Grapes are a fruit.
Raisins are dried grapes.
- botanical information
- history
- nutritional information
- selection
- storage
- astrological correspondences
- magick correspondences and uses
- ritual uses
- Goddesses and deities
- base oil
- health care
- Chinese herbology
- external skin care
- cautions and contraindications
botanical information:
Botanical name: Vitis vinifera
Common name: grape
Use the botanical name when ordering seeds (bulbs, etc.) or when looking up information in the library. Common names vary by nation, culture, and region, and sometimes the same common name is applied to different plants.
history:
History: Grapes were commonly grown in ancient Egyptian temple gardens.
Oatmeal raisin cookies were U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s favorite kind of cookie.
nutritional information:
Grapes are a source of iodine.
“Oh, my fellow men, do not defile your bodies with sinful foods. We have corn, we have apples bending down the branches with their weight, and grapes swelling on the vines. There are sweet-flavored herbs, and vegetables which can be cooked and softened over the fire, nor are you denied milk or thyme-scented honey. The earth affords a lavish supply of riches, of innocent foods, and offers you banquets that involve no bloodshed or slaughter; only beasts satisfy their hunger with flesh, and not even all of those, because horses, cattle, and sheep live on grass.”, Pythagoras (Greek mathematician).
See also Chinese herbalism below for Chinese gender and Chinese flavor.
grape seed extract
Grape seed extract.
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cooking information:
selection:
Reason to choose organic:
The difference between the following two sets of data is that the first set discusses grapes grown domestically in the U.S. and the second discusses grapes imported into the U.S. Domestica grapes have less pesticides than imported grapes.
Domestic grapes have the number 20 highest pesticide load of 45 common fruits and vegetables studied in 2006 by the Environmental Working Group and is therefore a prime candidate for switching to organic. The EWA explains, “While washing and rinsing fresh produce may reduce levels of some pesticides, it does not eliminate them. Peeling also reduces exposures, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the peel. The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.”
According to USDA and FDA tests on commercially grown foods collected between 2000 and 2005, domestic U.S. grape has a 60.5% (percentage) of samples tested with detectable pesticides, a 23.4% (percentage) of samples with two or more pesticides, a 0.9 average number of pesticides found in a sample, an average of 0.104 parts per million of all pesticides found, and 31 different pesticides found in use growing grapes domestically in the U.S. These toxic pesticides don’t apply to organic foods.
Imported grapes have the number nine (9) highest pesticide load of 45 common fruits and vegetables studied in 2006 by the Environmental Working Group and is therefore a prime candidate for switching to organic. The EWA explains, “While washing and rinsing fresh produce may reduce levels of some pesticides, it does not eliminate them. Peeling also reduces exposures, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the peel. The best option is to eat a varied diet, wash all produce, and choose organic when possible to reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.”
According to USDA and FDA tests on commercially grown foods collected between 2000 and 2005, imported grape has a 84.2% (percentage) of samples tested with detectable pesticides, a 53.2% (percentage) of samples with two or more pesticides, a 1.8 average number of pesticides found in a sample, an average of 0.284 parts per million of all pesticides found, and 37 different pesticides found in use growing imported grapes. These toxic pesticides don’t apply to organic foods.
storage:
Storage: Eat grapes within five days of purchase.
Verjuice is juice made from unripe grapes. Verjuice was used to add a sour taste to dishes in areas where lemon juice was unavailable.
astrological correspondences:
Astrological planet: Moon 
magickal correspondences and uses:
Grapeseed oil is an excellent base oil for dilluting valuable essential oils. Pour your base oil into the sterilized glass jar. A typical amount is 1/8th of a cup of base oil.
Gender: feminine (traditional western European magickal gender)
Western element: water
Magickal uses: abundance, celebration, and joy
Lunar spells: Grape (as an herb) may be used in as an ingredient or substitute for magick spells and formulas related to lunar matters (compassion, dreams, family, fertility, gardening, healing, love, peace, promoting sleep, prophecy, prophetic (or psychic) dreams), psychic awareness, sleep, and spirituality). Be careful about substitutions for preparations that will be ingested or come in contact with the skin. These substitutions do not apply to medical uses. See the article on the Moon for a list of herbal substitutes for grape.
Magical Uses  fertility, garden magic, mental powers, wealth
information courtesy of 
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ritual uses:
Nine Woods: Grapevine is one of the nine woods traditionally placed in the traditional Wiccan Witchcraft balefire. From one version of the Wiccan Rede: “Grapes grow upon the vine; Giving us both joy and wine.”
