ד' ניסן תשס"ט
Raven 4
Certain herbs and spices like cloves, rosemary, oregano, sage, vanilla, peppermint, allspice, garden thyme and lemon balm have natural antioxidant properties, which sometimes can be quite strong. Adding these herbs and spices to magical recipes may naturally work to extend the shelf life of your preparation.
From the Publication: Journal of Nutrition. 2003 May;133(5):1286-90 :
Herbs are usually considered as plant with aromatic properties and are mainly used spice foods and for preparation of herbal teas. Herbs also contain many phytochemicals including antioxidants. The aim of this study was to determine the daily intake of antioxidants present in culinary and medicinal herbs. To determine the level of antioxidants in herbs use was made of the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma) method. The results show that there are large differences in antioxidant levels: the herb with the highest level of antioxidants contains 1000 times more antioxidants than the herb with the lowest level. The herbs with the highest levels of antioxidants are oregano, sage, peppermint, lemon balm, clove, cinnamon, Cinnamomi cortex and Scutellariae radix.
The levels of antioxidants found in culinary herbs were influenced by crop year and season of harvesting. These are some levels of antioxidants in common culinary herbs grown and harvested in Norway, (expressed as mmol/100g):
Oregano 138
Sage 102
Peppermint 79
Thyme 75
Lemon Balm 75
Marjoram 56
Hyssop 38
Tansy, leaves 37
Purple Coneflower, flowers 23
Roseroot, stem 18
Chamomile 18
Angelica, leaves and stem 15
Roseroot, root and leaves 6
Angelica, root 5
Coriander 3
These are antioxidants levels found in dried commercial herbs (expressed as mmol/100g):
Clove 465
Allspice 102
Cinnamon 98
Rosemary 67
Thyme 64
Marjoram 54
Bayberry leaves 24
Ginger 22
Nutmeg 20
Mustard 10
Cayenne 6
Garlic 2
Coriander 2
The researchers also tested some medicinal herbs, mainly Chinese and Japanese herbs. These were the levels of antioxidants found (expressed as mmol/100g):
Cinnamomi Cortex 120
Scutellariae Radix 112
Cimicifugae Rhizoma 64
Paeonaiae Radix 55
Glycyrrhizae Radix 12
Angelicae Radix 3
The researchers concluded that the intake of herbs contribute significant to the overall daily intake of antioxidants. Intake of 1 g of culinary herbs may contain 1 mmol antioxidants. Culinary herbs are even a better source of antioxidants than other foods such as fruit, vegetables and cereals.
Autors of the article: Dragland S, Senoo H, Wake K, Holte K, Blomhoff R
Research Institute: The Norwegian Crop Research Institute, Apelsvold Research Station Div. Kise, Nes (Norway)
More information:
Herbs And Spices And Their Antioxidant Properties
Antioxidants Isolated from Herbal Spices
Antioxidant Properties Of Several Culinary & Medicinal Herbs
Antioxidant Activity Of Traditonal Chinese Herbs
Nature's Gift, The Goji Berry (Wolfberry)
European Bilberry
Rosemary, The Herb Of Remembrance
Bloodroot Medicinal Properties
Hawthorne Medicinal Properties
Antioxidant Blackthorn
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sabbath Light Blessing Candle
ד' ניסן תשס"טRaven 4
Now available at WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu - the Sabbath Light Blessing candle.
ברוך אתה יהוה אלהנו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו להדליק נר של שבת
Blessed are You, Great Ancestor of All, Who communicates to us the Teaching which brings forth the Sabbath Light.
So mote it be.
Simply amazing magic.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Beltane Fire Ritual Oil
א' ניסן תשס"ט
Raven 1
Coming March 29th to WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu - Beltane Fire Ritual Oil, a blend of rue, cinnamon bark, blood root, dragon's blood, cedarwood, juniper berry, frankincense and blackthorn berry oils in a pomegranate seed base oil, all prepared under the blessing of the Dark Moon. Each vial charged with a garnet gemstone inside.
So mote it be!
