“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.” Hippocrates, 400 B.C.
Healing Foods
Bay Leaf -Bay laurel is sacred to Apollo and is associated with healing, psychic powers and academic and artistic acheivement. It resonates with Fire energy.
Bell Pepper -Bell peppers, also called sweet peppers come in a variety of colors including red, yellow, orange and even purple. Any can be eaten at the immature green stage, though these are not as sweet or rich in antioxidants. All peppers are associated with the Fire element. You can choose varieties of peppers to add to your recipe for a splash of color magic as well. Peppers are feel-good foods and add flavor and color to any dish. They are good raw, sauteed, roasted, stuffed, in soups, in salads, in pasta and more! They even dry well in the food dehydrator when chopped small.
Cinnamon -Cinnamon is masculine in action and ruled by the Sun and the element of Fire. As well as being a valuable ingredient in many recipes, cinnamon can be sprinkled over coals and burned as a pleasing incense to purify your sacred space (that is, your kitchen) before beginning your magical work. It can be made into cinnamon clay and used to fashion any number of delightfully scented sculptures and cinnamon sticks can be added to wreathes and other crafts. However you apply it, cinnamon can be used in magic for protection, prosperity, scrying, and warm, comforting love. Cinnamon is all about security.
Cranberry Apple Sauce -I love it when I can get fresh cranberries in autumn to make this wonderful sauce. It's great for any festive occasion and is delicious spread on toast or served with roast!
Ginger -Ginger is a wonderfully warming spice made from a rhizomatic root. It is associated with the element of Fire. Ginger's taste and smell are invigorating and warming. It increases energy in the body and in magical workings. Extremely useful in healing, ginger is both anti-inflammatory and anti-nauseal and helps warm up a chilled patient. As with anything that brings heat to the body, ginger is useful for increasing lust. It is also useful in work designed to increase your power and success in the workplace, as well as your wage.
Mushroom Miso Soup -Mushrooms and Miso are two magical secrets to vegetarian cooking, combined they make a rich, meaty soup that will warm the tummy and lift the spirit.
Plantain -Plantain is a banana-like fruit that is more starchy and less sweet. It tastes best cooked. Plantains are a wonderful comfort food that can be used in dishes designed to heal the spirit and let go of worldy burdens. In Vodou, plantains are often considered an acceptable offering. Plantains are popular in Caribbean, South American and African cooking.
Thyme -Thyme is a popular herb that enhances the flavors of soup, stews, meats, eggs, cheese and vegetables. It is an indespensible part of Mediterranean cooking and one of the few herbs that doesn't lose too much flavor when dried or added too early in the cooking process. In addition, an infusion of time is a wonderful after-dinner beverage that is said to aid digestion, prevent food poisoning (it is antibiotic), clear the mind and calm the nervous system. In the sick room it helps the patient relax and sleep deeply to encourage healing. Thyme can also be stuffed into dream pillows to prevent nightmares. Wearing a spring of fresh thyme is said to protect the wearer from being overwhelmed by others' emotions. Thyme may also be burned to cleanse and purify and area. Thyme is associated with the element Fire.
Turmeric -Turmeric is associated with the element of fire. It is used to treat many inflammatory diseases including arthritis and heart disease. It has a bright yellow color and peppery flavor that is delicious and attractive added to rice dishes and sauces. In magic, turmeric can be used for purification.
vinegar -Vinegar is made from fermenting and distilling juice or cider. It is acidic and preservative and associated with the element of fire. Vinegar is a delicious addition to many meals as a marinade before roasting meats and vegetables or added to salad dressing. It has also been used for centuries for its healing properties. Roman soldiers drank vinegar on a regular basis to prevent illness on compaigns and many people today swear by their daily apple cider vinegar tonic.
