Category: Recipes

This was literally some of the best olive oil, both smell and taste, that I have ever had and I was able to make the infusion myself. This is a super easy recipe and really only takes about 5 minutes to do and then a few weeks to infuse. To begin with, olive oil is an extremely healthy oil. It is made by pressing whole olives and extracting the oils. Olives have been agriculturally grown since the 8th millennium BC and are used for everything from cooking to medicine to beauty. Grades of olive oil are defined by various standards around the world. These different standards around the world show slight differences in terms of the parameters used to define each grade but despite what country you are in, the grades are pretty similar. There are various grades of olive oil, each having distinct differences in terms of production method, quality and suitability for consumption. Olive oil is classified according to its acid content, measured as free oleic acid. This is where your different classifications, and thus cost ranges, come in. Extra virgin olive oil contains a maximum of 1% free oleic acid, virgin olive oil contains 2%, and ordinary olive oil contains 3.3%. Unrefined olive oils with more than 3.3% free oleic acid are considered “unfit for human consumption.”

Olive oil is considered one of the best edible oils with antioxidant properties and health benefits. It has high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, which reduces the body’s total cholesterol levels, which may help lower your risk of heart disease. Using the correct type of olive oil for your needs is crucial. There are five primary grades of olive oil: extra virgin oil, virgin oil, refined oil, pure olive oil, and olive pomace oil. Another grade you may see is Lampe or Lampante. Each type of oil has a different smoke point, and this smoke point depends on the quality of the oil. The lower the smoke point of oil, the better the quality. An oil with a high smoke point is appropriate for cooking or other uses. Using oils with high smoke points for salads and dressing is not advisable.

The reason I begin with this is because selecting the correct oil for your infusion is very important. Extra virgin is the best quality olive oil. It undergoes cold processing, which prevents the natural content from altering after exposure to high temperatures. As a result, it has a low acid content, even lower than virgin oil. Virgin olive oil, on the other hand, is an unrefined form of olive oil extracted using the cold-pressing technique. It has a slightly higher level of acidity content but is temperature resistant. In comparison to extra virgin oil, the taste is milder and is suitable for low heat cooking. It is also ideal for salad dressing. Pure Olive oil is created by mixing either extra virgin or virgin oil with the refined one. It is rich in Vitamin E and is used only for heat and cooking or body massages and therapies. This is a great carrier oil for when you are making massage oils, roll on aromatherapy oils, or even lotions.

Refined is considered a moderate quality oil. Refined olive oil primarily comes into use for cooking only. Now, olive pomace oil is the lowest quality olive oil available in the market. Pomace comes from the residues and the remains left after the fruit’s pressing is completed. Once the actual fruits are pressed, there is still oil and water left. Finally, is Lampante olive oil. Lampante olive oil is also a naturally obtained oil, however, it’s quality parameters render it unfit for human consumption without further processing. It has traditionally been the olive oil of worse quality due to it having the highest level of acidity, and an unpleasant small and flavor that prevents consumption. The traditional name of lampante comes from its historical use as a fuel in oil lamps.

Now that we understand a good quality olive oil is needed, on to the recipe! You will need a good quality extra virgin olive oil and a few cloves of garlic, more depending on how much you plan to make. I did this initially in a glass Tupperware dish but it came out so incredible that I will be buying it in a larger size and adding it directly into the packaging it came in. The Tupperware is better for pictures as typically, good quality extra virgin oil is stored in dark colored glass bottles or cans to keep sunlight from affecting it and deteriorating the quality. All you need to do is peel the cloves of garlic and add them to your container. That’s it! For mine, I put about 2 cups of olive oil in the Tupperware and then peeled 2 BULBS of garlic. Bulbs, not cloves. I love this stuff. After peeling, I added them to the olive oil and secured the lid. I left it to sit in my pantry for about 2 weeks.

The above picture was the end result. It was absolutely amazing. The smell was very robust and earthy. The olive oil had a little bit of a cloudiness due to the oils from the garlic being infused in it but that did not bother me in the least. The taste was phenomenal. I put it in a convenient olive oil jar for easy pouring after that and used the left over garlic in cooking. I made a 100 clove garlic and potato soup with it, and personally, I think the taste could not be beat because of the super softened and delightful cloves I used. I have received so many compliments when others come to my home and smell the olive oil as soon as I uncork it to use.

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See Honey Part 1 ~ History

Gender: Feminine
Element: Fire
Planet: Sun, Venus
Zodiac Sign: N/A
Celtic Zodiac/ Date: N/A
Lunar Month: N/A
Tarot: The Sun
Rune: N/A
Ogham: N/A
Crystal: Gold
Deities: Ra, Anubis, Osiris, Min, Zeus, Apollo, Demeter, Aphrodite, Melissa, the prophet Mohammad
Angels, Fairies,
Associated Festival: N/A
Chakras: Sacral, Third Eye
Birth Month: N/A
Meaning: N/A
Type: Bee Vomit
Grows in Zone: N/A
Plant for Bees?: N/A
Natural pesticide?: No
Poisonous/ Toxic: No

Since the beginning of recorded history, honey has been known to have antiseptic properties. medicinal importance of honey has been documented in the world’s oldest medical literatures, and since the ancient times, it has been known to possess antimicrobial property as well as wound-healing activity. Frequent mention of honey in medicine was made by the Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans. It’s the only cure for some antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Holistic practitioners consider it one of nature’s best all-around remedies.

Honey lacks moisture and bacteria and microorganisms need moisture to survive. Simply put, the organisms that cause things to spoil thrive in water, so they aren’t able to grow in such a thirsty environment. It is also acidic. With an average pH level of 3.5—close to a lemon’s 2.5 pH—any bacteria that manage to grow in the sweet substance will have a hard time surviving in such acidity.

Honey comes in many varieties, depending on the floral source of pollen or nectar gathered and regurgitated by the honey bee upon arrival in the hive. Shop for honey and you’ll see that some are lighter, others are darker. In general, the darker the honey, the better its antibacterial and antioxidant power. there is a MAJOR difference between natural raw unpasteurized honey, and most store bought honey.  Most commercial honey has no traces of pollen and lacks beneficial vitamins and enzymes among a host of other natural constituents which are removed due to pasteurization and processing.

Most golden honey you see at your local grocery is dead and far from the health promoting powerhouse of its raw unpasteurized counterpart. Processed honey is not honey at all, and if you desire any kind of health benefits, you should check the label to make sure it is not just high fructose corn syrup and that it is raw and unfiltered.

Phytonutrients are compounds found in plants that help protect the plant from harm. For example, some keep insects away or shield the plant from ultraviolet radiation. The phytonutrients in honey are responsible for its antioxidant properties, as well as its antibacterial and antifungal power. They’re also thought to be the reason raw honey has shown immune-boosting and anticancer benefits. Heavy processing destroys these valuable nutrients.

The medical grade honeys have potent in vitro bactericidal activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria causing several life-threatening infections to humans. But, there is a large variation in the antimicrobial activity of some natural honeys, which is due to spatial and temporal variation in sources of nectar. Honey’s antibacterial effects were first demonstrated by the Dutch scientist Bernardus Adrianus van Ketel in 1892. Since then, numerous studies have shown that honey has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, although potency varies widely between different honeys.

