Lichenwood Rambles

Autumn Olive

Wild fruits are ripening.  It is nearly the time of the traditional "first harvest", Lammas or Lughnassadh.

Today when I was out and about I noticed the boughs of Autumn Olive weighed down with fruit.

Autumn Olive

Elaeagnus umbellata

 

Also known as:  Aki-gumi (Japanese), Autumn Elaeagnus, Autumn-olive, Oleaster, Silverberry

 

Habitat:  Autumn olive is a deciduous shrub of the Oleaster family that is capable of growing to a height of 20 feet.  The leaves are alternate, oval to lanceolate, with smooth edges.  The underside of the dark green leaf is covered with silver-white scales, hence the common name Silverberry.   The small, pale cream-colored flowers emerge after the leaves appear in early Spring.  The bloom occurs from April to May.  One of the important characteristics of the flower is its sweet, spicy scent that can be noticed from quite a distance.  In fact, Myra Bonhage-Hale of La Paix Herb Farm in Alum Bridge, West Virginia has been distilling the flowers for essential oil and hydrosol.  Unfortunately, the product does not contain a scent to match the flowers, but she is hopeful that the essential oil and hydrosol may prove medicinal.  This is still in the research phase. 

 

The small, round, juicy fruits are reddish brown to pink, dotted with scales, ripening in October.  The red-speckled berry is said to taste of currants, plums and raspberries, only better.  It is a fall favorite of wild food enthusiasts and is even made into jam.

 

Autumn Olive is easily confused with a closely related species, Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia).  Both are now considered invasive species. Russian olive branches are usually thorny, and its fruit is yellow, dry and mealy.

 

Autumn Olive has nitrogen-fixing root nodules that permit it to thrive in poor soils.  Nitrogen fixation happens when plants shelter nitrogen-fixing bacteria within their tissues.  The most common example of this symbiotic relationship is that of legumes and the bacteria in the genus Rhizobium.   The bacteria and the host plant are each capable of independent survival.  The relationship, which benefits both the bacteria and the plant, is called “mutualism”.  Because of its nitrogen fixing abilities, Autumn Olive has been planted as a “nurse plant” for Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) in Canada and the United States.

 

Autumn Olive is a favorite planting on poor soils and roadsides to prevent soil erosion.  The bush tolerates road salt well.  You will find Autumn Olive thriving in disturbed areas, along roadsides, in abandoned pastures and fields.  It is quite drought tolerant.  It does not do well near wetlands or in dense forests.

 

History and Folklore:  A native of Japan, Korea, and China, Autumn Olive was introduced to the United States in the 1830's.  The berries ripen in October and are a favorite of birds.  Birds serve as seed planters by enjoying the juicy fruits and planting the seeds complete with fertilizer (!) in other areas where they perch.  It is often planted as a wildlife food for the purpose of attracting game such as wild turkey, pheasant, quail, or doves to an area.  It is now found from Maine south to Virginia, and west to Wisconsin.  Many states consider it to be a dangerous invasive weed and have entered into programs to eradicate it with herbicides.  It can take extreme pruning and continue to flourish.

 

Medicinal Uses and Constituents:  In September of 2001, the news broke that the berries from Autumn Olive are as much as 18 times richer in the antioxidant lycopene than tomatoes, and could be an important ally in the fight against cancer and other diseases.  The berries have a remarkable keeping quality and can be stored up to 15 days at room temperature.

 

Lycopene shows promise as a preventative nutrient in heart disease and prostate, cervical and gastrointestinal tract cancers, according to ARS’ Phytonutrients Laboratory in Beltsville, Md.   About 90% of the lycopene ingested in the United States comes from tomatoes and tomato products, but  we now know that Autumn Olive berries contain the same carotenoids as the tomato--lycopene, beta carotene and lutein.   Beta carotene and lutein levels appear to be comparable to other more commonly ingested vegetables and fruits. When lycopene content is measured, however, Autumn Olive berries contain from 15 to 54 milligrams of lycopene per 100 grams, compared to an average 3 mg/100 g for fresh tomatoes, 10 mg/100 g for canned tomatoes, and 30 mg/100 g for tomato paste.  That is an amazing difference.

