Althaea officinalis
Artemisia vulgaris
Atropa mandragora
Calendula officinalis
Calendula
Cheeses
Felon Herb
Golds
Knotted Marjoram
Mallards
Mandragora
Mandrake
Marjoram
Marigold
Marshmallow
Marygold
Mary Gowles
Mauls
Mugwort
Occulus Christi
Origanum marjorana
Pot Marigold
Ruddes
St. John's plant
Satan's Apple
Sweet Marjoram
Mandrake Atropa mandragora
aka: Mandragora, Satan's Apple
Mandrake is native to Europe. It has a very large brown root, similar to that of
a parsnip, running up to 4 feet deep, usually single but sometimes divided into
2-3 branches. From the crown of the root, several large dark-green leaves rise,
standing erect at first, but that later spread out on the ground. The leaves can
be over a foot long and 5 inches wide. The flowers are on a separate stalk,
about 4 inches high, bell shaped, and white, often tinted with purple. The fruit
is round and about the size of an apple, deep yellow when ripe, and with an
apple like scent. The whole herb is used medicinally.
Medicinal: Mandrake is a very strong gland stimulant. It is used to treat skin
problems, digestion, and chronic liver diseases. It is most often combined with
other herbs. It is very powerful and should be used with caution, as well as in
very small small dosages. Pregnant women should not use this herb. It is
potentially very toxic to anyone if improperly used. Do not use this herb
without the proper guidance from a professional! The leaves have been used in
ointments and external applications. The fresh root is an emetic and is
purgative. The dried bark of the root has also been used also as a rough emetic.
It has been used for melancholy, convulsions, rheumatic pains and scrofulous
tumours. They mostly employed the bark of the root, either expressing the juice
or infusing it in wine or water. The root finely scraped into a pulp and mixed
with brandy was said to be efficacious in chronic rheumatism.
A tincture is used in homoeopathy to-day, made from the fresh plant.
Magical: Mandrake is used in the home as a powerful protection. It is carried to
promote conception, and men carry it to promote fertility and cure impotency.
Growing: Mandrake can be propagated by seeds, sown upon a bed of light earth,
soon after they are ripe, when they are more sure to come up than if the sowing
is left to the spring.
When the plants come up in the spring, they must be kept well watered through
the summer and kept free from weeds. At the end of August they should be taken
up carefully and transplanted where they are to remain. The soil should be light
and deep, as the roots run far down - if too wet, they will rot in winter, if
too near chalk or gravel, they will make little progress. Where the soil is good
and they are not disturbed, these plants will grow to a large size in a few
years, and will produce great quantities of flowers and fruit.
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Marigold Calendula officinalis
aka: Calendula, Golds, Marygold, Mary Gowles, Occulus Christi, Pot Marigold,
Ruddes
The leaves and flowers are used medicinally. Marigold has pale green leaves and
golden orange leaves. It is well known by most people and is often planted
around houses for color. Other colors of blooms are available, but only the deep
orange colored varieties are used medicinally.
Medicinal: Marigold is a great first aid remedy. It relieves headaches,
earaches, and reduces fevers. It is excellent for the heart and for the
circulation. It is also used externally to heal wounds and bruises.
Magical: Fresh marigolds in any room heightens the energy within. Placed under
the pillow before bed, it induces clairvoyancy. Planted in rows with tomatoes,
it will keep pests from them and other vegetables. Planted near the porch/deck,
it will keep mosquitoes away. It is also used to attract and see the fairies.
Scattered under the bed, they protect during sleep. Add to bath water to win the
respect of everyone you meet. arigold is chiefly used as a local remedy. Its
action is stimulant and diaphoretic. Given internally, it assists local action
and prevents suppuration. The infusion of 1 ounce to a pint of boiling water is
given internally, in doses of a tablespoonful, and externally as a local
application. It is useful in chronic ulcer, varicose veins, etc. Was considered
formerly to have much value as an aperient and detergent in visceral
obstructions and jaundice. An infusion of fresh flowser is used for fevers as it
promotes perspiration. A decoction has been used for smallpox and measles. The
leaves have been eaten as a salad green. The flowers can be boiled for a yellow
dye.
Growing: Marigold is an annual plant that comes in many sizes and colors. It is
adaptable to many soils. Give plenty of water and full sun. Marigolds are native
to Europe and grow well in the US. The seeds are sown in April, in any soil, in
sunny or partly sunny locations. Except for regular weeding, they require no
special care.
Gathering: Gather only in fine weather, in the morning, after the dew has been
dried by the sun. Flowers. - The ray florets are used and need quick drying in
the shade, in a good current of warm air, spread out on sheets of paper,
loosely, without touching each other, or they will become discolored.
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Marjoram Origanum marjorana
aka: Knotted Marjoram, Sweet Marjoram
Marjoram is a native to Portugal and will grow for years in warm climates. It
cannot survive harsh winters. It blooms in July. The herb and leaves are the
parts used medicinally.