Ancient Egyptians found that honey could be used as a natural bandage, smothering it on their cuts, burns, and eyes to fight infection. Honey can actually help treat burns and wounds due to its antibacterial, anti-fungal, and general antiseptic nature. Preliminary evidence suggests that it aids in the healing of partial thickness burns 4–5 days faster than other dressings, and moderate evidence suggests that post-operative infections treated with honey heal faster and with fewer adverse events than with antiseptic and gauze. Use beeswax for burns and insect bites, including bee stings.

Witch Tip: When you find that a fever blister is about to emerge apply raw honey to the area several times a day and before bedtime.

Many suggest that when you move somewhere new, that you should start eating the local honey to help prevent or combat allergies.  Some laboratory studies suggest honey has the potential to clear up stuffy noses and ease allergies triggered by pollen. But it’s a bit of a stretch to apply that to all allergies. most allergy sufferers are sensitive to wind-carried pollens like grass and ragweed — the kind not carried by bees and transformed into honey.

Honey is a great natural remedy for coughs and cold symptoms. If you’re suffering from a cold or something going on in the throat or upper airways, getting on board with honey syrup will help fight infection and soothe membranes. In a study that involved 139 children, honey beat out dextromethorphan (a cough suppressant) and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) in easing nighttime cough in children and improving their sleep. Another study involving 105 children found that buckwheat honey trumped dextromethorphan, a common ingredient in over-the-counter cough medication, in suppressing nighttime coughs. It also works as a cough suppressant.

Witch Tip: How to make cough syrup. Just a few sips of this natural cough syrup will help to soothe a sore throat. The antibacterial properties of honey will help to fight off throat infections. To make a simple cough syrup: Pour 300ml of boiling water into a jug containing a sliced lemon and one tablespoon of organic honey. You may then choose to add an herb that is good at knocking out colds. You can use:

1. Sage- chopped fresh sage helps soothe an aching head.

2. Ginger- grated fresh ginger stimulates circulation

3. Thyme- a spoonful of chopped fresh thyme will fight infection.

Cool, strain, and take a 20ml spoonful 3 times a day.

Witch Tip: For colds/cough, take 1 tbsp honey in lukewarm water mixed with ¼ tsp cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. It is very helpful to cure most chronic coughs, colds, and clear the sinuses.

Even if honey is natural, it is no better than ordinary white or brown sugar for dieters or people with diabetes. A tablespoon of honey, in fact, has more carbohydrates and calories than granulated white or brown sugar. ‘a sugar is a sugar’ when it comes to diabetes. it’s a widespread myth that honey is better for diabetes. Some patients don’t classify honey as a sugar.

Witch Tip: To improve digestion, upon rising, add 1 tablespoon of honey to a 12 oz. glass of lukewarm water.  Drink on an empty stomach.

Witch Tip: For bladder infections, take 2 tbsp of cinnamon powder and 1 tsp of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. This destroys the germs in the bladder.

According to research-based reviews on honey, it has been shown to decrease the severity and duration of diarrhea. Honey also promotes increased potassium and water intake, which is particularly helpful when experiencing diarrhea. Research that took place in Lagos, Nigeria suggests that honey has also shown the ability to block the actions of pathogens that commonly cause diarrhea.

Honey will help in muscle building; a teaspoon of raw organic honey after a workout can induce an insulin spike, allowing your muscles to get the most out of the workout. It can be used as a weight loss aid. Honey can cause changes to the metabolism that will help curb sugar cravings. Honey is also an excellent hangover remedy. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and could potentially save one from a heart attack.

With Tip: To aid in weight loss, Drink a cup of honey tea daily. Add:
1 Cup hot water
1 tbsp organic raw honey
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
Drink this once daily.
OR
1 cup hot water
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp organic raw honey
Drink in the morning on an empty stomach
OR
1 Cup hot water
1 tsp cinnamon
1tbsp organic raw honey
Drink ½ cup in the morning on an empty stomach and ½ cup 45 minutes to an hour after dinner.

Witch Tip: For heart disease, make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder. Put it on toast instead of using jam or butter and eat it regularly for breakfast.

Witch Tip: Honey boosts energy levels, without the insulin surge caused by white sugar.

It is also good for helping with insomnia and promotes relaxation.

Witch Tip: Honey can also help you go to sleep.  One or two teaspoons before bed can help you drift off into dreamland.

The secret behind honey’s eternal shelf life is a range of factors. Hydrogen peroxide, acidity and lack of water work together to make this sticky substance last forever.

Bee Symbolism: Productivity, Strong work ethic, peace, community, togetherness, success, overcoming difficulties, providence, sweetness, protection, defense.

Honey Properties: Good fortune, love, fertility, ancestor worship, purification, romance, happiness, success, beauty, healing.

Honey, and beeswax, as well as bees themselves are possibly one of the oldest magical ingredients, used across the globe. Keep some on your altar to remind you that amongst the seemingly overwhelming bitterness of everyday life, that sweetness can be found.

Traditionally, honey jars have been used to promote and invoke kindness, joy, love, good will, and harmony. Though you can use these for many things, a popular choice is to envision yourself as the jar and fill it up so that it may bring your kindness, patience, and love to others.  But you can also gift them to couples, bring money to yourself, etc. Put one on your altar or in your kitchen.

Witch Tip: Another method can be to write your intention on a piece of paper. Drop it into the jar and add your herbs and any curios you want. Smother the items in honey and then seal the jar. seal the jar with a white candle and set a tea light on top to burn whenever you want to really amp up the spell inside. Honey jars are meant to be prayed over and worked with daily to make the magic begin and last. You may wish to keep your honey jar on your altar or working space so that you can keep an eye on the candle and pray over it whenever you see fit to do so.

Honey can be used in spells for community and communication, as well as abundance and prosperity. Honey can be used to represent wisdom, because gathering honey from hives can be difficult and painful if done incorrectly so it became a metaphor for obtaining knowledge through pain.

Honey is an appropriate offering for a myriad of ancient gods and spirits. Poured into the ocean and river as an offering to sea and river goddesses like Oshun and Yemaya. Kept on the altar as a link to ancient bee priestesses and honeybee spirit guides. Honey left on outside altars to attract faeries and is used to summon angels and light beings.

It was widely believed in Ancient Egypt that if a witch or a wizard made a beeswax figure of a man and injured or destroyed it, the man himself would suffer or die. In a ceremonial offering known as the “Opening of the Mouth”, priests used special instruments to place honey into the mouth of a statue of a god, or the statue or mummy of a king or other great noble. Certain lines in ancient rituals indicate that the Egyptians may have even believed that the soul of a man (his “ka”, or double; the part which continues after death) took the form of a bee. Another ritual from the Book of “Am-Tuat”, or “the Otherworld”, compares the voices of souls to the hum of bees. 

In some forms of Hoodoo and folk magic, honey is used to sweeten someone’s feelings towards you. honey jars are a good way to get started with folk magic. These jars are also known as “sweetening jars,” and can actually contain almost any kind of pure sweetener, such as brown or white sugar, molasses, or syrup. You can make jars for each person you want to sweeten if you’re working more elaborate spells on them, or keep one jar with lots of names in it for general sweetening. You can also make vinegar or “souring” jars, which is a form of hexing. In one traditional spell, honey is poured into a jar or saucer on top of a slip of paper containing the person’s name. A candle is placed in the saucer and burned until it goes out on its own. In another variation, the candle itself is dressed with honey. The sweetening element doesn’t necessarily have to be honey.

