Well, where to start? With so many wonderful plants available there are simply just too many too list. What I have done is compile a list of what I have found to be a useful herbal base for a witches cupboard. With these herbs, I have found I can follow a number of recipes, or if I am missing an ingredient there is a reasonable substitue readily available. It is important to remember that Mother Earth has provided us with such a variety that if one is not available, there will be another with equivalent properties. Once again, none of this information is to replace the advice of your doctor, but may be useful in supplementing treatment.
Mundane - use freshly crushed leaves for minor cuts and abrasions, sedative properties steeped in tea, or in a bath, crushed bay leaves will repel cockroaches in kitchen cupboards, may contain uterine stimulants and pregnant women should stay away from it
Magickal - Sacred to the Roman God Apollo and worn in Rome by poets and athletes chewed by Priestesses of Apollo to induce a prophetic state, protection, wards negativity and evil strength and stamina in athletics
BONESET:
Mundane - supresses fever, helps fight cold and flu by stimulating the production of white blood cells, mild anti inflamatory used for arthritis, may have anti cancer effects and more research is required in this area
Magickal - protection, exorcisim, used steeped in water and sprinkled around the house to ward off evil
BENZOIN:
Mundane - used to bind scents together in potpourri
Magickal - used as a base for incense, burn for purification, and prosperity
BLESSED THISTLE:
Mundane - female problems, increases mother's milk, with chamomile helps to releive menstral cramps, balances hormones, strengthens memory, heart, and lungs, rids system of tumors, good for arthritis, birth control, cancer, constipation, cramps, digrstion, gas, headaches, senility, worms
Magickal - protection in spiritual persuits
CATNIP:
Mundane - soothes nervous tension, aids digestion, soothes menstral cramps, pregnant women should use it with caution
Magickal - Cat magick, love, beauty, happiness, attracting good spirits, and good luck
CHAMOMILE:
Mundane - soothes indigestion and calms nerves. promotes menstruation and releives menstral cramps, releives infant cholic and adds luster to blond hair
Magickal - use in sleep and meditation incesces, wash with an infusion to attract money, sprinkle around your property to remove curses and spells cast against you
CINNAMON:
Mundane - Mild Anesthetic, use on minor cuts and scrapes after thoroughly washing, suppresses the bacteria which causes urinary infections, as well as the fungus which causes vaginal yeast infections. Good for indigestion.
Magickal - spirituality, success, draws money when burned, healing, power, psychic powers, lust, protection.
CINQUEFOIL:
Mundane: diahrea, mouthwash, gargle,
Magickal: hang above door for protection, suspend from your bed and have restful sleep, under your pillow to dream of a future lover, wear to provide eloquence when asking favors of officials.
CLOVER BLOSSOM:
Mundane- steep to settle stomach upsets. blood purifier
Magickal- protection, money, love, fidelity exorcism, success, two leaves: you will soon find a lover, three leaves: protective amulet, four leaves: protects against madness, strengthens psychic powers, helps you detect presence of spirits, leads the wearer to gold, money or treasures, five leaves: attracts money, white: works against hexes, red: add to bath to help with financial arrangements, used in lust potions and removes negative spirits. In General: keeps snakes away from your property.
COLTSFOOT:
Mundane- coughs, colds, bronchitis, diarrhe, externally for insect bites, inflammations, burns.
Magickal- add to love sachets, and can cause visions when smoked.
DANDELION:
Mundane- diuretic for premenstral syndrome, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, weight loss, anti oxidants to fight cancer, yeast infection.
Magickal- roast the root and grind, make a tea and use it for promoting psychic powers. place tea beside your bed to call spirits, send a messege to a loved one blow at the seed head in his or her direction and visualize your messege.
DRAGON'S BLOOD:
Magickal- keeps evil and negative away when burned as an incense, a pinch added to other incenses increases their potency and power, to quiet a noisy house powerder and mix it with sugar and salt, place in a bottle, cover and secure it in a place in your house where it will not be found. Under the mattress it will cure impotency.
