|
Gag Root
Magickal Uses: Wealth, success.
Galangal
Magickal Uses: Luck, money, protection, exorcism, psychic development, success, purification, consecration.
Substitute With: Ginger
Galium odoratum - Latin name for Sweet Woodruff
Garde Robe - see Southernwood
Garden Heliotrope - see Valerian
Garden Rue - see Rue
Gardenia
Magickal Uses: Healing, love.
Garlic
Latin Name: Allium sativum
Parts Used: Bulbs
Cultivation: Plant cloves in spring or the fall for a fall harvest. Garlic likes rich, dry soil in full sun to part shade.
Culinary Uses: Garlic adds zest to every kind of food except desserts. Roast cloves whole in their skins to spread on toast. Toss a clove into soups and stews. Crush and use in Italian, French, and Asian dishes.
Medicinal Uses: Scientists are finding many of the old folk tales about garlic's healing powers to be true. The active ingredient in garlic, allicin, which is produced when the bulb is crushed, has an antibacterial action similar to that of penicillin, and is in fact more effective than penicillin in treating typhus! It is also effective against staph and strep germs, yeast infections, influenza, cholera, and dysentery. Garlic helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and inhibits blood clotting and clooging of the arteries. It even seems to have some effectiveness in treating stomach cancer! It can be used externally to treat ringworm and threadworm. Cautions: Garlic and garlic pastes should not be applied directly to the skin, as they may cause blistering.
Magickal Uses: Garlic is used in protection, exorcism, and healing. Hang a garlic braid over your door to repel jealous people. Place a clove beneath your child's pillow as a protection charm. Use in house blessings and exorcism.
Gaultheria procumbens - Latin name for Wintergreen
Geranium, Rose
Magickal Uses: A powerful protectant, happiness, love.
Gin Berry - see Juniper
Ginger
Latin Name: Zingiber officinale
Parts Used: Roots
Cultivation: Ginger is a tropical plant only hady to zone 9. It is a perennial, and prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil in part sun.
Culinary Uses: The flavor of ginger is a spicy citrus. The root is used in the cuisine of Asia, East India, the Caribbean, and North Africa. Sliver some fresh and add to your favorite stir-fry. Dried ginger is used in many desserts besides the traditional gingerbread.
Medicinal Uses: Ginger is used to soothe indigestion and treat motion sickness. Ginger tea is a wonderful remedy for morning or motion sickness. It is a diaphoretic and promotes peripheral circulation. Gargle with an infusion of ginger to treat a sore throat. Use it as a poultice to treat muscle spasms.
Magickal Uses: Eat ginger before doing a spell to increase its power. Grow ginger near your home or sprinkle dried ginger in your pocket or wallet to attract money. Sexuality, love, courage, attracting success, purification, consecration, marriage.
Ginkgo Biloba
Medicinal Uses: Time release, memory concentraion, circulation, strokes.
Ginseng, Sang, Wonder of the World Root
Latin Name: Panax quinquefolius
Parts Used: Roots
Cultivation: Ginseng is a hardy perennial. It likes rich, well-drained loam with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. It is quite difficult to grow as it needs to be pampered!
Medicinal Uses: There are many claims made for ginseng's healing properties. Many of the claims involve Siberian ginseng, which is not closely related to the common version. It is used to treat exhaustion, depression, and debility. It increases vitality and physical and mental performance. Cautions: Excessive use may cause headaches.
Magickal Uses: Ginseng is carried to attract love and guard health. Use for energy, reduce stress, increase endurance, sexual stimulant, anti-depressant. Ginseng tea is said to be an aphrodisiac. Ginger root, because of its gnarled shape, can substitue for mandrake.
Glycyrrhiza glabra - Latin name for Licorice
Goat Weed - see Saint John's Wort
Golden Bough - see Mistletoe
Goldenseal, Eye Balm, Eye Root
Latin Name: Hydrastis canadensis
Parts Used: Dried leaves and stems, rhizomes
Cultivation: Goldenseal is a hardy perennial woodland plant. It is very difficult to cultivate.
Medicinal Uses: Goldenseal has mild antiseptic, sedative, and muscle relaxant properties. Extracts of goldenseal seal to lower blood sugar levels. GOldenseal eyewash is especially effective against staph aureus and reduces inflammation. Produces natural insulin, cleanses urinary system, treats mouth sores. Cautions: Internal use of Goldenseal should be AVOIDED as large quantites can accumulate in the system and cause serious side effects, ranging from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea to convulsions, respiratory failure, paralysis, and even death.
