It sucks in moisture from the air and nutrients from the environment itself (this is called epiphytic NOT parasitic). Spanish moss, also called Old Man’s Beard and Pele’s Hair, has many magical uses and properties. The Medical News Today website reports that Japanese cosmetics researchers from the Noevir Company believe that certain extracts from Spanish moss appear to strengthen the small blood vessels, or capillaries, in skin as well as protect them from damage. Work an abundance of Spanish moss … Other uses for Spanish Moss include: Lids for cooking pots, emergency blankets, insulation, mixed with clay to strengthen plaster, used to fire pots, used in tanning and to skim scum off cooking liquids, fiber … As an alternative medicine ingredient, Spanish moss use has not been approved for any specific medical treatment by the Food and Drug Administration. The USDA National Resources Conservation Service reports that Spanish moss was used by Native Americans as a fiber to create blankets and ropes, as stuffing for bedding and as an ingredient in the clay-based plaster used cover the inner walls of houses. Other uses for Spanish Moss include: Lids for cooking pots, emergency blankets, insulation, mixed with clay to strengthen plaster, used to fire pots, used in tanning and to skim scum off cooking liquids, fiber woven into floor mats, to make string, rope and sacks, fire arrows to destroy invaders’ forts, doll decorations and Voodoo doll stuffing. It typically doesn’t kill the tree it lives on, but may grow so large it prevents the tree from acquiring necessary sunlight. (NOT a Reading), According to Green Dean from Eat the Weeds, The Magical Mandrake: History, Legends and More, Rosemary’s Magical Properties & How to Use it in Your Magick, Stuffed into doll-babies for healing and to attract love, Use to make War water and in domination spells, On Southern wreaths and in floral arrangements, Attached to ceremonial clothing or death shrouds, On the altar as a representation of the South/tropics/swamps, In communication and travel spells because of its link to Air. Nasty smalls bugs that bite! It’s a flowering plant in the bromeliad family found in tropical and subtropical regions of the U.S., Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Spanish moss has interesting origins, and has been used in American folk magic for centuries. Spanish moss is linked to the element Air as its seeds are spread in the wind. Spanish Moss Tea is a useful fertilizer. Spanish moss is commonly found hanging from the limbs of Southern live oaks and bald cypress trees. According to Green Dean from Eat the Weeds, Spanish moss was brewed by Natives to treat rheumatism, fever, and to ease childbirth contractions. Her hair stayed in the tree and continued to grow, becoming what we call Spanish moss. And it was worn by women of higher nobility in certain tribes. Spanish Moss has a history of use as a remedy for rheumatism, either taken as a tea, soaking in a bath with the decoction, or having the liquid massaged into sore muscles and joints. Another variation of this legend tells the tale of an old man who’s long beard is caught in the trees and becomes Spanish moss. Most often it’s stuffed in doll babies (poppets) with other herbs and … Most often it’s stuffed in doll babies (poppets) with other herbs and ingredients to either draw love or exact revenge. What Are the Benefits of Extrapone Nutgrass Root? The green buds on the plant are edible, but not the plant itself. In Hoodoo, Spanish moss is used in love AND revenge workings. It is also known by the common names graybeard, old man's beard, grandfather's whiskers and Florida moss. Native groups throughout South America used Spanish moss teas for treating contraction pains in women giving birth and to ease rheumatism. In animal studies, extracts of Spanish Moss reduced the amount of time for wound healing. Here in the Southern U.S., our old trees are draped in a hanging spiderweb-like plant called Spanish moss. However, these claims have not been backed by scientific evidence, and Spanish moss use is not advocated by the Food and Drug Administration. Find YOUR God And Goddess: PowerPoint Presentation. It’s floats and sways like ghostly spirits as it hangs from large oak trees and cypress trees here in the deep south. Therefore, Spanish moss magic properties include love, healing, and revenge/justice in the Hoodoo tradition. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Spanish moss can be used in: Please make sure to fully wash the moss as it is filled with red bugs or chigger bugs. Spanish Moss … To learn more about the Otherworldly Oracle’s website Privacy Policy, visit our Privacy Policy page here. Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is an epiphytic flowering plant that often grows upon larger trees in tropical and subtropical climates, native to much of Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Central America, South America, the Southern United States, West Indies and is also naturalized in Queensland (Australia). The story is tragic – the Princess hangs herself by a tree when she realizes her father had her true love killed. Dream Interpretation: 1 Dream Deciphered by Clairvoyant Witch! Spanish moss magic properties via Native legend include fertility, regeneration, growth, love and strength. According to the Natives, Spanish moss was sometimes worn by mourners, typically women. It’s this intriguing plant that creates a unique Gothic, deep south landscape in many Southern movies and shows. The USDA National Resources Conservation Service reports that Spanish moss was used by Native Americans as a fiber to create blankets and ropes, as stuffing for bedding and as an ingredient in the clay-based plaster used cover the inner walls of houses. But what about Spanish moss medicine? Spanish Moss does not break down very fast so it is best to use smaller amounts in a compost pile or to place it in a slow composting pile. First, I don’t recommend collecting your Spanish moss yourself unless you plan to wash it with strong soaps or chemicals or bleach it. According to the Beaufort County Library website, Spanish moss grows on supports like trees, fences, buildings or poles and thrives primarily from the southeastern region of the United States to the upper portion of South America. Spanish moss doesn’t make good livestock feed, because it has almost no nutritive value. Traditional uses of Spanish Moss also included treating open wounds. Spanish moss, also known by its scientific name Tillandsia usneoides, is not a member of the moss family, or even native to Spain, but rather belongs to the Bromeliacae family -- along with plants like the pineapple.