Raven 1
Coming March 29th to WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu - Beltane Fire Ritual Oil, a blend of rue, cinnamon bark, blood root, dragon's blood, cedarwood, juniper berry, frankincense and blackthorn berry oils in a pomegranate seed base oil, all prepared under the blessing of the Dark Moon. Each vial charged with a garnet gemstone inside.
So mote it be!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Draw Down The Moon With Red Thread Witch Tea
י'ט אדר א' תשס"ט
Keolwulf 20
I've made the first blends of Red Thread Witch Tea. The first one is for my own use and is the one I used to perfect the exquisitely delicate recipe. The second one will be available for purchase March 29 at WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu.
All of the ingredients of Red Thread Witch Tea are 100% certified organically grown and include: red saffron threads (stamens), cloves, cardamon pods, coriander seed, sweet cinnamon, stevia leaf and ancient forest black tea. The completed blend was burgundy wax-sealed during the planetary hour of the Moon in a 100 mL clear corked wide mouthed port jar, stamped with a gold brocade ink-highlighted pentacle, and adorned with a pewter spiral charm, a bronze 'shalshelet' charm, black tulle and red threads. Pictures of the finished product can be seen when it is listed for purchase at my etsy shoppe.
From the first blend (my own personal experimental blend), I earlier today had made myself a cup of Red Thread Witch Tea (using a black infuser tea cup, of course). Hours later, not knowing of the mad mysteries going on in my laboratory, my mother walked into the house exclaiming, "what is that smell!" She absolutely loved it and designated it excellent.
Keolwulf 20
I've made the first blends of Red Thread Witch Tea. The first one is for my own use and is the one I used to perfect the exquisitely delicate recipe. The second one will be available for purchase March 29 at WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu.
All of the ingredients of Red Thread Witch Tea are 100% certified organically grown and include: red saffron threads (stamens), cloves, cardamon pods, coriander seed, sweet cinnamon, stevia leaf and ancient forest black tea. The completed blend was burgundy wax-sealed during the planetary hour of the Moon in a 100 mL clear corked wide mouthed port jar, stamped with a gold brocade ink-highlighted pentacle, and adorned with a pewter spiral charm, a bronze 'shalshelet' charm, black tulle and red threads. Pictures of the finished product can be seen when it is listed for purchase at my etsy shoppe.
From the first blend (my own personal experimental blend), I earlier today had made myself a cup of Red Thread Witch Tea (using a black infuser tea cup, of course). Hours later, not knowing of the mad mysteries going on in my laboratory, my mother walked into the house exclaiming, "what is that smell!" She absolutely loved it and designated it excellent.
Friday, March 13, 2009
A Gift For The Land
י'ח אדר א' תשס"ט
Keolwulf 19
The first master batch of Black Goddess Underworld Initiation Ritual Concoction has begun its first step of preparation.
The herbs were blended with the waning gibbous moon 90% full, on this auspicious Friday the 13th, during the planetary hour of Mars, with the Sun in the 22nd degree of the sign Pisces and in the 1st degree of the constellation Pisces. Kabbalistically, Pisces links to mysteries of the hidden world, brings forth into reality the 'sweet miracle' of laughter, and supports "expropriation of Divine lifeforce by the material realm" [ק].
Basic herb Master Batch recipe:
1 oz. blackthorn berries*
1 oz. hawthorne leaf/flower
1 oz. bloodroot pieces
1/2 oz. sweet cinnamon pieces
The next step (to be done on the Dark Moon on the 26th of March) will consist of soaking the herbal mixture in heated pomegranate seed oil to make an herbal infusion, and then allowing it to cool naturally. After cooling, portions of the master batch will be placed into smaller containers along with a naughty touch of lampblack. The container will then be sealed for purchase.
As a Black Goddess Underworld Initiation Ritual concoction, the liquid 'extract' of the concoction can be decocted by the purchaser for use as a ritual oil, while the remaining herbal material can be used as a gift to the Land during a Black Goddess Underworld Initiation ritual.
My concoction contains blackthorn berries which have a large very hard woody seed inside. Purchasers of the concoction may wish to harvest some of the whole seeds for other ritual uses.
Black Goddess Underworld Initiation Ritual Concoction will be ready for purchase March 29 at WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu.
*This hard to find ingredient, imported from the UK, was not sold to me as a certified organic product. All other ingredients are certified organic.