Magickal Uses: Goldenseal is used in money spells and healing rituals.
Gotu Kola
Medicinal Uses: Brain food, memory, learning, disabilities, vitality, senility, "feel good".
Grapefruit
Magickal Uses: A powerful purifier.
Ground Ivy
Magickal Uses: Use to discover who is working negative magick against you. Please the herb around the base of a yellow candle (best if done on a Tuesday), and the person will become known to you.
Guardrobe - see Rosemary
Gum Arabic - see Aracia, Gum
Gum Aracia - see Aracia, Gum
Hamamelis virginiana - Latin name for Witch Hazel
Hawthorn, May Bush, Thorn
Latin Name: Crataegus laevigata
Parts Used: Ripe fruit (haws)
Cultivation: Hawthorn is a small tree or large shrub. It is hardy to zone 3, prefers an alkaline pH, and grows best in rich, moist soil in full sun to part shade.
Medicinal Uses: Hawthorn dilates the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. It works directly on the heart muscle to help it work more efficiently. Researchers believe that hawthorn may be the basis for many new heart medications. Cautions: If you have a heart condition, SEE YOUR DOCTOR before attempting any treatment with hawthorn. Your heart is NOT anything to mess around with!
Magickal Uses: Hawthorn bouquets are used at weddings to ensure health, happiness, and fertility. It is the "Thorn" referred to in "Oak, Ash, and Thorn," the combination of trees where you might find faeries. Hawthorn protects against lightning and damage from storms. Also used for funerals.
Hazel, Coll
Latin Name: Corylus spp.
Parts Used: Nuts and twigs
Cultivation: Hazel trees are hardy to zone 5. They grow best in deep, alkaline soil.
Culinary Uses: The nuts are edible, and used frequently in desserts and as a flavoring.
Magickal Uses: Hazel nuts bring luck, and can be eaten to increase wisdom. Twigs of hazel placed in the window frames will guard your house from lightening. Hazel wood makes excellent magick wands, and the forked twigs are often used by dowsers.
Hedeoma pulegoides - Latin name for American Pennroyal
Hedera spp. - Latin name for Ivy
Heliotrope
Magickal Uses: Healing, wealth, success, purification, consecration, exorcism.
Hemlock
Magickal Uses: Break hexes
Henbane
Magickal Uses: Break hexes.
Herb de La Croix - see Mistletoe
Herb of Grace - see Rue
Hibiscus Ivy
Magickal Uses: Love.
Holly
Magickal Uses: Protection, marriage.
Holy Herb - see Vervain
Honeysuckle
Magickal Uses: Wealth, success, purification, consecration.
Hops, Beer Flower
Latin Name: Humulus lupulus
Parts Used: The conelike female flower
Cultivation: Hops are hardy perennials, growing in well-drained humous-y soil in full sun.
Culinary Uses: Hops are the main flavoring and preservative agent for beer.
Medicinal Uses: Hops are used successfully in the treatment of insomnia. They ease tension and anxiety. Hops have a mild anti-septic action and can be used externally to treat ulcers and inflammations. Cautions: Do not use hops internally if you are suffering from depression, as they may aggravate the condition.
Magickal Uses: Hops are used in healing sachets and incenses. Stuff a pillow with hops to bring restful sleep.
Horehound, Soldier's Tea, Marrubium
Latin Name: Marrubium vulgare
Parts Used: Leaves and flowers
Sacred to: Horus
Cultivation: Horehound is a perennial, hardy to zone 4, which prefers well-drained, sandy soil with a pH of 6.9, in full sun.
Culinary Uses: Horehound has a minty, menthol flavor. Horehound infusion is used as the base for candies. It is sometimes used as a substitute for hops in beer.
Medicinal Uses: Horehound can be used a a cough soother and expectorant. Horehound tea will aid the digestion. Use it externally to help speed the healing of wounds. Cautions: Large doses can have a laxative effect; very large doses can cause irregular heartbeat.
Magickal Uses: Horehound is named for the Egyptian god Horus and can be nurned as incense in rituals designed to honor him. Use it in protection sachets, especially against sorcery. Drink horehound tea to help clear your mind. Healing, protection, break hexes, exorcism.
