H E R B S D A Y T H U R S D A Y

Each Thursday we take a look at the magical properties of different herbs & how we can use them to enhance our lives. Today we are going to be looking at the magical properties of Lamb’s Ear.

Solar system: Venus, Moon

Element: Water

Gender: Feminine

Powers: Healing, protection, purification, negating hostile influences

Other Names For Lamb’s Ear

Woolly hedge nettle, Donkey’s ears, Jesus flannel, Bear’s ear, Cat’s ear, Bunnies’ ears, Lamb’s tongue, Rabbit ear, Mouse-ear, Lamb’s wool, Woolly woundwort.

General Information

Lamb’s Ear is a cute fuzzy grey-green plant that is beautiful to look at and makes a beautiful ground cover as it expands and covers the earth quickly. This relative to the common mint has a sweet pineapple scent and has been used medically for as long as it has been cultivated.

History & Folklore

Lamb’s Ear has a history of staunching wounds (a member of the woundworts) and can be used as a natural bandage for a number of topical applications. It apparently also has good absorption properties and has been used for menstrual uses as well as a natural pad. The leaves are reported to have antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory uses, particularly when used fresh, which is why they’re the go-to plant for natural bandages and are used for stings, welts, and other uncomfortable swellings (haemorrhoids). These same properties can be used for warm, damp compresses (though I don’t know how boiling them would affect their medicinal properties for topical uses). If you can’t find aloe or honey, this plant is a great alternative and acts as a bandage/barrier as well if needed. I can’t get into the research paper, but apparently, the extract of lamb’s ear has VR-MRSA potential.

Propagation

Lamb’s tongue plant self-seeds profusely as well as spreads by creeping stems, which develop roots as they move along the ground.

Divide the plant when necessary and experts typically recommend dividing woolly hedge nettle every two to four years.

Plant the divisions around 12” – 18” inches apart.

Harvesting & Storage

Cut the lamb’s ears just as the flowers are beginning to open. They will continue to open slowly during the drying process. Use sharp scissors or shears, and harvest the flowers in the late morning after the dew has dried. Do not harvest the flowers when they are damp with rain or dew.

Magical Attributes

This herb has connections to healing, protection, purification, and negating hostile influences. Make a smudge with this herb to help cleanse an area and to cast protection. Once dried you can hang it over your doorways to help prevent negative energies from coming into your home. Use it in a charm bag and carry it around to help strengthen protection spells. Use it as a component for any healing spellwork.

Household Use

The plant can be eaten fresh from the garden, applied fresh as a bandage, dried for decor, steeped into teas (which have a soft apple-like taste), or made into tinctures/tonics/infusions for topical use.

Healing Attributes

Lamb’s Ear has a history of staunching wounds (a member of the woundworts) and can be used as a natural bandage for a number of topical applications. It apparently also has good absorption properties and has been used for menstrual uses as well as a natural pad. The leaves are reported to have antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory uses, particularly when used fresh, which is why they’re the go-to plant for natural bandages and are used for stings, welts, and other uncomfortable swellings (haemorrhoids). These same properties can be used for warm, damp compresses (though I don’t know how boiling them would affect their medicinal properties for topical uses). If you can’t find aloe or honey, this plant is a great alternative and acts as a bandage/barrier as well if needed. I can’t get into the research paper, but apparently, the extract of lamb’s ear has VR-MRSA potential.

Culinary Use

The dried leaves have a variety of crafty purposes, but can also be slivered for tea, which supposedly has a sweet, apple-like flavour (I would guess reminiscent of chamomile). Teas, tinctures, infusions, and topical uses for fresh and dried. You can eat them straight from the garden if you don’t mind fuzzy food or gently steam them for salads.

Warnings/Precautions

Possible interactions with blood pressure medications, and of course if pregnant or breastfeeding consult your physician before use.

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