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These plants, funghi and insect illustrations
are part of my botanical oracle deck

Pilosella officinarum | Mouse-ear Hawkweed

Botanical Overview:

  • Family: Asteraceae

  • Common Names: Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Hawkweed, Devil's Paintbrush

  • Plant Type: Perennial herb

  • Native Range: Europe and western Asia, naturalized in North America

  • Key Identifiers:

    • Low-growing rosette of hairy, grayish-green leaves resembling mouse ears

    • Bright yellow flower heads resembling small dandelions, borne on slender, hairy stems

    • Grows to about 10–30 cm tall

    • Spreads via stolons and rhizomes, forming mats


Properties:

  • Active Compounds: Coumarins, flavonoids, tannins, umbelliferone, and mucilage

  • Pharmacological Actions: Diuretic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, astringent


Distribution and Habitat:

  • Thrives in dry, sandy, or chalky soils in open grasslands, meadows, and along roadsides

  • Common throughout Europe and temperate regions of Asia

  • Naturalized in North America, where it grows in similar habitats


Medicinal Uses:

  • Diuretic: Traditionally used to support kidney function and reduce water retention

  • Respiratory Health: Acts as an expectorant, helping to clear mucus from the respiratory tract in cases of colds, bronchitis, or mild coughs

  • Anti-inflammatory: Applied topically or taken internally to alleviate inflammation and irritation in minor wounds or mucosal tissues

  • Astringent: Useful for treating diarrhea or as a topical application for wounds due to its mild astringent properties

  • Traditional Uses: Historically used to treat fevers, jaundice, and various skin conditions


Psychoactive Properties and Effects:

  • Psychoactive Nature:

    • Pilosella officinarum is not considered psychoactive and does not directly affect the nervous system or mood


Magical Correspondences and Uses:

  • Element: Air

  • Planetary Association: Mercury

  • Magical Uses:

    • Associated with clarity, insight, and communication, it is used in rituals for enhancing mental focus and overcoming confusion

    • Believed to offer protection, particularly against negativity or ill will

    • Sometimes used in spellwork for divination or gaining insight into hidden truths

    • Symbolic of resilience and grounding, often included in talismans for strength and endurance


Folklore and Mythology:

  • Connection to the Hawk: The name "hawkweed" comes from the ancient belief that hawks ate the plant to improve their eyesight, associating it with vision and clarity

  • Symbol of Resourcefulness: Its ability to thrive in poor, dry soils made it a symbol of resilience and adaptability in European folklore

  • Protective Qualities: In folklore, it was believed to ward off malevolent spirits and protect travelers on their journeys


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