Witchy Wednesdays - Burdock
Witchy Wednesday - Burdock Burdock is an iconic member of the thistle family and is a native of both Europe and America. It has very large, waxy leaves similar to those of the rhubarb plant and has large purple coloured spiky flower heads. It can grow between 3 and 5 foot in height on average. In 1948 George de Mestral, a Swiss inventor, created Velcro after walking his dog and noticing the ‘burs’ from Burdock sticking to his dog. Burdock was commonly used in cooking in the UK in times past but has long been forgotten about. In Asia Burdock is still used to this day where it is collected commercially and called Gobo. Take a decoction of 1 ounce herb to 1 ½ pint of water, boiled down to a pint, one teacupful per day as a blood purifier and for scurvy, boils and rheumatic afflictions. The roots may be eaten like any root vegetable. It is crispy and sweet and mild. Scrub the root and slice it thin. Simmer it for twenty minutes, until tender in butter or water. In the UK there is a pop called dandelion and burdock which is a fairly popular soft drink. Magickally Burdock, also known as Bat weed, is cleansing, uncrossing, and protective. To make a Purifying Scrub, brew Burdock root into a tea with Broom Corn, Rosemary, and/or Lemon Grass, strain the tea, and add it to scrub water to purify the premises. Burdock is used in rituals, amulets and spells to ward off negativity and for general protection. It can be used in potions, ritual baths, incense and amulets. Also used for general healing. The root can be carved into a figure, dried and carried or worn as a protective amulet. It is also used magically to enhance male potency and restore hair growth.
