Herbs

And now a little bit about herbs, magickal and medicinal, that have been used by mankind since the dawn of time....

O .. Z

Oak
Magickal: The Oak is the most sacred of all the trees. The leaves are burned for purification, and the branches make powerful wands. Acorns are symbols of fertility and are carried to promote conception, ease sexual problems, and increase sexual attractiveness. The leaves and bark are used in binding spells. Planting an acorn in the dark of the Moon will bring you money. Oak wood carried will protect from harm, and hung in the home it will protect the home and all within. Medicinal: Oak bark is used to treat diarrhoea, dysentery, and bleeding. For external use the bark and/or leaves are boiled and then applied to bruises, swollen tissues, wounds that are bleeding, and varicose veins.

Onion
Magickal: Onion can be used as a charm against evil spirits. Halved or quartered Onions placed in the home absorb negativity and an Onion under your pillow will give you prophetic dreams. Magickal swords and knives are purified by rubbing them with an Onion half. Medicinal: Onion is used externally as an antiseptic. Internally, it can alleviate gas pains, reduce hypertension, and reduce cholesterol.

Orange
Magickal: Dried Orange peel is added to love charms. Fresh or dried Orange flowers added to the bath makes you attractive. The fruit itself hinders or banishes lust. Orange juice is used in rituals in place of wine. Medicinal: Full of vitamin C, it prevents scurvy and helps prevent colds and other illnesses.

Oregano
Magickal: Oregano is used to help forget and let go of a former loved one. Burn Oregano in incenses or drink an infusion of the herb to aid in spells for letting go. Medicinal: Oregano is used as an infusion to promote perspiration as a means of sweating out a fever. As well as the infusions, it is also used in baths and inhalations to clear lungs and bronchial passages. A tea of Oregano is often used to bring on menses and relieve associated menstrual discomfort, so pregnant women should not ingest large amounts of Oregano. Internally and externally it can help alleviate dry itching skin. The essential oil is used to treat viral infections, respiratory ailments, and muscle aches.

Patchouli
Magickal: Patchouli when worn as a perfumed oil is a powerful attraction to the opposite sex, and is excellent for warding off evil and negativity. Burnt as an incense it increases powers of divination and clairvoyance. Medicinal: Patchouli is used to treat dysentery, diarrhoea, colds without fevers, vomiting, and nausea.

Pennyroyal
Magickal: Pennyroyal aids in making good business deals and is given to couples who argue constantly in order to restore harmony within the relationship. Placed in a shoe it is said to prevent weariness on long journeys. Medicinal: Pennyroyal used as a tea helps remove digestive gas or wind, and if taken a few days before menstruation starts it will help the flow and may help ease heavy cramps as it stimulates blood flow to the pelvic area. Pennyroyal in any form should never be taken or used by pregnant women, and the essential oil can cause convulsions and coma if taken internally - use the oil externally only as an insect repellent as its strong minty smell is ideal for this purpose.

Peony
Magickal: Peonies planted outside the home protect it from storm damage and demons, and the dried roots can be carved into bracelets and necklaces for protection and as a cure for insanity. Peony can also be used for breaking spells and curses. Medicinal: Peony root can be used to treat menstrual problems, gout, and asthma. Peony should only be used under the guidance of a professional herbalist as the flowers and leaves are toxic and should not be taken internally.

Peppermint
Magickal: Peppermint is used in healing charms and incenses. It will cleanse the home, and if placed inside pillows will ensure a good night's sleep and bring prophetic dreams of the future. The essential oil is used in spells to create positive changes. Medicinal: Peppermint cleans and strengthens the body and can act as a sedative on an upset stomach. Peppermint can safely be used to disguise the taste of bitter or unpleasant medications.

Poppy
Magickal: Poppy seed pods are used in prosperity charms, and the seeds themselves are added to food to aid conception. To find the answer to a question, write your question in blue ink on a piece of white paper, place the paper inside a poppy seed pod, and place it under your pillow. You will receive your answer in a dream. Medicinal: Poppy juice is used for insomnia, nervousness, and for the relief of pain.

Raspberry
Magickal: Raspberry brambles that are hung around the entrance to your home will prevent unwanted spirits from entering, and Raspberries have long been served as a love inducing food. Medicinal: Raspberry leaf tea strengthens the uterine wall during pregnancy, reduces the pain of childbirth, and helps to reduce false labour pains. After childbirth it is used to decrease uterine swelling and cut down on post-partum bleeding. Raspberry leaf tea is also commonly used to ease menstrual cramps and to regulate the flow during menstruation.

