|
ARTEMISIAS
Artemisia species Compositae ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Artemisia was the sister and wife of King Mausolus and ruled after his death in 353 BC. She was also a botanist and researcher, and this genus of 200 plants was named for her. The medicinal
values of artemisias were discovered by people living in semi-arid and temperate
regions where the plants are found. In the ancient Greek text of Dioscorides,
wormwood is mentioned for its internal worm-expelling property. The Chinese still
use Mugwort (the species A. vulgaris), though less aromatic and less attractive than other artemisias, features in the magical lore of Europe, Asia and China. In the pre-Christian "Lay of the Nine Herbs," the first incantation for protection is to mugwort, who is called the "mother of herbs." Have in mind, Mugwort, what you made known, What you laid down, at the great denouncing. Una your name is, oldest of herbs, Of might against thirty, and against three, Of might against venom and the onflying, Of might against the vile She who fares through the land. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Lifespan Most are hardy deciduous subshrubs. Height 2 - 4 feet Wormwood A. absinthium The most bitter herb except rue. A.a 'Lambrooke Silver' has more silvery leaves. Stem Aromatic, downy, ridged and gray-green. Dried Leaves These retain their aroma. Both leaves and flowering tops have medicinal and household uses. Seed Tiny, taupe color, tear-shaped; contained in slightly flattened, gray, cylindrical fruit. Leaf Aromatic, deeply indented and gray-green, covered with fine silky hairs. Southernwood/Old Man A. abrotanum The sweetest perennial artemisia with its hint of lemon - evocative of childhood gardens. Stem Slightly ridged and green when young; smooth, woody and tan when mature. Leaf Aromatic, threadlike, gray-green and semi-evergreen. Dried Leaves Use as a sweet-scented insect repellent and in potpourri. Mugwort A. vulgaris Leaf Indented and mid-green, with dense, cottony silver underside. Stem Slightly hairy, ridged, reddish and herbaceous. Roman Wormwood A. pontica Spreading root and strongly aromatic, feathery silver foliage. Used to flavor vermouth. A. campestris subsp. borealis (A. canadensis) Delicate, silver, filamentlike, semi-evergreen leaves with weak scent. A. pedemontana (A. lanata) Tufted, 4 - inch high, mat-forming evergreen clumps with silky, finely cut, silver leaves. Tree Artemisia A. arborescens Half hardy, with finely cut, tufted, semi-evergreen silky foliage. Ht: 3 1/2 Feet. White Mugwort A. lactiflora Herbaceous form with plumes of fragrant cream flowers in late summer and deeply cut mid-green leaves, 6 inches long. Ht: 5 feet. Silver Queen Artemisia A. ludoviciana 'Silver Queen' Herbaceous; spreading rootstalk and willowlike, very silvery leaves. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ USES Decorative LEAF Pick all silver forms for bouquets, wreaths and nosegays. (Southernwood) Plant for a neat hedge. Culinary LEAF (Mugwort) Use in stuffings for roast goose and other poultry. Household LEAF Powder or infuse to make a moth repellent. Deter onion and carrot fly with branches laid between onion and carrot rows. Infuse to make a strong domestic disinfectant. Grow southernwood or wormwood near cabbages to deter cabbage butterfly, and near fruit trees to deter fruit tree moth. Medicinal LEAF (Southernwood) Infuse as a tea for a general tonic.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ SOUTHERNWOOD Other Names Appleringie, Boy's Love, Garde Robe, The Lover's Plant, Old-Man, Lad's Love, Maid's Ruin Gender Masculine Magical Uses Southernwood is used in love spells, either carried or placed in the bedroom. sometimes southernwood is placed beneath the bed to rouse lust in its occupants. Burned as an incense southernwood guards against trouble of all kinds, and teh smoke drives away snakes. Element Air Planet Mercury Powers Love, Lust, Protection ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ WORMWOOD Other Names Absinthe, Old Woman, Crown for a King, Madderwort, Wormot Gender Masculine ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Magical Uses Wormwood is burned
in incenses designed to aid in developing psychic powers, and is also Wormwood is also
sometimes used in love infusions, probably because it was once made Wormwood is also
burned to summon spirits. It is sometimes mixed with sandalwood for this Element Fire Planet Mars Powers Psychic Powers, Protection, Love, Calling Spirits Deity Iris, Diana, Artemis ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ MUGWORT Other Names Artemis Herb, Artemisia,
Felon Herb, Muggons, Naughty Man, Old Man, Old Uncle Henry, Gender Feminine Planet Venus Element Earth Deities Artemis, Diana Powers Strength, Psychic Powers, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Astral Projection Magical Uses Place mugwort in
the shoes to gain strength during long walks or runs. For this purpose "Tollam te artemesia, ne lassus sim in via." A pillow stuffed with mugwort and slept upon will produce prophetic dreams. Mugwort is also burned with sandalwood or wormwood during scrying rituals, and a mugwort infusion is drunk (sweetened with honey) before divination. The infusion is also used to wash crystal balls and magic mirrors, and mugwort leaves are placed around the base of the ball (or beneath it) to aid in psychic workings. When carrying mugwort you cannot be harmed by poison, wild beasts, or sunstroke, according to ancient tradition. In a building, mugwort prevents elves and "evil thynges" from entering, and bunches of mugwort are used in Japan by the Ainus to exorcise spirits of disease who are thought to hate the odor. In China, it is hung over doors to keep evil spirits from buildings. Mugwort is also carried to increase lust and fertility, to prevent backache, and to cure disease and madness. Placed next to the bed, it aids in achieving astral projection. |
bravenet.com