Medicinal: Marjoram is useful for treating asthma, coughs, and is used to
strengthen the stomach and intestines, as well as used with other herbs for
headaches. The oil has been used for sprains, bruises, etc, and it has
emmenogoguic in nature.
Magical: Marjoram should be added to all love charms and sachets. A bit in each
room will aid in protection of the home. If given to a grieving or depressed
person, it will bring them happiness.
Growing: Marjoram is a perennial herb Growing 1 - 3 feet tall. It likes all
kinds of soils, and prefers full sun and rich soil. It is grown as an annual or
wintered indoors in cold regions.
Growing: Seeds can be planted in March or grown in a hot bed/hot house, and
transplanted in April. The seeds take a long time to germinate. Seeds should be
planted 9" apart. After clipping the leaves, Marjoram should be dried in the
shade.
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Marshmallow Althaea officinalis
aka: Cheeses, Mallards, Mauls
Marshmallow is native to Europe. The stems are erect, 3-4 feet high, simple,
with roundish ovate leaves, 3" long and about 1 1/4" wide. They can have 3-5
slight lobes. Leaves are soft and velvety on both sides. Common Mallow is
commonly called "marshmallow", though it is a different, but very similar,
species with similar traits. The roots are long and tough, whitish yellow
outside, white and very fibrous inside. The mallows have been and can be used
for food. The leaves, roots, and flowers are used medicinally. Leaves are
usually picked in August, in the morning after any dew has dried off. Hollyhocks
are a species of mallow.
Medicinal: Marshmallow aids in the expectoration of difficult mucous and phlegm.
It helps to relax and soothe the bronchial tubes, making it valuable for all
lung ailments. It is an anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory for joints and the
digestive system. It is often used externally with cayenne to treat blood
poisoning, burns, and gangrene.
The great demulcent and emollient properties of Marsh Mallow make it useful in
inflammation and irritation of the alimentary canal, and of the urinary and
respiratory organs. The dry roots boiled in water give out half their weight of
a gummy matter like starch. Decoctions of the plant, especially of the root, are
very useful where the natural mucus has been abraded from the coats of the
intestines, The decoction can be made by adding 5 pints of water to 1/4 lb. of
dried root, boiling down to 3 pints and straining: it should not be made too
thick and viscid. It is excellent in painful complaints of the urinary organs,
exerting a relaxing effect upon the passages, as well as acting curatively. This
decoction is also effective in curing bruises, sprains or any ache in the
muscles or sinews. In haemorrhage from the urinary organs and in dysentery, it
has been recommended to use the powdered root boiled in milk. The action of
Marsh Mallow root upon the bowels is unaccompanied by any astringency.
Boiled in wine or milk, Marsh Mallow will relieve diseases of the chest,
constituting a popular remedy for coughs, bronchitis, whooping-cough, etc.,
generally in combination with other remedies. It is frequently given in the form
of a syrup, which is best adapted to infants and children.
An infusion of 1 OZ. of leaves to a pint of boiling water can be taken in
wineglassful doses. This infusion is good for bathing inflamed eyes.
he flowers, boiled in oil and water, with a little honey and alum, have proved
good as a gargle for sore throats.
Growing: Marshmallow needs marshes and swamps to grow. It is a perennial Growing
to 4 feet tall. It can be grown from seed, or from root division. Plant 2 feet
apart. It is tolerant of dry soil, but grows better in moist soil.
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Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris
aka: Felon Herb, St. John's plant
Mugwort grows abundantly in England. It is tall, the angular stems often looking
a little purplish. It can grow 3 feet high. The leaves are smooth and dark
green, covered with small hairs on the bottoms. The flowers are small, reddish
or yellow. The leaves and roots are used medicinally. The leaves are collected
in August and dried in the same manner as Wormwood, and the root, dug in autumn
and dried. The roots are cleansed in cold water and then freed from rootlets.
Drying may be done at first in the open air, spread thinly, as contact may turn
the roots moldy.
Medicinal: Mugwort is used in all conditions dealing with nervousness, shaking,
and insomnia. It is used to help induce menses, especially combined with cramp
bark. Often used to stimulate the liver and as a digestive aid. It should not be
used by pregant women. It has stimulant and slightly tonic properties, and is of
value as a nervine and emmenagogue, having also diuretic and diaphoretic action.
Its chief employment is as an emmenagogue, often in combination with Pennyroyal
and Southernwood. It is also useful as a diaphoretic in the commencement of
cold.
It is given in infusion, which should be prepared in a covered vessel, 1 OZ. of
the herb to 1 pint of boiling water, and given in 1/2 teaspoonful doses, while
warm. The infusion may be taken cold as a tonic, in similar doses, three times
daily: it has a bitterish and aromatic taste.
As a nervine, Mugwort is valued in palsy, fits, epileptic and similar
affections, being an old-fashioned popular remedy for epilepsy (especially in
persons of a feeble constitution).