Ritual uses: Used for abundance, celebration, and joy.
deities associated with grape:
- Bacchus (Roman God)
- Hathor (ancient Egyptian Goddess)
- Het Heret (Kemetic Goddess)
- Iznagi (Japanese God)
base or carrier oil:
Base Oil: Grapeseed oil can be used as a base (or carrier) oil for both aromatherapy and magick.
Aroma: Light; slightly sweet with hint of nutty aroma.
Texture: Thin; leaves glossy film on skin.
Color: Clear; slight tinge of yellow-green.
Notes: Unlike most other carrier oils, grapeseed oil is solvent extracted and may have traces of chemical solvents. Store in brown bottle in a cool dark location.
health care uses:
Health Notice: Attempting to be an amateur doctor is potentially dangerous to your health. This web page is not professional medical advice. Nothing on this website should be considered as a substitute or replacement for professional medical advice. Persons should seek the advice of qualified health providers. Self-medication should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Please confirm all self-medication with your doctor or health care professional. See the article on healing for recommended healers.
Chinese herbalism:
Chinese gender: neutral
Chinese flavor: sweet
Chinese flavor: slightly sour
external care:
External skin care: Grape seed oil helps hydrate the skin.
External skin care: Grape seed extract in Greatskin C Serum: “Contains 14% EsterC, pycnogenol, Co-Q10 and grapeseed extract to comprise the most powerful topical antioxidant combination on the market for all skin types to treat and prevent photoaging and aging in general. Builds collagen as it stimulates skin’s immune system.” Greatskin C Serum
“Age-Defying: Using anti-aging skincare early in life is the key to preserving youthful, radiant skin as you age. In your twenties and thirties,take steps to postpone signs of aging by selecting products that contain the powerful age defying antioxidants Vitamin C, grape seed extract, and green tea. Pentapeptides and glycolics are potent age defyers, too.” —GreatSkin
External skin care: Grape seed extract in Rhonda Allison Grape Seed Parfait Mask: “The Grape Seed Parfait Mask has overall hydrating effects provide skin with valuable nutrients that assist in replacing vitamins and antioxidants that strengthen and firm the skin. Provides skin with valuable nutrients that assist in replacing vitamins and antioxidants that streghten and firm for an overall hydrating effect. With shea butter, grape seed extract, squalane. Smells heavenly with blend of orange, clove, and cinnamon. Smooth onto face and neck for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Scoop out a small amount and smooth onto face and neck evenly. Place moistened chamomile tea bags or sliced cool cucumbers on the eyes and lie down to soothing relaxing music for 15 minutes or soak in your favorite herbal bath. Rinse away with warm water and blot skin dry.” Rhonda Allison Grape Seed Parfait Mask
External skin care: Grape seed oil and grape seed extract in Rhonda Allison Grape Seed Hydrating Serum: “All natural, nutrient-enriched hydrating antioxidant oil goes on smooth and silky. Provides the skin with powerful blend of essential vitamins and protective antioxidants. Massage a few drops into face and neck every day.” Rhonda Allison Grape Seed Hydrating Serum
External skin care: Grape fruit acids in Great Skin Glycolic Moisture Cream: “A daily reconditioning treatment containing natural fruit acids of Grape, Lemon, Passionflower, and Pineapple. Natural fruit acids accelerate the natural skin renewal process. This light weight oil free moisturizer will diminish fine lines, scarring, and skin discoloration. Vitamin A,E, and C protect the skin from the damaging effects of free radicals and help improve elasticity. Includes Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender Oil), Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon Peel Oil), and Geranium Maculatum Oil.” Great Skin Glycolic Moisture Cream
External skin care: Red grape seed extract in Rhonda Allison Cherry Jubilee Enzyme: “Filled with enzymes rich in antioxidants. Mask includes cherry puree, pomegranate, lycopene from tomatoes, and red berries. The primary benefit of this enzyme is the natural polyphenols (flavanoids) that are incredibly rich in antioxidants. This formula contains potent anti-aging value that fights against free radical damage and aids in building healthy skin tissue. It is the deterioration by free radicals that causes the internal aging of the skin.” Rhonda Allison Cherry Jubilee Enzyme
cautions and contraindications:
Cautions and contraindications: Grapes are believed to be safe.
Wild gathering: Avoid wild gathering. Some plants are endangered species. Please grow your own herbs in your own goddess garden (or window boxes).
Animal cautions and contraindications: Grapes and rasins should never be fed to cats or dogs.
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