Witch Tip: How to Make Your Honey Jar: Gather all your supplies. Cleanse your space and supplies with smudge smoke (or your preferred cleansing method). Write your petition on your piece of parchment. If you’re trying to draw something to you, fold the paper towards you (i.e. money, love, etc.) Speak your intention upon each ingredient and place each in the jar. Lastly pour the honey over all of the ingredients. As you do this, pray to your gods/ancestors/guides for your petition to be sweetened and kept flowing, etc. Visualize your intention coming true. Gently shake your honey jar while praying and visualizing further. Last, speak your intentions/prayers over the tealight candle, light it and place it on top of the honey jar. Let it burn down while praying more. Set the honey jar on your altar or somewhere you’ll see it daily. This is an ongoing working for as long as you need the intention to manifest/continue. Shake the jar gently while praying daily. Burn a tealight daily for 3, 7, or 9 days total to feed the jar’s intentions.

Honey, because of its sticky properties, can be used in magic to hold two things together. Some magical traditions use honey to bind a couple that has a shaky relationship. If you want to do a honey binding on a couple – or even on two friends who are struggling with their friendship – you can use poppets with a layer of honey between them, and then wrapped with a cord. Because honey does not solidify, you can always separate the two poppets later with minimal disruption.

If you do any kitchen magic, honey can come in very handy. Use it in dishes to bring about sweetness, fertility, or prosperity. You can even use honey in rituals as an offering to deity–many goddesses and gods seem to appreciate it.

Healing and cleansing rituals include honey. You can also use a blend of milk and honey to asperge a sacred space if you’re holding ritual outdoors. Add a spoon of honey to a sweetening or cleansing bath ritual to cleanse and sweeten your aura or in a bath scrub for a ritual bath prior to working for love or romance, or anoint a candle with it when you’re doing candle magic.

Include it in spellwork for bringing and keeping two things together. Drip small drops of honey onto or around candles for love and prosperity spells

Take a dose of honey regularly to balance the sacral chakra and fertility. Anoint your third eye with magical honey to dream of your future love.

Some people enjoy infusing herbs and flowers directly into the honey itself. Depending on the herb or flower infused, it will alter the honey magic properties and can be further used for those purposes.

Honey is a diverse magical ingredient which can be used in many spells and will enhance the results. An interesting lore suggests that certain types of honey possess magnified abilities when incorporated in related spells. A Witch can use a certain type of Magic to empower their power, another type to call for love, and another one to banish and protect.

There are many ways to use honey in Magic. There are going to follow several spells using honey. For starters you can use honey to attract what you wish. Angels may be summoned by offering them Honey. Do you want to ask from an Angel to bless you with magical powers? Offer them Lavender Honey. Do you need them to aid you for protection and banishing? Offer them Thyme Honey. Do you need to feel happy and blessed again? Offer them Flower Honey.

Lavender honey: has honey magic properties of relaxation, love, beauty and purification. Lavender honey is the honey of magic. This type of Honey is believed to be extra potent when used in Magic and spells. It is considered a powerful instrument of the Witches and it is also believed to grant Magical Powers to the one who ingests it regularly.

Directions: Add lavender buds to a sterile jar. Drizzle honey over the lavender until fully submerged. Stir the lavender gently as you meditate on your intent. Store in a cupboard and take a spoon daily. Or you can put the honey in a boil safe jar. Place the jar into a pot of hot water that is not boiling. Don’t let the honey boil. Add the lavender and let it heat for a while as you think of your intentions. Once done, take the jar out and store it. Store in the cupboard, take a spoonful daily. For the each subsequent recipe, follow the directions of the lavender honey, but change the lavender for a different ingredient if you are making any of the other infusions.

Lemon balm infused honey: soothes nerves and anxiety and aids in falling asleep; also invokes joy

Rosemary honey: the honey of Love and Beauty. purification, money, love, healing, mental clarity, beauty, prophecy. Rosemary Honey is extra potent when dealing with Beauty and Love spells. Rosemary honey can also be used in healing spells but mostly to heal our inner selves. What causes all this trouble in my life? Rituals employing prophetic dreams and self-healing could be more effective with use of Rosemary Honey.

Mint honey: money, prosperity, cleansing, and love properties; plus mint aids digestion

Thyme honey: the Honey of Courage. Popular in the Mediterranean countries, it is considered to give courage and build self-confidence. Eating Honey from Thyme help us cleanse ourselves from jinxes and strengthens our aura against malevolent attacks. It is also the PERFECT offering for attracting the faery folk to your garden! Thyme is a favorite of fairies as well as honey. Use for protection, confidence, and cleansing.

Rose honey: love, healing, protection, long life

Pine Honey: the honey of Protection. protection, rejuvenation. Pine Honey is a very popular honey all over the World. Pine honey should be used by anyone who feels his or her energy at low levels. Pine’s magic is intense and used for rejuvenation. Moreover Pine will help you not only recharge your “batteries” but also protect you from anyone who wants to vampirize on your powers. Pine Honey should be used when we feel we are under demonic or other psychic attack.

Flower Honey: the honey of Happiness. beauty, love, happiness. Flower honey is honey produced by bees that pollinate the wild fields. In facts it uses any flower available thus Flower Honey is drenched with the power of Spring. Flower honey is perfect when Spring is what need to “happen” in your life. Flower honey helps us get in touch with beauty, love and the child in us! Use Flower Honey in spells for Love, Friendship and Happiness.

Eucalyptus Honey: the honey of Uncrossing. protection, uncrossing, healing. Eucalyptus honey is not that common. However, if found it would be an excellent tool for Healing and Uncrossing spells. It is more powerful than Thyme honey in uncrossing rituals & Pine honey in healing rituals. However, use Pine honey when you are under attack and Thyme honey for general protection. In healing spells start with Pine Honey (if your “energy” hits critical levels) and continue with Eucalyptus as it’s milder but more effective in long-term use.

Sage Honey: healing, protection, soothing

Acacia Honey: the honey of Vital Energy. Acacia’s powers are passing into this Honey and allegedly helps banish insomnia and nightmares as it stops all evil influences. Ingesting Acacia’s honey is believed to restore your Vital Energy which was drained by the Evil Eye or Malevolent attacks.

Manuka Honey: the honey of Healing. It is produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the Manuka bush and is considered one of the most unique and beneficial forms of honey in the world. Manuka Honey is used in healing spells of the Maori tribe. You can try to dedicate some Manuka honey to the spirits and angels of Healing.

Many herbs and plants can be dangerous in high doses, such as eucalyptus, do your research before making any infusions especially if taking internally or every day. All infusions can be used in spell work if you prefer not to ingest. Infusions can also be gifted to deities as well and will always be accepted

How can I help save the bees?

DON’T use pesticides in your lawn or garden and encourage your friends, family and neighbors to do the same.

Plant NATIVE flowers, trees, and shrubs. Native flowers and plants aid your local honeybee and other pollinator populations by providing a natural nectar source.

Put a bee bath in your garden for the bees to bathe and drink.

Support your local organic beekeepers, farmers and gardeners in their efforts to save the honeybees.

Instead of having a honeybee hive destroyed – have someone come out and remove it and re-locate it.

Stop cutting down trees that don’t need to be cut down! Bees and other pollinators and wild life need trees too!

Learn more about how to save the bees here!

Use level: Easy

Nothing on this website should be taken as medical or legal advice. Please use herbs responsibly. Always consult your doctor before using any kind of supplements.

From our altar to yours, with love from the sea,

Click here for an Index to all posts

Honey has a very long use in history as well as magic so this will be a 2 part post. Part 1 will be its history and Part 2 will be its medical and metaphysical uses. Enjoy!