Rose
Magickal: Rose water is used in gourmet dishes and love potions, and the petals are used in healing incense and sachets, or burned to provide a peaceful night's sleep. The essential oil is used in ritual baths to provide peace, love, and harmony within the self. Rose hips can be strung like beads and worn to attract love. Rose petals sprinkled around the home will create an air of peaceful calm. Medicinal: Rose hips are very good for the skin, as well as containing more vitamin C than Oranges. Use Rose hips as a blood purifier as well as a treatment for the common cold.

Rosemary
Magickal: Rosemary is used for remembrance, protection and banishment. Rosemary leaves under your pillow will get rid of evil spirits and bad dreams, and when branches or sprigs are hung around doors and on porches they will keep thieves out. A sprig of Rosemary with your loved one's photos or mementos will keep them in your thoughts, and you in theirs. Medicinal: Rosemary is used externally to treat stings and bites, and internally to treat migraines and bad breath. It is also used to treat upset stomachs, and to regulate the menstrual cycle and ease cramps. Mix the crushed leaves generously into all sorts of food to prevent food poisoning. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy as an inhalant and decongestant, and to enhance memory and concentration. Rosemary is also used in lotions to ease arthritis and muscle pain.

Rue
Magickal: Rue is used in amulets to ward off illness. The smell of the fresh, crushed herb will banish thoughts or envy, egotism, and love gone wrong. Rue leaves placed on the forehead will ease headaches, and added to baths, Rue will break spells or hexes placed on you. Rue is said to grow best if it is stolen. Medicinal: Rue may be used in small amounts to counteract poisons, such as snake, scorpion, or spider bites, and jellyfish stings, and is used both internally and externally as a remedy for tendonitis. It should not be taken with food, and it should never be used by pregnant women. Juices from the fresh plant may cause blistering of the skin.

Saffron
Magickal: Saffron thrown into the air is said to be able to summon the winds, and Saffron essential oil induces clairvoyance. Use Saffron in healing mixtures and to clean your hands before rituals. Medicinal: Saffron prevents the build-up of cholesterol in the body and can be used to soothe the stomach and colon. It is quite toxic if consumed in large doses.

Sage
Magickal: Sage is used for both healing and prosperity in amulets, incenses, and sachets. Sage burned in sacred areas consecrates altars and tools, and burning it in the home provides protection and removes impurities. Medicinal: Sage helps ease mental exhaustion and strengthens concentration. Lotions or salves made from Sage can be used to treat sores and skin eruptions, and will stop minor cuts and abrasions from bleeding. Sage tea will sooth a sore throat or mouth ulcers, and is good for upset stomachs and indigestion. Cold sage tea used as a hair rinse removes dandruff and tones the scalp. Sage combined with peppermint, rosemary, and wood betony is an excellent headache remedy.

Sandalwood
Magickal: Anointing the area between the eyes and on the forehead with Sandalwood oil helps centre and calm the mind, and is often used in healing oils and sachets. Burn Sandalwood incense in the home as a purifying and protective agent. Medicinal: Sandalwood oil is used to bring down fevers and to reduce heat stroke. It is also used to help pass kidney and gall stones, and for urinary tract infections.

Skullcap
Magickal: Skullcap is used in spells that bring about peace, tranquillity, and relaxation. Medicinal: Skullcap is an excellent nerve tonic and gives relief from many chronic and/or acute illnesses that affect the nervous system. It is often used to regulate sexual behaviour as well as to ease menstrual cramps. Skullcap is also used to alleviate insomnia and general restlessness.

Slippery Elm
Magickal: Burn Slippery Elm to stop gossip-mongering! Medicinal: Used externally, Slippery Elm is excellent for burns, sun burn, poison ivy rashes, and wounds. Internally it can be used to cure indigestion (heart burn) and to neutralise stomach acid.

Solomon's Seal
Magickal: Solomon's Seal is generally used for cleansing and exorcisms and is often added to protection incenses and sachets. Medicinal: Solomon's Seal is used to heal broken bones, and makes an excellent kidney tonic. It can also be used to treat diabetes and wasting diseases such as tuberculosis.

Thyme
Magickal: Thyme placed in a sleeping pillow will banish nightmares, and Thyme burnt in magickal or sacred places will purge and fumigate them, and bring good health. Medicinal: Thyme has strong antiseptic qualities and is used in cases of anaemia, bronchial ailments, and indigestion. It can also be used to prevent tooth decay, and it destroys fungal infections as in athlete's foot and skin parasites such as crabs and lice.

