The FDA mandates the following disclaimer for all herbal remedies and information:

"Natural remedies, such as herbs, are not a substitute for professional medical treatment. We are not qualified to answer medical, behavioral or health related questions. We recommend that you review the information on alternative medical therapies and consult with your doctor or other medical professional before making any decision regarding their use in your medical treatment."

"Counterfeits"

But beware, my young friend.
There are counterfeits among nature.

Every plant that is good for food is mimicked
by another that will make you ill.

In this, nature teaches about life.
For there are many dangerous elements
who will try to make themselves appealing in your eyes.

Most of them will not think themselves dangerous, and the
danger is that you will not, either. They may act in ways you
find fun and exciting. And in their delivery of gratification,
you may mistake them as doing you a service.

But beware. Some oak is good, other is poison.
There are many whose offering—however enticing—
is not joy but strife.

Just as you must separate the good from
the counterfeit in nature, so must you do in your life.

The Seven Paths

.

“I believe that for every illness or ailment known to man,
that God has a plant out here that will heal it.
We just need to keep discovering the properties for natural healing.”

Vannoy Gentles Fite


A FEW PLANTS & HERBS

Some Uses From Old Folklore

ACONITE (MONKSHOOD): Masculine, Saturn, Fire

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Monkshood is a deadly poisonous neurotoxin that should only be handled with extreme caution by someone who knows exactly what they are doing. However, I included it here for your knowledge 

Magical Properties: Powerful "invisibility" properties. Monkshood reveals what we often miss with our physical eyes by making invisible what distracts us.

Uses: Nowadays it is commonly used in homeopathic remedies for the purpose of strengthening adrenals and kidneys. And it can be consumed in many ways, like aconite supplement, tincture, essential oil, ointment, pills, powder, tablets, tea, extract, and more. Since aconite is known as “the queen of poisons” in ancient Greeks, why people still risk their lives to turn to this deadly poison for health benefits? Here is the aconite mechanism of action.



ALOE:  Feminine, Moon, Water

Magical Properties: Aloe is bound to the Moon and water.  An Aloe Vera plant growing in the kitchen is thought to protect against accidents involving fire, burns, or heat, particularly in the area of the kitchen. Beauty, protection, success, peace.

Uses: For treating wounds and maintaining healthy skin. It may be applied right from the plant or in gel form for burns, sunburns, and can relieve poison ivy rash and helps to combat a variety of bacteria that commonly cause infections in skin wounds. It is also an excellent additive for soaps and creams as a conditioner.

AMARANTH:  Feminine, Saturn, Earth

Magical Properties: Eases the pain of emotional loss. Used by indigenous people in the making of ritual foods and drinks.

Uses: Very palatable, easy to cook, and its protein is well suited to nutritional needs. Used externally as an application in ulcerated conditions of the throat and mouth and as an injection in leucorrhoea, and as a wash for ulcers, and sores.For its astringency it is much recommended in diarrhea, dysentery and hemorrhages from the bowels.

ANGELICA:  Masculine, Venus, Fire

Magical Properties: Grow in the garden as a protection from spirits. Burn the dried leaves in exorcism rituals.

Uses: It is generally used as a stimulating expectorant, combined with other expectorants the action of which is facilitated, and to a large extent diffused, through the whole of the pulmonary region. It is a useful agent for feverish conditions, acting as a diaphoretic, though it should not be given to patients who have a tendency towards diabetes, as it causes an increase of sugar in the urine.

ANISE:  Masculine, Jupiter, Fire

Magical Properties: Use anise in dream pillows to keep away nightmares and ensure a good night’s sleep. Fresh anise leaves or anise seeds used in a potpourri will protect a room from evil spirits and intentions. It can be used in holy waters for blessing and exorcisms. 

Uses: For treating coughs, bronchitis and a stuffy nose, it loosens bronchial congestion. As a digestive aid it. Also a good sedative.

ARNICA MONTANA: Feminine, Saturn, Earth

Magical Properties: Thought to be especially potent on the summer solstice. Bunches are gathered and set on the corners of fields to spread the power of the corn spirit and to ensure a good harvest.

Uses: DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY! Applied topically as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, or tincture, arnica has been used to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds

BANANA: Masculine, Mars, Air

Magical Properties: Bananas can be used in magical workings to increase both fertility and male potency.  Banana leaves, flowers and fruits can be used in prosperity spells. Since bananas grow upwards facing the heavens, it is believed that they carry energies that can improve our spiritual connection and connection to the divine. Due to their phallic shape, bananas are often used in magical practice to represent the God and masculine energy.

Uses: Bananas contain a generous amount of iron, which can help when preventing anemia. Bananas are famously high in potassium, which can help lower blood pressure and help the heart maintain a regular heartbeat.

BASIL: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Best known for its properties to aid and strengthen love. Although known to bring about prosperity, love spells are the general domain for basil. It is used to soothe communication and heal relationships between two people.

Uses: As a tea for calming the nerves, settling the stomach, and easing cramps and good for the bladder. An ingredient of the purification bath sachet.

BAY LEAF: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Bay herb contains the power to grant wishes, clear a space of harmful energy, and bring prosperity.Wisdom, protection, psychic powers.

Uses: DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY! Use as a poultice on chest for bronchitis and chest colds.

BELLADONNA: (Deadly Nightshade): Feminine, Saturn, Earth

Magical Properties: Belladonna is said at certain times to take the form of an enchantress of exceeding loveliness. The plant belongs to the devil who goes about trimming and tending it in his leisure, and can only be diverted from its care on one night in the year, when he is preparing for the witches' Sabbath Used to invoked the aid of Bellona, the Goddess of War.

