Peaches are the fruit of the peach tree.

• botanical information
• origin
• selection
• storage
• preparation
• magick correspondences and uses
• magick incense
• Goddesses and deities
• Chinese herbology

botanical information:

    Botanical name: Prunus persica

    Common name: peach

    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.

origin:

    Origin: Persia.

    Even though Georgia (U.S.) is called the “peach state”, California and South Carolina produce more peaches.

    See also Chinese herbalism below for Chinese gender and Chinese flavor.

selection:

    Reason to choose organic:
    Peaches have the number one (1) 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, peach has a 96.6% (percentage) of samples tested with detectable pesticides, a 86.6% (percentage) of samples with two or more pesticides, an 3.1 average number of pesticides found in a sample, an average of 1.134 parts per million of all pesticides found, and 42 different pesticides found in use growing peaches. These toxic pesticides don’t apply to organic foods.

storage:

    Storage: Eat peaches within a week (seven days) of purchase.

preparation:

    Sprinkle a little lemon juice on cut peaches to help prevent them from turning brown.

magickal correspondences and uses:

    Incense: Peach incense or blossom is appropriate for burning in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell, Hecate black candle love spell, or Isis Full Moon love spell.

    Western element: water

    Magickal uses: fertility, good wishes, longevity, protection, wisdom

    Love spells: Peach flowers are appropriate for use in love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell.

    Magick food for love spells: Peach (both fruit and juice) is an appropriate food for love spells, such as the Aphrodite New Moon love spell, Hecate black candle love spell, or Isis Full Moon love spell. See the article on foods for more information on using food magick in spells.

deities associated with peaches:

• Hai Wang Ma (Chinese Goddess)
• Iznagi (Shinto God)

Chinese herbalism:

    Chinese gender: yin (cool)

    Chinese flavor: slightly sweet

See also: herbs.

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