Herbal Blend
Caffeine Content: 0 on a scale of 0-5
Ingredients: Roasted dandelion*, Roasted burdock*, Roasted chicory*
(*organic ingredients)
Supports: Coffee substitute, Digestion, Liver function, Detox
Brew Info: 1tsp, 8oz H₂0, 212˚, 3-5 minutes
Servings:
1 oz | approx 10 servings |
2 oz | approx 20 servings |
8 oz | approx 80 servings |
16 oz | approx 160 servings |
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Profile: This blend has slight coffee and chocolate notes. It’s healing focuses on detoxing the liver and digestion. Chicory, known as 'poor-man's coffee' was drunk during the civil war as a coffee substitute.
DANDELION ROOT
Taraxacum officinale
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Physical: In traditional Chinese and Native American medicine, dandelion root has long been used to treat stomach and liver conditions. Herbalists today believe that it can aid in the treatment of many ailments, including acne, eczema, high cholesterol, heartburn, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and even cancer.
Dandelion is also known as pu gong ying in traditional Chinese medicine and simhadanti in Ayurvedic medicine. Its English folk name "piss-a-bed" and French nickname "pissenlit" both refer to the root's strong diuretic effect.
Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, and C, as well as minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc. Dandelion leaves are used to add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots are used in some coffee substitutes, and the flowers are used to make wines. Traditionally, dandelion roots and leaves were used to support the liver. Native Americans also boiled dandelion in water and took it to support healthy excretion from the urinary tract, skin health, and upset stomach. In Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as European herbal Medicine Dandelion was and still is used to support the liver and gallbladder, to promote digestion and to support the detoxification process. The leaves have more of a noticeable effect for supporting healthy fluid elimination.
The root of the dandelion is rich in the carbohydrate inulin, which is a type of soluble fiber found in plants that supports the growth and maintenance of a healthy bacterial flora in the intestinal tract.
Energetic/Herblore: Dandelion is an extremely old healing herb which has been used medicinally for as long as humans have recorded their histories. It is a potent diuretic and a good source of vitamin A, C and K. Magickally it is used for psychic work, wishes, creativity and sun magick among other things.
There is some evidence that dandelions evolved as far back as 30 millions years ago. Seeds have been found which can be dated back to the Pliocene Epoch, 5.33-2.58 million years BP (before present). Some variation of dandelion has been consumed and used for healing for as long as recorded history exists.
Plant historians think that dandelions have been used in Chinese medicine for at least 1000 (quite possibly 2000) years. The Ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians also used it for healing purposes. Native Americans also used it medicinally and as a food source.
Many dandelion superstitions have evolved into childhood tales – ask any seven year old, and they’ll tell you that if you blow on a dandelion puff, the tiny seeds will carry a wish for you.
Dandelion has a number of properties associated with metaphysical skills: it’s used in dream work, divination, especially effective in spirit communication and summoning, and will supposedly aid psychic development. When the leaves and root are burned they can be used as an incense to boost clairvoyance and divinatory abilities. The leaf, root, and flower have a few different aspects, but are mostly similar as far as magic goes.
Dandelion is associated with wind and air spirits. It was also supposedly used in invocations to Hecate and death related deities.
They are also used for: purification, wishes, healing, positivity, and protection from bad dreams.
In some magical traditions, dandelions are associated with the goddess Aphrodite because of her connection to bees. In others, this plant is connected to the underworld, by way of its association to the goddess Hecate.
Bury or plant dandelions at the northwest corner of your home to bring favourable energies and draw good luck.
CHICORY ROOT:
Cichorium intybus
Plant Family: Asteraceae
Physical: Chicory is a useful tool when addressing Liver ailments, kidney stones, Jaundice, Fevers and Digestion. It’s known to help lower blood sugar levels, Urinary tract issues, and problems with the spleen.
It can be utilized as a gentle laxative, and it can help in preventing or calming inflammation.
