Ravenhawk's Herb of the Month: Sugar Maple

Sugar Maple

About the Plant: Sugar Maple [Acer saccharum][genus Acer L.][Family Aceraceae][Common Names; Sugar Maple, Florida Maple, Rock Maple, head maple, sugar tree, bird’s-eye maple, and hard maple]

Native Americans used sugar maple sap for sugar and candies, as a beverage, fresh or fermented into beer, and soured into vinegar and used to cook meat. Iroquois used maple sap for sore eyes and a compound infusion of the bark as drops for blindness.

Healing

Healing Properties: Blood tonic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Hepatic, Ophthalmic

Maple syrup contains balanced sugars, potassium, vitamins a, B2, B5, B6, folic acid, biotin, niacin, and protein. The inner bark and leaves are good for the liver, the spleen, and the entire body.Tea made from the inner bark is a blood tonic, diuretic and expectorant. Maple has been used in the treatment of coughs, and diarrhea. It was also used as a blood purifier and dermatological aid. Maple syrup is used in cough syrups and is also said to be a liver tonic and kidney cleanser.

Magick

Powers: Love, generosity, protection from negative entities, health, healing, finances, longevity, balancing the masculine and feminine, intuition, and creativity.

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Jupiter

Element: Air

Magickal Uses: Maple can be used to make a very powerful wand. Place fresh leaves (especially those that have turned red or orange in the fall) on an altar to add an additional boost for love magic. Maple leaves are used in love spells and money rituals.