Horseradish
Latin Name: Armoracia rusticana
Parts Used: Root and leaves
Cultivation: Horseradish grows best in moist, rich, heavy soil with a pH of 6.8, in full sun. It is a perennial hardy to zone 5.
Culinary Uses: Horseradish is probably best known as the spicy condiment made by mixing grated fresh horseradish root with vinegar or mayonnaise. You can also add the young leaves sparingly to salads.
Medicinal Uses: Horseradish is one of the more potent herbal diuretics, and as such is used to treat kidney disease. It stimulates the digestion. Use it externally as a compress for neuralgia, joint stiffness, and rheumatism.
Magickal Uses: Sprinkle dried, powdered horseradish around your house to repel evil and negate any spells against you.
Horsetail
Medicinal Uses: Helps stop hair from falling out, stops split ends, nails, tumors.
Humulus lupulus - Latin name for Hops
Handrangea
Medicinal Uses: Arthritis, gout, kidney & bladder problems, dissolves stones.
Hydrastis canadensis - Latin name of Goldenseal
Hypericum perforatum - Latin name for Saint John's Wort
Hyssop
Latin Name: Hyssopus officinalis
Parts Used: Shoots, leaves, and flowers
Cultivation: Perennial, hardy to zone 4. It prefers light, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.7 in full sun to part shade.
Cosmetic Uses: Use hyssop bath sachets for a soothing bath, oruse it in a steaming herbal facial to cleanse the skin.
Culinary Uses: Hyssop leaves have a minty flavor and can be used to flavor soups, salads, poultry, and fruit. The dried leaves and flowers make a nice tea.
Medicinal Uses: Use a poultice of hyssop to help heal wounds and bruises, including black eyes. It has mild germ-killing attributes. It is an anti-spasmodic and mild expectorant, and can be used to treat colds and coughs.
Magickal Uses: Hyssop is a widely used purification herb. Sprinkle an infusion of hyssop around your home or over your person to cleanse it of negative influences. Also use for consecration.
Hyssopus officinalis - Latin name of Hyssop
Indigo
Latin Name: Indigofera tinctoria, I. suffuticosa
Parts Used: Leaves
Cultivation: Indigo is a tropical and sub-tropical shrub.
Craft Uses: Indigo leaves are used to produce a deep blue dye.
Medicinal Uses: Indigo has been used as an emetic, and the Chinese used indigo to cleanse the liver, purify the blood, and reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. Cautions: Many varieties of indigo are toxic, and I do not recomment treating yourself with any of them!
Indigofera tinctoria, I. suffuticosa - Latin name for Indigo
Inkberry - see Pokeweek
Ipecac - see Ipecacuanha
Ipecacuanha, Ipecac
Latin Name: Psychotria ipecacuanha
Parts Used: Roots
Cultivation: South American shrub
Medicinal Uses: Ipecac is used as an expectorant to treat bronchitis and whooping cough. In larger doses it is a powerful emetic, and no first aid cupboard would be complete without a bottle of "Syrup of Ipecac" to treat poisoning.
Iris
Latin Name: Iris spp.
Parts Used: Flowers and rhizomes
Cultivation: Iris are swamp perennials which prefer moist soil in full sun and a pH of 6.0 They are hardy to zone 5. Iris grown from seed can take three years to flower; they are usually propagated by root divisions or rhizomes.
Medicinal Uses: Blue Flag Iris is very useful in the treatment of various skin diseases, including eczema, spots, and blemishes. In can be used as part of the treatment regime for psoriasis. It also has a mild laxative effect.
Magickal Uses: Iris flowers have long been used in urification; place fresh flowers in the area to be cleansed. The three points of the flower symbolize wisdom, faith, and valor. Iris is named after the Greek goddess of the rainbow.
Iris spp. - Latin name for Iris
Iris x germanica var. florentina - Latin name for Orris
Ivy
Latin Name: Hedera spp.
Parts Used: Whole plant
Cultivation: Ivy prefers moist soil in full shade. Many species are evergreen. English Ivy is hardy to zone 5.
Magickal Uses: Ivy brings good luck to women, and is often carried by brides for this reason. It is used in love and fidelity charms, and guards against negativity and disaster.
Jacob's Ladder - see Lily of the Valley
Jasmine, Jessamin
Latin Name: Jasminum officinale
Parts Used: Flowers
Cultivation: Jasmine is a perennial shrub hardy to zone 7. They grow best in light, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Jasmine is a popular house plant.
