What is the difference and uses between Licorice Root and Calamus Root.....

Hello Everyone,

Not too long ago, but unfortunately while I was in the care facility with my broken ankle I was asked about Calamus and Licorice Root,  what are they used for or how can they be used.

And I'm getting questions from my family members as well about herbs as they come up to the point where I'm getting a little overwhelmed.

So I am going to post from time to time about different herbs some which you can grow and some which you can purchase. 

So let's start with these two, Calamus and Licorice Root-----

Both are herbs but each has their own different properties in the use of Conjure, yet both are used in either for controlling or dominating others, so in some ways they are very much the same and yet there are some differences.

Licorice Root is used to gain power over and control of someone (an individual) that would include to change their mind.

Calamus Root is used primarily to control a situation as well as or dominate a person.

Calamus is seen more often in spells and rituals than Licorice because by some it’s considered the softer “sister” between the two.   Calamus exerts a more sweeter, subtle, compelling control while Licorice is more of a stern-demanding control.   They are both potent roots in the use of control and some practitioners like to use them together, but they can be used separately depending upon what kind of control one wants to exert.

However some practitioners feel that the reverse is also correct,  my Granny use to say that sometimes some herbs, plants or roots seem to work differently with each practitioner,   it’s what works best for you and you can only find out when you use them individually.  But most prefer to use them together.

So let’s talk about the different properties of Calamus Root and Licorice Root:

    

Let’s start with Calamus Root:

Calamus Root, also known as Sweet Flag, is a perennial root herb that grows in some parts of Europe, Asia and North America.  It’s mentioned in the book of Exodus and is supposed to be one of the ingredients in ritual incense. The Bible also mentions about the root’s stimulating and visionary effect. This visionary effect was also recognized by the Native Americans, who considered the herb sacred. The Ancient Chinese believed that Calamus put one’s energy into balance, allowing one to resonate as a whole. They would chew on Calamus root while breathing deeply, fully and slowly to make anxiety and panic subside.

(Personally I would not do that because there may be some unknown effects that could adversely affect a person)

It is alleged by conjure workers that using this root gives to the worker or user, control over a person or situation. Because of this belief it is a common ingredient in formulas and spells used for controlling others, and it put into oils and powders including Commanding,  Bend-Over, and Follow Me Boy as well as some love formulas.

It can be used in a conjure or mojo bag filled with other Love-Herbs, so that a person, man or woman, can be Dominate in a Love Affair.  Other uses is burning it as an incense while doing a domination candle-spell or to mix it with Commanding Powder then sprinkle it around a room where they will meet with someone they want or wish to control, command or dominate, some people will put it into a mojo bag before going into a mediation situation so they will get their own way.  (especially in divorce cases)

It is known for other spell uses in healing, balance, protection, luck and prosperity. Growing the plant in your garden is said to bring good luck and aids in the protection of the property.  It is claimed that using Calamus root gives protection against an enemy.

To use to increase good luck and attract abundance and help in healing and protection of a person or property, sprinkle the powdered root around the outside perimeter of your home or property to protect from robbers.

Another way to increase one’s finances is to cut up dried calamus root and place them in the corners of the rooms of your house or business to ensure that you have more than enough money when you are worrying about your finances.

On a more practical level it is believe to also discourage fleas and other unwanted pests.  Some years ago a friend of mine lived in Taiwan and his housekeeper would put up here and there around the house  calamus grass tied together in small bundles and outside their doors in the summer months especially during the Dragon Boat Festival to protect the house from a summer pestilence.  He told me that parts of Taiwan can be very swampy, considering that it’s a subtropical country and during the summer months various diseases develop in various towns and villages.  It was traditionally believed that putting these bundles would keep the “sickness” away---the Chinese called calamus “shi chang pu.”

Mrs. Washington who use to live in the South, told me of how she and her Mama would also use calamus as a wash (boiled in hot water) and would wash down their steps and floors and put finely cut pieces all around the house and at the window screens.   The story about Brer Rabbit’s mojo hand could have been a form of keeping fleas and misquotes off of a person, much like how my granny would use eucalyptus leaves under her rugs to keep fleas away.

It can also be used or burned as an incense to encourage spiritual, emotional and physical healing. 