 

M. K. Kaushal and C. Parmar,  authors of Wild Fruits (Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi, India, 1982) studied the plants of the Himachal Pradesh, a region of their native India where the Autumn Olive grows prolifically.   They report that the seeds and flowers of Autumn Olive are used as a cough stimulant and the expressed oil is a remedy used in pulmonary infections by local herbalists. They also note that the flowers are used as an astringent and in cardiac ailments.

 

Flower Essence:  This essence lends strength when venturing into new territory.  An example is people who are entering or reentering the job market after a period of schooling or being unemployed.  These individuals may feel overwhelmed and intimidated.  Autumn Olive brings inner strength to face the unknown and confidence that they are up to the task.  The essence brings a feeling of peace, protection, and healing.  Many regard the night as the beginning of day.  We are at that time preparing for the light, as we move from dark to light, womb to birth, rest to action, dream to realization and manifestation.  Autumn Olive eases that transition from uncertainty to confidence.

 

Astrological considerations:  As one might expect, this essence will have a great affinity for Autumn and the Autumnal Equinox.  At this time of year, we are often facing an important new beginning as schools and colleges begin a new year.  The year is tipping into the time when darkness (the unknown) will overpower the light (that which we know and are comfortable with).  The time of the Dark Moon will be an important time to use the essence and it is at this time that the greatest insights may be gleaned

 

Mullein

It's a stellar year for Mullein at Lichenwood.  One gorgeous plant decided to grow right outside the front windows where it can be viewed every time I pass through the library.  It is a beautiful botanical candelabra. 

Also called:  Common mullein, Aaron's Rod, Adam's Flannel, Blanket Leaf, Cow's Lungwort, Flannel Leaf, Flannel Mullein, Flannel Plant, Great Mullein, Hare's Beard, Hedge Taper, Indian Tobacco, Jacob's staff, Jupiter's staff, Mullein Dock, Old Man's Flannel, Peter's Staff, Torch-wort, Velvet Dock, Velvet Plant, White Mullein, Torches,

Mullein Dock, Our Lady's Flannel, Blanket Herb, Bullock's Lungwort, Woolen, Rag Paper, Candlewick Plant, Lady's Foxglove, Donkey's Ears, Shepherd’s Clubs, Beggar's Stalk, Clot, Duffle, Wild Ice Leaf, Feltwort, Hag's Flannel

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Habit and Habitat:  Mullein is a familiar tall, weedy biennial that grows from 3 to7 feet in height, belonging to the figwort family, or Scrophulariaceae.   Its leaves are covered with a hairy down. Leaves are large and oblong from 2 to 12 inches in length. The flowers are yellow with five petals.  Buds are densely packed along a thick terminal spike, but bloom only a few at a time.

In the first year of growth, a large rosette of downy leaves grows close to the ground.  During the second year of growth, the stalk emerges and the plants begin a bloom that starts in June and lasts through September.  Toward the end of the blooming season, the entire plant turns a deep tobacco brown and goes to seed.  .Mullein is a prolific self-seeder, producing scores of seeds that are capable of germinating even after decades of dormancy in the soil. Just one Mullein plant can disperse 100,000-180,000 seeds that may remain viable for more than 100 years. 

Mullein favors old fields, rocky or gravelly banks, wastelands, roadsides, embankments, pastures, and meadows. It grows well in poor, sandy soil. It is easy to transplant the first year rosette and place it where you would like to enjoy its beauty in your garden.  It requires full sun.  Mullein also attracts a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, flies, and butterflies.

 

 

History and Folklore:  Not only does the flower stalk of Mullein resemble a lighted candle, the ancients used the plant as a source of light.  Gathered from hedge rows once the plants had gone to seed and dipped in tallow, Mullein makes a striking botanical torch which would make any Samhain celebration truly magickal.  Originally, these torches lit the way for funeral processions.  The hairs on the dried leaves are quick to burn, igniting easily, and were also used as lamp wicks before cotton wicks were available.

 

European settlers brought Mullein to the North American continent in the mid-1700’s.  They prized the plant for its medicinal value, and used the seeds as a fish poison.  Mullein seeds contain rotenone, a natural insecticide and fish poison, which is supposed to be non-toxic to mammals. The flowers yield a yellow dye, suitable for cloth or hair.  Leaf and flower poultices can be used to treat burns and boils.