Uses: A DEADLY POISON! Belladonna is a most valuable plant in the treatment of eye diseases, Atropine, obtained during extraction, being its most important constituent on account of its power of dilating the pupil. Atropine will have this effect in whatever way used, whether internally, or injected under the skin, but when dropped into the eye, a much smaller quantity suffices, the tiny discs oculists using for this purpose, before testing their patient's sight for glasses.

BERGAMOT: Maculine, Mercury,  Air

Magical Properties: It offers courage to share the inner self. Reigniting optimism and confidence in the self, it imparts true self-acceptance. Bergamot teaches individuals to let go of judgment by learning to love themselves unconditionallyMoney. Put leaves in wallet or purse to attract money. Rub fresh leaves on money before spending.

Uses: As herbal medicine, Bergamot is useful for treating boils, cold sores, acne and insect bites. It’s also quite useful when treating fevers, flu, and cough & cold. Bergamot is known to be an antidepressant so it can be useful in treating depression and stimulating appetite. 

BETONY: Masculine, Jupiter, Fire

Magical Properties: Betony is best in love spells, purification and protection packets. Use in sachets and pillows to calm an unsleeping creature.

Uses:  IT SHOULD NOT BE USED BY A PREGNANT WOMAN! Commonly used as a relaxing agent, it is useful in hysteria, palpitations pain in the head and face, neuralgia and all nervous affections. Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory

BLACKBERRY: Feminine, Venus, Water

Magical Properties: Celtic lore said that blackberries were fae fruit, and thus bad luck for people to eat. Blackberries were considered protective against earthbound spirits and vampires. If planted near a home, a vampire couldn’t enter because he would obsessively count the berries and forget what he was about. Used in money spells; vines are protective; sacred to the goddess Brigit.

Uses: The fruit is especially good for the liver and kidneys while the leaf acts on the stomach and intestines. An astringent tonic for diarrhea and dysentery, chew the leaves for bleeding gums.

BLUEBERRY: Feminine, Jupiter, Water

Magical Properties: Place some blueberries beneath the doormat to keep evil away from your property. Eat blueberrys when under psychic attack; this gets the protection inside you and increases the herb’s effectiveness. Protection and legal matters.

Uses: Highest antioxidant capacity which combats free radicals that can damage cellular structures and DNA. Effective in treatment of urinary tract infection. May decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease, high blood cholesterol and cancer. They are also proven to combat insulin resistance that has been linked to obesity and diabetes

BLOOD ROOT: Masculine/Venus/Fire

Magical Properties: This magic herb is great for family protection and family luck, typically powdered and sprinkled around the outside of the house. It has strong traditions of Mars protective magic. The Iroquois bathed a person who had seen a ghost in the smoke of this plant to protect them from being haunted further. The Menominee made a face paint for warriors from it. War Magic.

Uses: EXTREMELY TOXIC!  It contains morphine-like compounds and also destroys animal tissue. It is traditionally used in herbal medicine as a component to ointments designed to destroy abnormal skin growths such as melanoma, warts and skin tags. This is an extremely painful process and can result in serious scarring if not done properly


BURDOCK: Feminine, Venus, Water.

Magical Properties: Used for studying, creative work and divination areas because of its tendency to strengthen one's strongest talents.

Uses: Burdock root has been used for centuries in holistic medicine to treat a variety of different conditions. Traditionally, it was most commonly used as a diuretic and a digestive aid. As an ingredient in antifungal and antibacterial preparations

CANNABIS/MARIJUNA: Feminine, Venus,  Air  (HEMP: Masculine, Saturn, Earth)

Magical Properties: Has all the qualities of quartz crystal, including magnification or amplification of any magical work,manifestation, “programming” with positive energy, remove negative influence, healing, love, protection, psychic vision, peace, meditation, beauty, harm-none bindings. Use hemp fibers in your magical incense blends to magnify or manifest (i.e.“weave” into existence) your desires more quickly, to increase psychic visions, or inpurification blends to rid of negativity, or even in protection blends, and Midsummer’s ritual incense. Because hemp fibers are known to be strong you can use the yarn or twine itself in harm-none binding rituals, such as handfastings

Uses: The flowers of the female marijuana plant comprise maximum amounts of yin, (the principle of darkness, negativity, and femininity in Chinese philosophy) and the herbal element is administered to women suffering from exhaustion during menstruation, to cure rheumatism (firmness in joints and muscles), malaria, beri-beri (a degenerative disease of the nerves caused by vitamin deficiency) and constipation. Used for treatment of galucoma severe nausea and vomiting.

CARAWAY SEED: Masculine, Mercury, Air

Magical Properties: Caraway is often used as a love herb. Chewing some of the seeds before kissing someone is believed to entice them to fall in love with you . It is believed that anything that contains caraway can’t be stolen. Protection, passion and attraction. Caraway seeds are also used to improve memory. 

Uses: Take caraway by mouth for digestive problems including heartburn, bloating, gas, loss of appetite, and mild spasms of the stomach and intestines. Caraway oil is also taken by mouth to help people cough up phlegm, improve control of urination, kill bacteria in the body, and relieve constipation. Some women take caraway oil by mouth to help start menstruation and relieve menstrual cramps. Some nursing mothers use it to increase the flow of breast milk.

CATNIP: Feminine, Venus, Water.

Magical Properties: Cat magic, familiars, joy, friendship, magic for contract law, legal confrontations and signing of documents, used as incense to consecrate magical tools.