Gender: Feminine
Element: Fire
Planet: Sun, Venus
Zodiac Sign: N/A
Celtic Zodiac/ Date: N/A
Lunar Month: N/A
Tarot: The Sun
Rune: N/A
Ogham: N/A
Crystal: Gold
Deities: Ra, Anubis, Osiris, Min, Zeus, Apollo, Demeter, Aphrodite, Melissa, the prophet Mohammad
Angels, Fairies,
Associated Festival: N/A
Chakras: Sacral, Third Eye
Birth Month: N/A
Meaning: N/A
Type: Bee Vomit
Grows in Zone: N/A
Plant for Bees?: N/A
Natural pesticide?: No
Poisonous/ Toxic: No

Honey is a sweet, viscous food substance made by honey bees and some related insects. Bees produce honey from the sugary secretions of plants (floral nectar) or from secretions of other insects (such as honeydew), by regurgitation, enzymatic activity, and water evaporation. Honey is produced by bees collecting nectar for use as sugars consumed to support metabolism of muscle activity during foraging or to be stored as a long-term food supply. They have to fly over 50.000 miles in order to “produce” about 1lb of Honey. Bees store honey in wax structures called honeycombs. In cold weather or when other food sources are scarce, adult and larval bees use stored honey as food. Honey is collected from wild bee colonies, or from hives of domesticated bees, a practice known as beekeeping or apiculture.

Honey gets its sweetness from the monosaccharides fructose and glucose, and has about the same relative sweetness as sucrose (table sugar). Most microorganisms do not grow in honey, so sealed honey does not spoil, even after thousands of years.

Generally, honey is bottled in its familiar liquid form, but it is sold in other forms, and can be subjected to a variety of processing methods.

~Raw Honey
~Crystallized honey
~Pasteurized Honey
~Strained Honey
~Filtered Honey
~Ultrasonicated honey
~Creamed honey
~Dried honey
~Comb honey
~Chunk honey
~Honey decoctions
~Baker’s honey

Indicators of quality

Many countries grade honey by grade A, B, C, or less than C. Grade is the best but what does that mean? High-quality honey can be distinguished by fragrance, taste, and consistency. Ripe, freshly collected, high-quality honey at 68 °F should flow from a knife in a straight stream, without breaking into separate drops. After falling down, the honey should form a bead. The honey, when poured, should form small, temporary layers that disappear fairly quickly, indicating high viscosity. If not, it indicates honey with excessive water content of over 20%, not suitable for long-term preservation.

Honey use and production have a long and varied history as an ancient activity still in effect today. In 2018, global production of honey was 1.9 million tons, led by China with 24% of the world total. Other major producers were Turkey, Iran, Ukraine, United States, India, and Russia. Over its history as a food, the main uses of honey are in cooking, baking, desserts, as a spread on bread, as an addition to various beverages such as tea, and as a sweetener in some commercial beverages. The flavor of a particular type of honey will vary based on the types of flower from which the nectar was harvested.

Possibly the world’s oldest fermented beverage, dating from 9,000 years ago, mead (“honey wine”) is the alcoholic product made by adding yeast to honey-water must and fermenting it for weeks or months. Primary fermentation usually takes 28 to 56 days, after which the must is placed in a secondary fermentation vessel for 6 to 9 months of aging. Mead varieties include drinks called metheglin (with spices or herbs), melomel (with fruit juices, such as grape, specifically called pyment), hippocras (with cinnamon), and sack mead (high concentration of honey). Honey is also used to make mead beer, called “braggot”.

For much of history, honey was humanity’s main source of sweetness, as well as our first vehicle for getting drunk. Unlike table sugar, honey also comes in an infinite variety of textures and flavors, influenced by the two million blossoms from which each jar is made. And, from ancient Egypt to modern medicine, honey has been valued for its healing powers. Honey is the second-sweetest substance found in nature (only dates are sweeter). 

Honey collection is an ancient activity. Humans have been using bee products, like honey and wax, for at least 9,000 years. Analyzed pottery from prehistoric vessels at a Neolithic site called Ctalhoyuk in southern Anatolia in modern Turkey, and found evidence of early farmers using beeswax as far back as the Stone Age. Beeswax was used continuously from the seventh millennium BCE, probably as an integral part in different tools, in rituals, cosmetics, medicine, as a fuel or to make receptacles waterproof. This means that people established a working relationship with bees very soon after the rise of settled farming in the region.

Several cave paintings in Cuevas de la Araña in Spain depict humans foraging for honey at least 8,000 years ago. A Mesolithic rock painting the cave in Valencia, Spain, also dating back at least 8,000 years, depicts two honey foragers collecting honey and honeycomb from a wild bees’ nest. The figures are depicted carrying baskets or gourds, and using a ladder or series of ropes to reach the nest.

Honey is the only food that will not rot. The oldest known honey remains were found in the Caucuses of the Republic of Georgia during the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline: archaeologists found honey remains on the inner surface of clay vessels unearthed in an ancient tomb belonging to the Martkopi and Bedeni people from the farming Araxes-Kura culture., dating back between 4,700 and 5,500 years.

In ancient Georgia, several types of honey were buried with a person for their journey into the afterlife, including linden, berry, and meadow-flower varieties. The tomb belonged to an important chief or leader, and he had several other people buried with him. Inside his Bronze Age burial site, called Ananauri 3, were wild berry offerings to the dead. They were still red and incredibly well preserved, despite being 4,300 years old, because they were cured with ancient honey. Even their scent was still sweet and intense with musky undertones. Many other magnificent ancient and precious burial objects were buried with the chief to accompany him to the afterlife. They were all masterfully embalmed with honey, and are therefore surprisingly well preserved.

It’s always appropriate to leave offerings of honey at a grave site. This has been done in all ancient cultures.

The ancient Egyptians used honey for a multitude of purposes including as a sweetener for cakes and biscuits in many other dishes, was considered a sacred offering for the gods and an ingredient in embalming fluid. The fertility god of Egypt, Min, was offered honey. Honey was used for healing wounds, paying taxes, and in trade. While excavating Egypt’s famous pyramids, archaeologists have found pots of honey as offerings the dead, to give them something to eat in the afterlife in multiple ancient tombs. The honey, dating back approximately 3,000 years, is the world’s oldest sample – and still perfectly edible. Mummies were sometimes embalmed in honey, and often sarcophagi were sealed up with beeswax. Thanks to Egyptian drawings depicting ancient beekeeping, we’ve long known that humans have worked with bees for thousands of years.

From mythology to medicine, the honey bee practically reigned over Egyptian society. Egyptians considered bees sacred. It was written in the “Salt Magical Papyrus”, that bees were created from the tears of the sun-god Ra himself, whom the Egyptians believed to be the creator of the earth and the sea. Ra’s right eye was the sun, his left eye was the moon, and he caused the Nile to flood. “When Ra weeps again the water which flows from his eyes upon the ground turns into working bees. They work in flowers and trees of every kind and wax and honey come into being.” 

This spiritual connection led people to believe that some spirits took the form of a bee after death, and bees’ buzzing was often thought to be the voices of souls. Because of this association with the afterlife, bees and honey were beloved by Pharaohs. So beloved, in fact, they would even be taken to the grave.

The Egyptians cherished honey so much, jars of the liquid gold were buried with deceased royalty to give them a sweet transition into the afterlife. Among wine, jewelry and weapons, honey was also valuable enough to be stashed in King Tutankhamen’s golden tomb—still edible after 3,000 long years.

