Post by sam on Feb 22, 2006 5:51:27 GMT -5
The Magical and Medicinal properties of Holly by Samantha Ward.
Also known as: Aquifolius, Bat’s Wings, Holy Tree, Holm Chaste, Hulm, Hulver Bush and Tinne.
Holly is an evergreen tree which can reach the height of 30 foot and can be found growing along hedgerows and in the wild and especially in my back garden. There is both a female and a male of this tree with only the female producing the red berries. From May to June small white flowers appear in clusters, developing on the female tree into pea-sized, red, berry-like drupes which remain through the winter. The holly tree is one of the sacred trees of Wicca/Witchcraft buts its most common association is as a Christmas/Yule decoration. The custom of decorating the home with holly has been credited to the Druids who decorated their huts with evergreens during winter as an abode for the spirits of the woodlands. The early Christians then adopted the custom from them.
Holly has been used to treat gout, kidney stones, urinary problems, chronic bronchitis, rheumatism and arthritis. A liquid tonic made by soaking the leaves over night in water before briefly boiling the solution for use as a tea was said to act as a cough syrup and to have many medicinal properties in preventing the common cold. The juice of the fresh leaves is said to stop a runny nose if sniffed and were soaked in vinegar and left for 24 hours, it was used to cure corns. An old remedy for chilblains was to thrash them with a branch of holly to “chase the chills out”, but this, as you can imagine, was very painful. Basically the only medicinal part of the holly tree is the leaves and stay clear of the berries, they are mildly poisonous and are dangerous to small children.
In ritual use holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter. The holly has always been associated with mid-winter festivals and was used in old Celtic traditions for celebrating the Sun Gods birth at the Winter Solstice. It is a masculine plant and is associated with the planet Mars and the element of Fire. It is an excellent protective herb and guards against lightning, poison and evil spirits. If you plant it around your home it will protect you from negativity sent from others and if you hang it in the house it will bring good luck, this is the same if it is carried on the person. Holly leaves, wrapped in a cloth to prevent the needles from sticking into you head, placed under your pillow will make your dreams come true. tall.
Also known as: Aquifolius, Bat’s Wings, Holy Tree, Holm Chaste, Hulm, Hulver Bush and Tinne.
Holly is an evergreen tree which can reach the height of 30 foot and can be found growing along hedgerows and in the wild and especially in my back garden. There is both a female and a male of this tree with only the female producing the red berries. From May to June small white flowers appear in clusters, developing on the female tree into pea-sized, red, berry-like drupes which remain through the winter. The holly tree is one of the sacred trees of Wicca/Witchcraft buts its most common association is as a Christmas/Yule decoration. The custom of decorating the home with holly has been credited to the Druids who decorated their huts with evergreens during winter as an abode for the spirits of the woodlands. The early Christians then adopted the custom from them.
Holly has been used to treat gout, kidney stones, urinary problems, chronic bronchitis, rheumatism and arthritis. A liquid tonic made by soaking the leaves over night in water before briefly boiling the solution for use as a tea was said to act as a cough syrup and to have many medicinal properties in preventing the common cold. The juice of the fresh leaves is said to stop a runny nose if sniffed and were soaked in vinegar and left for 24 hours, it was used to cure corns. An old remedy for chilblains was to thrash them with a branch of holly to “chase the chills out”, but this, as you can imagine, was very painful. Basically the only medicinal part of the holly tree is the leaves and stay clear of the berries, they are mildly poisonous and are dangerous to small children.
In ritual use holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter. The holly has always been associated with mid-winter festivals and was used in old Celtic traditions for celebrating the Sun Gods birth at the Winter Solstice. It is a masculine plant and is associated with the planet Mars and the element of Fire. It is an excellent protective herb and guards against lightning, poison and evil spirits. If you plant it around your home it will protect you from negativity sent from others and if you hang it in the house it will bring good luck, this is the same if it is carried on the person. Holly leaves, wrapped in a cloth to prevent the needles from sticking into you head, placed under your pillow will make your dreams come true. tall.