 

As the colonists moved west, they brought Mullein with them.  Some wore the fuzzy leaves inside their shoes for their insulating effect during cold weather.  Appalachian Granny magick also promised protection from the common cold if Mullein was placed in the shoe. 

 

Mullein’s magickal properties bring courage, protection, health, and love.  Add the leaves to mixes for sharpening divination skills, performing exorcisms, and preventing nightmares.  The classical hero Ulysses carried Mullein with him on his voyages to protect himself from Circe’s enchantments.  Mullein can be used in pillows, incense, charm bags, and hung over doorways.  It is also smoked for medicine and magick.

  

Medicinal Uses and Constituents:   Both Mullein flowers and leaves contain a significant amount of mucilage and saponins. These constituents provide Mullein’s famous demulcent quality. Not only is Mullein consumed as tea for sore throats and respiratory problems (asthma, bronchitis, croup), it was once smoked to achieve its healing effects.  An interesting idea I once read is to substitute Mullein for some of the tobacco in a cigarette.  Gradually increase the amount of Mullein and decrease the Tobacco.  Add peppermint if the person’s smoking habit involved menthol cigarettes. This is a novel and creative way to fight nicotine addiction.

 

Mullein is often part of a formula for cough syrups and lozenges. The leaves are known  for their astringent, antitussive, respiratory sedative, antifungal, and anodyne qualities. Herbalists have also used the root as a mild diuretic.  Harvest the leaves and root from the first year plant for medicinal use.

 

The flowers are used for their sedative action.  Macerated in olive, or some other healing oil, they provide relief for earaches, hemorrhoids and insect bites.  Traditionally each flower is harvested as it blooms, but this can be tedious work.  In recent years, we have learned to harvest the entire top 6 inches of the flower stalk, chop it up and infuse it in the oil.  Organic garlic and St. Johnswort are often added to “ear oil”.

 

There are no known contraindications to the use of Mullein during pregnancy or lactation.  Nor is their any evidence of drug interactions.

 

Flower Essence:  Mullein is the flower essence of inner conscience. Sometimes we find it difficult to walk our path, especially if it seems out of synch with society and our peers.

Still, it is of the utmost importance for the soul’s purpose that we are true to ourselves.  We all possess an inner knowing about what is right and correct for ourselves, yet it can be difficult to listen to our inner voice and connect with that knowing.  Mullein will help us hear, know, and understand that inner voice of conscience and life purpose.  More importantly, Mullein will help us to act on our convictions.  It will help us find our life’s purpose and take action to achieve it.

 

Mullein would be an important essence for adolescents who may be struggling with moral dilemmas for the first time.  They are also under extreme pressure to yield to peer pressure.  Many times young people find themselves in compromising situations, legally and morally, because their inner voice and conscience is not as strong or loud as the voice of the peer group.  Thus, they find themselves involved in illegal and dangerous activity.

Mullein will bring a calm inner certainty and sense of protection that allows the following of the moral conscience.

 

All of us face these issues at all times of life.  Mullein is not just for adolescents.  When you are faced with a strong desire to follow a particular path, and yet family, friends, or society is disapproving, Mullein can let you discern with clarity what course of action is for your highest good.  You will rise in strength from your center and stand tall, in the light, like the Mullein plant itself.

 

 

Another important signature of Mullein is the phallus-like stalk of the plant that expresses masculine strength.  This stalk is covered with velvety down evoking an overall softness.  Therefore, we see that we can use Mullein essence to bring softness and receptivity to personalities that are too aggressively masculinized.

 

Mullein flower essence works primarily on the third chakra.  The solar plexus chakra is connected to the fire element as is Mullein.  It is the seat of will and personal power.  Mullein flower essence strengthens and balances the solar plexus chakra.

 

Animals: Gurudas suggests using Mullein flower essence during times when animals are undergoing long training periods for tasks which will be their life’s work, such as with Seeing Eye dogs.

 

Astrological Considerations:  Mullein falls under the rulership of Saturn.  Use the essence during the Saturn return.