Red Deer:

are ready when you are, Night

Laredo:

all right!!

L NIGHTSHADE:

Welcome to Wicca 101. Today's topic is Tools for Herbalism. For most of us, when we are about to begin something new, such as a hobby, we ask ourselves "What do I need in order to pursue this?". For art...it would include sketch pads, pencils, canvass, paint and brushes. For crafts...adhesives, threads, beads, wire and cutting tools. Herbalism follows the same concept....certain tools are required to work with herbs. Fortunately, the tools for herbalism are relatively few, most are easily obtainable and fairly inexpensive. Today's topic will focus on the basic tools required to work with herbs, whether for medicine or magick. Tools that are Wiccan or other religion specific will not be discussed as these tools are best left to their own class. Tools that are not religion specific, but nonetheless used frequently with herbs, such as candles, will also not be discussed. The tools we will discuss are used in the preparation, processing and storage of herbs. First on the list are tools for gathering herbs for t hose of you who gather your own from garden or the wild. For non-magick herbalists, a good pair of scissors. For those who intend to use herbs in their magick workings, a bolline or bolline. I've seen bolline spelled both ways, although the former seems to be more prevalent.

Red Deer:

A what, Night?

L NIGHTSHADE:

Bolline/boleen....a knife used for most cutting work in magick. Not the athame. In either case, both should be kept sharp and clean. As for specific information on growing, harvesting and drying herbs, there are many good books available. Just browse them until you find one you like. Also useful in gathering herbs, especially when gathering a large amount, is a basket.

Laredo:

might i suggest a book...MASTER BOOK OF HERBALISM - Paul Beyerl

L NIGHTSHADE:

I would recommend a basket that is longer than it is wide so as to prevent damage to the herbs. Depth of the basket is a personal choice, but do remember to put roots and other heavy herbs on the bottom and lighter weight ones on top. Once herbs are collected, they must be processed. Some herbs used medicinally are processed fresh, so prepare them as soon as possible after gathering. Herbs that are to be used dried, should be dried completely before storing to prevent mold and other nasties. Tools for drying herbs include thread or string, paper bags, screens, and a place to hang drying herbs. Hooks that can be screwed into ceiling and wall beams are good for hanging herbs if you don't have the space for a drying rack. Just keep in mind that drying herbs should be kept out of direct sunlight and need plenty of air circulation. Microwave drying of herbs is easier and faster, but NOT recommended for medicinal herbs or those with useful, volatile oils. Once herbs are completely dried, they are ready for storage. Glass bottles and jars are preferred. Color is personal choice. Keep all herbs and preparations (tinctures, remedies, etc) out of direct sunlight. All storage containers should have tight fitting corks, stoppers or screw-on lids. Recycled bottles and jars are perfectly fine as long as they have been thoroughly cleaned and deodorized. Another useful container, especially for tinctures and oils, is a dropper bottle. Now we're at the tools required for processing herbs. This is the bulk of t he list, but will vary as to whether you practice medicine, magick or both...and which preparations you will be making. The more different preparations you make, the more tools you will need.

SylvrGryphon:

(----has a question

L NIGHTSHADE:

The list is by no means definitive, substitutes can be found for some of the tools. Some are a matter of personal choice. Go ahead Sylver.

SylvrGryphon:

how do you prevent bugs, fruit flies and the like when drying herbs? without sprays?

Rhianonn:

try leaving some citronella around your herbs or some bay leaves

L NIGHTSHADE:

For the most part, you can't. One way to do this is to put a light weight netting around the herbs. Check your library or favorite bookstore for books on the growing, harvesting and drying of herbs. Lots of good info in many of them.

NatureSpirit:

Does everyone remember how to exclude without comment?

SylvrGryphon:

ok, thank you

NatureSpirit:

Please continue NightShade. It has been very interesting so far.

L NIGHTSHADE:

Okay, now on to the tools for processing herbs. By processing, I am referring any type of method used to prepare herbs for use, whether for medicine or magick. For making decoctions, a non-metallic, heat-resistant pot with a tight fitting non metal lid . It should be 1 or 2 quarts in size. Since a decoction is boiled, the pot should also be able to withstand high temperatures...unless you want to spend an hour or 2 or 3 waiting for it to boil. For making infusions, the above pot or a non-metal teapot . The teapot should have a tight-fitting non-metal lid. Some herbal remedies are made using a double boiler technique. Since non-metal double boilers are not easily found, you can "make" a substitute. Using a large pot (metal is fine in this case since only water will be in it), place the remedy ingredients in a glass bowl and place the bowl in the pot.

SylvrGryphon:

(----Question

L NIGHTSHADE:

Go ahead.

SylvrGryphon:

Why non metal

L NIGHTSHADE:

Metal can effect the medicinal properties and magickal energies of herbs. Using as little metal as possible when processing herbs helps retain these properties.

SylvrGryphon:

affect how? like seep out the good stuff? as in too much boiling of veggies?

Red Deer:

May I, NightShade?

Lady's Song:

Just as metal in the circle can affect your energies, yes?

L NIGHTSHADE:

It mostly alters the properties...Go ahead Red Deer.

SylvrGryphon:

Sorry, but i've never heard that before if you want me to wait i will

Red Deer:

All metals, to a certain extent, ionize into boiling water...as many of the active components of herbs are ionic in solution, the metal ions can bind them up...especially alkaloids...common medicinal components

SylvrGryphon:

oh, even copper?

Red Deer:

Most especially copper - the better an electrical conductor, the more problem with using it

Lady's Song:

Are there any "safe" metals?