Uses: Its flowers and leaves have often been used to treat colds and insomnia. It lowers fevers, dries up postnasal drip, gets rid of bad headaches and relieves aching bones due to colds and flu, when taken in tea form.

CAYENNE PEPPER: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Healing, love, passion

Uses: A flu fighter. Promotes fast recovery, stops internal and external bleeding. Said to prevent heart attacks and also helps with depression and headaches. A liniment that quickly brings blood to the surface of the skin, using either cider vinegar or alcohol as base. Dilute with rose water or distilled water, heating the vinegar or spirits before using them.

CHAMOMILE: Masculine, Sun, Water

Magical Properties: Good as a meditation incense, for centering, peace, sprinkle in your home for protection, healing, money.

Uses: An excellent herb both internally and externally for calming. Good for digestion, fevers, burns, anti-inflammatory for wounds, and sedative for nervous disorders. Relieves stomach aches in tea form, made of 2 teaspoons of the herb steeped for 5 minutes in a cup of boiling water is a gentle sleep inducer. Chamomile tea is an insect repellent when applied to exposed skin.

CINNAMON: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Spiritual quests, augmenting power, love, success, psychic work, healing, cleansing.

Uses: It is recommended as a skin astringent and digestive aid in tea form. Ground, or taken with milk, good balance after a heavy meal or dessert. Also used for diarrhea, dysentery or general indigestion. It is an excellent aromatic and makes good anointing oil for any magical working.

CLOVE: Masculine, Jupiter, Fire

Magical Properties: Dispels negativity, an incense against gossip, used for vision and cleansing.

Uses: It has a mild antiseptic quality for toothaches when chewed, or in tea form it is an expectorant for colds, also good foe nausea or vomiting. It is an antibacterial, antiseptic, and analgesic, it helps prevent disease and infection.

COCA LEAVES: Feminine, Mars, Water

The Incas discovered the medicinal and magical properties of coca leaves around 2,000 BC., but the large industrialized nations found other applications for the coca leaves, (Chlorhydrate of Cocaine), that have nothing to do with beneficial applications for the human being.

Magical Properties: Coca has been a vital part of the religious cosmology of the Andean peoples from the pre-Inca period through the present. Coca leaves play a crucial part in offerings to the Apus (the Mountains), Inti (the Sun), or Pachamama (the Earth). Coca leaves are also often read in a form of divination analogous to reading tea leaves in other cultures.

Uses: Coca leaves might be useful as a natural treatmentfor; altitude illness, asthma, gastrointestinal ailments and motion sickness, high blood, as a fast-acting antidepressant, boost alertness, as a substitute stimulant for coffee in certain cases, and as an adjunct in programs of weight reduction and physical fitness (reduce the to anxiety of eating). In leaf form, coca does not produce toxicity or dependence. Its effects are distinct from those of cocaine

COFFEE: Feminine, Jupiter and Neptune, Water

Magical Properties: Used in divination, the grounds are read like tea leaves or the beans used like I-Ching sticks.

Uses: Coffee enemas are thought to stimulate the liver and remove toxins from the body. Also used as an ingredientin a skin scrub or facial mask and as a stimulant in beverage form or aromatherapy. An active brain stimulant, which produces sleeplessness, hence its great value in narcotic poisoning; in acute cases it is injected into the rectum. Valuable in cases of snake-bite, helping to ward off coma.

COMFREY: see: 'WORTCUNNING'

CORIANDER: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Protection of home , good in ritual drinks, incenses for longevity and security.

Uses: If added to wine, it makes a serviceable love potion for 2 consenting parties. Also used in love sachets and charms.

DAMIANA: Masculine (Aries), Pluto, Fire

Magical Properties: It is a common ingredient in magic spells to catch a desired lover, increase sexual appetite, or to find a lover. Damiana Leaves are widely-used by many people to bring fortune and luck in one’s quest for love and lust. Reputed as an herbal aphrodisiac, damiana also appears in many classic psychic awareness spells.

Uses: Damiana has been used in Mexico, Central America, and South America since the times of the ancient Aztec, and remains quite popular today. Although its noted effect on sexual desire has been its primary traditional use across cultures, it has also been valued as a relaxant, digestive stimulant, mood enhancer, or just an enjoyable beverage that was often given to children. In modern times it has also been used as an herbal smoke and a liqueur.

DANDELION ("Teeth of the Lion") : Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Can be used when casting wishes, for sleep, physical energy and courage, divination and messages, used in a spell work to strengthen contractual agreements.

Uses: The flowers make a wine, a superb cleansing tonic and the milky juice is a diuretic, a tonic and a relief for common stomach problems and courage.

DILL: Masculine, Mercury, Fire

Magical Properties:Used in magic for love and prosperity, as an agent in protection work and matters of contract, a favorite in kitchen magic.

Uses: A stomach soother and anti-gas remedy, it is also said to increase mother's milk and help treat breast congestion from nursing, a good remedy for colic in babies.

EUCALYPTUS: Feminine, Moon, Water

Magical Properties: Eucalyptus is bound to the Moon and Water. It is used magically for protection, purification, and health. Use leaves stuffed in sachets, pillows, and charms and carry or put in your bed to maintain good health, or anoint a sachet with Eucalyptus oil

Uses: DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY! The Koala is the only mammal, other than the Greater Glider and Ringtail Possum, which can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. Eucalyptus leaves are very fibrous and low in nutrition, and to most animals are extremely poisonous. The herb is said to improve mental clarity and is often prescribed for respiratory ailments. To relieve colds, ring green candles with leaves and pods and burn them to the socket. Make an infusion of leaves of Eucalyptus, Mint, and Hyssop for washing floors and doorsteps. Hyssop cleanses evil, Eucalyptus heals the past, and Mint invites good luck.