Magickal Uses: Add dried jasmine flowers to love sachets and incenses. Carry or wear the flowers to attract money. Burn jasmine in the bedroom to induce prophetic dreams. Moon, mysteries of the night, love, sex, psychic awareness, peace and spiritualtiy, wealth, success, consecration, purification and marriage.
Jasminum officinale - Latin name for Jasmine
Jessamin - see Jasmine
Juniper, Gin Berry
Latin Name: Juniperus communis
Parts Used: Leaves, twigs, and berries
Cultivation: Juniper is a hardy shrub often used as a groundcover. Plant both male and female plants if you want berries.
Culinary Uses: Juniper is the primary flavoring in gin, but it has other culinary uses. Use a few bruised juniper berries in marinades, soups, and stews. Juniper combines well with parsley, fennel, bay, and garlic. Grill meats with a juniper branch or two on the coals; this will give the meat a rich flavor.
Medicinal Uses: Use poultices of juniper to relieve rheumatic and arthritic pains, as well as ulcers and inflammations. Juniper is a diuretic, but it acts by irritating the kidneys, and there are other, safer means available. Cautions: Repeated use of juniper can cause kidney damage, convulsions, and personality changes. It should never be used by pregnant women.
Magickal Uses: Juniper is used to protect against thieves, evil forces, accidents, animal attacks, ghosts, and sickness. Juniper burned as incense helps strengthen psychic powers. Healing, love, consecration.
Juniperus communis - Latin name for Juniper
Kava Kava
Medicinal Uses: Reduces anxiety & depression, reduce pain, relax muscles, aids in sleep.
Kelp - see Bladderwrack
King Root - see Bloodroot
Laurel - See Bay.
Laurus Nobilis - Latin name for Bay
Lavender, Elf Leaf
Latin Name: Lavendula augustifolia
Parts Used: Flowers and leaves
Cultivation: Lavender is usually started from cuttings, as it has a long germination time. It prefers light, well-drained soil in full sun, and some varieties are hardy to zone 5.
Cosmetic Uses: Lavender stimulates and cleanses the skin. Lavender vinegar is good for oily skin.
Culinary Uses: Use flowers and leaves in vinegars, and fruit jellies.
Medicinal Uses: Lavender infusions can be taken to combat headaches and depressions. Lavender makes a good nerve tonic, and was an ingredient in the "smelling salts" used by Victorian ladies. Use lavender to make a compress for chest congestion.
Magickal Uses: Lavender is used widely in love spells and sachets. Burn the flowers or annoint forehead and pillow with oil to induce sleep. Lavender is also used in healing and purification. Peace, chastity, house blessing and marriage.
Lavendula augustifolia - Latin name for Lavender
Lemon
Magickal Uses: Lunar energies, purification and healing, wear diluted during full moon to attune with it, love.
Lemon Balm
Latin Name: Melissa officinalis
Parts Used: Leaves
Cultivation: Lemon balm grows easily from seed. It grows best in full sun, in average, well-drained soil. It is hardy to zones4-5.
Cosmetic Uses: Lemon balm is a good facial cleansers, especially for persons with acne!
Culinary Uses: Lemon balm combines the tastes of lemon and mint. Use the fresh leaves in salads, fruit dishes, poultry, and fish. Use the dried leaves in tea. Lemon balm is a flavoring ingredient in the liqueurs Benedictine and Chartreuse.
Medicinal Uses: Lemon balm seems to have a mild sedative effect, and to be mildly inhibiting to the growth of bacteria and viruses.
Magical Uses: Healing and love.
Lemon Verbena
Latin Name: Aloysia triphylla
Parts Used: Leaves
Cultivation: Lemon verbena is a shrub, hardy to zone 9. It is frequently grown as a houseplant.
Culinary Uses: Use in marinades, fish or poultry dishes, salad dressings, and puddings.
Medicinal Uses: It has been used in folk medicine as a remedy for various conditions ranging from fevers to indigestion, but it is not generally considered an important medicinal herb.
Magickal Uses: Hang Lemon Verbena around your neck or drink juice to prevent dreams. It is used in love spells, and is added to other spells to strengthen them. Use it in a purifying bath. Marriage.
Lemongrass
Magickal Uses: Strengthens psychic awareness, purification.