Because Calamus is used for control, many practitioners do not like to use it in a honey jar or a marriage spell because if you use it in a love spell you would be using it to control and dominate the other person.  But if you do then such a honey jar would just have a more controlling/dominating bent to it but you have to remember that it would be interfering with the other person’s free will.

On the medical side Calamus root was considered medicinal.  Some herbalists would powder the root and mix it into a glass of white wine to help settle an upset stomach. Chewing the candied roots would help soothe a sore throat or calm a persistent cough but only get this from a licensed herbalist, it is not wise to self-medicate.

In herbal use medical science has on and off listed Calamus root as being toxic, that is if a lot of it is ingested, if that happens then it encourages the growth of cancerous tumors,  but if taken only in very small doses and only occasionally one should not have that problem---but again do not self-medicate and only get from a licensed herbalist.

Because of this Calamus root is banned or prohibited in some countries or states because of this possible toxic reaction, if you find that it is banned in your area you can substitute Licorice-root, Cubeb Berries, Master Root or Knot-weed.

If you like to grow an herb garden, planting and growing Calamus would make a great addition.

Now let’s talk about Licorice Root:

This root is used for flavoring and also in herbal medicine.  It’s magical properties in control or dominating is much like Calumus Root and would be used the same way.   So except for the type of domination or control that you want there is very little difference in its application.

The root of the Licorice tree must be used in dried form. The first candies were made using Licorice and the process was quite simple then, simply boiling the Licorice and then adding some sugar and anise oil after its been boiled after a while. The reason to use anise oil as an addition is to improve the taste of the licorice root since its original state the taste is quite delicate.  I have chewed Licorice root and it is flavorful but light and not over whelming.

Licorice root medically relieves coughs and arthritis. There are various uses of the root especially as an herbal medicine. The root has been compared to codeine when it comes to stopping coughs and bringing up phlegm to clear the lungs. In China, the Licorice root is used in the treatment for arthritis as they claim it has essential anti-inflammatory components better known as saponins. The root helps in the cure of bronchitis and colds especially when taken in the form of a special tea.  I’ve known some people to chew the root to bring relief to mild ulcers---but its best to get professional help for ulcers.

 Sometimes it’s used as a tranquilizer and allegedly balances nervous system and stimulates liver functions. But be careful drinking it as a tea or eating it in long term usage (over 3 months) it could cause liver damage.

On the other hand, the root has been associated with enhancement of fertility and increase of sexual energy among the humans and is used to bind love charms.

Now to the practical side of Licorice root especially if you want to grow it:

Licorice (sometimes spelled  Liquorice)  come from the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, from which a sweet flavor can be extracted. The licorice plant is a legume related to beans and peas and is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is not related to Anise, Star Anise or Fennel, which are the source of superficially similar flavoring compounds.

It is an herbaceous perennial, growing to 3 feet in height, the flowers are purple to pale whitish blue.  Licorice grows best in deep, fertile, well-drained soils, with full sun, and is harvested in the autumn, two to three years after planting.   In modern times, liquorice extract is produced by boiling licorice root and subsequently evaporating most of the water. In fact, the name 'liquorice'/'licorice' is derived from the Old French licoresse and from the Ancient Greek glukurrhiza, meaning 'sweet root'.

I knew of a young lady that had been affected by the use of both roots and she wanted to get free, so Granny did the 13 herb uncrossing bath on her,  after the 13^th day (it was one bath a day) we did the Egg Cleansing spell, in the meantime my uncle went to see the guy who was dominating her, on a pretext about doing some work, when the fellow wasn’t looking my uncle put some hot foot powder on the threshold of the guy’s house.   Then Granny did a dominating spell on the guy so he’d leave the girl alone and leave town.   It worked but it took a little time.      Then she created a poppet or doll of the girl so that anything attempted to be done on the young lady would not affect her.   As I said it took time but it worked.

In doing the work Licorice much the same as Calamus Root, but again it depends upon what kind of spell or ritual work you want to do,  sometimes it’s best to use only a little instead of a lot just to be a sweet and gentle persuader.

But you have to remember that if you want to force someone to fall in love with you, and it really is not meant to be, then you are interfering with someone’s free will and it can backlash on you, so again think carefully on what you want to do.

Bright Blessings,

Ms. Q