Herbalism: Stopping Blood

Yarrow and Goldenrod, Conveniently Growing Together



Early Goldenrod, Harvested Yesterday

Stopping blood by charm is one of the healing powers of Witches. It can be done either with the bleeding person before you, or it can be done at a distance. Traditionally, this is not a power that you can acquire yourself. It must be passed to you by a person that has the power, and there are rules as to when and to whom the power can be passed. So, let's forget about that for now, and focus on herbs.

At this time of year in the northeast United States (Witches are regional creatures), you will begin noticing that your YARROW (Achillea millefolium) is starting to wind down, and the GOLDENROD (Solidago spp.) of the roadsides and fields is starting to wind up. Take a small brown paper lunch bag and collect some of the Yarrow flowers. A bit of stem is okay, too. In another brown paper lunch bag, collect some of the Goldenrod flowers. A bit of stem is also okay. Roll up the two bags tightly and take them into your house. Let them sit in a dry area for 4 or 5 days (or longer, if necessary). Shake the bags a couple of times a day. The brown paper helps absorb any moisture released by the drying plants to avoid any potential molding. When the plants are dry, pulverize them. A mortar and pestle is fine, as is a coffee grinder or herb grinder, or even a small blender or food processor. Your two powders are now ready to combine. You need a third ingredient, though: CAYENNE PEPPER (Capsicum annuum), also dried and powdered. If you grow and dry your own Capsicum, take some and powder it, too. If you do not grow your own, market-purchased is fine.

BLOOD STOPPING POWDER
1 part Yarrow, powdered.
1 part Goldenrod, powdered.
1/2 part Cayenne Pepper, powdered.

The parts are by volume, not weight. So, one batch might be 2 Tablespoons of Yarrow, 2 Tablespoons of Goldenrod, 1 Tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper. How much you make is up to you, depending on how much of the ingredients you have on hand.

Store in a clean jar of appropriate size. If you have made only a small amount, a 4 oz jar is good, or a clean baby food jar. Keep the jar in your first aid cabinet, or mobile first aid kit for backpacking, hiking, or camping. As long as it has been properly and thoroughly dried, you should have no issue with molding.

To Use: Apply to bleeding cuts and wounds to stop the blood. When the blood flow has stopped for a while, carefully and gently clean the wound. If suturing/stitching is needed, that should be done, of course, before the wound is bandaged and dressed.

We have previously posted that Yarrow is one of the Great Medicines. Might this Witch not persuade you to grow some for yourself, your family, and your friends?

THE FIRE IS RED,
THE WATER IS WHITE,
THE AIR IS GOLD,
THE EARTH
NOW STOPS
THE BLOOD.

*** Blessed be to those who serve the Great Mother and the Horned Father.

* Copyright to Coven Rochester