10 beginner's herbs
Included here are 10 beginner's herbs to work with and try, with my comments
as to uses. All are perennial plants that you can grow outdoors, except where
noted.
Rosemary
This is my favorite herb. Its properties are protective and purifying, and it
is 'astringent'. Rosemary smells, and looks a little bit like a miniature
pine, but it's actually related to mint. You can toast the dried leaves on a
charcoal block, steep them in hot water for tea or a wash, or use in
potpourris and sachets. I use the incense for room cleansing, and to cleanse
washable objects, I use:
Magickal Bleach
Steep a good spoonful of rosemary in hot water until it forms a dark tea.
In a non-metal bowl or basin, mix a couple of quarts of cold water with about
1/4 cup salt; add the rosemary tea and some more rosemary. Use to wash or
soak items. Purifies, grounds and protects.
If you want to get fancy, you can also pass the object over a flame and/or
sage smoke and recite Be thou purified by water, earth, fire and air.
Rosemary is associated with memory and with knowledge and keenness of
perception-- use in a 'remember me' spell, with pansies, or apply the oil
before an exam. The tea and the oil can be used as astringents, as well.
Rosemary can be grown indoors, and in fact is not hardy outdoors.
Sage
There are several kinds of sage-- garden sage, white sage, and desert sage.
Native Americans usually use white or desert sage, but I find garden or
culinary sage works fine for me. Burn it as a smudge (you can get smudge
sticks of it) for cleansing objects, places and people. Eat the leaves (of
the garden variety) for wisdom and long life. Superstition says that your
sage plants reflect your prosperity-- so tend them carefully.
Simple cleansing tea for wisdom seekers Blend together half spoonfuls of
rosemary and sage; add a chunk of dried lemon peel. Brew until it becomes a
green tea; sweeten with honey. Drink meditatively.
Note: sage oil contains an essential oil that may be harmful; use the oil
sparingly, if at all, and never smudge pregnant women!
Ginger
Ginger isn't exactly a houseplant, but you can grow it. I swear by it to 'get
things going'. Not only does it help your body feel more energetic and fight
disease better, but the 'hot' smell and taste add energy to your magic. Use
fresh or powdered root to add a 'push' to any spell, including those for
success. Use in potpourris, teas, incenses, etc. Ginger also helps stomach
upsets.
Cinnamon
The bark of the cinnamon tree is actually a spice, grown on plantations in
far-off climes. However, it is sovereign for love magic, prosperity, and
protection. Cinnamon can be burned on a block as incense, used to flavor
food, used in potpourris, and just smelled. Give the ones you love cinnamon
treats or hand out heart-shaped cinnamon 'red hots' as 'happy pills.' I find
that lighting a red, cinnamon-scented candle helps me to focus on and
complete housework, too.
Basic Happy Home Simmering Potpourri
Mix together cinnamon chips for prosperity and protection, cloves to stop
hostility and gossip, orange peel for joy, lemon balm for cheer, rosemary
for purification, mint for health, sage for wisdom, and dill seed for
prosperity. Charge under three day's sun and moon if possible, asking the
blessing of the Lord and Lady. To use, mix a small amount (2 spoonsful)
with water and heat in a simmerer or in a pot on the stove.
Do not apply cinnamon bark oil on bare skin-- it will burn!
Mint***
Careful mints do cross pollinate, so keep them far apart, also NEVER plant mint near pennyroyal
Mint is a cooling and refreshing herb, which can be grown almost anywhere.
(The problem is to STOP it growing.) All varieties of mint are excellent for
healing, though peppermint is sovereign for stomach troubles, nausea, and
poor digestion. Mints are also cleansing and prosperity-attracting-- the
sweet smell of cash is MINT. Use mint soap to wake you up in the morning;
drink a cup of mint tea to calm and destress. Mix in potpourris and blended
teas; use in baths; use in body rubs. Burn on an open fire, but don't use as
loose incense.
Tummy Tea
Steep a spoonful of peppermint and a pinch or chip of ginger in hot water
until light green. Drink as needed for 'tummy bumbles' or nerves. Flavor
with honey if needed.
Mints grow easily in moist, rich soils almost anywhere in the world. They prefer some shade, but will grow amply in full sun. To grow mint plants from seed, sow 1/8" deep, barely covering with fine soil, and keep moist. Seeds will germinate in ten to twenty days. Mints are slow to develop during the first year, but be ready to fight them back the second year.