FENNEL: Masculine, Mercury, Fire

Magical Properties: Purification, protection, healing, increased prosperity.

Uses:Employed as an appetite suppressant and digestive aid, used in tea form to expel mucus, chew the seeds slowly for really bad breath or use the fluid extract to rub on gums.

FRANKINCENSE: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Frankincense is one of the oldest documented magical resins, it’s been traded in Arabia for nearly five thousand years. In modern magical traditions, frankincense is often used as a purifier, burn the resin to cleanse a sacred space, or use the essential oils to anoint an area that needs to be purified. The vibrational energies of frankincense are particularly powerful

Uses: Frankincense is an edible resin that can be used in tonics to ensure good digestion and clear skin. Frankincense used internally should be clear and free of dark impurities. Indian Frankincense is used to speed the healing of wounds, balance the female system and help with the treatment of arthritis.



GARDENIA: Feminine, Jupiter, Water

Magical Properties:Used to attract good spirits and to induce peaceful vibrations during rituals. Place fresh blossoms in sick rooms or on healing altars to aid the process.

Uses: It increases appetite, an astringent to bowels, relieves pain of bronchitis, vomiting and constipation.

GARLIC: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Used to increase speed, strength, and endurance, and to ward off evil, used in exocisms.

Uses: Eases tension, eases colds, and improves circulation. Can be used to disinfect wounds and soothe rheumatic pain and any common pain. Shrinks warts, relieves pain from teeth and earaches. Good for high and low blood pressure and removing parasites and infections. To ease the pain of aching joints, a toothache or an earache., place a crushed raw bulb of garlic on a piece of gauze and place over the area of pain. For joints, try using garlic paste.

GINGER: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Power, success, love, money

Uses: Acts as an aid to ingestion or colds in tea form. Also in tea form, good for cramps, to stimulate the digestive organs, migraines and nausea, external stiffness. Can be added to the bath as a way to ease pain and increase circulation, but only use a few sprinkles, not to much, like cayenne, ginger quickly brings the blood to the surface of the skin. For pain you can also soak cloths in ginger tea and apply them directly to the painful areas. Add in cooking to detoxify meat.

GINSENG: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Used for love, wishes, beauty, sexual desire. Use the root in spells to attract love, maintain health, draw money and ensure sexual potency. Carry to enhance beauty. Burn to break curses or ward off evil spirits. Make into a lust enhancing tea.

Uses: Centuries ago, people thought that the ginseng root resembled a human and that this was a hint of its medicinal value. Because the root resembled man, they believed it could be used to treat man (a concept known as the Doctrine of Signatures). This belief led healers initially to use ginseng as a panacea, or cure-all, and many still view it as such.Ginseng appears to improve both physical and mental performance under stress. Stimulant, tonic, and agent for prolonged life. Also a mild pain killer, and improves blood circulation. Reported to successfully treat asthma, bronchitis, cancer, flatulence, diabetes, weakness, fever, coughs and heartburn, and a mild stimulant. In tea form it helps to relieve stress and moderate heart disease. CAUTION: Don't take Ginseng and Ginseng mixtures with Coffee as it will accelerate the caffeine effects on the body and can cause diarrhea. 


HAWTHORN: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Used to fill a home with laughter and balance, its wood makes wonderful wands, candle holders and for burning in the Lammas fires, use hawthorn leaves for wishing spells and healing.

Uses: Contains active compounds with antioxidant properties,used in traditional medicine to treat irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. Hawthorn is commonly used to strengthen the heart.

HEATHER: Masculine, Mercury, Air

Magical Properties: Heather is said to open portals between this and the fairy world. Heather has the best effect in magic spells which enhance physical beauty. It is also important in shapeshifting, being both protective against shifters and helpful to the witch taking on other forms. Sacred plant of the goddess Lilith.

Uses: A cleansing and detoxifying plant, it has been used in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and it is a good urinary antiseptic and diuretic which disinfects the urinary tract and mildly increases urine. Heather tops are infused and used as a tonic to treat consumption, coughs, nerves, depression and heart complaints. Heather tea, liniments and ointments were used to help treat arthritis and rheumatism.

HEMLOCK: Feminine, Saturn, Earth

Magical Properties:One of the foremost hexing agents. Hemlock is used in spell work involving chastity or the reduction of sexual desires, as well as general purification. It is sometimes planted at the front and back of a house to keep any poison from entering.

Uses: A DEADLY POISON! On account of its peculiar sedative action on the motor centers, Hemlock juice is prescribed as a remedy in cases of nervous motor excitability,in the early stages of paralysis agitans, in spasms of the larynx and gullet and in acute mania.The drug has to be administered with care, as narcotic poisoning may result from internal use, and overdoses produce paralysis. In poisonous doses it produces complete paralysis with loss of speech, the respiratory function is at first depressed and ultimately ceases altogether and death results from asphyxia. One of the better known references to hemlock in history is that it was used to execute the philosopher Socrates in 399 BC.

HENBANE: Feminine, Saturn, Water

Magical Properties: Henbane has a long association with soothsaying, magic and witchcraft. It was once believed to have aphrodisiac properties and was an ingredient of love potions. ancient Greeks believed that people under the influence of the herb became prophetic, and the priestesses of the Oracle of Delphi are claimed to have inhaled the smoke from smoldering henbane

Uses: A DEADLY POISON! Antispasmodic, hypnotic, mild diuretic. The leaves have long been employed as a narcotic medicine. It is similar in action to belladonna though milder in its effects.