Keolwulf 19
The first master batch of Black Goddess Underworld Initiation Ritual Concoction has begun its first step of preparation.
The herbs were blended with the waning gibbous moon 90% full, on this auspicious Friday the 13th, during the planetary hour of Mars, with the Sun in the 22nd degree of the sign Pisces and in the 1st degree of the constellation Pisces. Kabbalistically, Pisces links to mysteries of the hidden world, brings forth into reality the 'sweet miracle' of laughter, and supports "expropriation of Divine lifeforce by the material realm" [ק].
Basic herb Master Batch recipe:
1 oz. blackthorn berries*
1 oz. hawthorne leaf/flower
1 oz. bloodroot pieces
1/2 oz. sweet cinnamon pieces
The next step (to be done on the Dark Moon on the 26th of March) will consist of soaking the herbal mixture in heated pomegranate seed oil to make an herbal infusion, and then allowing it to cool naturally. After cooling, portions of the master batch will be placed into smaller containers along with a naughty touch of lampblack. The container will then be sealed for purchase.
As a Black Goddess Underworld Initiation Ritual concoction, the liquid 'extract' of the concoction can be decocted by the purchaser for use as a ritual oil, while the remaining herbal material can be used as a gift to the Land during a Black Goddess Underworld Initiation ritual.
My concoction contains blackthorn berries which have a large very hard woody seed inside. Purchasers of the concoction may wish to harvest some of the whole seeds for other ritual uses.
Black Goddess Underworld Initiation Ritual Concoction will be ready for purchase March 29 at WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu.
*This hard to find ingredient, imported from the UK, was not sold to me as a certified organic product. All other ingredients are certified organic.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Passover Protection Ritual Oil
י'ב אדר א' תשס"ט
Keolwulf 13
Limited edition item to be added to my opening line-up of products for WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu - Passover Protection Ritual Oil.
The Lost Passover Herb. Passover Protection Ritual Oil is a blend of Hyssop (hyssopus officinalis) essential oil and premium Gold Seal Dragon's Blood (daemonorops draco) in wildharvested certified organic through CCPB extra virgin olive oil, sold in a 2 mL (0.5 drams) corked spell bottle with a star of David charm, charged with a rainbow moonstone inside.
"... take a bunch of hyssop, and immerse it in the blood from a liminal place .."
Shemot 12:22
On the threshold! Coming soon! to WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu, witchcraft on the edge and beyond the hedge.
Passover 2009 begins with the first seder (ritual meal) the evening of April 8 and continues through April 16.
WITCHCRAFTS opens for business March 29.
Keolwulf 13
Limited edition item to be added to my opening line-up of products for WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu - Passover Protection Ritual Oil.
The Lost Passover Herb. Passover Protection Ritual Oil is a blend of Hyssop (hyssopus officinalis) essential oil and premium Gold Seal Dragon's Blood (daemonorops draco) in wildharvested certified organic through CCPB extra virgin olive oil, sold in a 2 mL (0.5 drams) corked spell bottle with a star of David charm, charged with a rainbow moonstone inside.
"... take a bunch of hyssop, and immerse it in the blood from a liminal place .."
Shemot 12:22
On the threshold! Coming soon! to WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu, witchcraft on the edge and beyond the hedge.
Passover 2009 begins with the first seder (ritual meal) the evening of April 8 and continues through April 16.
WITCHCRAFTS opens for business March 29.
Faery Finger Tea
י'ב אדר א' תשס"ט
Keolwulf 13
Another new product I'll be adding to my opening lineup of items for WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu - Faery Finger Tea.
Deeply penetrating faery magic! Faery Finger Tea is my unique blend of certified organic Chinese Foxglove (nonpoisonous Rehmannia Root), certified organic and fair trade Ancient Forest black tea (made exclusively from stands of protected ancient growth tea plants in the Yunnan province of China, all of which range in age from 500 to 2,700 years old) and other secret ingredients. Exclusively from WITCHCRAFTS, you won't find this unique blend anywhere else.
