Craft of the Wise

Bromelain Common Names:  bromelain,  pineapple enzyme Latin Names:  (pineapple plant)  Ananas comosus Pineapple plants.  Image by  senjakelabu29  from  Pixabay

Black Cohosh   Common Names:  black cohosh ,   black snakeroot,   macrotys,   bugbane,   bugwort,   rattleroot,   rattleweed Latin Names:  Actaea racemosa ,   Cimicifuga racemosa Black cohosh photo by Chris F

Bilberry Common Names:  bilberry , European bilberry, whortleberry, huckleberry Latin Names:  Vaccinium myrtillus Ripe berries on bilberry plant.  Photo by Dzenina Lukac .

Astragalus Common Names:  astragale, astragale à feuilles de réglisse, beg kei, milk vetch Latin Names:  Astragalus membranaceus Astragalus plant in bloom.

Aloe Vera Common Names:  aloe Latin Names:  Aloe vera ,  Aloe africana ,  Aloe arborescens ,  Aloe barbadensis Pexels aloe vera photo by Cintia Siqueira .

Acai Common Names:  acai (pronounced AH-sigh-EE), acai berry, acai palm Latin Names:  Euterpe oleracea ,  Euterpe badiocarpa Acai berry plant - photo by Saidis

Behind every broomstick and cauldron lies a story steeped in old plant lore. The folklore and historical uses of plants are popular areas of study with many herbalists, gardeners, Wiccans, and witches. Folklore focuses on the legends and myths associated with various plants as opposed to the scientific knowledge associated with the fields of study such as botany and horticulture. Image by No-longer-here from Pixabay

Note: This article originally appeared in Llewellyn's 2016 Magical Almanac. As of 12/31/2018, the copyright has reverted back to me. I have added additional new content at the end and am reprinting the expanded version here on Craft of the Wise.  Image by  Karl Egger  from  Pixabay

In recent years, researchers and addiction specialists have come to recognize the value of  music therapy  in the treatment of substance problems. This form of treatment is often grouped together with a range of non-medication-based options known as sound therapies, creative arts therapies or holistic therapies. One of the most promising options in this developing field of  health and wellness  is drum therapy. When it forms part of a larger course of drug or alcohol treatment, drumming can provide a powerful incentive for people in recovery. Music Therapy Basics Music can have a positive or negative impact on people with substance problems. Outside of a treatment setting, it sometimes serves as a reinforcement for existing patterns of substance abuse [i] . In fact, many people with drug or alcohol abuse/addiction report an increase in their substance cravings when listening to certain types of music. Factors that help explain this reaction include: The association o...

The Basics of Composting for Home Gardeners Quick and Easy Composting Tips I keep two small plastic buckets with tight-fitting lids underneath my kitchen sink. I place all my kitchen scraps into these buckets. When the buckets are filled I take them outside and stir the contents into my compost bins. I purchased my two compost bins from my local solid waste authority (SWA). Once a month the SWA travels to one of the county libraries in my area where they sell recycling bin holders along with composting bins. The compost bins came with an under sink compost bucket and a 96-page guide on how to start, maintain and use your finished compost. I keep my compost bins in the shade on the east side of my house next to my homemade rain barrel. I like to make my own potting soil mix for containers using 2/3 of my homemade compost mixed in with 1/3 perlite. The perlite helps aerate the mixture and prevents it from becoming too compact or clumping together. Reasons to Compost compost makes a fanta...