Levisticum officinale - Latin name for Lovage
Licorice, Sweet Root
Latin Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Parts Used: Roots
Cultivation: Licorice is a hardy perennial, growing well in neutral pH, rich, moist soil in full sun to partial shade.
Commercial Uses: Licorice is used to help beer foam, and as a foaming agent in fire extinguishers. It is used in fertilizers, insecticides, and insulation. It is a used extensively in flavoring tobacco, with some tobacco products containing as much as 10% licorice!
Cosmetic Uses: Licorice is a soothing emmolient. Use it in steam facials as it helps open the pores so other herbs can penetrate. It is also useful as a shampoo for oily hair, as it tends to suppress the scalp's production of oil.
Culinary Uses: Licorice is used as a flavoring for many things, including candy and liqueurs. It is used commercially in everything from pastries and ice cream to soy sauce and soy meat substitutes.
Medicinal Uses: Licorice is widely used in cough syrups and lozenges. It is frequently used to treat ulcers, rheumatism, and artritis; and helps in the treatment of menstrual cramps. Adjusts blood sugar, hypoglycemia, quick energy and adrenal glands. It is also useful in treating Addison's disease. Cautions: Should be avoided by cardiac patients, those who are obese, pregnant women, and those who suffer from kidney disease or high blood pressure. In these people, licorice can cause abnormal heart action and renal failure.
Magickal Uses: Licorice is used in love and lust potions. Mariage. Chew on a licorice root as an aphrodisiac.
Lilac
Magickal Uses: Exorcism.
Lily of the Valley, Jacob's Ladder, May Lily
Latin Name: Convallaria magalis
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers
Cultivation: Lilies of the valley grow from pips, which are simiar to bulbs. They are hardy, like the shade, and spread rapidly. The problem is not how to grow them, it is what to do with the extras.
Medicinal Uses: Lily of the vally is used much like foxglove in the treatment of congestive heart failure. Cautions: Extremely potent and should be used ONLY under CLOSE medical supervision!
Magickal Uses: Improves mental powers and strengthens the mind.
Lime
Magickal Uses: Purification, protection.
Lion's Tooth - see Dandelion
Lobelia
Medicinal Uses: Asthma, congestion, pneumonia, strong relaxant, pleurisy, cough.
Lotus
Latin Name: Nelumbo nucifera
Parts Used: Whole plant
No true oil. Use bouquet of Rose, Jasmine, White or Light Musk, and Ylang-ylang
Cultivation: Lotuses are hardy perennial water plants but will only live through the winter if their roots do not freeze-mulch thoroughly, move to a protected area, or dig the tubers every fall. They can be grown from seed or tubers.
Magickal Uses: The lotus was considered to be sacred by many ancient peoples of the East. It was a symbol of spirituality and the mystery of life. Breath the scent to be protected, or carry any part of the plant to be blessed by the gods. Use for marriages.
Lovage, Love Root, Sea Parsley
Latin Name: Levisticum officinale
Parts Used: Leaves, roots, stems, and seeds
Cultivation: Lovage is a perennial hardy to zone 3. It prefers moist, fertile, well-drianed soil in full sun to partial shade.
Cosmetic Uses: An infusion of lovage seeds is said to erase freckles.
Culinary Uses: Lovage tastes like celery. Use the leaves fresh in salads or in soups, stews, and sauces. Use the stems as you would celery stalks, and the seeds are used in pickling, salad dressings, and sauces.
Magickal Uses: Take a lovage bath before you go out to make yourself more attractive.
Love Root - see Lovage
Love Seed
Magickal Uses: Used by Pawnee Indians. Carry seeds to attract new friendships.
Lucky Hand (root of the orchid plant)
Magickal Uses: Very popular in New Orleans/Creole magick. Place in sachets and conjure bags for good luck and general success as well to obtain and maintain a job.
Maid's Ruin - see Southernwood
Maidenhair
Magickal Uses: For beauty. Immerse in water then remove. Kept on the person or in the bedroom it will grant grace, beauty & love.
Magnolia
Oil: No genuine oil. Bouquet of Neroli, Jasmine, rose & sandalwood.
Magickal Uses: Promotes harmony, peace, psychic awareness.
Mallow, Marsh Mallow
Latin Name: Althaea officinalis
Parts Used: Roots, leaves, and flowers
Cultivation: Mallow is a very hardy perennial which frequently grows wild. It likes moist, light soil with a neutral pH in full sun.