Uva Ursi
Magickal: Add Uva Ursi to your medicine bag or sachet to increase your psychic powers. Medicinal: Uva Ursi can be used to treat kidney and bladder infections, and inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract. It is especially good for diabetics who have excessive sugar in their blood. Used for post partum women to return the womb to its natural size and to prevent infection of the womb after childbirth, Uva Ursi should not be used by pregnant women.

Valerian
Magickal: Valerian is used in love spells and in purification baths. Medicinal: Valerian is a relaxant and is a very effective treatment for insomnia. It is often used as a tranquilliser because it doesn't leave the user feeling sluggish or doped up afterwards. It can also be used to relieve pain and tension, and for lowering blood pressure and relieving muscle cramps. It is not habit forming but should not be used continually for long periods of time as it can cause mental depression in some people after long term use.

Vervain
Magickal: Vervain is used for cleansing incenses and baths. Burnt, it is said to attract wealth, and buried in a field will make your crops abundant. Hung in the home and especially over a bed it will prevent nightmares and bring protection and promote a happy outlook on life. Vervain is given to friends as a promise of mutual faith. Medicinal: Vervain is used to treat the liver and liver diseases, exhaustion, fatigue, fever, insomnia, asthma, post-natal depression, as well as painful or irregular menses. It is said that Vervain helps to increase the flow of a mother's milk. The Chinese have used it to treat malaria, dysentery, and congestion. Do not use during pregnancy.

Violet
Magickal: Place Violets in a pillow to ease headaches, and mix Lavender and Violets together to make a powerful love sachet or amulet. Carrying the flowers will bring you a change in luck. Medicinal: Use Violet internally as well as externally to heal ulcers, pimples, abscesses, and swollen glands.

Walnut
Magickal: Carry a Walnut still in its shell to promote fertility. To discover if someone is a witch, legend has it that if you drop a Walnut still in its shell into their lap, and the person really is a witch, they won't be able to get up again as long as the Walnut is in their lap. Medicinal: Walnut bark is used to treat dysentery and skin diseases, the nut to promote strength and gain weight. The ground hull can be used to treat skin diseases, body lice, and internal parasites. Walnut leaves are used to treat eczema, hives, and boils. Diluted walnut oil is used to treat dandruff. A strong decoction of walnut leaves, painted around doorways and woodwork, will repel ants.

Willow
Magickal: Willow can be used to bring the blessings of the moon into your life, and planted near the home will act as a guard. Its branches have been used for the bindings on a witch's broom, and as healing wands. Medicinal: Willow works like a very mild aspirin, which was in fact derived from White Willow bark. It is very safe to use, mild on the stomach and leaves no after-effects. It can also be used to cleanse and heal infected or inflamed eyes.

Witch Hazel
Magickal: Forked twigs of Witch Hazel make very good divining rods. Witch Hazel when carried will also help heal a broken heart, and cool passions. Medicinal: Witch Hazel is a natural astringent that can be used externally to soothe insect bites, burns, bleeding wounds, and haemorrhoids, and to close pores after washing your face in warm water. Used internally it can help to stop bleeding from internal organs, treat bronchitis, flu, and coughs. It is often used as a mouthwash for ulcerous conditions of the mouth and throat, and for bleeding gums.

Wormwood
Magickal: Burn Wormwood to enable easier and better divination and clairvoyance. Wormwood is thrown on the fire at Samhain as a protection from roaming spirits during the night. Medicinal: Wormwood is considered a toxic plant! Use only in very small quantities for very short periods of time. Do not give Wormwood to small children. Wormwood can be used for all digestive problems, and for liver and bladder ailments. It also promotes menstruation and will help with menstrual cramps.

Yarrow
Magickal: Yarrow is given to newly weds and used in love sachets as it is said to have the ability to keep a couple together for seven years. Wear Yarrow to ward off negativity and repel fear. Yarrow added to your bath water will protect you from harm. Medicinal: Yarrow is used to stimulate and regulate the liver and acts as a blood purifier. It has been used as a contraceptive, as part the treatment for diabetes, and for treating gum ailments and toothache. Yarrow can arrest internal and external bleeding during childbirth and is often used to stop the bleeding of external wounds. Pregnant women should avoid Yarrow.

Yucca
Magickal: Yucca will protect your home against evil influences and can be used to make a soap and/or shampoo to cleanse the body before rituals. Medicinal: Yucca is used to reduce inflammation in the joints and to treat the joint pain caused by arthritis. Shampoo made from Yucca root is used to treat dandruff and other scruffy scalp conditions.