Just as dandelion, chicory has mild diuretic properties, and since it also promotes the excretion of uric acid it can be used for the treatment of rheumatic disorders, like arthritis and gout. Extract of the root has been shown to expand the walls of the blood vessels and could, therefore, have some antihypertensive properties as well.
The second-century physician Galen called chicory a “friend of the liver,” and contemporary research has shown that it can increase the flow of bile, which could be helpful in treating gallstones. Laboratory research has also shown root extracts to be antibacterial and slightly sedative.
The herb also has the reputation for having a calming and soothing effect.
Chicory contains a special class of carbohydrates known as fructans; a group containing inulin (not to be confused with insulin) and oligofructose.
The root was once widely used as a stomach-controlling agent, and many ancient medical books recommended it as a protection against dropsy and as medicine for diseases related to the liver and spleen. The plant juice was used traditionally as an herbal remedy for diarrhea, and the leaves and flowers were applied as a patch on boils and infected wounds, as well as a treatment for gout.
Energetic/Herblore: Chicory's large taproot has been used as a coffee substitute for generations, especially when coffee was unavailable. It has been cultivated along the Nile in Egypt for thousands of years. Charlemagne listed it as one of the herbs he required be grown in his garden. It was brought to North America from Europe in the 18th century and is now established quite well here.
Chicory can also be eaten as a food and consumed as a beverage making it the number one coffee substitute.
It’s a very old crop plant that has through the centuries been used both as food and medicine. It is still an important crop plant in many countries in Europe.
Interestingly, chicory’s magic has also enchanted Christian monks, who used it as a substitute for coffee in the 10th century. The root was cleaned, peeled and roasted in ovens. After that, they used to cut it in slices and boil it with or without coffee. Some still use it in coffee blends as it enhances its taste.
In Scandinavia, chicory is mentioned in herbal medicine writings from the
1400s, as a medicinal herb that increases appetite and enhances digestion.
Carry chicory to remove all obstacles from your path.
Anointing the body with chicory juice will allow you to win the favor of great people.
The root is also carried for luck as well as frugality.
Chicory is healing of emotions, providing a more positive outlook on life and a sense of humor.
In the language of flowers, chicory symbolizes frugality.
To unlock the powers of this humble herb the Witch should use the power of three. Three magical keys to unlock its magic.
One key is the time, one key is the tool and the last one is the attitude. Therefore, Chicory should be cut with a golden knife, (as it corresponds to the Sun and the metal of the Sun is Gold.) in total silence (to show that you are also humble.) in Midsummer’s eve, (or day.) for this is the Day of Solar Deities and entities.
If you manage to do this chicory is believed to have multiplied abilities.
Tne of the most interesting abilities of this herb is that, according to old grimoires, chicory cut in the way described right above, has the ability to open locked doors if placed against them. However, modern Witches believe that this is actually a metaphor. Therefore, pieces of Chicory root –or even better the whole root- is carried in charmed bags as a road opener to remove obstacles.
Additionally, Old Grimoires use chicory for another interesting thing… It was believed that if used in a certain way, chicory can grant its bearer invisibility. However, the ritual is not described. (Sadly.) And anointing your body (providing that you are not allergic to it) with chicory’s juice, promotes a positive outlook and can help you be favoured by powerful men.
It is also believed that smudging with chicory can break curses, and burning it in your altar will aid magical and prophetic powers.
Effects: strong
Planet: Sun, Uranus
Element: Air
Deities: Ra, Apollo, Helios
BURDOCK ROOT:
Arctium lappa
Plant Family: Asteraceae (formerly Compositae)
Physical: While there are many medicinal uses for the whole plant, the root is most commonly used to help with Skin Health, Digestion, Lymphatic System. It is also a Diuretic. Additionally, it’s been known to act as an aphrodisiac.
It’s an antioxidant: Research has shown that Burdock Root contains multiple types of powerful antioxidants, including quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids. Antioxidants can shield the body against cell-damaging free radicals, and the high count in burdock root has been shown to help lower inflammation, including joint issues such as arthritis.
