Herbal KnowledgeOct 18, 2023
Spooky season is here, and we’re getting in the Halloween spirit! Or should we say, the Herboween spirit? There’s a mystical feeling in the air, and there’s no better time to explore the magic of plants. Crack open an herb book and you’re likely to find some fun history, superstitions and lore tied to various herbs.
However, the 5 below caught our attention because of their perfectly eerie names. Read on to learn more about them – if you dare!
Don’t worry, no witches will be taking flight with this broom on Halloween night. Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is a bushy evergreen perennial shrub that grows across Europe, western Asia and North Africa. It’s sometimes called “Knee Holly” since it only grows about 3 ft. high, around the height of one’s knee, and looks a bit like Holly with red berries and prickly leaves (although the two plants are not in the same family).
Its common name, Butcher’s Broom, comes from its history of use in butcher shops. It was sometimes used to preserve meat and several stalks could also be tied together to make little brooms.1 We prepare our Butcher’s Broom liquid herbal extract with the plant’s rhizome and cherish it for its ability to support the cardiovascular system and circulatory function.*
Unlike the bone-chilling skull decorations you may see around on Halloween night, Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is an herb that provides traditional support to soothe your nerves. This beautiful herb is a member of the Mint family, but it isn’t as aromatic as some of its relatives like Lavender, Rosemary and Peppermint.*
It’s among the many plants we grow on our Regenerative Organic Certified® farm in southern Oregon. It features pretty little pink, purple or blue flowers that grow in pairs along one side of the stem, and this plant gets around 2 1/2 ft. high. If you’re looking for peace of mind, turn to the traditional nerve-soothing support of Skullcap liquid herbal extract. We also offer Skullcap, Alcohol-Free!*
We can’t think of an herb with a scarier name than Devil’s Claw! But don’t let it steer you away from this fascinating plant. Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum spp.) is a sprawling perennial with gray-green leaves, trumpet-shaped red, pink or purple flowers and a big, central tap root. The beautiful flowers don’t look devilish at all!
We prepare our Devil’s Claw liquid herbal extract using the plant’s secondary tubers. All of our Devil’s Claw is responsibly wildcrafted from South Africa, where this plant natively grows. If you’re really in a “bad to the bone” mood this season (or anytime, really), consider taking Devil’s Claw liquid herbal extract to support your musculoskeletal system.*
We hope you’re donning your pointiest witch hat this Halloween – and while you’re at it, why not learn a little more about Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana). Witch Hazel is a tree that grows 10-12 ft. in height, has smooth grey bark and pretty oval leaves that drop in the fall. In the cooler months, this small deciduous tree in bloom boasts showy flowers that look like bursts of party streamers.
You might be familiar with Witch Hazel beauty products, like toners. Witch Hazel is an astringent herb that’s been traditionally processed as a tincture with alcohol. Our Witch Hazel liquid herbal extract is taken internally (not topically) and is featured in our optimal well-being category.*
If Devil’s Claw is the spookiest name on this list, then surely Dragon’s Blood (Croton lechleri) is the coolest. Dragon’s Blood trees are found throughout rainforest regions. The trees can grow over 30 ft. high and live for hundreds of years. Dragon’s Blood has been used traditionally by indigenous peoples for centuries. The white-to-gray bark emits a pure, reddish-red sap when lacerated.
Our Dragon’s Blood liquid herbal extract is a succus that preserves the fresh sap with the lowest amount of alcohol possible for shelf-stability to maintain its beneficial phytochemicals. It’s used to support the gastrointestinal system. In addition to the single herb extract that can be taken internally, we also offer Sangre de Drago succus as an external use product.*
Enjoy 15% off sitewide and save on a little something to put in your cauldron! And by cauldron, we mean a respectable vessel that can hold at least 2 oz. of water or juice.
Use code HERBOWEEN at checkout.
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