Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index Rowan Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Rosaceae Genus: Sorbus Species: aucuparia Binomial nomenclature Sorbus aucuparia L. The Rowan or European mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is a type of deciduous tree. It is a member of the Rosaceae family. The wood is dense and used for carving and turning and for tool handles and walking sticks. The berries are a favorite of birds, and are used in various places to make a jelly which is traditionally eaten with game. It is used as an ornamental tree. The Rowan tree has a long tradition in European mythology and folklore. It was thought to be a magical tree and protection against malevolent beings. See also: Mythology and Folklore of the Rowan Table of contents 1 The name 1.1 English folk names 2 Uses 2.2 Magical uses 2.3 Folk-medicinal uses 2.4 Rowan in recipes 3 External links The name Etymologically, the name "Rowan" stems from the word "Runall", which means "a charm" in the old Norse language and "magician" in Sanskrit. English folk names Some of the folk names of the Rowan tree seem to imply it is an "Ash", although it doesn't even belong to the Ash family, and is much more related to the Rose and Hawthorn. The similarity that the leaves of the two tree's share, is probably to blame for the misleading names given to this tree in some parts. The following list summarizes some known folk names of the Rowan tree: Delight of the Eye (Luisliu) Mountain Ash Quickbane Ran Tree Roden-Quicken Roden-Quicken-Royan Round wood Royne tree Rudha-an (Scots Gaelic for Red One) Rune tree Sorb apple Thor's helper Whispering tree Whitebeam Whitty Wicken-tree Wiggin Wiggy Wiky Wild Ash Witchbane Witchen Witchen tree Witch wood Uses Rowan can be a great ornament and attracts many birds, which is reflected in the name "bird catcher". Magical uses The density of the Rowan wood makes it very usable for walking sticks and magician staffss that additionally carry protective qualities for safe night journeys. This is why druid staffs, for example, have traditionally been made out of Rowan wood. The magic power that is ascribed to Rowan extends beyond simple protection, for it is said that Rowan wood will increase one's psychic powers, and its branches were often used in dowsing rods and magical wands. Further, Rowan is carried on vessels to avoid storms, kept in houses to guard against lightning, and even planted on graves to keep the deceased from haunting. It is also used to protect one from witches or as wood to fuel the fire to burn witches. (Frazer, p. 718) A Rowan growing out of another Rowan is called a "Flying Rowan" and is especially potent against witches and their magic, and as a counter-charm against sorcery. (Frazer, p. 813-814) Rowan protects against enchantment and is used to make rune staves (Murray, p. 26), for metal divining, and to protect cattle from harm by arraching sprigs to their sheds. Leaves and berries are added to divination incense for better scrying. Folk-medicinal uses Fresh rowan berry juice is usable as a laxative, gargle for sore throats, inflamed tonsils, hoarseness, and as a source of vitamins A and C. Rowan berry jam will remedy diarrhea. An infusion of the berries will benefit hemorrhoids and strangury. The bark can also be used as an astringent for loose bowels and vaginal irritations. Rowan is also used for eye irritations, spasmic pains in the uterus, heart/bladder problems, neuralgia, gout, and waist constrictions. Rowan in recipes The rowan berry can substitute coffee beans. It can be used to flavor liqueurs/cordials, and to make ale. External links The Rowan Tree by Amy Sjoquist http://www.redqueen.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rowantree.htm This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.