Culinary Uses: The mallow root was used to make the French candy, pƒt‚ de guimauve, which is the original "marshmallow." The root is also good lightly steamed and then fried with butter and onions. Add the tender young leaves to salads.
Medicinal Uses: Mallow is a very soothing demulcent. It can be used internally to soothe digestive upsets and inflammations, or as a cough preparation. Use poultices externally to soothes ulcers, abrasions, and boils.
Magickal Uses: Use a mallow ointment to protect against evil and cast out demons. Place a bouquet of mallow in a vase in your window to attract a straying lover. Exorcism.
Mandrake
Magickal Uses: Protection, wealth, success, purification, consecration, house blessing, funerals.
Maple
Magickal Uses: Marriage.
Marigold
Latin Name: Tagetes spp.
Cultivation: Marigolds are a half-hardy annual. They should be started, or set out, after all danger of frost has passed. Marigolds prefer full sun in light, well-drained soil.
Companion Planting: Marigolds are very useful in the garden. They drive away many insect pests, and a border of them around your veggies is a nice idea. There is also a type of nematocidal marigolds, whose roots excrete a substance that drives away root nematodes.
Culinary Uses: Some cultivars, notably the "Gem" series, are edible. The make nice garnishes or additions to salads.
Note: There is a big difference between marigold (tagetes spp.) and pot marigold (calendula officinalis) or calendula. Most entries referring to the magickal or medicinal uses of marigolds are actually referring to calendula. Check the Latin names before using any recipes.
Marjoram, Pot Marjoram, Sweet Marjoram
Latin Name: Origanum majorana
Parts Used: Leaves, stalks, and flowers
Cultivation: Marjoram is a tender perennial, hardy only to zones 9-10. In the North it is usually grown as an annual.
Cosmetic Uses: Marjoram has a mild antiseptic action that can be useful in cleansing baths and facials.
Culinary Uses: Marjoram tastes like a milder oregano and can be substituted for it in recipes. It is widely used in French, Italian, and Portuguese cuisines.
Medicinal Uses: Try marjoram tea for headaches. Use its antiseptic properties in a gargle to treat mouth ulcers, or to aiid in the treatment of external wounds. It is a diaphoretic which can be used in the treatment of colds and flu. Rub marjoram oil into muscle aches and sprains. Cautions: Marjoram can be a uterine irritant and should be used with caution during menstruation or pregnancy.
Magickal Uses: Place marjoram plants around your house to protect it. Use it in love spells, and mix with violets to ward off colds. Marriage, funerals.
Marrubium - see Horehound
Marrubium vulgare - Latin name for Horehound
Marsh Mallow - see Mallow
Masterwort - see Angelica.
Mastic, Gum
Magickal Uses: Love. Manifestation of spirits.
Substitute With: Equal parts Gum Arabic & frankincense.
Matricaria Recutita - Latin name for German Chamomile
May Bush - see Hawthorn
May Lily - see Lily of the Valley
Meadow Cabbage
Magickal Uses: Wealth, success.
Melissa officinalis - Latin name for Lemon Balm
Mentha pulegium - Latin name for European Pennyroyal
Mentha spp. - Latin name of Mint
Mexican Coriander - see Coriander
Milfoil - see Yarrow
Mimosa
Magickal Uses: Love
Mint
Latin Name: Mentha spp.
Parts Used: Leaves and flowers
Cultivation: A perennial hardy to zone 5, mint likes rich, moist, well-drianed soil in full sun to partial shade. When planted outdoors as part of a herb garden, mint should be put in the ground in a container, as it is extremely invasive.
Cosmetic Uses: Use an infusion of mint to soothe chapped hands, or as a restorative foot soak. Mint is cleansing and makes a nice addition to facials and baths.
Culinary Uses: Mint has many different varieties and flavors, from the old stand-by peppermint to the more exotic pineapple and chocolate mints. Peppermint is excellent for flavoring sweets and candies. Spearmint is milder and is better for other cooking purposes, enhancing meat, fish, and vegetables. Use the specialty mints in salads, fruit dishes, teas, and as a garnish.
Medicinal Uses: Peppermint is an excellent digestive aid. It is specific for use in treatment of morning sickness and motion sickness. Use it as an inhalant to treat stuffy noses and congestion. It helps relieve the discomfort of painful periods.
