Sweet Cicely - Myrrhis odorata (Umbelliferae)
(Myrrh)
Description: Bushy perennial with thick taproot and hollow grooved stems that grows up to 5 ft. Bright green and hairy sweetly scented leaves are soft and ferny. Umbels of small white flowers appear in summer followed by dark brown sharp-tipped seeds.
Uses: Use leaves dried or fresh, seeds while still green or dried, roots dug up in fall, or whole green plant for medicinal purposes. Whole plant is gentle laxative and used in healing ointments.
Infusion: Used to prepare more delicate parts of plants. 3 cups of water to 1 ounce dry herb or 1½ ounce of fresh herbs; pour the freshly boiled water over herbs in a pot, cover the pot and let the herbs steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain and serve. Refrigerate unused portions, lasts up to 24 hours.
Decoction: used to prepare barks, roots and berries 4 cups of water to 1 ounce dry herb or 2 ounces fresh herb; finely chop herbs in a pan and cover with the water (which should be cold). Bring this mixture to a boil, cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Then strain the liquid off and press as much of the remaining liquid out of the herbs as possible. Refrigerate unused portions, lasts up to 2 weeks.
Tincture: A tincture is a good solution for long term treatment as will store for up to two years. 8 ounces of dried herb, 1½ cups of alcohol (grain alcohol like Everclear), and 4 cups of water; Chop your herbs up finely and put them in a glass jar with a good tight fitting lid. Pour the liquid over the herbs and tighten the lid. Keep the jar in a warm, dark place for 2 weeks. Shake the jar every two days. After the two weeks, strain the liquid off through cheesecloth into a clean colored glass jar and store away from heat and direct sunlight.
Medicinal uses: gentle laxative, tonic
Used in spells relating to: Protection, Exorcism, Healing, Spirituality.
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