Cinquefoil for Bruising

As soon as you possibly can, after a bruise starts, put one cup of water on the stove.

Add a full handful of dried Cinquefoil (Roots, Leaves, Stems, Flowers), and bring this to a rapid boil.

Simmer on low heat while stirring and smashing the plant with a fork for about 1 minute.

Turn off the stove, and continue stirring and smashing for about 3 minutes.

Place a strainer over a coffee mug, and pour the contents of the pot into the strainer.

Smash the plant down in the strainer to get every drop into the cup.

Put two ice cubes into the brown water and stir till they melt. If the liquid is still hot add another ice cube. You want the liquid to be luke warm.

Get some paper towels and fold them into a compress. Don't use a wash cloth because this decoction will permanently stain any cloth brown.

Dip the compress into the brown water and gently squeeze out the moisture so it isn't dripping.

Apply the compress to the bruised area and hold it there.

Refresh the compress by dipping it back into the cup every 10 or 15 minutes until the bruise or threat of a bruise is gone. This will take about one hour if the bruise has begun to form - About 1/2 hour if you get to it before the bruise forms.

Put any left over liquid in a glass jar and store it in the fridge for future use.

Wash the cup, strainer, pot, and preparation area well because Cinquefoil will stain. Keep this stuff away from your clothing too.

How to Harvest

Many say that the best time to harvest Cinquefoil is in June, but I find that any time after it flowers and before it goes to seed is fine. Uproot the whole plant. Discard any diseased or bug bitten leaves. Rinse the plant with clean cold water to remove any dirt, pollutants, and bugs. Hang the plant upside down under a shade tree, and let it dry for a few days. After it's dry, chop up the whole plant, and pack it into a glass jar. Label the jar, and store in a dark cabinet at room temperature.

Divination Incense

To use when scrying for answers

3/4 part Cinquefoil,
1/8 part Valerian,
1/2 part Deerstongue,
1/2 part Frankincense,
1 part Sandalwood

burn over charcoal