CHALLENGE ENTRY
This is the first challenge entry i have submitted for a while. I have not been around as much as I would have liked recently due to many things happening in my everyday life and due to a bit of a dip in my mental health. I am still here though, reading away but perhaps not posting just as much as I would like.
To keep me focused, i have been doing a course on Herbalism in Medical Astrology. It has been fascinating to read about the astrological links to the body snd the influence of the planets on the body but also different plants are ruled by different planets. This is done based on the plants appearance, habitat and how its effects on the body tie in with the planetary effects. Below, I have included information about a plant for each of the traditional planets (traditional medical and herbal astrology does not refer to Uranus, Neptune and Pluto).
The Sun
In medical astrology, plants influenced by the Sun are those that grow best in the sunlight, such as south facing areas, fields, open meadows and anywhere aware from shade. They can also grow in cooler, damper climates such as the UK! Sun plants are linked to the fire element and often have orange, yellow and red flowers, as well as an attractive scent. Sun influenced plants are often shaped like the sun too; they have ray like petals that form a circle. They tend to be medium sized, strong and robust. They often are aromatic, pungent or spicy to taste and they warm the body because they stimulate the cardiovascular system.
Rosemary
Scientifically known as Rosmarinus officinalis, Rosemary acts an an antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, decongestant, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge and rubefacient. Its active constituents are volatile oils, flavonoids, bitters, tannins, resin and phenolic acids.
Rosemary is a circulatory stimulant and sends blood to all extremities. It sends blood to the brain, making it good for easing brain fog and poor concentration. It also helps to prevent or ease cold hands and feet, chilblains and poor general circulation. It is also a good headache and migraine remedy. Rosemary can be calming, so can be useful for low mood, tension and anxiety.
Rosemary is effective for indigestion, poor digestion, wind, bloating and digestive system infections. As a bitter, it acts on the liver and primes the digestive tract. Use this to focus on the liver for poor fat digestion, hangovers or elimination issues. It is effective for respiratory infections, inflammation and congestion. Rosemary tea is effective for sore throats and tonsillitis. Inflamed joints can also be addressed with Rosemary, especially when used externally as an essential oil. This also gives a warming effect. It also supports the immune system during common infections.
Rosemary is a warming herb but itās dispersing nature allows it to disperse excess Fire and Water. It also calms irritated air. It is ruled by Aries and can dispel melancholy and phlegm. Rosemary should be taken as 1-2ml of 1:5 tincture up to three times a day. 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of oil should be used for an infusion. It is best avoided at therapeutic, prolonged doses during pregnancy.
The Moon
Plants that grew in damp, boggy areas or near rivers or bodies of water were linked to the Moon because of its association with the water element. Because of their damp habitats fungi, seaweed, pilewort and mallows fall under the Moonās influence. Plants with watery, juicy or succulent structures like their stems, leaves or fruits, were linked to the Moon. These include cleavers, cucumber, chickweed,wild lettuce, melon, purslane and aloe Vera. Plants with leaf or petals that reflect the Moonās curves or those with delicate flowers or leaves were also assigned to the Moon. White or sliver colours in plants were also a means of linking them to the Moon.
Marshmallow
Scientifically known as Althea officinalis, Marshmallowās active constituents are mucilage, flavonoids, tannins and coumarins. The roots, flowers and stems are used as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antitussive, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, galactagogue, immunostimulant and vulnerary.
When marshmallow is swallowed, the mucilage coats the mucus membranes and provide a soothing actions on inflammation and irritation in the digestive system, mouth, throat and stomach. It can also sooth inflammation in the respiratory and urinary systems.
It is often used (mainly the root) for sore throats, dry coughs, heartburn, IBS, constipation and urinary infections. On skin, the mucilages can easy hot, dry and itchy issues such as bites, stings and eczema. Powdering the root is useful as a poultice for boils and splinters. This is also a useful plant for infections when heat and dryness affects the mucus membranes.
Marshmallow has an effect on the fire and water elements in the body. Therefore, it can be used theraputically to increase water or decrease fire. Therefore, it is important to consider long term use as it could eliminate deficient fire or flood excess water.
Use 1-4ml of a 1:5 tincture three times a day. 2-4g of dried root or aerial parts per.cup of water can make an infusion that can be used up to 3 times daily. It is safe to use marshmallow but it may have a slight laxative effect. It is perhaps best to take it at a different time from prescribed medicines as the mucilage may reduce the absorbsion of the drugs.
Mercury
Medical astrologers often assigned plants with a hollow stem to Mercury. This is because they saw it as representing the caduceus, which was Hermesā staff (Hermes is the Greek version of Mercury). Mercury plants are often multicoloured and like sandy soil. Because of the planetās neutrality, Mercury plants tend to take on the characteristics of the habitat in which they are growing. Plants with folds in their leaves or petals are linked to Mercury because they are seen as representing the folds in the digestive system and larnyx, as well as the folded surface of the brain. Many Mercury plants have delicate, feathery leaves and petals.