Red Deer:

Glass or pottery are always best for this work

L NIGHTSHADE:

Just be sure ceramics and pottery glazes do not contain lead.

HernesCat:

stainless steels aren't to bad, aluminum is very bad

SylvrGryphon:

this is harder than i thought What about Corning Ware?

L NIGHTSHADE:

Perfectly acceptable....just watch how high you set the heat on stove top.

SylvrGryphon:

ok, thank you

Lady's Song:

yeah, Corning Ware isn't always that durable

Red Deer:

Their Visions line is better

L NIGHTSHADE:

While I don't recommend going out and buying all new pots since it can get expensive, you can make a modest invest in one or two good pieces. Mixing bowls are also needed at times. I use glass and wood. A 3 size set is good so you can have different sizes for different needs.

SylvrGryphon:

Can you get sick from metal or is it generally just bad for the herbs????

L NIGHTSHADE:

For grinding herbs, the good, old mortar and pestle. A small coffee grinder can also be used.

L NIGHTSHADE:

From what I know, it's just generally bad for the herbs.

HernesCat:

Yes, most metals build up in your system, some are very dangerous, some are mistaken by your body for other metals which are needed in trace amounts

L NIGHTSHADE:

A nice gadget to have is a small grater. Invaluable for reducing roots and hard herbs (ie whole nutmeg) to powder or pieces small enough to grin in the mortar and pestle. If all else fails when trying to reduce something to powder, use a zipper type food storage bag and a hammer on a very hard surface (ie concrete). Just put whatever in the bag, zip it up, place on concrete, and pound away until it is reduced to whatever form you want. I used this method on saltpeter that looked like little candy sprinkles. Refused to be ground with my mortar and pestle. Worked great.

SylvrGryphon:

could also be a great anger spell!!!

Red Deer:

or therapeutic

L NIGHTSHADE:

Also on the list are: liquid measuring cups; wooden spoons and spatulas; eye droppers; strainer/sieve; funnel; cheesecloth; and a small, knife-type spatula (also called palette knife). Yeah, by the time I finished pounding, my anger at the saltpeter had dissipated. It was a feeling of "Here!!!! TAKE THAT!!!!". (g) For herbal medicine only.....a scale since remedies require specific amounts of herbs. The rest falls in the nice to have category. They are by no means necessary, but are useful if you have the room and money for them. Glass pitchers for storing some remedies and juices. Glass bottles will work just as well (plus have a lid). Wine Press.....great for squeezing out the last drops of decoctions and infusions. Juicer....great for extracting juices to make remedies. Gel caps....available from mail order suppliers and some health food stores. For making your own herbal capsules, either as remedy or health supplement. That's about it, so I guess the floor is open for questions and discussion.

L NIGHTSHADE:

REMINDER - Morgaine will be teaching a beginner's level Herbal Magick class on August 13th.

Red Deer:

Thanks for the class, especially with such short notice. It was great.

L NIGHTSHADE:

I will be teaching a class on Herbal History on July 23rd and 30th.

Laredo:

same place?

L NIGHTSHADE:

Morgaine and I are discussing more herbal classes for the future.

Red Deer:

Sylver - your questions now?

L NIGHTSHADE:

My pleasure Red Deer, and thank you.

Red Deer:

Am glad that you and Morgaine are coordinating and planning for the future with us!

SylvrGryphon:

well, i ran out

Laredo:

MP, i shall return later

L NIGHTSHADE:

We seem to have taken the ball on this topic and run off with it. (g)

Lady's Song:

ok... do you feel that creating herbal oils dissipates the effectiveness of the herbs?

SylvrGryphon:

why do they make tea balls out of metal if it's bad??

Lady's Song:

LOL Sylvr... first no questions.. then two at once (G)

SylvrGryphon:

yours first i'm eating crab salad

Lady's Song:

Yummmm.. can I have some (G)

L NIGHTSHADE:

Once the oils have been extracted, the herbs are not much good for anything else.

Red Deer:

What happened to the beer & Big Mac, Syl?

SylvrGryphon:

gotta go out for that

L NIGHTSHADE:

You can, of course, add them to your compost heap.

Red Deer:

But the oils contain the potent elements

SylvrGryphon:

and i cant drive & type at the same time

Lady's Song:

Yeah, but do you feel that the oils themselves are weaker then other alternatives Night?

L NIGHTSHADE:

No, not at all. In some cases, the oils are preferred over the herb.

Lady's Song:

Ok.. just making sure, since I love to work with oils.

L NIGHTSHADE:

If you make your own oils, be careful how you process the herbs. Direct sunlight and heat will dissipate the oils.

Lady's Song:

Yes, I found that out the hard way at one point.

HernesCat:

all this talk of "herbs and oils" takes me back to the 60's

L NIGHTSHADE:

That's also the reason herbs should be gathered before the day grows too warm.

SylvrGryphon:

{---QUESTION

L NIGHTSHADE:

Go ahead.

SylvrGryphon:

what is the better herb to get rid of cockroaches? Lavender?

L NIGHTSHADE:

Bay leaf is traditionally used here in New Orleans. I've never had a roach problem so I've never tried it myself.

ShininStarr:

Wolf's Bane (will make em invisible ) (S)

SylvrGryphon:

k thanks

Red Deer:

Thanks again, NightShade - gotta go to another class for a little while. Brightest Blessings & Merry Part, All

Lady's Song:

Eucalyptus is good too

NatureSpirit:

Well, time for me to run. MP all!

L NIGHTSHADE:

MP Red Deer

SylvrGryphon:

ok, thanks guys will be trying them all

starbright:

thanks lady