If your growing season is long, a light harvest may be possible during the first year, but generally it is best to wait. Usually harvesting is done just before the plant blooms. Cut the entire plant to an inch above the ground. Mints can be cut back two or three times a year, thus providing plenty for fresh use, freezing, or drying
Lavender Lavender has a cleansing scent (who hasn't used lavender soap) and
is associated with passion. It is supposed to provoke passion, but is also
used to encourage chastity. I find that lavender incense 'brightens' and
'clears' a room, but then it's one of my favorites. In addition, lavender is
a relaxing herb; its flowers and their oil are used in all kinds of
de stressing and restful remedies.
Basic Destress Oil In a carrier oil (massage oil works well), blend a few
drops lavender, camomile, melissa, and bergamot oils. Let sit in a closed
container for 24 hours if possible. Use whenever you are feeling stressed
out.
Note: some people are allergic to the scent of lavender.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm, a spreading annual, smells like artificial lemon! It is best used
fresh, but can be used dried or as an essential oil (found under its other
name, melissa). Lemon balm is cooling and soothing, but also is excellent as
an antidepressant. Smell some, pick some, add it to an iced tea brew or to a
sachet to pick up the spirits. Very good for healing, especially mental
health.
Basil
Basil is a strong, fiery herb that is protective and love related. It's no
suprise that hot-tempered italian families use so much basil-- it's a
magickal peacemaker. Use when trying to make up after a fight, or to help a
romantic mood. But, if you are quarreling, be aware that basil-based magic
tends toward justice as well as reconciliation.
Penne with Basil and Mozzarella
Cook up some penne (tube pasta with the ends cut on a slant). Drain. Mix in
tsp of butter, tsp of olive oil. Shake on 2-3 tsp romano or parmesan cheese
and mix in with fresh diced basil or dried basil. Add 1/8-1/4 cup shredded
mozzarella and mix until melting. Serve quickly. For love and peace in the
family.
Camomile
Camomile is the original tranquilizing herb. Drink the tea or smell the oil
to relax instantly (some people have a VERY strong reaction to the smell of
the essential oil). Camomile tea will also put you to sleep, so be careful.
Use in potpourris and sachets for sleep and peace. (This is a perennial, but
you only use the flowers, so it it's easier to buy than grow. But the flowers
are very pretty.)
Mugwort
Mugwort is the traditional witches' divination herb. Divination tools should
be washed in mugwort tea, smudged with mugwort smoke, rubbed with mugwort,
etc. Mix the dried herb in dream pillows for prophetic dreams. The tea can be
drunk to induce clairvoyance, but be careful when consuming or burning this
herb, as it is related to sage, etc. and overuse can cause problems.One more
herbal ingredient:
Citrus Fruits-- Orange, Lemon, and Lime
Use citrus as a pick-me-up and to add energy to your mixtures. Dried peels
and oils can be used in potpourris, baths, teas, etc., in addition to the
usual uses of the fruit. Orange is best for warm-fuzzies; Lemon for cleaning
and to 'cut through' anything; lime for mental pursuits.
Sources:
Cunningham, Magical Herbalism; Magical Aromatherapy
Thompson, Magical Hearth
Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses
Evert-Hopman, A Druid Herbal for the Secret Earth Year
Nahmad, Earth Magic
Telesco, Victorian Grimoire; Spinning Spells, Weaving Wonders
Ravenwolf, Hexcraft
as to uses. All are perennial plants that you can grow outdoors, except where
noted.
Rosemary
This is my favorite herb. Its properties are protective and purifying, and it
is 'astringent'. Rosemary smells, and looks a little bit like a miniature
pine, but it's actually related to mint. You can toast the dried leaves on a
charcoal block, steep them in hot water for tea or a wash, or use in
potpourris and sachets. I use the incense for room cleansing, and to cleanse
washable objects, I use:
Magickal Bleach
Steep a good spoonful of rosemary in hot water until it forms a dark tea.
In a non-metal bowl or basin, mix a couple of quarts of cold water with about
1/4 cup salt; add the rosemary tea and some more rosemary. Use to wash or
soak items. Purifies, grounds and protects.
If you want to get fancy, you can also pass the object over a flame and/or
sage smoke and recite Be thou purified by water, earth, fire and air.
Rosemary is associated with memory and with knowledge and keenness of
perception-- use in a 'remember me' spell, with pansies, or apply the oil
before an exam. The tea and the oil can be used as astringents, as well.