Rehmannia Root (also known as Chinese Foxglove and Sheng Di Huang) is a nonpoisonous version of Foxglove (faery fingers, witches' bells) and a traditional herb of Chinese medicine, where it has been used for thousands of years to replenish the vital force, treat autoimmune diseases, increase potency, balance blood sugar, promote healthy blood and circulation, relieve fever, and counter the effects of aging. It is also a mild diuretic.
Keolwulf 13
Another new product I'll be adding to my opening lineup of items for WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu - Faery Finger Tea.
Deeply penetrating faery magic! Faery Finger Tea is my unique blend of certified organic Chinese Foxglove (nonpoisonous Rehmannia Root), certified organic and fair trade Ancient Forest black tea (made exclusively from stands of protected ancient growth tea plants in the Yunnan province of China, all of which range in age from 500 to 2,700 years old) and other secret ingredients. Exclusively from WITCHCRAFTS, you won't find this unique blend anywhere else.
Rehmannia Root (also known as Chinese Foxglove and Sheng Di Huang) is a nonpoisonous version of Foxglove (faery fingers, witches' bells) and a traditional herb of Chinese medicine, where it has been used for thousands of years to replenish the vital force, treat autoimmune diseases, increase potency, balance blood sugar, promote healthy blood and circulation, relieve fever, and counter the effects of aging. It is also a mild diuretic.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Red Thread Witch Tea
ח' אדר א' תשס"ט
Keolwulf 9
Another new unique creation for my etsy shoppe WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu - Red Thread Witch Tea. Until it's debut, it's magical ingredients are a secret! Oh, but it's so incredibly and powerfully witchy, both the tea and the 'red thread' running through it (you can't guess, it's so cool!)- I am giddy with excitement!
I am having so much fun doing this! I've ordered shipping materials, figured out how to take photos on my cell phone and how to get them onto my computer for editing, and am ordering all kinds of supplies. I've got so many witchy ideas for more unique products. I'm so in total love with being a witch right now!
My certified organic pomegranate seed oil won't arrive until the end of this month, near my shoppe's opening date, but I've decided not go for anything less than certified organic pomegranate seed oil or another kind of oil. My products are going to be of superb quality, even if I have to wait a few more days to bring some items online for purchase.
I am also going to to write a kabbalistic profile of the point in time each small batch of big magic was prepared, and other things to 'tell the story' of each product's enchantment. So much to do ... and I'm loving every moment of it!
Goddess is smiling with me!
Keolwulf 9
Another new unique creation for my etsy shoppe WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu - Red Thread Witch Tea. Until it's debut, it's magical ingredients are a secret! Oh, but it's so incredibly and powerfully witchy, both the tea and the 'red thread' running through it (you can't guess, it's so cool!)- I am giddy with excitement!
I am having so much fun doing this! I've ordered shipping materials, figured out how to take photos on my cell phone and how to get them onto my computer for editing, and am ordering all kinds of supplies. I've got so many witchy ideas for more unique products. I'm so in total love with being a witch right now!
My certified organic pomegranate seed oil won't arrive until the end of this month, near my shoppe's opening date, but I've decided not go for anything less than certified organic pomegranate seed oil or another kind of oil. My products are going to be of superb quality, even if I have to wait a few more days to bring some items online for purchase.
I am also going to to write a kabbalistic profile of the point in time each small batch of big magic was prepared, and other things to 'tell the story' of each product's enchantment. So much to do ... and I'm loving every moment of it!
Goddess is smiling with me!
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Black Goddess Underworld Initiation Ritual Concoction
ו' אדר א' תשס"ט
Keolwulf 7
The third item I am planning to add to my line of magical enchantments for WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu is Black Goddess Underworld Initiation Ritual Concoction. It is my own unique blend of blackthorn berries, hawthorne leaf, bloodroot and other secret ingredients concocted into pomegranate seed oil, and charged with a small onyx gemstone.
My etsy shoppe opens March 29.
Keolwulf 7
The third item I am planning to add to my line of magical enchantments for WITCHCRAFTS by Liorah Lleucu is Black Goddess Underworld Initiation Ritual Concoction. It is my own unique blend of blackthorn berries, hawthorne leaf, bloodroot and other secret ingredients concocted into pomegranate seed oil, and charged with a small onyx gemstone.
My etsy shoppe opens March 29.
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