Book of Shadows pt. 1

Tips and Tricks: Healing Companions

Many of us feel our natural magic rising as Summer bleeds into Autumn and Winter. But while our power grows, so does the cold. In light of this, here is a list of winter sicknesses you can use your magic to fight against! I have used the majority of recipes on this list and they have all worked well for me, especially using the rosemary tincture! (Sidenote; These tips should not be used to replace proper medical care. Make sure you aren't allergic to any of the ingredients before consuming and consult with a doctor on what you can take if pregnant, taking other medication or elderly.)

Salt Water; Add a few spoonfuls of salt to a cup of water and gargle it at the back of your throat twice a day to treat a sore throat. (make sure you don't swallow it!)Elderflower Nasal Wash; Get a cup of boiling water and add a teaspoon of salt along with 2 sprigs of elderflower. Sniff through each nostril in turn twice a day to treat a blocked nose.Homemade Cough Syrup; Slice an onion and place in a bowl, along with peppermint or lavender if you have it. Cover with honey and leave overnight. Separate the liquid from the ingredients and take 3 tablespoons a day to treat common cold symptoms .Apple Cider Vinegar Compress; Add half a cup of cider vinegar to a bowl and top off with boiling water. Leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Soak a cloth in the mixture and lie down for 15 minutes with the cloth on your throat to treat a sore throat.Rosemary Tincture; fill a bottle or jar halfway with dried rosemary then fill to the brim with vodka. Leave to settle for two to three weeks. Used externally to treat muscle ache, headaches, hair loss and sciatica. Can be used internally for common cold symptoms and countless other things, research it. Pretty much the white candle of herbal tinctures.Nettle Tea; Make sure you wear thick gloves while handling nettles. Collect a handful of young nettle tops. Place in a cup, pour boiling water in. Place a plate on top and leave to infuse for 15 minutes. Strain and drink while warm. For common cold, menstruation pain, inflammation and nausea. A nettle soup recipe can also be found here Garlic Syrup; Peel and crush cloves of garlic. The ratio for this is 8 cloves of garlic to 10 tablespoons of honey, so make as much as you need. Add both into a jar and leave to stand for a week. Take 4 tablespoons twice a day for a lung infection.Mustard Foot Bath grind 1 inch piece of ginger to a paste, add a cup of hot water to it and set it aside. Grind 2 tablespoons of mustard to a fine powder. Heat enough water to dunk your feet into in a pan and when it gets warm turn it off, do not let it boil or get too hot. Add the mustard and ginger to the pan. Mix it well then strain off any excess materials and pour the foot bath into a tub or bucket that you can soak your feet in. Works for aches and pains and nasal congestion.