Here you will find some of the most familiar herbs to the Traditional Witch.
Also at the bottom of this page is a link to another page of herbs.
Agrimony (Sticklewort, Cockleburr, Church Steeples, Philanthropos, Garclive, Stickwort): It has been prescribed for rheumatism, gout and fevers, as well as back pain when mixed with mugwort and vinegar. Try and infusion of Agrimony to relieve a sore throat.
Basil (St. Joseph's Wort, Witches Herb, Herb of Kings, Albahaca, American Dittany): A member of the Mint family, Basil is great for digestive problems. A poultice made of the seeds exhibits and antibacterial effect on sores. Draws poison when applied to wounds. Used as a love herb.
Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade, Banewort, Black Cherry, Death's Herb, Devil's Cherries, Divale, Dwale, Dwaleberry, Dwayberry, Fair Lady, Great Morel, Naughty Man's Cherries, Sorcerer's Berry, Witches' Berry): VERY TOXIC!!! In Greek myths, Atropos, one of the three Goddesses of fate, used the poisonous berries from this herb to cut the thread of life. One of the herbs of flying ointments. Belladonna is derived from the Italian for 'Beautiful Lady', supposedly because Italian women would use drops of the juices of this plant in their eyes to dialate their pupils.
Borage (Bugloss, Burrage, Herb of Gladness): Borage is said to have brought courage to those who drank borage-flavored wine (or could it have been the wine??). In Welsh, Borage is call LLanwenlys, or Herb of Gladness. It is believed that borage is an anti-depressant.
Chamomile (Camomile, Chamomyle, Heermannchen (German), Ground Apple, Mayweed, Manzanilla (Spanish, 'Little Apple'), Maythen, Whig Plant): Germans say Chamomile is Alles zutraut, Meaning "capable of anything". 'Chamomile' is Greek for 'Ground Apple'. Used in matters of calming, as well as beautifying a witch, dreams, meditation and much more.
Elder (Bat Tree, Devil's Eye, Elderberry, Ellhorn, Hollunder, Pipe Tree, Sureau, Tree of Doom, Yakori Bengeskro): The Elder Tree is said to be the home of the Goddess Freya. If you see Elder in a dream, it would mean that illness is on the way. It was once used to dye hair black. You can use the dried flowers of an Elder tree in a bath to soften your skin and soothe your nerves. It has been used in the burial rites in England; spirits are thought to live within the Elder. Used for protection, clairvoyance, divination, transformation and more.
Foxglove (Fairyglove, Witchesglove, Deadmen's Bells, Digitalis, The Great Herb, Witches Bells, Witches Thimbles): UNSAFE!!!
Grown for protection. It is an ingredient in flying ointments. It is Traditionally the plant of women and the Goddess Diana. It is suspected that Vincent van Gogh took digitalis for epilepsy, and that the yellow vision this drug created may have influenced his art.