Rosemary can be grown indoors, and in fact is not hardy outdoors.
Sage
There are several kinds of sage-- garden sage, white sage, and desert sage.
Native Americans usually use white or desert sage, but I find garden or
culinary sage works fine for me. Burn it as a smudge (you can get smudge
sticks of it) for cleansing objects, places and people. Eat the leaves (of
the garden variety) for wisdom and long life. Superstition says that your
sage plants reflect your prosperity-- so tend them carefully.
Simple cleansing tea for wisdom seekers Blend together half spoonfuls of
rosemary and sage; add a chunk of dried lemon peel. Brew until it becomes a
green tea; sweeten with honey. Drink meditatively.
Note: sage oil contains an essential oil that may be harmful; use the oil
sparingly, if at all, and never smudge pregnant women!
Ginger
Ginger isn't exactly a houseplant, but you can grow it. I swear by it to 'get
things going'. Not only does it help your body feel more energetic and fight
disease better, but the 'hot' smell and taste add energy to your magic. Use
fresh or powdered root to add a 'push' to any spell, including those for
success. Use in potpourris, teas, incenses, etc. Ginger also helps stomach
upsets.
Cinnamon
The bark of the cinnamon tree is actually a spice, grown on plantations in
far-off climes. However, it is sovereign for love magic, prosperity, and
protection. Cinnamon can be burned on a block as incense, used to flavor
food, used in potpourris, and just smelled. Give the ones you love cinnamon
treats or hand out heart-shaped cinnamon 'red hots' as 'happy pills.' I find
that lighting a red, cinnamon-scented candle helps me to focus on and
complete housework, too.
Basic Happy Home Simmering Potpourri
Mix together cinnamon chips for prosperity and protection, cloves to stop
hostility and gossip, orange peel for joy, lemon balm for cheer, rosemary
for purification, mint for health, sage for wisdom, and dill seed for
prosperity. Charge under three day's sun and moon if possible, asking the
blessing of the Lord and Lady. To use, mix a small amount (2 spoonsful)
with water and heat in a simmerer or in a pot on the stove.
Do not apply cinnamon bark oil on bare skin-- it will burn!
Mint***
Careful mints do cross pollinate, so keep them far apart, also NEVER plant mint near pennyroyal
Mint is a cooling and refreshing herb, which can be grown almost anywhere.
(The problem is to STOP it growing.) All varieties of mint are excellent for
healing, though peppermint is sovereign for stomach troubles, nausea, and
poor digestion. Mints are also cleansing and prosperity-attracting-- the
sweet smell of cash is MINT. Use mint soap to wake you up in the morning;
drink a cup of mint tea to calm and destress. Mix in potpourris and blended
teas; use in baths; use in body rubs. Burn on an open fire, but don't use as
loose incense.
Tummy Tea
Steep a spoonful of peppermint and a pinch or chip of ginger in hot water
until light green. Drink as needed for 'tummy bumbles' or nerves. Flavor
with honey if needed.
| ***Actually according to some herb authorities, mints can and do cross-pollinate. It is suggested that you grown them apart. If you have a problem with different mint types cross-pollinating, or if the plants are reseeding prolifically, cut off the flowers. And keep the pennyroyal away. It has been used traditionally to induce abortions and can be dangerous if ingested.According to the Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses by Deni Bown, page 386, she states the following: . . . certain herbs may cross-pollinate, giving rise to seedlings that differ from the mother plant. When various kinds of thyme (Thymus supp.), marjoram (Origanum spp.), mint (Mentha spp.), and lavender (Lavandula spp.) are grown near each other, the chances of hybridization are high. Closely related genera may also interbreed if they are grown together and flower at the same time; dill and fennel are known to cross, resulting in plants that are indeterminate in flavor. See Mints which states the following: Different varieties of mint should be planted as far apart as possible, as true mints hybridize easily, cross-pollinating when in close proximity. The resulting hybrid combines the characteristics of both parent mints in a way that may not be favorable. If you grow both peppermint and spearmint, start them at opposite ends of the garden in order to maintain the integrity of both. |
Mint
- It is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant growing to 30–90 cm
- It is considered invasive
- Peppermint has a high menthol content, and is often used as tea and for flavouring ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, and toothpaste
- it has been known to help with insomnia
- One animal study has suggested that Peppermint may have radioprotective effects in patients undergoing cancer treatment
- The aroma of peppermint has been found to enhance memory
- Peppermint oil has a high concentration of natural pesticides, mainly menthone
Mints grow easily in moist, rich soils almost anywhere in the world. They prefer some shade, but will grow amply in full sun. To grow mint plants from seed, sow 1/8" deep, barely covering with fine soil, and keep moist. Seeds will germinate in ten to twenty days. Mints are slow to develop during the first year, but be ready to fight them back the second year.
