Any earth loving, herb crazy, witchie can not help but get excited around the full moon. Not only because of the heightened energy level but also it is the ideal time for collecting many herbs and preparing them. I’m most certainly not exempt. Tinctures, lovingly crafted from yarrow, raspberry leaves, lily of the valley, & dandelion roots now sit in a place of honor on my alter. Today’s gather was much like the other but I turned my attention to the lowly burdock.
    I was not in the dark to the many benefits burdock is reputed to have but I did not have the eyes to really appreciate the plant. Harvesting the medicinal roots was an exercise in patience, often severing and not receiving the whole root, I felt rather out of my element. Finally making peace with the fact I might not have a whole root to show for my morning of sweating under the July sun, I managed to extract a whole, rather large root system. Preparing the burdock became an effort of making peace with the plant, that so haunted the scarves and mittens of my youth. Now jarred, the crystal vodka now a crisp clean gold, ringlets of roots suspended, I have to show, the fruits of my labors.

Medicinal Value:  Anti-inflammatory, protects the liver from toxins, stimulates the release gastric acids aiding in digestion, and also good for treating acne, eczema, endometriosis, psoriasis, and uterine fibroids

Ayurveda: Pitta & Kapha Pacifying. Vata Stimulating

Magical: Protection

      Sometimes we romanticize healing. Believing a far off plant will free of us of our pain. Our delusions leading us to overlook the true magic of a previously pestilent  plant that has caused us grief as we pulled burrs from our hair. It’s often the overlooked plants that are the ones we need the most, not for the medicinal value, but rather there ability to teach us to appreciate what is.