JIMSON WEED  (Thornapple, Datura, Stramonium. Datura. Devil's Apple. Jamestown-weed. Stinkweed. Devil's Trumpet. Apple of Peru.): Masculine: Uranus, Water

Magical Properties: Many tribes of the indigenous people of the Americas traditionally consumed parts of the datura plant to "commune with the gods and spirits." 

Uses: Qualified herbalists may add datura to their repertoire of knowledge for its association with powerful spiritual visions.

JUNIPER: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Used for household protection, when used on an incense coal, juniper is said to intoxicate spirits into becoming visible as well as increasing your power to see them.

Uses: As a diuretic, stomachic, and carminative in indigestion, flatulence, and diseases of the kidney and bladder. The oil mixed with lard is also used in veterinary practice as an application to exposed wounds and prevents irritation from flies.

LAVENDER: Masculine, Mercury, Air

Magical Properties: To induce sleep, long life, peace, wishes, protection, love, purification, it is thrown onto the Midsummer fires by Witches as a sacrifice to the ancient gods.

Uses: Has strong antiseptic qualities. Mild infusions make a good sedative, headache treatment, and digestive aid, a great antibiotic, antidepressant, sedative and detoxifier Used in oil or tincture form to heal cuts, burns or scalds, bites. an excellent aromatic, usually mixing well with other floral scents. An ingredient in the Purification bath sachet, also used in purification incenses.

LEMON: Feminine, Moon, Water

Magical Properties: For purification, love, blessings.

Uses: Sweetens breath. Antiseptic, antibacterial and hypertensive, used forr chills and sore throat, stimulates the digestive system. Also makes a good skin cleanser, hair rinse for blondes, and cleaning agent for brass and silver.

LEMON VERBANA: Masculine, Mercury, Air

Magical Properties:A powerful herb used in many love spells. It is often associated with Venus because of the love aspects to it, plants for attraction of love and dried dishes for family love are three of its main uses.

Uses: Similar to those of mint, orange flowers, or melissa, as a stomachic and antispasmodic in dyspepsia, indigestion and flatulence, stimulating skin and stomach.

LICORICE ROOT: Feminine, Jupiter/Mercury, Earth

Magical Properties: Licorice root is alleged to grand the bearer control over a person or a situation. Because of this, licorice root is an ingredient in formulas intended for controlling others, including Commanding Oil and Essence of Bend-Over oil.

Uses:  Licorice root has been shown to be as good as codeine for stopping unproductive coughs and helps to bring up phlegm. The Chinese use it for arthritis because it contains saponins, which are anti-inflammatory chemicals that act like steroids. It is anti-allergic, anti-viral, and makes a great tea for colds and bronchitis. It is also absolutely fantastic for acid reflux and can bring on menstruation.

LILAC:  Feminine, Venus, Earth

Magical Properties: For protection, beauty, love

Uses: Used as a vermifuge and as a tonic anti-periodic and febrifuge; may be used as a substitute for aloes and in the treatment of malaria.

MANDRAKE (Satans Apple): Masculine, Saturn, Earth

Magical Properties: Mandrake has been used to invoke deities andto enhance creativity and psychic abilities. When used properly in magical spells mandrake increases sexual desire. There is an ancient practice of carving the roots into amulets of protection, love attraction, aura purity, or as a sign of magick.

Uses: A DEADLY POISON! It is rarely prescribed in modern herbalism, though it contains hyoscine which is the standard pre-operative medication given to soothe patients and reduce bronchial secretions. It is also used to treat travel sickness. In sufficient quantities it induces a state of oblivion and was used as an anesthetic for operations in early surgery.

MARIGOLD: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: To aid in prophesy, legal matters, the psychic, seeing magical creatures, at night to induce clairvoyant dreams, it should be gathered at noon.

Uses: For internal use the flowers are prepared by infusion and recommended for the flu, fever, rheumatism, jaundice, and painful menstruation. Externally, buds are made into compresses for the treatment of burns. Marigold ointment can help chapped hands and varicose veins, also works wonders with eczema and inflammation. Also use as an antiseptic in first aid. Place the flower beneath the head at night to induce clairvoyant dreams.

MARJORAM: Masculine, Mercury, Air

Magical Properties: Used for protection, love, healing, given to a grieving person to bring them happiness.

Uses: Its properties are stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic and mildly tonic; a useful emmenagogue. In the commencement of measles, it is useful in producing a gentle perspiration and bringing out the eruption, being given in the form of a warm infusion, which is also valuable in spasms, colic, and to give relief from pain in dyspeptic complaints.

MINT:  Masculine, Venus, Air

Magical Properties: For healing, strength, to augment power, luck, travel.

Uses: Mint in tea form aids upset stomachs, flu, and can be used to ease hiccups. Inhalations of the leaves in boiling water is recommended for head colds and asthma. Mint tea used instead of aspirin is great for headaches, particularly premenstrual headaches. Aids the respiratory and circulatory systems. An anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic. Ideal for treating indigestion,, flatulence, varicose veins, headaches, migraine, skin irritations, rheumatism, toothache, and general fatigue.

MISTLETOE: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties:Carry or wear for aid in conception; protection against lightning, fires, and misfortune; burn mistletoe to banish evil; placed at the head of the bed, it gives restful sleep and beautiful dreams.