Bees were associated with royalty in Egypt; indeed, as early as 3500 BC, the bee was the symbol of the King of Lower Egypt! (The symbol of the King of Upper Egypt was a reed). There are many examples of bee hieroglyphs to be found in the records, as well as hieroglyphs for honey and beekeeper. 

Beekeeping has been practiced for thousands of years in Egypt. For at least four thousand five hundred years, the Egyptians have been making hives in the same way, out of pipes of clay or Nile mud, often stacked one on top of another. These hives were moved up and down the Nile depending on the time of year, allowing the bees to pollinate any and all flowers which were in season. Special rafts were built for moving these hives, which were stacked in pyramids. At each new location, the hives were carried to the nearby flowers and released. When the flowers died, the bees were taken a few miles further down the Nile and released again. Thus the bees traveled the whole length of Egypt. 

Honey was used by all classes in Ancient Egypt, indicating that it must have been produced on a large scale. It was used for everything from sweetening food, to preventing infection by being placed on wounds, to paying taxes. One marriage contract has been found which states, “I take thee to wife… and promise to deliver to thee yearly twelve jars of honey.” Honey was exacted as tribute from conquered countries; for instance, many jars of honey were paid each year by the Retenu tribe of Syria to their Egyptian conqueror, Thutmoses II.  

Honey and wax were used for religious as well as practical purposes. Sacred animals were fed cakes sweetened with honey. These animals included the sacred bull at Memphis, the sacred lion at Leontopolis, and the sacred crocodile at Crocodilopolis.

In ancient Greece, honey was produced from the Archaic to the Hellenistic periods. In 594 BC beekeeping around Athens was so widespread that Solon passed a law about it: “He who sets up hives of bees must put them 300 feet away from those already installed by another”. Greek archaeological excavations of pottery located ancient hives. According to Columella, Greek beekeepers of the Hellenistic period did not hesitate to move their hives over rather long distances to maximize production, taking advantage of the different vegetative cycles in different regions.

The Bee, an insect so sacred that Zeus Himself, the All-mighty Olympian King of Gods, blessed them by granting their sting to be protected from Men. In ancient Greek religion, the food of Zeus and the twelve Gods of Olympus was honey in the form of nectar and ambrosia. There are many important stories in the Greek Pantheon which underline the importance of the bee. Apollo, God of Magical & Medicinal Arts along with Divination, was believed to have Mastered the Art of Prophecy with the help of three Primordial Nymphs who were also identified as Bee Goddesses, known as Thriae (θριαί). Those Nymphs nurtured Apollo as an infant and later became his powerful Priestesses. This is also why the Priestesses of Apollo were also called “Bees”.

Honey was a powerful offering to the Greek Gods as well.  The hexagonal shape of a typical honeycomb relates to the Number 6, a number sacred to Aphrodite (Venus) as Pythagoras proclaimed in his doctrine of Numerology. In addition, the folklore of a number of societies indicates that a blend of honey and milk is an acceptable offering to a deity. In particular, honey is sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. In Ancient Greece, the high priestess of Aphrodite was “Melissa” which translates to “bee”. She tended to the sacred beehives at Aphrodite’s temple on Mount Eryx.

The Persian Empire had another use for honey that was much darker. scaphism, a torture method also known as “the boats” that originated in the Persian Empire, around the 5th century B.C. It was devised to inflict as much pain and discomfort as possible for as long as the victim remained alive, and it was reserved only for people guilty of the worst crimes (for instance, murder and treason). The method consisted of trapping the victim in the space between two small boats or two hollowed-out tree trunks and force-feeding them milk and honey over the course of a few days until the person died.

In order for the method to work, it had to take place in a swamp or somewhere where the boats could lie exposed to the sun. The victim would be tied inside the space between the boats in a way that left their head, hands, and feet outside. Then, the person in charge of the process would feed the victim a mixture of milk and honey, forcing them to swallow against their will, so the mixture dripped everywhere, covering their eyes, face, and neck. This same mixture was then spread all over the exposed body parts, and the idea was that it would attract every insect, vermin, and wild animal in the area. Very soon afterwards, flies and rats, for instance, would show up and start attacking the victim, eating the mixture of milk and honey, but also eating the person alive along the process.

There was also the severe diarrhea that left them feeling weak and dehydrated. This symptom was the intended consequence of their enforced milk-and-honey diet. The more they were fed this mixture, the more they would defecate inside the boats, but also, the longer they stayed alive. This point was the cruelest yet most effective aspect of scaphism: the victims couldn’t die from the diarrhea-induced dehydration because they were fed milk and honey every day. As a result, the victims could survive for days and even weeks in a small hell of bugs, feces, milk, and honey. 

Finally, because the victim would have no choice but to empty their bowels inside the boats, the feces would accumulate and breed maggots and other vermin that slowly made their way into the victim’s body and ate them from the inside. This is what killed them, ultimately, as was confirmed when the victim died and the boats would be separated, revealing their half-eaten body.

The most famous victim of “the boats” was a young Persian soldier by the name of Mithridates who died around 401 B.C. He was sentenced to die because he accidentally killed Cyrus the Younger, a nobleman who wanted the throne. The actual king, Artaxerxes, was actually grateful to him for killing the young threat, and had secretly covered for him, but when Mithridates forgot about the deal and started bragging about having killed Cyrus, he was immediately sentenced. According to the records written by Plutarch, the Greek essayist and biographer, he was unlucky enough to survive 17 days in “the boats.” The historian Plutarch outlined the seventeen-day-long death of the Persian soldier Mithridates by scaphism in detail: Taking two boats framed exactly to fit and answer each other, they lay down in one of them the malefactor that suffers, upon his back; then, covering it with the other, and so setting them together that the head, hands, and feet of him are left outside, and the rest of his body lies shut up within, they offer him food, and if he refuse to eat it, they force him to do it by pricking his eyes; then, after he has eaten, they drench him with a mixture of milk and honey, pouring it not only into his mouth, but all over his face. They then keep his face continually turned towards the sun; and it becomes completely covered up and hidden by the multitude of flies that settle on it. And as within the boats he does what those that eat and drink must needs do, creeping things and vermin spring out of the corruption and rottenness of the excrement, and these entering into the bowels of him, his body is consumed. When the man is manifestly dead, the uppermost boat being taken off, they find his flesh devoured, and swarms of such noisome creatures preying upon and, as it were, growing to his inwards.

In Jewish tradition, honey is a symbol for the new year, Rosh Hashanah. At the traditional meal for that holiday, apple slices are dipped in honey and eaten to bring a sweet new year. Some Rosh Hashanah greetings show honey and an apple, symbolizing the feast. In some congregations, small straws of honey are given out to usher in the new year. In 2005 an apiary dating from the 10th century B.C. was found in Tel Rehov, Israel that contained 100 hives, estimated to produce half a ton of honey annually. Pure honey is considered kosher (permitted to be eaten by religious Jews), though it is produced by a flying insect, a non-kosher creature; eating other products of non-kosher animals is forbidden.

The Hebrew Bible contains many references to honey. In the Book of Judges, Samson found a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of a lion (14:8). Biblical law covered offerings made in the temple to God. The Book of Leviticus says that “Every grain offering you bring to the Lord must be made without yeast, for you are not to burn any yeast or honey in a food offering presented to the Lord” (2:11). In the Books of Samuel, Jonathan is forced into a confrontation with his father King Saul after eating honey in violation of a rash oath Saul has made. Proverbs 16:24 in the JPS Tanakh 1917 version says “Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Book of Exodus famously describes the Promised Land as a “land flowing with milk and honey” (33:3). However, most Biblical commentators write that the original Hebrew in the Bible (דבש devash) refers to the sweet syrup produced from the juice of dates (silan).