Lavender
Scientifically known as Lavendula angustifolia, its active constituents are volatile oils, flavonoids, tannins, coumarins and antioxidants. The flowers are used as an analgesic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, nerve tonic, sedative and vulnerary.
Lavender is well known for its relaxing and calming effects. It can be used against insomnia, tension, anxiety and depression, while also soothing and toning the nervous system. Lavender can also relax and clear the mind. This plant is also analgesic and can be used for headaches, migraines, nerve pain, period pain and musculoskeletal aches and pains.
Lavender is highly aromatic and can ease spasms and gas in the digestive tract. It is useful for digestive issues that arise from stress, tension and anxiety so can be considered for use against IBS and nervous digestion. It can also be useful for relieving nausea and vomiting but at a low dose due to the strong aromatic flavour.
Lavender is an effective expectorant and can ease a productive, spasmodic cough. As a hot infusion, it is a useful decongestant for the ears and sinuses. Higher doses are better tolerated in these cases due to hampered senses of taste and smell.
Lavender has skin healing and soothing properties. It can reduce heat and itching and can help with abrasions and cuts, sunburn, minor burns and injuries the management of skin issues such as eczema or psoriasis.
Overall, lavender was traditionally considered drying and cooling or slightly warming. It is firm example of a Mercury herb because of its affinity to the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems.
Use 1-3ml of a 1:5 tincture three times a day. 1 tsp of dried herb per cup of water can be taken as an infusion up to 3 times daily. This is a safe herb but some find it stimulating rather than relaxing.
Venus
Venus plants are often attractive. They are tall and slender with curvaceous outlines. They are also very bright and colourful or may have soft, pastel colours. These flowers may have large, showoff petals or delicate, thin and fragile ones. The leaves are pale green and often fern or feather like. Venus plants are aromatic, often sweet or perfumed. They also produce sweet tasting fruits. Blue, purple and white are common colours on a Venus plant. These plants often grow in lush, green surroundings such as meadows, farmland and the waterside slopes.
Sweet Violet
Scientifically known as Rosa canina, its active constituents are saponins, alkaloids, volatile oils, flavonoids, salicylates, phenolic glycosides and mucilage. The flowers and leaves are used as an alternative, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, nutritive and vulnerary.
As an alternative, sweet violet can manage hot, inflammed, toxic skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, boils and carbuncles. It can be used externally for these. This herb can release emotional tension and can be used for stress, anxiety, anger, insomnia and an overactive mind. This can also help with tension headaches and stress migraines.
This herb is also a moistening expectorant for dry coughs but can also be used for chesty coughs like bronchitis. As an anti-inflammatory, it can soothe sore throats, tonsilitis and plueracy. It can also help with gout and arthritis. This is a good herb for a childās cough remedy, especially if it is lymphatic. Sweet Violet can also reduce fever. The actions of this plant also make it useful for soothing irritation of the urinary system caused by gravel or infection. It can also soothes an irritated or infected digestive system.
Overall, sweet violet was traditionally a cooling and moistening herb that reduces choleric heat. It was traditionally used to reduce internal and external heat.
Use 1-2ml of a 1:5 tincture three times a day. 1-2 tsp of dried herb per cup of water can be taken as an infusion up to 3 times daily. This is a safe herb but does have laxative effects that should be considered.
Mars
Mars plants have a fiesty nature; they are sharp, pointy, rough, serrated, thorny, prickly, stinging or irritant. This is very reflective of the war, battles and weapons that Mars oversees. Some Mars plants can grow in hot, dry, less hospitable places, while others are dominant and invasive in their growth, like an army on a battlefield. We also see Mars plants growing in cooler places, seemingly defying the planetās warm energy. Mars plants can be challenging to the taste buds and many are bitter. Some are also known to make the tongue tingle. It will come as no surprise that many Mars plants are red, while purple is also common. Red symbolises blood, purple is stagnated blood. Red is also seen as a reflection of fever. Many of these plants do infact affect the circulatory system or fever mechanism in some way.
Ginger
Scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, its active constituents are volatile oils and pungent principles. The rhizome is used as an analgesic, antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant and immunostimulant.
Ginger is known for its effects on the digestive system and for alleviating or reducing nausea. It is used during digestive infections, travel sickness, morning sickness, post operative sickness and vomiting linked to chemotherapy. Ginger has a warming effect and can have an anti-inflammatory and carmative effect on the digestive system. It relaxes gut spasms, which is useful for diarrhoea. Ginger works well for the respiratory system. Itās warming nature can loosen chest mucus while the expectorant action helps to get rid of it.
