A to Z Herbarium: Blackberry

Herbs-Pablo

Blackberry

Healing, Money, Protection, Pies for Lughnassadh

Blackberries

 

Blackberry is a cooling herb. Its leaves can be used to treat burns or, in a decoction, for a sore throat. The berries can be eaten—either fresh or in jam or wine—to alleviate stones or diarrhea. Blackberry syrup can help ease winter colds or flu. Brambles that grow in a natural arch can be used in magical healing. On a sunny day, one is supposed to crawl through the arch backward then forward three times (nobody said magic wasn’t awkward), going east to west as much as possible. This will cure boils, rheumatism, whooping cough, and blackheads.

The thorny branches (ruled by Aries and fire) are used for protection. Blackberry vines can be woven into protective wreaths and is especially effective when combined with rowan and ivy.

Blackberry leaves (ruled by Venus/Scorpio and water) are used in matters of female fertility. Tea brewed from the leaf is said to be a mild aphrodisiac. Leaves are also used in spells of wealth.

The berries symbolize femininity and are ruled by the element earth. They represent abundant harvests and can be used in spells and magical cooking for prosperity. Blackberries are traditionally baked into pies to celebrate harvest festivals, such as Lughnassadh.

 

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encylopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham, 2016, Llewellyn Publications

Green Witchcraft: Folk Magic, Fairy Lore & Herb Craft, Ann Moura, 2014, Llewellyn Publications

Witchipedia

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Ronel Janse van Vuuren - 6 years ago

Great post. Can’t wait to read the rest 🙂 Happy A-to-Z-ing.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thank you! 🙂

    Reply
Anna Tan - 6 years ago

Hmmmm I haven’t had blackberry tea before. (Not that I need an aphrodisiac)

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    You know, I don’t think I have either. I’m not a big fan of fruit teas, but I suppose it’s possible there might have been blackberry leaves in an herbal tea blend somewhere. Who knows! 😀

    Reply
Hilary Melton-Butcher - 6 years ago

Hi Sara – excellent information here – most of which I didn’t know .. that festival of Lughnassadh is in August – I found interesting. Yes blackberry pie or crumble … so good, blackberry jam is good too … fun facts – thank you … cheers Hilary

http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/b-is-for-british-breeds-introduction.html

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thanks, Hilary. Fun facts are always fun. 😉 I also love blackberries.

    Reply
Radhika - 6 years ago

Never knew that blackberry has so many medicinal values. pretty informative! looking forward to all your blogs this month.

My everyday banters in my tin(y)sel town

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thanks, Radhika. 🙂

    Reply
Tasha Duncan-Drake - 6 years ago

I’d like to see someone with whooping cough managing to crawl through a blackberry arch once, let alone three time ;). My favourite preserve is Bramble Jelly 😀
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings – Shapeshifters and Werewolves

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I know! Haha! “Sorry, Grandma, I know your rheumatism is acting up, but get on all fours and crawl around that prickly bush a while. Attagirl.” 😉 Bramble jelly–yummy!

    Reply
Keith's Ramblings - 6 years ago

When I go blackberrying in the autumn I will know that’s there’s more to those little black beauties than blackberry and apple pie. Tasty.

Today in Amble Bay!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Indeed! 🙂

    Reply
Isa-Lee Wolf - 6 years ago

I’ve got blackberries in the fridge, so now I’ll feel doubly good about eating them!

B is About Build-Up

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I’ve got some in the freezer. I think there is a cobbler in their future. 😉

    Reply
Tarkabarka - 6 years ago

I love love love blackberries! We have them growing in the garden. Crawling under might be awkward, though, since they are growing on the fence… 😀

The Multicolored Diary: WTF – Weird Things in Folktales

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Nonsense, you just need to be committed, and slightly bendy, with thick, leathery skin… 😉

    Reply
Megan Morgan - 6 years ago

I didn’t realize blackberries had so many uses!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    They are tasty and functional!

    Reply
Deborah Weber - 6 years ago

Lovely informative post that’s left me craving for blackberries. Don’t think I’ll be doing any bramble crawling though.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thanks, Deborah. Though, you might change your tune should you develop whooping cough. 😉

    Reply
Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine - 6 years ago

I was never a fan of blackberries, but can’t really say why. Now I can’t eat them because of a health condition.

~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
Story Dam
Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your health condition. 🙁 I do love blackberries and raspberries, but the tiny little seeds that get lodged in your teeth are a pain!

    Reply
Michelle Morrison - 6 years ago

I like blackberry pie and blackberry jam. I like the berries by themselves too, but I actually don’t see them in the stores that often.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Blackberries usually only appear in stores in the summer here. Have to make do with frozen in the meantime. Blackberry pie and jam, yummy!

    Reply
djinnia - 6 years ago

i learned a lot about blackberries today. I enjoyed this one.

hmm, an aphrodisiac you say . . . heh heh heh *rubbing hands together forming evil plot*

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thanks, Djinnia. And now I know never to drink tea you’ve brewed. 😉

    Reply
Candace - 6 years ago

LOVE blackberries and we have a huge tangled bush of them on the side of our property. I did NOT know about the leaves. THANK YOU!

Chronicle of a Cranky Horsewoman–B is for Boobs http://candacecarrabus.com

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I love them too. So tasty! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

    Reply
JazzFeathers - 6 years ago

I remember when I was a kid, I would go hunting for wild blackbarries with my father 🙂
Ah, those were days!

@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Good memories. 🙂

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Michelle Wallace - 6 years ago

There are so many types of berries. I mix them up. 🙂

Blackberry tea? I don’t think that I’ve tasted it.
Now blackberry pie is a well-known dish.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Mixed berries are a thing of beauty. In Sweden, we have a jam which is equal amounts of blueberries mixed with raspberries. It’s called “queen jam”. 🙂

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susan scott - 6 years ago

Have got blackberry jam on my shopping list for today! Will look out for the tea … thanks Sara, fascinating!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I love blackberry jam! 😀

    Reply
Linda Gardiner - 6 years ago

Enjoying the background info and the pictures are beautiful. I’ll be watching every day.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Thanks, Linda. Glad you’re enjoying it. 🙂

    Reply
Kerry E.B. Black - 6 years ago

Lovely #AtoZChallenge entries!

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