The Christian New Testament (Matthew 3:4) says that John the Baptist lived for a long of time in the wilderness on a diet of locusts and honey. the growth of Christianity led to an increased demand for beeswax for church candles.

In Islam, an entire chapter (Surah) in the Qur’an is called an-Nahl (the Bees). According to his teachings (hadith), Muhammad strongly recommended honey for healing purposes. The Qur’an promotes honey as a nutritious and healthy food, saying: “And thy Lord taught the Bee to build its cells in hills, on trees, and in (men’s) habitations; Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colors, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought” [Al-Quran 16:68–69]

In Buddhism, honey plays an important role in the festival of Madhu Purnima, celebrated in India and Bangladesh. The day commemorates Buddha’s making peace among his disciples by retreating into the wilderness. According to legend, while he was there a monkey brought him honey to eat. On Madhu Purnima, Buddhists remember this act by giving honey to monks. The monkey’s gift is frequently depicted in Buddhist art.

The spiritual and supposed therapeutic use of honey in ancient India was documented in both the Vedas and the Ayurveda texts. In Hinduism, honey (Madhu) is one of the five elixirs of life (Panchamrita). In temples, honey is poured over the deities in a ritual called Madhu abhisheka. The Vedas and other ancient literature mention the use of honey as a great medicinal and health food.

As a general rule, use ¾ cup of honey for every one cup of sugar, reduce the liquid in the recipe by 2 tablespoons and lower the oven temperature by 25º Fahrenheit. Drizzle it on top of fruits, yogurts, and more! Also tastes great on bread and on a charcuterie board

Nothing on this website should be taken as medical or legal advice. Please use herbs responsibly. Always consult your doctor before using any kind of supplements.

From our altar to yours, with love from the sea,

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Gender: Male
Element: Fire
Planet: Mars
Zodiac Sign: N/A
Celtic Zodiac/ Date: N/A
Lunar Month: N/A
Tarot: N/A
Rune: N/A
Ogham: N/A
Crystal: N/A
Deities: N/A
Associated Festival: N/A
Chakras: N/A
Birth Month: N/A
Meaning: None
Type: Perennial root vegetable
Grows in Zone: 3-9
Plant for Bees?: No
Natural pesticide?: No
Poisonous/ Toxic: Poisonous to horses.

Horseradish is a root vegetable and a member of the Brassicaceae family, better known as the mustard family. Other common vegetables from this family include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, mustard greens, wasabi, and kale. They’re also known as cruciferous vegetables. The horseradish plant is most often grown for its tapered root, which is large and white. Common names for horseradish include mountain radish, red cole, and Horse Plant.

It is a cylindrical white root with a yellowish brown skin, on average about 1 foot long and ¾ inch diameter.  It is slightly gnarled or ringed, often with small fibrous roots growing from the main root, especially in semi-wild horseradish.  In cultivated varieties the root is unbranched and fairly straight.  The best fresh roots are thick and well grown; thin and insubstantial roots, apart from being hard to use, are inferior in pungency.  It is a member of the same family as mustard and cress and is rich in sulfur.  When intact, the root has little aroma.  On being scraped or broken, it exudes a penetrating smell, similar to watercress, and is known to irritate the nostrils, making the eyes water even more than onions do.

Horseradish has been known and valued by various groups of the peoples through the ages. The plant has been known in cultivation for about two thousand years. Native to the muddy swamplands of southern Europe and western Asia, horseradish was introduced to the rest of Europe in the 13^th century. The ancient name of Britain was Armorica, from which the generic name of this species is derived; the specific name underlines that the plant was grown mainly in the country.  Another thought is that the name is an apparent corruption of the German “meerrettich” (sea radish).  “Meer” is derived from mahre (an old mare), referring to the tough roots. 

The ancient Greeks used it as an aphrodisiac and to ease lower back pain. The Greek Oracle at Delphi told Apollo that the radish was worth its weight in lead, the beet its weight in silver and the horseradish its weight in gold. There is a mural in Pompeii depicting the plant.  It is mentioned by the ancient herbalist Pliny as being good for medicine but not used as food.

During the Middle Ages it was known as ‘scurvy grass’. The English and Germans brewed horseradish ale with tansy and wormwood, and today a horseradish vodka — Referent — is distilled in Wisconsin. It is one of the five bitter herbs (along with coriander, horehound, lettuce, and nettle) used by the Jewish people at the time of the Passover, and later was used to treat TB, coughs, colic and scurvy. in present times, horseradish is still commonly used in the Passover Seder.

It was a favorite condiment with vinegar among the country folk in rustic Germany. Its reputation spread to England and France, where it became known as moutarde des Allemands. The French still eat horseradish, slicing the whole root at the table and salting it. 

In the colonial era it was embraced, started bottling it in 1860, and now about six million gallons per year of prepared horseradish are produced. Henry J. Heinz is believed to have been the first to develop a commercial horseradish product in 1944.

You can buy raw horseradish, which looks similar to the ginger root. You can also buy horseradish as supplements in capsule form and as tinctures and tonics. Dosages of these preparations are likely higher in concentration than you would receive from just increasing horseradish in your diet naturally.

Horseradish storage is similar to ginger. it begins to dry up as soon as it is cut. The best time to consume it is within one or two weeks from purchase date. Once you grate it, it’s best to use it within a few days. Similar to other storage, the longer it sits, the less pungent the flavor will be. Prepared horseradish sauce is usually OK refrigerated for up to three months.

Every part of the plant from root to leaves has medicinal value, but it’s worth seeking out for its nutrition benefits alone. Free-radical fighting vitamin C is abundant in horseradish, so consuming it can fight off signs of aging on the skin, build collagen for healing muscle and bone cells, strengthen immunity and stave off inflammation, heart issues and cancer. It is richer in vitamin C than oranges or lemons. 

Horseradish is rich in calcium, fiber, folate, manganese, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and zinc. The best-researched aspect of horseradish is a component of the plant called sinigrin. Sinigrin can slow the spread of cancer, especially in the liver, through multiple mechanisms at the cellular level. Sinigrin can lessen inflammation and improve atherosclerosis (chronic inflammatory disease) by blocking or altering pro-inflammatory components of the immune system.

Research provides preliminary evidence that it may help invoke cell death in human breast and colon cancer cells, as well as prevent oxidative damage linked to free radicals. Free radicals can do major damage to the body, and consuming higher diets of antioxidant-rich foods can help eliminate or prevent this damage. Horseradish root contains a number of phytocompounds, which are antioxidants that are beneficial to human health.

If you’ve ever cooked with horseradish or chopped it up to use as a condiment, you know that cutting or crushing it releases the pungent odor it’s known for. When the root is damaged, it releases mustard oils, which are made of natural chemical compounds called glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are known to have a variety of biological functions, and that’s where the medicinal value of horseradish comes in.

These chemicals in horseradish’s mustard oil break down inside us into indoles and isothiocyanates, which are said to provide anti-cancer benefits by helping the liver rid itself of cancer-causing substances and even slowing down tumor growth. The processing, or grating, of horseradish breaks it down and helps release enzymes that make it more effective.