Uses: It diminishes high blood pressure and regulates the heart beat. A reputation for curing the 'falling sickness' epilepsy- and other convulsive nervous disorders. It has also been employed in checking internal hemorrhage.

MORNING GLORY: Feminine, Neptune, Water

Magical Properties: Morning glory is good for magickally aiding divination and astral travel. 

Uses: Its flower essence helps smooth out nervous energy and with addictive behavior. 

MUGWORT:  Feminine, Venus, Water

Magical Properties: Connected with St. John the Baptist, who was said to have worn a belt of mugwort during his time in the wilderness. St. John's Herb, as the plant became known, had the power to drive out demons. In the Orient mugwort were hung in the home during the Dragon Festival to keep away evil spirits, who are thought to hate the odor. Said to aid in astral projection. Mugwort is burned during scrying rituals, and a mugwort-and-honey infusion is drunk before divination. The infusion is also used to wash crystal balls. 

Uses: Leaf tea diuretic, induces sweating. Regulates erratic menstruation, brings on delayed periods, expels afterbirth, helps with menopausal symptoms. Promotes appetite and bile production, tonic for digestion. Tonic for nerves; mild sedative. Used for bronchitis, colds, colic, kidney ailments, fevers. Bath additive for rheumatism and tired legs. Juice relieves itching of poison oak. Disinfectant and antiseptic. Used for moxibustion. Planted along roadsides by the Romans, who put sprigs in their shoes to prevent aching feet.

 

MUSTARD SEED: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Used for fertility, protection and mental agility.Black mustard seedsare used to disrupt the activities of unwanted associates or troublesome people.

• ("The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree." Matthew 13:31-32 )

Uses: Can help regulate irregular heartbeat, cholesterol and blood sugar levels because of its magnesium content. Mustard is used in the form of poultices for external application near the seat of inward inflammation. Ground mustard seed in a foot bath helps relieve respiratory congestion.

MYRRH: Feminine, Jupiterand Moon, Water

Magical Properties: Used to bless objects, lift energy, spiritual growth, focus.

Uses: Myrrh oil can act as a mosquito repellent, and in tincture form it is a good treatment for gums.

NETTLE: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Used to avert danger, protection, healing.

Uses: Use gloves to handle so as to avoid getting pricked. High in vitamin C and iron and when in tea form can ease asthma and up your energy levels.

OPIUM: Feminine, Moon, Water

Magical Properties: Opium is dream associative. Opium incense is a good incense to burn for any spell involving dreaming or sleep in any way, including spells meant to induce lucid dreaming or prophetic dreams. It’s also a good incense to burn to connect with dream and sleep associative deities such as Morpheus.

Uses: HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF USED INTERNALLY! It must be remembered that because of its very strong addictive properties, the use of opium products is considered to be illegal in many countries, even though opium in its form of dried latex has been used variously as a powerful narcotic, analgesic, and antispasmodic.  In herbal tradition, opium is considered to be an excellent ‘cold' remedy, because of its ability to reduce physical function, and to sedate and suppress coughs, nervous activity, including pain. Since opium is highly addictive, it is generally used after it has been found that other less powerful analgesics have failed to bring the much needed relief for the patient. Opium also brings relief to patients suffering from diarrhea and persistent coughs.

PARSLEY: Masculine, Mercury, Air

Magical Properties: Used in magic for purification and protection.

Uses: Fresh parsley leaves in tea form are a treatment for cramps, while dried root decoctions eases urinary infections and arthritis. Externally, crushed leaves relieve insect bites, and may be applied in poultice form to sprains.

PASSION FLOWER: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Placed in a house, it calms problems and troubles and brings peace. Carried, it attracts friends and popularity. Placed beneath the pillow, it aids in sleep.

Uses: Known to be a depressant to the motor side of the spinal cord, slightly reducing arterial pressure. Its narcotic properties cause it to be used in diarrhea and dysentery, neuralgia, sleeplessness and dysmenorrheal.

PATCHOULI: Feminine, Saturn, Earth

Magical Properties: Because of its elemental earth properties patchouli remains the perfect herb for any spell that is earth related, such as healing, garden success and the building of a new home, used to anoint your third eye before scrying or reading the tarot.

Uses: Known for its antiseptic qualities and its use to treat skin and scalp problems such as athlete's foot, dandruff, acne, dermatitis and to help heal wounds and scars. In aromatherapy, it is used to help reduce tension, insomnia and anxiety, its use is said to causeloss of appetite.The Chinese, Japanese and Arabs believe it to possess prophylactic properties.

PEPPER: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Used in magic for driving out negative energy and protection. Its distinct aroma and untouchable properties make it perfect for cleansing a previously occupied home or garden, pepper is said to cause sneezing which in old lore was a way to drive out demons.

Uses: Its action as a stimulant is specially evident on the mucous membrane of the rectum, and so is good for constipation, also on the urinary organs. It has also been used in vertigo, paralytic and arthritic disorders.

PEYOTE: Feminine, Moon, Water (Neptune)

Magical Properties: A wildcrafted dream herb from the river areas of Oaxaca. The herb that makes all non-believers realize their lucid dreaming powers. Peyote has psychoactive properties and a long history of spiritual association.

Uses: The list of ailments effectively treated with Peyote include, arthritis, congestion, headaches, knee pain, fatigue and it is used as a tonic for good health. Western science discovered its analgesic properties.

PINE:  Masculine, Mars, Air

Magical Properties: Attunement to nature, centering, cleansing, healing, productivity, purification against illness.

