Herb Corner : Yule
by LadySilverMoonWolfe
The Winter Solstice is full of wonderful smells, from cookies, to ornaments with the fragrance of many wonderful Herbs. Some herbs related to Yule/Winter Solstice are
Apple, Ash, Bay, Cedar, Benzoin, Cinnamon, Frankincense, Holly, Ivy, juniper, Lemons, Mistletoe, Nutmeg, Oak, Orange, Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Thistle, and Yew
Cinnamon
Correspondences: Gender-Masculine -Planet-Sun -Element-Fire -Deity-Venus and Aphrodite Parts Used Bark (The commercial Cinnamon bark is the dried inner bark of the shoots. )
Description: Cinnamon is the dried bark of various laurel trees in the cinnamomun family, the tropical evergreen tree will grow to height up to 30 feet, with thick bark. Young shoots
are speckled greenish-orange, and the leaves when bruised smell spicy. One of the more common trees from which Cinnamon is derived is the cassia. Ground cinnamon is perhaps the most common baking spice. Cinnamon sticks are made from long pieces of bark that are rolled, pressed, and dried. True Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka. The Cinnamon used in North America is from the cassia tree which is grown in Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and Central America. Cinnamon has a sweet, woody fragrance in both ground and stick forms.
Magically: One of the most useful and versatile herbs you can have on your self. Cinnamon is inexpensive to purchase and found in most grocery stores. It can be used to draw monies, raise spiritual vibrations, aid meditation, inspire creativity, promotes healing, power, love, sleep, lust, protection, success and psychic powers. You can use cinnamon for incense burning or placing into sachets. You can use it in a tincture, adding it to baths, or anointing candles to enhance your spell work.
Medicinal: Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years. In modern science has confirmed its value for preventing infection and indigestion. Chinese herbalists mention as early as 2700 B.C. recommended it for fevers, diarrhea, and menstrual problems. Egyptians used cinnamon in embalming mixture. Cinnamon is used as an antiseptic that helps kill the bacteria that may cause tooth decay and gum disease; often found in some toothpastes. Cinnamon can help stop vomiting, relieves flatulence, and given with chalk and astringents it’s useful for diarrhea.
Culinary: Ground cinnamon enhances many curries and mat stews. One of the oldest spices known, Cinnamon is an ingredient in baked goods, fresh pies and chocolate tortes. It is a key seasoning ingredient for Greek Moussaka and adds an extra zing to coffee or tea on a cold night. Cinnamon has a fragrant perfume, taste aromatic and sweet, when distilled it only gives a very little quantity of oil with a delicious flavor.
A Few Ideas to Get You Started
For a fragrant pilaf, cook rice in Cinnamon flavored broth and stir in chopped dried fruit and toasted nuts. The sweet spicy flavor of Cinnamon enhances the taste of vegetables and fruits. Cinnamon is a perfect partner for chocolate; use it in any chocolate dessert or drink. It is used to mellow the tartness of apple pie. Ground Cinnamon should not be added to boiling liquids; the liquid may become stringy and the Cinnamon will lose flavor
Cautions: Do not ingest Cinnamon Oil. Cinnamon Bark oil should never be used on the skin. Cinnamon has been shown to alter insulin levels; so please always consult our physician before using any herb or oil.
Recipes Culinary, Magickal or Medicinal located above and below:
To Brew: Stomach soothing tea. Use ½ to ¾ teaspoon of powered herb per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 to 20 minutes. Drink up to three cups a day.
Sachets: Fill a green or gold sachet with cinnamon to draw money and success or to use as a healing charm. Use a purple sachet with Cinnamon can help increase your magickal or psychic powers. Use a pink or red sachet w/cinnamon to draw love or white to insure protection.
Money Simmering Potpourri
2 Cinnamon Sticks, broken up -4 Tablespoons Whole cardamom Seeds -2 Tablespoons Whole Cloves -1 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg -1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
With your fingers, mix these ingredients in a small bowl while visualizing increased prosperity. As you mix them, recite aloud or to yourself:
Money Simmer In The Air, Money Shimmer Everywhere.
When you feel you are done chanting, pour items into a pan that holds about 1 pint of water and simmer on stove. I have simmered mine on and off for several days, adding water as needed
Pumpkin Pie Spice Butter
4 tbsp (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened-4 tbsp canned pumpkin puree-1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon-1/8 tsp ground cloves-1/8 tsp ground ginger-1/8 tsp freshly grated or dried nutmeg-1/8 tsp salt
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Keep tightly covered in the refrigerator up to three weeks.
NOTE:1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice can be substituted for cloves, ginger and nutmeg
Cinnamon Butter-2 sticks butter-1/2 cup brown sugar-1 tsp cinnamon
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Serve over sweet bread, muffins, or morning waffles. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator.
Sources: The Green witchcraft, Culpepper Dictionary of Herbs, Healing Herbs, Modern Encyclopedia of Herbs
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