Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a resourceful and comprehensive guidebook for anyone interested in the magical properties and uses of various herbs. This book is an invaluable tool for those who practice herbal magic or are interested in natural healing methods. Scott Cunningham, a well-respected and influential author in the field of Wicca and magic, shares his extensive knowledge and research on the subject, making this book a must-have for any aspiring herbalist or practitioner. The book begins with a helpful introduction that provides readers with a basic understanding of herb magic and how to work with herbs effectively. Cunningham explains the importance of intention, visualization, and working with correspondences in order to harness the magical properties of herbs. The main body of the book is divided into two sections.
When dry, the hydrophilic coating still feels smooth to the touch, unlike the coating of some other hydrophilic catheters that we have reviewed. We tried to find additional details on what the coating is actually made of, but the FDA application summary was light on details. Hydrophilic coatings are typically made out of a chemical called polyvinylpyrrolidone, also known as PVP. Generally considered to be safe, there have been very rare documented cases of allergic reactions to this material, particularly when it comes into contact with mucous membranes (as is the case with catheterization).
That being said, if you do purchase these catheters, try to opt for the version with an insertion sleeve it ll help you manage the catheter without touching it directly. Generally considered to be safe, there have been very rare documented cases of allergic reactions to this material, particularly when it comes into contact with mucous membranes as is the case with catheterization.
The main body of the book is divided into two sections. The first section focuses on individual herbs, providing detailed information about their magical properties, energies, and associations. Cunningham covers a wide range of herbs, from the common to the obscure, and provides useful facts such as planetary and elemental correspondences, deities associated with each herb, and suggested magical uses.
Bard Magic3® Intermittent Catheter
All-silicone construction means that the catheter is biocompatible and safe.
The hydrophilic coating on the sample that we tested was very robust and didn’t feel grainy when dry.
There’s a lot to like about this catheter, but your mileage may vary given the number of complaints filed with the FDA.
Lots of adverse events filed with the FDA.
Some of the marketing messages on the Bard® website just don’t hold up to what the competition is doing.
Material
The Bard Magic3® Hydrophilic catheter is an all-silicone catheter with a hydrophilic coating. (The FDA statement that’s linked here is for the Rochester Magic catheter, which was acquired by Bard in the 2010s.)
Unlike many other catheter designs, the funnel is not made out of a stiffer plastic, nor is it glued onto the catheter – instead the catheter itself flares out in a unibody design. Bard’s marketing materials emphasize the 3-layer construction of the catheter – the outer layer is soft to maximize comfort, the middle layer is firm to maximize handling ability, and the inner layer is pliable for easy navigation. To be honest, it’s difficult to assess how much this construction has on the actual user experience, but you can see evidence of the three separate layers in the funnel end of the catheter – it’s harder to pick out the different layers in a cross-section.
As for the catheter itself, medical grade silicone is known to be extremely biocompatible, which is why it’s used in a number of different medical device applications. Silicone doesn’t break down the same way that plastics do, so they don’t leach into the environment or end up as microparticles in the ocean, though the extent to which this is true may be exaggerated. It does end up in landfills, as there isn’t an easy way to reprocess or recycle it, and it isn’t biodegradable.
Flexibility
The male catheter that we tested with drooped down 12 inches while extending out 8 inches. It’s very flexible, but because it comes with a hydrophilic coating, it’s not as difficult to use as something like the GentleCath Uncoated catheter, because you don’t have to worry about lubricating it. That being said, if you do purchase these catheters, try to opt for the version with an insertion sleeve – it’ll help you manage the catheter without touching it directly.
Packaging
The Magic3® Hydrophilic catheter is packaged in a two-part plastic package that features cut outs that enable an individual with low dexterity to open the packaging. The packaging contains a sterile water packet inside that you’re meant to burst before opening the package. This allows the water to spread through and hydrate the coating. There is also a sticker on the package that allows you to stick the package to a wall once you’ve peeled the sticker off. The sticker itself wouldn’t be easy to peel for someone with limited dexterity.
Lubrication
When dry, the hydrophilic coating still feels smooth to the touch, unlike the coating of some other hydrophilic catheters that we have reviewed. We tried to find additional details on what the coating is actually made of, but the FDA application summary was light on details. Hydrophilic coatings are typically made out of a chemical called polyvinylpyrrolidone, also known as PVP. Generally considered to be safe, there have been very rare documented cases of allergic reactions to this material, particularly when it comes into contact with mucous membranes (as is the case with catheterization).