Uses: Pine buds prepared by decoction act as an expectorant and antiseptic. This same mixture can be used for inhalation for head colds, although it is easier to toss some needles in hot water. Green cones and needles can be added to bath water to ease muscle pains and swelling. For magic, pine is best suited for its aromatic qualities of bringing one back into balance, and enhancing connection with the natural world.

PLANTAIN:  Feminine, Venus, Earth

Magical Properties: This is the plant of Helheim, the Norse land of the Dead. Bind with red wool to the head to cure headaches. Like mugwort, place in shoes to cure weariness on long trips. Hang it in your car to prevent evil from entering. Carrying the root protects from snakebite. Said to cause regeneration and invisibility.

Uses: Rub fresh juice on nettle stings and insect bites. Roots and leaves help urinary tract, kidneys, and bladder. Heals gastrointestinal ulcers. Used in ointment for hemorrhoids. Use in external wash for sores, boils, inflammations, and ringworm infestations. Decoction used for thrush in children. Seeds are edible and can be ground into flour, their mucilage lowers cholesterol. Confirmed antimicrobial; stimulates healing processes. 

POPPY SEED: Feminine, Moon, Water

Magical Properties: Centuries ago, it was believed that poppies sprung up in places where men died in battle and white poppies are said to have sprung up in the battlefields of Genghis Khan. A symbol of remembrance of those who died in wartime since a famous poem described the brutal trench warfare that took place in the red poppy fields of Flanders during World War I. Poppies are considered useful in spells for fertility, agriculture, abundance, love, sleep, money, luck, and invisibility.

Uses: People take poppy seed by mouth for asthma, constipation, cough, diarrhea caused by infection, difficulty sleeping, and to diagnose a condition called vesicoenteric fistula. In foods, poppy seed is used to make cakes, pastries, filling, glaze, or porridge.In manufacturing, poppy seed oil is used to make soap, paint, and varnish.

QUEEN ANNE'S LACE (WILD CARROT):  Feminine, Mercury, Earth

CAUTION: Queen Anne's lace is a wild edible (the root) and given that it typically does grow in the same conditions as poison hemlock, being able to tell the difference could save your life. Plus, you'll want to know if you have it growing on your property because it's also toxic to pets and livestock.

Magical Properties: The flowers of Queen Anne’s lace can be used in fertility magic, and can also be used to increase lust, sexual desire and potency for men.  It can also be used to bring about spiritual clarity, and increase intuition and insight while keeping you grounded.

Uses: Although the flower is used in fertility magic, the seeds were once used as a “morning after” treatment to provoke a miscarriage, as the seeds can bring about the menstrual cycle. Queen Anne’s lace flowers were once brewed into a concoction that was used as a daily skin wash and to treat complexion problems.

ROSE: Feminine, Venus, Water

Magical Properties: For love, friendship, power, healing and divination are also aspects of the rose, use rose essential oils for anointing ceremonies.

Uses: Conserves of roses or rose petals in honey are often recommended for nausea and sore throats.

ROSEMARY: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: It is used as a smudge or dried and sprinkled on coal to release the smoke to purify an area. to improve memory, sleep, purification, youth, love, power, healing, and protection.

Uses: Promotes healing of wounds, acts as an antiseptic, and can be a mild stimulant. Good in teas for treating flu, stress, and headaches or body aches. Mental and physical booster. Used for treating muscular sprains, arthritis, rheumatism, depression, fatigue, memory loss, migraine headaches, coughs, flu and diabetes. Excellent remedy for acne or cellulite. Oil of rosemary is excellent in hair conditioners, and the flowers of this herb may be added to lotion recipes to improve the complexion.

SAGE: Masculine, Jupiter or Venus, Air

Magical Properties: Sage is used in magic for wisdom, psychic awareness, long life and protection. As secondary aspects, spells for money use sage. Its most potent aspect is wisdom and learning. Sage is often bundled tightly into smudge sticks and burned as a scent.

Uses: Can be used in an infusion to aid digestion, or as part of a honey wine to fight colds and fever. When applied in compresses it can ease many skin discomforts, including dandruff. If made into cream it is good for muscular pain, and if dried and smoked sometimes gives relief to asthma.

SASSAFRAS: Feminine, Venus, Earth

Magical Properties: Sassafras is a Triple Goddess Tree, symbolized by the three different leaves it produces. Sassafras is useful in bringing about positive change.Sassafras leaves can be used for dream pillows to help with positive energy and psychic powers.

Uses: A blood cleanser and included in recipes for the Spring tonics. The leaves can be made into teas and taken in doses of a wineglassful as often as needed to reduce fevers; soothe chronic rheumatism, gout, and dropsy; relieve eye inflammation; ease menstrual and parturition pain; help cure scurvy and various skin conditions; and act as a disinfectant in dental surgery. In Appalachia its leaves are used in traditional folk medicine as a spring tonic.

ST. JOHNS WORT: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Used for protection, calming anxiety and the hearing or auditory perception of spirits.

Uses: Used in all pulmonary complaints, bladder troubles, in suppression of urine, dysentery, worms, diarrhea, hysteria and nervous depression, hemorrhages and jaundice.

SUNFLOWER: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Sunflowers growing the garden guard it against pests and grant the best of luck to the gardener.

Uses: The seeds have diuretic and expectorant properties and have been employed with success in the treatment of bronchial, laryngeal and pulmonary affections, coughs and colds, also in whooping cough. Sunflower Oil is an excellent moisturizer that is safer to use than commercially produced skin lotions. (Your skin is the largest organ in your body andit is best not toput on your skin what you would not put in your mouth)

TEA: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Black tea is used in magic for prosperity, strength and fortitude, it is often burned near the room of a sick person to open the doors to good health, its leaves are used in divination.

