Wildcrafting ~ Queen Anne's Lace

I've just finished my page on Queen Anne's Lace... the original carrot!

What a surprisingly fascinating plant.

The most popular story surrounding this plant is that it is named after Queen Anne who pricked her finger while making some fine lace, staining the white with a tiny drop of red blood. Very often a purple or red 'drop' representing the blood on the lace can be seen in the centre of the flower.

Also known as 'Wild Carrot', this plant was gathered by Scottish women on the Sunday preceding St. Michael's Day... Carrot Sunday. The women would sing special songs or 'runes' while gathering....

Cleft fruitful, fruitful, fruitful,
Joy of carrots surpassing upon me,

Michael the brave endowing me,
Bride the fair be aiding me.

Forked roots were highly prized and considered very lucky.

The wild carrots were washed and tied in bundles with three-ply red string, then kept in sand until St. Michael's feast day (September 29th). On that day the carrots are given with wishes of plenty, prosperity and fertility and were highly prized as gifts.

Magically speaking, Queen Anne's Lace was predominantly used in fertility and virility spells and rituals.

You might also be interested to know ....

~ The leaves contain porphyrins, which stimulate the pituitary gland and lead to the release of increased levels of sex hormones.

~ The seeds have been used as a 'morning after' treatment to prevent pregnancy.

~ Considered an excellent cleansing herb for the body.

*DO NOT HARVEST THIS PLANT UNLESS 100% CERTAIN OF IT'S IDENTITY. IT IS OFTEN CONFUSED WITH POISON HEMLOCK WHICH IS DEADLY. • DO NOT USE THIS PLANT IF PREGNANT OR TRYING TO BECOME PREGNANT