If your growing season is long, a light harvest may be possible during the first year, but generally it is best to wait. Usually harvesting is done just before the plant blooms. Cut the entire plant to an inch above the ground. Mints can be cut back two or three times a year, thus providing plenty for fresh use, freezing, or drying
Lavender Lavender has a cleansing scent (who hasn't used lavender soap) and
is associated with passion. It is supposed to provoke passion, but is also
used to encourage chastity. I find that lavender incense 'brightens' and
'clears' a room, but then it's one of my favorites. In addition, lavender is
a relaxing herb; its flowers and their oil are used in all kinds of
de stressing and restful remedies.
Basic Destress Oil In a carrier oil (massage oil works well), blend a few
drops lavender, camomile, melissa, and bergamot oils. Let sit in a closed
container for 24 hours if possible. Use whenever you are feeling stressed
out.
Note: some people are allergic to the scent of lavender.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm, a spreading annual, smells like artificial lemon! It is best used
fresh, but can be used dried or as an essential oil (found under its other
name, melissa). Lemon balm is cooling and soothing, but also is excellent as
an antidepressant. Smell some, pick some, add it to an iced tea brew or to a
sachet to pick up the spirits. Very good for healing, especially mental
health.
Lemon Balm
- Lemon Balm is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae. It grows to 70–150 cm tall. The leaves have a gentle lemon scent, related to mint. During summer, small white flowers full of nectar appear. These attract bees.
- The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, are used as a repellant for mosquitos.
- It is claimed to have antibacterial and antiviral properties (it is effective against herpes simplex).
- Lemon balm should be avoided by those on thyroid medication (such as thyroxine), as it is believed the herb inhibits the absorption of this medicine.
- Lemon balm contains eugenol, which kills bacteria and has been shown to calm muscles and numb tissues
Basil
Basil is a strong, fiery herb that is protective and love related. It's no
suprise that hot-tempered italian families use so much basil-- it's a
magickal peacemaker. Use when trying to make up after a fight, or to help a
romantic mood. But, if you are quarreling, be aware that basil-based magic
tends toward justice as well as reconciliation.
Penne with Basil and Mozzarella
Cook up some penne (tube pasta with the ends cut on a slant). Drain. Mix in
tsp of butter, tsp of olive oil. Shake on 2-3 tsp romano or parmesan cheese
and mix in with fresh diced basil or dried basil. Add 1/8-1/4 cup shredded
mozzarella and mix until melting. Serve quickly. For love and peace in the
family.
Camomile
Camomile is the original tranquilizing herb. Drink the tea or smell the oil
to relax instantly (some people have a VERY strong reaction to the smell of
the essential oil). Camomile tea will also put you to sleep, so be careful.
Use in potpourris and sachets for sleep and peace. (This is a perennial, but
you only use the flowers, so it it's easier to buy than grow. But the flowers
are very pretty.)
Mugwort
Mugwort is the traditional witches' divination herb. Divination tools should
be washed in mugwort tea, smudged with mugwort smoke, rubbed with mugwort,
etc. Mix the dried herb in dream pillows for prophetic dreams. The tea can be
drunk to induce clairvoyance, but be careful when consuming or burning this
herb, as it is related to sage, etc. and overuse can cause problems.One more
herbal ingredient:
Citrus Fruits-- Orange, Lemon, and Lime
Use citrus as a pick-me-up and to add energy to your mixtures. Dried peels
and oils can be used in potpourris, baths, teas, etc., in addition to the
usual uses of the fruit. Orange is best for warm-fuzzies; Lemon for cleaning
and to 'cut through' anything; lime for mental pursuits.
Sources:
Cunningham, Magical Herbalism; Magical Aromatherapy
Thompson, Magical Hearth
Bown, Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses
Evert-Hopman, A Druid Herbal for the Secret Earth Year
Nahmad, Earth Magic
Telesco, Victorian Grimoire; Spinning Spells, Weaving Wonders
Ravenwolf, Hexcraft
Comments
Post a Comment
Remember if You can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.