A to Z Herbarium: Knotweed

Herbs-Pablo

Knotweed

Binding, Health

Polygonum aviculare — Flora Batava — Volume v3
Knotweed “binds” woes and miseries by holding it in one’s hand, visualizing one’s problems going into the herb, and then burning it. When carried, it strengthens and protects the eyes.

Used in binding spells to restrict someone or control their movements in some way. Carrying powdered knotweed in a packet is used to attract love, and slipping the herb in someone’s tea is supposed to make one more attractive to them.

Drinking knotweed tea is useful as a diuretic, and a strong tea drunk daily will kill intestinal worms. Its astringent properties make it especially useful in poultices to heal wounds and stop bleeding. Has also been used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, hemorrhoids, piles, ulcerated tonsils, as well as discharges of the nose, urethra, vagina, and ears.

 

Sources:

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

The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, Revised: A Practical Guide to Creating Healing, Protection, and Prosperity using Plants, Herbs, and Flowers, Susan Gregg, 2013, Fair Winds Press

Environmental History of the Hudson River: Human Uses that Changed the Ecology, Ecology that Changed Human Uses, Robert E. Henshaw, 2011, SUNY Press

Herb Magic

 

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below

JazzFEathers - 6 years ago

Such a powerful herb.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Indeed. 🙂

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Elena @ ElenaSquareEyes - 6 years ago

Thanks for an informative and interesting post on something I knew next to nothing about. I think what knowledge I have about herbs comes from things like Harry Potter when they’d use them in their potions classes!
My theme is my Favourite Things and there’s a bit of nostalgia today as K is for Kim Possible.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I don’t know a lot about herbs either, which is part the reason for doing this theme. I’m learning a lot too! 🙂

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Keith's Ramblings - 6 years ago

I need some of that! Not for diarrhea and things like that of course, but to avail myself of is attractivating properties! (is that a word?)

K day in Amble Bay!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    It is now. 😀

    Reply
    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Could be. 😉

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Deborah Weber - 6 years ago

I’m not familiar with knotweed, but now that you’ve introduced it I’ll be on the lookout.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Me neither. It’s not to be confused with Japanese Knotweed, though, which is what kept coming up when I was trying to research this post… 😛

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Yay for knotweed! 😉

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Trudy - 6 years ago

My mom was into healing properties of herbs, so I’m surprised I had never heard of knotweed before reading your post. Or maybe I’ve just forgotten about it over the years.

Interesting and informative post!

Trudy @ Reel Focus
Food in Film: Kibble

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    There are a lot of herbs out there, so it would be hard to keep a mental note of them all. Glad you enjoyed it!

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Christie Boudreaux - 6 years ago

I need to find some of that, my eyesight is awful. 😛 I did not know any of this, thanks for the informative post!

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    My pleasure. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

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Ronel Janse van Vuuren - 6 years ago

Now to take over the world! Happy A-to-Z-ing.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Charge! 😉

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Pempi - 6 years ago

I was slightly worried thinking about Japanese Knotweed- which is a truly terrible plant – but I can see by the illustration this is the normal one of which I have several plants growing near my garden gate – maybe it binds any woes there which is why my house is such a happy place?
Lovely to meet via the Challenge – http://pempispalace.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/k-is-for-kids-kingdom.html

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Yeah, Japanese Knotweed was everywhere when I tried researching this post. Rather annoying… 😛 I love that you have knotweed near your gate. It must indeed be at least one of the reasons you have a happy home. 😉 Nice to meet you too!

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Molly of Molly's Canopy - 6 years ago

Knotweed is new to me. I’ll have to look for it when I’m out and about this spring.

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Happy hunting. 🙂

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Hilary Melton-Butcher - 6 years ago

Hi Sara – I thought you were going to talk about Japanese Knotweed – which as Pempi rightly says is a monstrous and lethal plant in many ways … but it sounds an interesting addition to plant lore .. cheers Hilary

http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/l-is-for-legendary-beasts-of-britain.html

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    Yeah, the Japanese Knotweed is everywhere, even Google searching. 😉

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susan scott - 6 years ago

mmmm, this sounds useful … as a love potion mebbe …and also for burning and being rid of the miseries ..

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    Sara C. Snider - 6 years ago

    I’m always a fan of getting rid of the miseries. 🙂

    Reply
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