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Herbs @ PathWalkers.Net - A Sunwheel Herb Garden: The Nine Sacred Herbs of Wisdom
germinate) is fairly low. It can be purchased as a seedling from most herb
nurseries, or propagated by root division. It is a hardy perennial, grows two to three
feet high, and prefers a well-drained, sunny position.
Wormwood should be used carefully in medicine, despite its general benefit to
man. An infusion (tea) of the leaves taken three times a day will stimulate the
digestive system, treat indigestion, and help the body deal with fever and
infections. This historical use is confirmed in Lacnunga in charms against Typhoid
and Chicken Pox. The powdered herb may be taken in capsule to expel worms, and
is particularly effective against roundworms and pinworms. For pets, vary the
dosage accordingly, starting with 1/8 teaspoon of the dried herb, and increase as
needed.
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Chamomile - Remember Chamomile, what you made known, what you
accomplished at Alorford, that never a man should lose his life from infection, after
Chamomile was prepared for his food.
Chamomile, like Balder who is associated with it, is probably the best-loved herb.
Its small, white flowers and sweet-apple scent endear it to anyone who comes in
contact with it. It is pristine and pure, as well as useful in the medicine chest.
There are several varieties of Chamomile, German (Matricaria recutita), Roman
(Anthemis nobilis), and Dyer’s Chamomile (Anthemis tinctoria). For tea, German
Chamomile is the best choice, and it is this variety to be discussed here. However,
Roman Chamomile is a perennial, unlike German, and may be a better choice to
grow in the Southwestern States, as it will tolerate an arid climate. Its flowers may
also be used for tea, but it will produce less of them. Obviously, Dyer’s Chamomile
is what you want if you wish to produce a beautiful yellow dye.
German Chamomile is an annual, grown readily from seed, and can grow up to a
foot in height. Place this herb towards the rim of the Sunwheel, in front of the taller
herbs. The seed can be scattered in the garden after the last frost, or again grown in
flats indoors and transplanted. It will do fine in ordinary garden soil, and needs
regular watering.
Chamomile has long been known as a sedative, and is one of the few, true
alterative nervines. This means it regulates the nervous system - sedative in the
case of anxiety or insomnia, and stimulant in case of depression or malaise. The tea
relieves flatulence and gastritis, and used externally, Chamomile will speed wound
healing and reduce swelling.
Gather the flowers in the summer, and dry by spreading them thinly on a screen or
cookie sheet in a warm, dry area where they will not be disturbed. Store in air-tight
containers. Be sure to leave a few flower heads on the plants, so that you can gather
the very tiny seed in late autumn for planting the next spring.
Plantain - And you, Plaintain, mother of herbs, open from the east, mighty inside.
Over you chariots creaked, over you queens rode, over you brides cried out, over
you bulls snorted. You withstood all of them, you dashed against them. May you
likewise withstand poison and infection, and the loathsome serpent encircling the
Middle Garth.
Common Plantain (Plantago major) is a perennial, growing as a weed in most of
the northern hemisphere. It can be cultivated by seed or rhizome, and is so
proliferous it is best not to let it re-seed voluntarily. If it is not native to your
region, it can be difficult to find. I was lucky to meet a lady in Oregon who was
kind enough to send me some seeds from her weeds , but a few herb nurseries are
starting to offer it.
Plantain grows very low to the ground, with large, broad leaves. It will survive
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