🌸🌿Let’s Talk About Bindweed 🌸🌿 (Patreon)

Let's talk about Bindweed! A witch from the coven chat asked for some more information about this herb, so here is a post about the magical meaning, uses and more for you! All of the sources are linked below. Enjoy!

Scientific name: Convolvulus arvensis

Planetary correspondence: Saturn

Corresponding element: Water

Description: A twining perennial vine that can grow 15 to 20 feet. It has arrow shaped leaves and 1-2 inch funnel-shaped flowers that vary in color from white to pink. The flowers open in the morning and close in the evening.

Parts used: Root, whole plant

Habitat: Originally found in Eurasia. Bindweed is now found throughout the continental U.S. and Canada, as well as numerous other areas around the world. It is largely considered an invasive plant.

History & folklore: Bindweed came to North America in the 1730's. Known to many as morning glory, this invasive plant is actually very different from the ornamental morning glory species that we commonly plant in gardens. However, bindweed was originally sold as an ornamental plant and also as medicine. It is believed that it was also accidently spread through agricultural seed shipment. Most people consider this plant a weed, as it is extremely difficult to eradicate.  The Greek physician Dioscorides is reported to have used this plant to stop internal bleeding and heal wounds.

Medicinal uses:  In western herbalism, bindweed is used as a laxative and a purgative. It has also been used topically to treat spider bites, and taken internally to slow menstruation and stimulate bile flow. In Ayurvedic medicine it is considered a brain tonic that will promote intellect and help with insomnia, confusion, epilepsy, psychoneurosis and neurological disorders. It is also used as a tranquilizer and blood purifier, for excess bleeding and venereal diseases.

Magical/Energetic Uses

The powerful energetic properties of this plant are useful in any ritual pertaining to binding, purging, and clearing negative influences. Carry an amulet with the dried flowers to counteract negativity directed towards you from others. When experiencing an intentional psychic attack, write the attackers name on a piece of paper and burn it along with a handful of dried bindweed. While the herb is burning, chant these words: "Your ill intent be bound to you. No harm to others can it do. Purge it now and set it right, send this darkness to the light."

Opening

It is a plant of dawn and dusk and thickets and hedges separating civilization from the wild wood. Hedge Bindweed’s magic lays in the places in between – thresholds and doorways – openings to the otherworld.

It is a good ally for hedgecrossers and spirit workers. Its persistent vines creating a connection or bridge to both worlds one is travelling between giving the safety of a return route.

Binding

Its flowers are too delicate to use, but the tangled vines can be put to work in binding spells for people, objects, or spirits.

Carry an amulet with the dried flowers to counteract negativity directed towards you from others.

It also excels at smothering the intentions of others.

Its flowers, and especially flowering vines, are useful in workings of Bewitchment and Fascination.

Success

The roots are the main part used in folk magic and Hedge Bindweed was one of the Native American conjurer’s roots. It is used as a substitute for High John the Conqueror Root and has the same magical properties of good luck, success, confidence in self, strength, and commanding power. It can be used anywhere in Hoodoo formulas calling for High John.

Protection

When experiencing an intentional psychic attack, write the attackers name on a piece of paper and burn it along with a handful of dried bindweed.

Place the seeds beneath the pillow to stop all nightmares.

Love

With it's lovely flowers, heart shaped leaves, and clinging vine, the morning glory plant is definitely something to consider when constructing a love and/or relationship spell.

In the language of flowers, the morning glory represents affection.

Bindweed is used by the cunning for binding, containing, constricting & for keeping things in. Either the plant itself is used, or the oil made from it.

The seeds have been used in earlier times to induce hallucinations. They are toxic. Do not try this. Stands for insinuation & humility.

It is also used in charm & potions to ease childbirth & woman’s pains.

Bindweed’s magic lays in the places in between – thresholds & doorways – openings to the otherworld. It is a good ally for hedge crossers & spirit workers.

Its persistent vines creating a connection or bridge to both worlds one is travelling between giving the safety of a return route.

Its flowers are too delicate to use, but the tangled vines can be put to work in binding spells for people, objects, or spirits.

The roots are the main part used in folk magic & Bindweed was one of the Native American conjurer’s roots. It is used as a substitute for High John the Conqueror Root & has the same magical properties of good luck, success, confidence in self, strength & commanding power.

It can be used anywhere in Hoodoo formulas calling for High John.

For binding another.

It smothers the intentions of others.

Used in both hexing & protection.

Bindweed vines can be used for binding spells (including handfasting) & for creating bridges & connections between realms.

Recipes:

This herb is highly nutritious as it has rich contents of starch & sugars.

However, this herb should not be consumed on a regular basis since it may have a laxative effect.

Medicinally, bindweed is taken in three different forms - decoction, powdered rootstock & juice.

Bindweed tincture is prepared from 25 g of dried plant added to 120 ml of alcohol of 40% & it is then left to macerate for 12 days.

2-3 tsp of this mixture are consumed daily, mixed with syrup or honey to mask the bitter taste.

1 tsp is taken each morning on an empty stomach.

The fresh juice should be taken in small quantities only; in large quantities it produces constipation. Like all strong purgatives, hedge bindweed is not for extended use.

Bindweed infusion is obtained from 2 tsp of herb added to 200 ml of boiling water.

Take on an empty stomach.

Decoction: add 1 tsp of the dried flowering bindweed plant in 250 ml water & bring it to boil.

The normal dosage of this decoction is 1 tbsp taken once when required.

Juice: The juice extracted from the leaves of bindweed plant should be taken in dosage of 1/2 tsp 1-2 x every day.

Powdered rootstock: The powdered rootstock of bindweed needs to be taken in dosage of one level teaspoon, 1-2 x every day.

PRECAUTIONS:

Excessive dosage may result in constipation & other ailments.

People who are enduring stomach ache, problems related to the intestine, for instance, appendicitis, obstruction, Crohn's disease, colitis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) should avoid using this herb. In addition, this herbal medicine should never be given to women during pregnancy or breast-feeding mothers.

Sources:

https://www.pinterest.com/laurelcollier/bindweed/

http://cwmagical.blogspot.com/2019/03/magickal-herbs-bindweed-morning-glory.html?m=1

https://knotmagick101.wordpress.com/2014/11/29/bindweed/amp/

https://www.thewayofthewitch.com/plant-focus-bindweed.html

https://herbalpicnic.blogspot.com/2015/08/bindweed.html?m=1