Uses: Stimulant, astringent. It exerts a decided influence over the nervous system, generally evinced by a feeling of comfort and exhilaration; it also causes unnatural wakefulness when taken in quantity,. the infusion is useful to relieve neuralgic headaches.

THYME: Feminine, Venus, Water

Magical Properties: Used in magic for healing, psychic awareness and purification, thyme can be used in air magic where it releases its essence slowly.

Uses: Powerful antiviral, antibiotic, and diuretic properties. It helps eliminate wastes from the body. It is used in treating whooping coughs, warts, rheumatism and acne. A strong antiseptic which when prepared by infusion is useful for poor digestion, exhaustion, colds, and infections, and with honey is an effective treatment for sore throats. Also used in tea form as a fever breaker, headache reducer and to be rid of intestinal worms.

TOBACCO: Masculine, Mars, Fire

Magical Properties: Tobacco is the most sacred of plants for American Indian people and when smoked (Neptune) is used to connect the worlds since the plant’s roots go deep into the earth and its smoke rises high into the sky. Ceremonies using tobacco invoke a relationship with the energies of the universe and ultimately the Creator and sanctify the bond made between earthly and spiritual realms. Because of its sacred nature, tobacco abuse (thoughtlessly and addictively chain smoking) is seriously frowned upon as it is believed that if one so abuses the plant, it will abuse that person in return, causing sickness.

Uses: Medicinally it is used as a sedative, diuretic, expectorant and internally only as an emetic. Externally nicotine is an antiseptic. Formerly tobacco in the form of an enema of the leaves was used to relax muscular spasms and a pipe smoked after breakfast assists the action of the bowels. An infusion of tobacco is generally used in horticulture as an insecticide.

TURMERIC: Feminine, Moon, Water

Magical Properties: Used in spells to uplift emotions and to ward off crocodiles. It is also a word uttered in the invocation of beauty spells.

Uses: Added to warm milk it is said to regulate menstrual cycles, but it israrely usedas amedicine today.

VALERIAN ROOT: Feminine, Mercury or Venus, Water

Magical Properties: Used for love, calming, sleep.

Uses: Use the dried, powdered root. Promotes relaxation while counteracting the effects of insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, headaches, premenstrual syndrome and menstrual cramping. For sleep, before bed take 1 teaspoon of herb to 1 pint of water and simmer. Also acts as a good substitute for catnip. Use the fresh herb in spells of love, also to get fighting couples together. Used in the Purification bath sachet.

WITCH HAZEL: Masculine, Sun, Fire

Magical Properties: Used for protection, chastity, healing the heart.

Uses: In tincture form it is good as a mouth rinse and to ease hemorrhoids. As a compress, witch hazel can be applied to insect bites and other skin irritations.

WOLF'S BANE (Aconite, Monk's Hood):Feminine, Saturn, Water

Magical Properties: Used for psychic protection. Guards against werewolves and vampires. "Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms...and the autumn moon is bright."

Uses: A DEADLY POISON! The value of Aconite as a medicine is not recognized in modern times. Aconite is believed to have been one of the constituents of the potion given to the old and infirm on the island of Ceos. This was to facilitate their departure from the world where they were no longer useful. It was often used as a ritual cup at the time of death, and dispensed for euthanasia. It was also used in incenses at the time of burial, and planted on the grave. Aconite was once grown in monastery gardens where it was used in the treatment of rheumatism in the form of an external oil rub. (The common name of monk's hood comes from the resemblance of the flowers to monk's cowls.) It is sometimes used in homoeopathy, but on account of its very poisonous nature, all medicines obtained from it come under Table 1 of the poison schedule.

WORMWOOD: Masculine, Mars, Air

Magical Properties: Used heavily in protection spells and when attempting to communicate with those who have passed over, when using your clairvoyant skills.

Uses: A nervine tonic, particularly helpful against the falling sickness and for flatulence. It is a good remedy for enfeebled digestion and debility.

WORTCUNNING: Feminine, Saturn, Water

Magical Properties: A beloved herb of the Goddess Hecate and it is an appropriate offering planted in a garden for Her, or a bouquet placed at on an altar for Her. A few cultures thought that Comfrey would protect travelers, including Saxons. In England,sprigs were sometimes given to bards as well as pilgrims travelling to sacred sites; in other parts of Europe, travelers would place leaves in their shoes, wear it as a charm around the neck, or weave it into the manes of horses to protect them and their charge.

Uses: One of its most popular uses earned it the nick 'knitbone' as an aid for broken bones. It is also a pain reliever and can be placed over a sore area when prepared as a poultice. These two properties also make Comfrey suitable to help treat sprains, bruises, sores, and cuts. Brother Aloysius recommended a cup of Comfrey tea a day for those who were prone to obesity. He also suggested its use for coughs, acne, diarrhea, cancer, cholera, excessive menstrual bleeding, and dysentery. Nicholas Culpeper thought it was good for gout, hemorrhoids, gangrene and fevers.

YARROW: Feminine, Venus, Water

Magical Properties: Inspires courage, psychic abilities and the tea drunk prior to divination will enhance one's powers of perception divination,often used as a component in incantations.

Uses: A very potent healer, it intensifies the medicinal action of other herbs taken with it. Helps eliminate toxins (good for colds). Most useful in its abilities to staunch blood flow. In poultice form, it is useful against infections and swelling.

Plants and Herbs Link

Varieties and Uses of Incense

"Light the incense! You have to burn to be fragrant."

Rumi