It can also act as an antibiotic agent, especially against E. coli bacteria. Sinigrin acts as an anti-fungal agent. It is also an antioxidant, preventing the formation of potentially disease-inducing free radicals. It has even been found to speed wound healing, when used topically.

The vegetables of the Brassicaceae family are classified as goitrogens, which means they can impair thyroid function, especially if they’re eaten raw and in large amounts. They’re perfectly fine for people with normal thyroid function to consume, but those with thyroid disease need to be careful with these vegetables, especially at medicinal levels.

As a health tonic, horseradish helps with digestion on the cellular level, from tongue to stomach to gut. It’s good for sinus trouble, not only for its antibiotic properties but also because of its heat. It helps keep toxins at bay in the bladder and stimulates urine flow to help flush anything out. A vinegar made from it is claimed to treat dandruff, and poultices made from it can help arthritis, muscle aches, and chest congestion.

Because of the antibiotic properties of horseradish, it has been used for many years in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis, sinusitis, cough and the common cold. In a German study, an herbal drug containing the root was tested against conventional antibiotics. The incredible findings showed a comparable result in treating acute sinusitis and bronchitis with the natural extract when compared to conventional treatments. One study in over 1,500 people found that a supplement containing 80 mg of dried horseradish root and 200 mg of nasturtium was as effective as a traditional antibiotic at treating acute sinus infections and bronchitis

The pungent smell of this cruciferous vegetable also helps expel mucus from the upper respiratory system to prevent infection. When taking this root vegetable for sinus problems, it may feel like you are producing excess mucus, but this can actually be beneficial. After a day or two, your body will start to rid itself of waste, which is a major step in preventing infection.

Witch Tip: Arthritis Liniment~ Put 1 cup each of melted paraffin and grated horseradish in the blender.  Blend until liquefied. Rub the affected joint with the mixture and wrap loosely with a flannel cloth.  Leave on overnight. Rinse off the next morning.  Repeat until swelling is gone.  The horseradish liniment should be stored in a tightly closed container at room temperature.

Witch Tip: If your nursing baby has a stuffy nose and can’t nurse well, grate a little horseradish and hold it up to the baby as it tries to suckle. The fumes will quickly clear the nasal passages (and the baby will probably cry for a minute because they are so strong).

Horseradish preparations can also clear lung problems, coughs, and asthma. Try it for such conditions and you will see that it is an immediate and very effective expectorant, cutting mucus and allowing you to eliminate it. Similarly it works well in respiratory ailments related to allergies, such as hayfever. You can make an infusion, sweetened with a little honey, for persistent coughs. When taken with rich food it assists digestion and when a little horseradish is taken regularly it will build up resistance to coughs and colds. 

Witch Tip: Asthma Tea~ add several tablespoons of freshly grated horseradish to 1 cup milk.  Simmer for 10 minutes and strain.  Drink as necessary to obtain relief

Witch Tip: Horseradish honey garlic tea~

1 1-inch piece fresh horseradish, peeled and grated (1/4  cup)
¼ cup honey
2 garlic cloves, smashed, peeled and coarsely chopped
juice of 1 lemon
Put 4 cups water on to boil.  In a blender, combine the horseradish, honey, garlic and 2 Tbsp water. Process until smooth, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides of the blender.  Scrape the puree into a bowl, and pour in the boiling water.  Let it steep for 5 minutes.  Strain into a teapot, and stir in the lemon juice.  Drink hot, inhaling the steam deeply.

Horseradish has long been known as a stimulant for many parts of the circulatory system. It is an important immune stimulate which is used in herbal formulas to increase the number of white blood cells in the bloodstream. It is also a known antioxidant, helping to counteract the bad effects of stress and pollution in the environment. Horseradish is known to be a specific tonic for the spleen and most especially the liver, which it helps to detoxify and stimulate.

Horseradish’s pungency adds a delightful zest to many foods, most commonly red meat and seafood, in the form of classic sauces to accompany them. It should be consumed right after grating. Unless you add vinegar, it will lose its spiciness and vigor quickly.

It has a pungent flavor similar to wasabi root (rhizome), which is also known as Japanese horseradish. Both belong to the same family of plants, and wasabi paste is often even used as a horseradish substitute. Commercial wasabi used in Japanese sushi restaurants is preserved horseradish that is prepared with green food colorings. Real wasabi is a different plant altogether; it is very difficult to grow and too expensive to serve in most restaurants.

Horseradish has a few metaphysical properties as well. Horseradish should be sprinkled around the house, in corners, on the steps outside, and on doorsills.  This will make all evil powers clear out, and will diffuse any spells that may have been set against you.

Grate or grind dried horseradish root and sprinkle over thresholds, corners, and any vulnerable areas to expel evil.

For hex reversals, Grate or grind dried horseradish root and Sprinkle it over your thresholds, corners, windows, and any areas perceived as vulnerable, to reverse any malevolent magic cast against a building’s inhabitants.

It can be used for purification rituals, exorcisms, and to gain courage.

Warning! Please be aware!

Use medicinally with care, as the roots may cause internal inflammation, affect the thyroid gland or, used externally, produce blisters.  Also contraindication with inflammation of the gastric mucosa and with kidney disorders; not to be used by children under 4 years old.  Horseradish is LIKELY UNSAFE in young children when taken by mouth because it can cause digestive tract problems.

It’s LIKELY UNSAFE to take horseradish by mouth in large amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Horseradish contains mustard oil, which can be toxic and irritating. Horseradish tincture is also LIKELY UNSAFE when used regularly or in large amounts because it might cause a miscarriage.

Horseradish can irritate the digestive tract. Don’t use horseradish if you have stomach or intestinal ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or other digestive tract conditions. There is concern that using horseradish might make underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) worse. Talk to your doctor if you have hypothyroidism before taking horseradish.

There is concern that horseradish might increase urine flow. This could be a problem for people with kidney disorders. Avoid using horseradish if you have kidney problems. These concerns are based upon therapeutic use and may not be relevant to its consumption as a spice.

Use level: Moderate

Nothing on this website should be taken as medical or legal advice. Please use herbs responsibly. Always consult your doctor before using any kind of supplements.

From our altar to yours, with love from the sea,

Click here for an Index to all posts

This particular plant was requested specifically by a friend. He is already aware of quite a few of the health benefits of burdock but was interested in more of the other medicinal and metaphysical properties of this versatile and healing plant.

Burdock

Arctium lappa

Gender: Masculine (despite having many feminine qualities)
Element: Water, earth
Planet: Venus, Saturn
Zodiac Sign: Libra, Sagittarius, Taurus
Celtic Zodiac/ Date: N/A
Lunar Month:  N/A
Tarot: N/A
Rune: N/A
Ogham: N/A
Crystal: N/A
Deities: N/A
Associated Festival: N/A
Chakras: N/A
Birth Month: N/A
Meaning: Cleansing and protection
Type: Biennial (taking 2 years to complete a biological cycle) weed
Grows in Zone: 2-10
Plant for Bees?: Yes
Natural pesticide?: No
Poisonous/ Toxic: No

Burdock, also known as Fox’s Clote, Bat Root, Thorny Burr, Love leaves, and Beggar’s Buttons—referring to the bright round flowers—are folkloric names for the same plant. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, Burdock has been an ingredient in medicinal and brewing recipes since at least medieval times. (It was used as a bittering agent in beer before the widespread adoption of hops.) Eventually, this persistent Old World herb spread to North America where it was foraged as a folk medicine and occasional food source. American conjurers and rootworkers adopted Burdock into their magical pantries and elevated its status as a Witch’s herb. 