When hydrated, the coating almost becomes gel like, and can build up on the hands or the urethral opening. Wiping will likely be needed to avoid a mess. There were lots of product complaints logged with the FDA about the lubrication of these catheters – some didn’t seem to have a hydrophilic coating, whereas others arrived with burst or empty water sachets.
Insertion
Instructional videos for this product can be found here.
Once hydrated, the hydrophilic coating does a good job of making insertion into the bladder straightforward. Unless a lot of pressure was applied, the catheter didn’t seem to buckle or do anything of the sort.
The catheter comes with 4 eyelets, which is more than the standard 2. This might translate to faster bladder drainage, but we’d suspect that the main limitation there is French size and how much volume can move down the catheter, as opposed to how may eyelets there are. The eyelets are called “comfort-sized” in marketing materials, but compared to a Cure Catheter®, these eyelets don’t seem particularly comfortable – they seem like they were punched through, not polished. They were also sized differently in the models we reviewed, and some of the eyelets weren’t punched all the way through!
It is possible to order this catheter with a “SURE-GRIP™” sleeve, which comes at an additional cost. The sleeve is a short 1.5-inch polyethylene sleeve that’ll require a degree of dexterity to use easily. It’s certainly more substantial than the sleeve that comes with the GC Glide catheters. The one that we tested with came with the sleeve located about halfway down the package, so we had to take care not to touch the catheter while trying to retrieve the sleeve.
Without the sleeve, if you’re a man using this product, it’s pretty much impossible to use it without directly touching every inch of the catheter as it goes into your body. We’ve known guys who remove the packaging from the catheter, and then use it to handle the catheter without touching it directly. That might be worth a shot to reduce infection potential if you think the packaging is cleaner than your hands are.
It’s also important to know that even with the sleeve, you still have a risk of contaminating the catheter when inserting it – the urethral opening is known to house pathogens that can cause UTIs – if you’re worried about getting one, make sure you wipe yourself down with sterile wipes before trying to insert the catheter.
The second section of the book is a practical guide that offers instructions for various magical techniques, such as making herbal oils, ointments, and incenses, as well as creating herbal amulets and talismans. Cunningham emphasizes the importance of ethical and sustainable harvesting practices and includes tips for growing and harvesting one's own herbs. One of the highlights of the book is the author's personal anecdotes and experiences with the herbs. Cunningham's writing style is approachable and engaging, making the information accessible to readers of all levels of experience. Overall, Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in incorporating herbs into their magical practice. From beginners to seasoned practitioners, this book provides a wealth of information and inspiration. Whether used as a reference guide or read cover to cover, this book is sure to enhance one's understanding and appreciation of the magical properties of herbs..
Reviews for "Magical Herbalism in Everyday Life: Lessons from Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs". The book lacked practical information and was more focused on the author's personal beliefs and experiences rather than providing useful knowledge. The classification of herbs was confusing and inconsistent, making it difficult to find specific information. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in substance and not worth the price.
2. Sarah - 3/5
While "Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs" had a nice collection of herbs listed, I felt that the information provided was not as detailed or accurate as I had hoped. The book lacked scientific explanations and relied heavily on folklore and mystical beliefs. As someone looking for more practical and evidence-based information, I found myself frustrated with the lack of depth in each entry. Additionally, I noticed quite a few typographical errors throughout the book, which further affected my overall impression.
3. David - 2/5
I found "Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs" to be highly misleading. The author claims to provide comprehensive information about various herbs, but the reality is that most of the entries are extremely brief and lacking in substance. There is a heavy reliance on personal experiences and beliefs, which alienates readers who are looking for more factual and well-researched information. Furthermore, the lack of references and sources makes it difficult to verify the credibility of the content. Overall, I was unimpressed and would not recommend this book to serious herbalists or researchers.
4. Lisa - 2/5
I expected "Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs" to be a reliable and informative resource for anyone interested in the subject. However, I found the book to be quite repetitive and lacking in originality. Many of the entries simply reiterated common knowledge found in other herbals, without offering any unique insights. The author's biased views and personal beliefs overshadowed the factual information, making it difficult to separate fact from opinion. I would recommend looking for more dependable sources if you're seeking accurate and well-rounded information on the subject of magical herbs.