The antioxidants in Burdock Root especially help to protect the liver against poisonous substances. The compounds that give Burdock its bitter taste can help stimulate bile production, helping the liver flush away toxins with more speed and ease.
This herb is highly effective, gentle, and multipurpose.
Ancient herbalists, like Hildegard of Bingen in the 12th century, recognized Burdock’s power in helping their patients recover from illness. Over the centuries, Burdock Root was enlisted to alleviate constipation, ease childbirth, break up kidney and bladder stones, promote sweating, remedy stomach and intestinal disorders, and control arthritis and gout pains. In medieval times it was also commonly used as a cure for syphilis.
Traditional Chinese and Indian doctors often selected this herb for treating colds, flu, and other throat and chest conditions.
Culpepper (a known herbalist of his time) in his Complete Herbal, written in 1653, says the following about Burdock: “It is so well known, even by the little boys, who pull off the burs to throw and stick upon each other, that I shall spare to write any description of it……The Burdock leaves are cooling and moderately drying. The leaves applied to the places troubled with the shrinking of the sinews or arteries, gives much ease. The juice of the leaves, or rather the roots themselves, given to drink with old wine, doth wonderfully help the biting of any serpents.”
Herbalist Matthew Becker states that burdock is a "potent yet safe lymphatic decongestant.” Also, as a subtle alternative it works best over time and demonstrates restorative properties due, in part, to its bitter tonic effects on the digestive system. It also contains inulin which feeds the healthy bacteria in the colon.
Energetic/Herblore: Burdock is famous for its hooked burrs that easily stick to clothing, pet fur, and anything that brushes against it. In fact, the Latin name, lappa, means “to seize.” Culpeper stated in the 17th century that the herb was a traditional remedy for gout, fevers, and kidney stones. Burdock was popular with Shakespeare, as he mentioned it in several of his plays. Native Americans used the whole plant as food and even made candy from it by boiling the stem in maple syrup and then storing it for the winter. As a medicine, burdock was used by the Delaware and Cherokee to treat rheumatism. The Cherokee and Iroquois used it to purify the blood and aid circulation.
Culpepper, an avid astrologer in addition to being an herbalist, considered burdock to be a feminine plant, ruled by the planet Venus and took this into consideration when preparing his burdock elixirs.
Traditionally the root was thought to carry magical power, particularly powers of protection and healing. It was believed that wearing a necklace that is made from the root, gathered during the waning moon, would protect the wearer from evil and negativity. American conjurers and rootworkers adopted Burdock into their magickal pantries and elevated its status as a Witch’s herb. Bat Root and Beggar’s Buttons—referring to the bright round flowers—are folkloric names for the same plant. Persistent and robust, Burdock gained renown among European witches as an effective ingredient in warding spells. With its deep roots, it is unfazed by adversity. A Burdock charm, buried or hung at a south door, was said to have the ability to protect homes and stables from evil influences. It is also added to protective charms and amulets to be carried when traveling. In American folklore, Burdock is a root often used in counter-magick--to prevent other workers from putting “roots” (i.e. curses) on the bearer.
Most sources attribute Burdock to the planet Venus. Venus is the ruler of many beneficial healing herbs, and Burdock’s large, lush green leaves and beautiful purple flowers are certainly Venusian in appearance. In the East, Burdock is also considered a feminine plant and used as a dietary supplement to restore yin energy to the body.
In the Native American healing tradition, the plant was used by the Malecite, Micmac, Ojibwa, and Menominee for skin health. Further, the roots were dried by the Iroquois over a fire and stored for food for the following year.
FUN FACT: The inspiration for Velcro came from the burdock bur. The inventor, a Swiss electrical engineer named Georges de Mestral, was walking along one day in the mountains and saw burs sticking on his wool socks and his dog's fur. He went home and examined the barbed, hook-like seeds that make up the fruit and thought he could replicate this "gripping" action in the laboratory. And so he did, and, in 1955, Velcro was patented and released to the world.
*The statements regarding this product have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. The information on this website or in emails is designed for educational purposes only.