Magickal Uses: Mint is a versatile healing plant. Use it in healing spells and incenses; stuff sachets with mint leaves to ward off disease. Mint also attracts money; carry a few leaves in your wallet for this purpose. Success, consecration, purification, exorcism.
Mistletoe, Golden Bough, Herb de la Croix
Latin Name: Viscum album (European Mistletoe), Phoradendron serotinum
Parts Used: Whole plant
Cultivation: Mistletoe is generally not cultivated. Look for it growing wild in the woods.
Medicinal Uses: European mistletoe can be used as a treatment for epilepsy. It acts to slow the heartbeat and can be used in cases of tachycardia. It reduces blood pressure and artheriosclerosis, and helps relieve headaches caused by high blood pressure. American mistletoe can cause uterine contractions and is useful in childbirth. Cautions: Mistletoe is extremely toxic. Under no circumstances should you attempt to dose yourself with it. If you use it as a holiday decoration, be careful to hang it out of the reach of children and pets, or consider using one of the many excellent silk replicas available.
Magickal Uses: Mistletoe was revered by the Druids, especially when it was found growing on an oak. Cut it on Midsummer's Day using a golden sickle and don't let it touch the ground. Mistletoe is a potent protective herb, offering protection against almost every misfortune from lightening to disease to having your children stolen by faeries. Kiss your lover under the mistletoe to keep him or her in love with you. Place some mistletoe beneath your pillow to ensure beautiful dreams, or carry some with you if you are trying to conceive.
Monarda Didyma - Latin name for Bee Balm
Moonflower
Magickal Uses: Love.
Mosquito Plant - see Pennyroyal
Mother of Herbs - see Rue
Mountain Cranberry - see Uva-Ursi
Mugwort
Magickal Uses: Healing
Mullein, Aaron's Rod, Clot, Doffel, Feltwort
Latin Name: Verbascum thapus
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers
Cultivation: Mullein grows wild; it will grow in just about any soil in sun to part shade. It is a hardy biennial which reseeds readily.
Medicinal Uses: Use a mullein extract in olive oil to treat inflamed skin. It is specific for bronchitis with a hard, sore cough. Relieves lung and sinus congestion.
Magickal Uses: Use a mullein pillow to guard against nightmares. Carry some as a charm for courage, especially when faced with wild animals. Use powdered mullein leaves as a substitute for graveyard dust in spells.
Musk
Can use synthetic as genuine is from animals.
Magickal Uses: Courage, secual attraction, purification.
Mustard
Latin Name: Brassica spp.
Parts Used: Leaves and seeds
Cultivation: Mustard is a hardy annual, growing readily just about anywhere. It reseeds quite happily.
Culinary Uses: Use the tender young leaves as a tangy addition to salads. Use the seeds to flavor pickles or chutney, or grind them to make mustard.
Medicinal Uses: Used externally, mustard stimulates the circulation and relieves inflammation. Mustard plasters are a time-honored remedy for chest congestion and probably the inspiration for Vix! Taken internally, mustard stimulates the appetite and aids digestion. Large doses can cause vomiting. Cautions: Do not apply the mustard directly to the skin as it is quite irritating and can cause blistering.
Magickal Uses: Sprinkle mustard seed on your doorstep to protect your home, or carry some in a red cloth bag to keep you from getting a cold.
Myristca fragrans - Latin name for Nutmeg
Myrrh
Latin Name: Commiphora myrrha
Parts Used: Resin
Cultivation: Myrrh is a small desert tree that grows only in a small are of the Middle East where a certain type of basaltic soil is found.
Historical Notes: Myrrh was used in ritual in ancient Egypt to honor Ra. Moses annointed priests with an ointment that contained myrrh, and the Magi reputedly brought it to Jesus at his birth.
Medicinal Uses: Myrrh is specific for infections of the mouth and gums, as well as sinusitis and sore throats. Externally it is useful in the healing of wounds.
Magickal Uses: Myrrh is a purifyng incense, usually burned with frankincense, and it increases the power of any incense it is burned with. Use it to aid meditation and healing. Great tincture for incense paper, funerals, healing, protection, peace. In incense, it purifies the area, uplifts vibrations and spirits, and creates peace.
Myrrhis odorata - Latin name for Sweet Cicely
Myrtle
Magickal Uses: Love, wealth, success, consecration, purification.
|
|