Ginger also helps a cough thanks to its antispasmodic nature. In a hot infusion, the diaphoretic nature of ginger can help at the start of respiratory infections, where it can also ease the associated aches and chills. The gentle warming of ginger promotes better circulation and warmth throughout the body. It soothes painful periods, brings on absent periods and can help with a range of musculoskeletal sprains and strains, rheumatism and arthritis. Overall, Ginger is a heating and drying plant so is strongly linked to Mars.
Use 2-4ml of a 1:5 tincture three times a day. 2 tsp of fresh grated ginger or 1 tsp of dried ginger per cup of water can be taken as an infusion up to 3 times daily. High doses can be overheating or overstimulating. Do not take when peptic ulcers are present and speak to the doctor if taking anticoagulant medications.
Jupiter
Jupiter plants are often tall and eyecatching with large leaves and have thick fleshy parts. Many are also oil producers. They grow in wide, open spaces in an upwards and outwards manner. The seeds may disperse upwards and outwards too, such as with the dandelion. Jupiter plants often have an attractive orange or yellow flower, a pleasant aroma or a nice taste. The scent comes from the volatile oils that moves up and out in the air, reflecting Jupiterās expansiveness.
Lemon Balm
Scientifically known as Melissa officinalis, its active constituents are volatile oils, flavonoids, tannins and polyphenols. The aerial parts are used as an antidepressant, antihistamine, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, antispasmodic, carmative, decomgestant, digestive, diaphoretic, hepatic, nervine and sedative.
Lemon Balm is uplifting, but also calming and relaxing in times of stress and anxiety. It can clear brain fog and improve concentration and memory. It is useful for headaches and insomnia as a result of tension or stress. Lemon Balm also is also important for the immune system as it can fight bacterial, fungal and viral infections. It can also reduce allergic reactions such as hay fever.
In the digestive system, lemon Balm can ease pain and spasms, as well as reactions to food. Lemon balm gently supports the liver, supporting bile production and therefore improving digestion. It can ease palpitations and high blood pressure that arise from stress and anxiety. It even helps with menstrual cramps and irregular periods. Lemon balm is also sometimes used as a complimentary treatment for an overactive thyroid.
Use 2-6ml of a 1:5 tincture three times a day. 2-3tsp of dried herb per cup of water can make an infusion that can be used up to 3 times daily. Discuss the use of this herb with the doctor if taking thyroid medication.
Saturn
Saturn plants have prominent joints, angular features, tallness, slenderness and are structurally rigid. Saturn plants tend to have something unconventional; this may be distinctive leaves, a whorl or ring pattern of flowers or leaves. Some have an acrid armoa but most have very little scent. White, red and black are common colours on Saturn plants. Saturn plants are drying, and so is their habitat. In the body, Saturn brings boundaries and the containment of fluid and this is reflected in the plants habitat and theraputic actions; these plants grow in places where water meets dry, stony, rocky ground. They also balance fluid in the body and rid the body of gravel and solids in the urinary tract.
Horsetail
Scientifically known as Equisetum arvense, its active constituents are tannins, saponins, minerals (silica, magnesium, potassium and manganese), alkaloids, sterols, flavonoids and sterols. The aerial parts are used as an alternative, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antilithic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, nutritive, styptic, tonic and vulnerary.
As a styptic and astringent, horsetail can be used internally snd externally to reduce bleeding, most notably in the urinary tract. The tannins can astringe the mucus membranes of the digestive tract, helping with diarrhoea and piles.
The minerals within make horsetail a useful nutritive, especially for Saturn ruled body parts. An infusion is useful in strengthening arthritic or rheumatic joints, improve the elasticity of connective tissue and to nourish skin, hair and nails. The diuretic effect is useful against UTIs and is a traditional remedy against bed wetting.
Use 2-4ml of a 1:1 fluid extract or 4-6ml of a 1:5 tincture three times a day. 2tsp of dried herb per cup of water can make an infusion that can be used up to 3 times daily. It should not be used long term. It should be used for short term issues lasting less than a month. Longer use would require a supplement of vitamin B1 as the herb breaks down B1. This herb should not be used for oedema.
As always, herbal remedies should be discussed with your doctor, especially if taking other medications.
Blessed Be
Alan
planner and you get a seven day free trial. Itās pretty cool because once you have your measurements, you can allow yourself to use the Technology and it will measure everything out for you and let you know if itās a good place for you to put things if it has enough sunlight soil, water, etc.
Itās a kind of small space
I canāt believe it takes so long to finally flower!
This is the last day to join the challenge 
youāre pretty good with that scene !
).
I hope you enjoy your new badge 
