Witch Doctor In The House: 
Herbs Medicinal & Magickal This Autumn

"On August three, we shall see, what the coming winter, it will be." - Anonymous

Many of us have learned this wonderful expression at some time in our life.  This is a useful rhyme from days gone by that helps us to prepare for the coming winter.  What does that really mean?  Let's begin to understand by taking a look at our own year.  

This year, August 3rd has come and gone.  Judging by the weather that day, we know that our winter will be wet and cold (as the Farmer's Almanac or any experienced farmer can tell us).  Hence, we can prepare for warding off the ailments associated with a wet and cold winter by stocking up on herbs both medicinal and magical.

Unlike our ancestors, we can go the local stores and buy herbs all year long.  As a society, we have gotten away from preventative medicine and have started treating symptomatically.  Now it is time to get back to our “roots” through preventative medicinal herbs and to empower ourselves by utilizing herbs magically!

In order to keep the colds and flues of the winter away, we need to make sure that we have warming, antibacterial, antiviral herbs added to our soups; this helps keep our families and ourselves healthy.   I've chosen five edibles that can help all of us do just that.

GARLIC
Garlic is not only a wonderful addition to all foods, it is an immune tonic.  Allium sativum, its formal name, garlic is antibacterial against the gram positive and negative bacteria that cause our common cold.  It has been shown to be more effective than the antibiotic tetracycline.  As our Strega sisters know, this staple should be added to all your foods for its anti-tumor and cancer prevention properties.  Garlic increases the immune system through the activation of macrophages (the soldiers of the white blood cells) and natural killer cells. Garlic can be added to any food, eaten raw, or cooked in any fashion.  It has even been added to ice cream! 

Magically, braided garlic guards against evil spirits and repels thieves.  It helps to keep away the envious, especially those that wish you harm. It protects against vampires and all others who wish to “suck away your energy”.  It is a wonderful herb to add in the blessing of a new home.

THYME
Thyme is a warming herb that is excellent for the moist lung conditions that accompany the winter months.  It also aids in generally cleaning the lungs.  The essential oil has been proven as an antibacterial agent against a wide variety of organisms including Tuberculosis.  Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is also an antioxidant, boosting immune function and fighting the toxins that we encounter in our environment.

Magically, thyme is house-blessing herb. When used as incense it brings good health through the clearing of the lungs. It will bring strength to those who carry it while they walk.  It can be placed near the bed or into a dream catcher to ward off nightmares.  It also has been known to enhance psychic powers. 

APPLES
Now is the season for apples.  We have all heard the saying An apple a day keeps the doctor away.  But why is this so?  Apples are one of the few fruits that contain natural sugar yet due to properties in the skin of the apple, the fruit actually keeps blood sugar from spiking.   Apples cleanse the liver and aid in normal, natural bile secretions. The pectin in the skin reduces the size of gallstones.  When peeled, raw apples help with diarrhea.  Cooked, they act as a laxative.  Eating raw apples helps tonify the gums and keeps your teeth strong.  Apple cider will help keep natural flora and reduce candida, reduce stomach acidity, relieve gas and helps the kidneys function. 

Is there any thing that the Goddess has not provided in this wonderful whole fruit to maintain our health and boost our immune system as we enter into the cold months? Magically, apples are symbols of life and immortality.  Traditionally, they are offered to the dead.  On Samhain they are buried as food for those who are waiting to be reborn.  Cutting this wonderful fruit in half, across its belly, shows the natural pentagram, identifying the apple as a fruit sacred to the Goddess.  Display a cut apple (with the star revealed) in your home and you are identifying  yourself as wise woman. Add these slices to your wreaths to protect your home and let your sisters and brothers in the Craft know you are of like mind.

CINNAMON
By adding cinnamon to our apples, not only do we enhance the flavor, we add a warming agent to heat us from the inside out. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) also helps the body uptake insulin at the periphery of our body, our hands and feet.  It aids in repairing the damage from diabetes or hyperglucosemia in the fingers and toes.  It also helps to warm the joints. This warming herb increases blood flow throughout the body also, so add it to your ciders and pies to increase your personal warmth.

Magically, cinnamon is a hot herb that should be added to your lust and desire spells. It gives you the spice of life through desire and lust for the significant others in your life.  It is an energizing herb that will give you that boost in the morning; sprinkle it on toast or in your coffee!  It also helps with protection and health.  As cinnamon also has antidepressant properties, with the cold bleak winter months ahead, burn cinnamon candles to keep your spirits high.

GINGER
Ginger is a unique herb that is used in both sweet and savory preparations.  It is a warming herb that is important in aiding digestion.  Ginger (Zingiber officianle)  decreases gas and that “bubbling feeling” in your stomach called borborygmus.  It will decrease stomach and intestinal spasms as well as the spasms of menses.  It helps to warm the body in acute colds and is especially good for children.  Old fashioned ginger ale actually contained ginger and you can now find this wonderful remedy in natural health food stores.  Ginger is also wonderful for motion sickness, car sickness, and nausea associated with pregnancy.  Add this herb to soups, cookies, pies and stews.  Make your own ginger ale by adding this herb to sparkling water; sweeten to taste with stevia.

Magically, ginger enhances all spells.  It is especially effective in enhancing love spells as this is a “hot and spicy” herb.

As we prepare for Autumn to lead into the cold winter season, I encourage readers to enhance your health and your life with these wonderful herbs and edibles.  Enjoy your wonderful soups with garlic and thyme, drink cider with cinnamon on Samhain and add ginger to your pumpkin pies.  Blessings to you all.   - Dr. Heather

SOURCES
Sources of information for this article came from Dr. Heather's formal education and  training as a Doctor of Chiropractic and her training for Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Magical information has been referenced from A Druids Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year by Ellen Evert Hopman and from members of her coven.