The name Arctium is derived from the Greek arctos, “bear” Lappa is from the Greek “to seize”, and llap is from the Celtic for “Hand”. The word Dock in its common name refers to its large leaves and Burr is from the Latin Burra which means “Wool” alluding to the fruit’s tendency to get caught in fur or wool of passing animals.

It is said that George de Mestral, the Swiss inventor of Velcro, got the idea after examining the fruit of a burdock plant that had stuck to his dog’s fur.

They are generally large, coarse and ovate, with the lower ones being heart-shaped. They are woolly underneath. The leafstalks are generally hollow. Arctium species generally flower from July through to October. Burdock flowers provide essential pollen and nectar for honeybees around August when clover is on the wane and before the goldenrod starts to bloom.

Burdock has many culinary and health benefits. There are about ten types of burdock, but only two are commonly cultivated. Once you can identify burdock, you’ll see it everywhere. If you have seen gobo root in the grocery store, that is actually just another name for burdock. Gobo comes from Japanese cuisine where both the burdock leaves, roots, and stems are used extensively. You can eat the roots boiled, sautéed or roasted. Burdock has a large, edible taproot that is earthy and slightly bitter (think lotus root, turnip, or wild carrot). You’ll often find burdock leaves in Japanese cuisine and Native Americans use the dried roots in winter stews. Burdock has very large waxy leaves, reminiscent of rhubarb and you can use the leaves like spinach. The lowermost leaves are heart-shaped, sometimes over a foot long and downy on the underneath, giving them a silvery appearance.

A native of Eurasia, especially England and Scotland, and an invasive weed in the United States, Burdock grows in moist waste places, ditches, and roadsides. the basal rosette of leaves stays close to the ground the first year, and the second year sends up a central flower stalk. It can grow 3-7 feet high the second year.

Health-wise, burdock has a very large list of benefits to the human body. From detoxification to skin problems to cholesterol, the list is quite long. One of the reasons burdock root is so full of minerals is because of the depth at which the wild plant grows.  It has antibiotic and antifungal properties and is an effective healer for cold sores, ringworm, and athlete’s foot. This powerful plant is great for speeding recovery from infections such as mumps, measles, and chickenpox. It is alkalizing and mineral rich. Because of this, it is very beneficial for stimulating healthy hair growth.

Witch Tip: Burdock can be added to shampoos or hair rinses for dandruff and itchy scalp. Some people experience dermatitis from topical exposure to burdock. Check for allergies by placing a bit of Burdock extract in a small area and wait 24 hours before using it to treat larger areas.

Witch Tip: Lightly steam the leaves and then apply as a poultice to draw out infection of cuts and skin damage.

Burdock also helps to detoxify the blood. It removes toxins from the bloodstream through the respiratory, urinary, and lymphatic systems. This promotes blood circulation to skin surfaces, improving skin texture and mitigating conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, boils, and abscesses.

Witch Tip: Grind burdock root into a powder and mix into your facial cream to help treat acne.

It is also known to help reduce cholesterol. Burdock root contains inulin, which has been shown to reduce cholesterol. People who take burdock root have been shown to have improved lipid profiles. 

This plant also helps lower blood glucose levels. Once again, the natural inulin content of the root is useful in helping to control blood sugar levels. Burdock can also help prevent the occurrence of high blood pressure as well as help to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack if taken regularly.

Witch Tip: Create a decoction of 1-ounce herb to 1 ½ pint of water, boiled down to a pint, one teacupful per day as a blood purifier and for scurvy, boils, and rheumatic afflictions. Use the same decoction externally as a wash for ulcers and scaly skin disorders. A poultice of the leaves can be applied to bruises and swellings as well.

Not only is burdock good for heart health, it is also beneficial to liver health. An overloaded liver results in toxins being stored in the body. Burdock root increases bile production which cleanses the liver and helps it to function more efficiently. Burdock has also been known to provide antioxidant support. Burdock root consists of effective antioxidants including quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids, which protect healthy cells from harmful effects of free radicals.

Burdock has also been found to help improve digestive health. The mucilage in burdock root aids and eases digestion, and can soothe inflammation in the digestive tract itself. Its inulin content aids in digestion, promotes easy bowel movements, and the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestines. It also re-establishes healthy bacteria in the gut after antibiotics.

Along with digestive health, burdock also helps relieve water retention. It is a mild natural diuretic which is great for keeping your weight under control during periods of water retention. Along with relieving water retention, it has been shown to aid in weight loss in general. Burdock root’s cleansing effects speed up metabolism and improve nutrient absorption and energy usage. If you are trying to eat healthier, burdock root can reduce sweet cravings, enabling you to make better food choices.

Witch Tip: An infusion of the leaves is good for indigestion, especially in people who suffer often.

Burdock is a bitter tonic that is digestive, cleansing, and purifying. The cleansing action of burdock helps to clear your head and increase your concentration

Witch Tip: For a mental or concentration boost, make tea with the leaves.

Metaphysically, burdock can be used for protection from negative thoughts and negative people and to cleanse negativity. Burdock is burned in incenses used for protection. The roots of the flower can also be gathered at the time of the dark moon, dried, and cut into small pieces, before being hung from red thread as a protective amulet.

Witch Tip: The root can be carved into a figure, dried and carried or worn as a protective amulet.

It is also great for use in persistence, counter-magic, healing, and male potency. Burdock is employed mainly for cleansing and protective magic. Like many witchy herbs, its magical functions appear to be connected to its history as a medicinal plant. Burdock is a natural diuretic reputed to cleanse the urine and purify the blood—hence, its use in formulas to “flush out” negativity.

A persistent, robust plant, 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.

Witch Tip: Much like bay, write wishes on Burdock leaves and burn them to make them come true.

Witch Tip: Incorporate Burdock root into spells for warding, hex-breaking, and good fortune. A Protective Mojo can be made by carrying BURDOCK ROOT in a white bag with protective herbs such as Rue, Agrimony, and Black Snake Root to keep off jinxes. 

Another aspect of Burdock is as an herb of health and sexual potency. Its, long phallic taproot may have something to do with the latter—although Burdock extract has indeed been shown to increase sexual behavior in rats.) It’s not unusual to see Burdock mentioned in charms for prosperity, vitality, and virility.

Ginger and burdock Olive Oil

This homemade herbal olive oil is highly aromatic and tastes great! Make this olive oil as an accompaniment to your meals to give you a daily boost of concentration. To make this herbal pick me up, which works great on your whole system and gives you a welcome energy boost, you will need:

• 1 bottle cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
• ½ inch section of ginger
• Sprig of burdock

First, finely chop the ½ inch section of ginger and the sprig of burdock, which should include both the twig and leaves. Open the bottle of cold pressed olive oil and add the ginger and burdock to it. Replace the cap and shake well. Allow the oil to infuse for a week, then use on salads and in cooking to give your concentration a regular boost. Or you can put all of the ingredients into a very pretty bottle and gift it as a present for a loved one.

Burdock is generally regarded as safe. However, certain people should not take Burdock root internally without medical supervision: Pregnant women, people with allergies to Asteraceae family plants, and people who are already taking medication/supplements to increase urine flow or to lower blood sugar.

Use level: Easy

Nothing on this website should be taken as medical or legal advice. Please use herbs responsibly. Always consult your doctor before using any kind of supplements.

From our altar to yours, with love from the sea,