I know she regrets what she did and I don't believe in prolonged punishments. But I'm not quite sure why it all seems to bother Nehanda so much. If only she could talk to me . . . Herbal Info: Dill [Peucedanum graveolens] is a hardy annual, a native of the Mediterranean region and Southern Russia. It grows wild among the corn in Spain and Portugal and upon the coast of Italy, but rarely occurs as a cornfield weed in Northern Europe.
The plant is referred to in St. Matthew XXiii., 23, though the original Greek name, Anethon, was erroneously rendered Anise by English translators, from Wicklif (1380) downwards. Dill is commonly regarded as the Anethon of Dioscorides. It was well known in Pliny's days and is often mentioned by writers in the Middle Ages. As a drug it has been in use from very early times. It occurs in the tenth-century vocabulary of Alfric, Archbishop of Canterbury. The name is derived, according to Prior's Popular Names of English Plants, from the old Norse word, dilla (to lull), in allusion to the carminative properties of the drug. Lyte (Dodoens, 157 cool says Dill was sown in all gardens amongst worts and pot-herbs.
In the Middle Ages, Dill was also one of the herbs used by magicians in their spells, and charms against witchcraft. In Drayton's Nymphidia are the lines:
'Therewith her Vervain and her Dill,
That hindereth Witches of their Will.'
Culpepper tells us that: 'Mercury has the dominion of this plant, and therefore to be sure it strengthens the brain.... It stays the hiccough, being boiled in wine, and but smelled unto being tied in a cloth. The seed is of more use than the leaves, and more effectual to digest raw and vicious humours, and is used in medicines that serve to expel wind, and the pains proceeding therefrom....'
The plant grows ordinarily from 2 to 2 1/2 feet high and is very like fennel, though smaller, having the same feathery leaves, which stand on sheathing foot-stalks, with linear and pointed leaflets. Unlike fennel, however, it has seldom more than one stalk and its long, spindle-shaped root is only annual. It is of very upright growth, its stems smooth, shiny and hollow, and in midsummer bearing flat terminal umbels with numerous yellow flowers, whose small petals are rolled inwards. The flat fruits, the so-called seeds, are produced in great quantities. They are very pungent and bitter in taste and very light, an ounce containing over 25,000 seeds. Their germinating capacity lasts for three years. The whole plant is aromatic.
Like the other umbelliferous fruits and volatile oils, both Dill fruit and oil of Dill possess stimulant, aromatic, carminative and stomachic properties, making them of considerable medicinal value.
Oil of Dill is used in mixtures, or administered in doses of 5 drops on sugar, but its most common use is in the preparation of Dill Water, which is a common domestic remedy for the flatulence of infants, and is a useful vehicle for children's medicine generally.
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