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| Not surprising I have had alot of requests for these herbs. I have to remind you how ever these plants are toxic. Although used a great deal in the Magical world some years ago, many have been set aside for safer herbs. These plants should never be digested! My experiences that I share, is of learning on my own, I am not a certified Herbalist! For any herb you should consult a professional.. Although the famous Dr. Chase in the late 1800's proscribed these herbs it is not recommended today. Most of the plants listed here are the Solanaceae family. Look at the leaves, and the blooms, they are very easy to spot as relatives |
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| Henebane Solanaceae family. Hyosycamus niger Folk names: Black Nightshade, Casilago, Cassilata, Deis Caballinus. Devil's Eye, Hebenon, Henbells, Hogs bean, Isana, Jupiter's Bean, Jusquiame (French) Poison Tobacco, Symphonica, Stinking Nightshade, Black Henebane, Jupiter's Bean. Gender: Feminine Planet: Saturn in Aquarius, associated with the fixed star Algorab Element: Water Magical Uses: As with all the nightshade family this is poisonous, used very little in the magical world today. Used for it's love bringing properties. Also used as to attract rain. Fern can be used as a substitute. If the root is carried by a man it is said to enhance his love life. Henebane is also associated with the underworld, has been used for necromancy and evocation. Also used to involk Saturn. Other uses and Lore: Henbane is an ancient herb of prophecy, love potions, and witchcraft, once used as a sedative, painkiller, but now restricted. Some herbalist's use it for digestive urinary tract, and asthmatic spasms. The alkaloid chamical hyoscine is used in a form of medication for muscle tension before surgery, and to prevent motion sickness, and to control Parkinsons. Use of this herb should only be used by professionals as it can cause coma or convulsions |
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| Wolf's bane or Monkshood Ranunculaceae Family Aconitum napellus Folk Names: Aconite, cupids Car. Dumbledore's Delite, Leapord's Bane. Monkhood, Storm Hat, Thor's Hat, Wolf's Hat. Gender: Feminine Planet: Saturn Element: Water Deity: Hecate Powers: Protection, Invisibility Magical Uses: Wolf's Bane is added to protection sachets. Was used to protect against Vampires and Werewolf's . In lore it was used by Werewolf's to cure themselves. It was said that the seed wrapped in Lisard's skin and carred, allows invisibility. Other uses and Lore: It's not recommended to use this in any capacity as it's very poisonous. The root is now only used for external use, for nerve-related pain, and in homeopathy. It paralyzes nerve centers and is a sedative, a painkiller, and anti-fever treatment. |
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| Belladonna Solanaceae family. Atropa Belladdonna Folk Names: Banewort, Black Charry. Deadly Nightshade, Deaths Herb. Devil's Cherries, Divale. Dwale. Dwaleberry, Dwayberry, Fair Lady. Great Morel. Naughty Man's Cherries. Sorcerer's Berry, Witch's Berry Gender: Feminine Planet: Saturn in Libra Element: Water Powers: Protection, invisibility, love Deitites: Hecate, Bellona. Circe Ritual Uses: The priests of Bellona, Would drink an infusion of Belladonna before worshipping Bella hence involking her help. Bella is the Roman Goddess of War. Magical Uses: Today this herb is used very little due to the toxic effects, some causing death. It was used to aid in astral protection, and to induce visions. When Egyptian Queen Cleopatra desided to end her life, she used slaves as guinea pigs to test the effects of many different poisonious plants, Belladonna being one of them. Berries & Juice were once used by Italian ladies to dilate eyes. Today any contact with a persons body in considered extremely dangerous, and only used by professionals. It's botanical name derives from one of the three Fates, Atropos, who in Greek Myth cuts the thread of life. Other uses and Lore: The chemical substance stropine in belladonna does affect the eyes, and eye doctors today use it to dilate the pupils to examine the retina. Belladonna has two other valuable substances, scopolamine and hyoscyamine, are sedatives and act to relax smooth muscle. I would like to point out here that this herb can not be found growing in the U.S. Jimpson or Bittersweet nightshade (Or few others related to the nightshade family), is the closest you'll find here to Belladonna. They are less toxic thankfully. I have seen one of these growing in a nursery. At the time I wanted one badly. Now I know if you enjoy pets and children, this should not be in a green house or in your home. It will not grow in the US outside. Beautiful plant but very dangerous in the hands of a novice. If you want this Herb for love I have all the advice for that below. |
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| Mandrake Solanaceae family. Mandragora Officinale Folk Names: Alraun, Anthropomorphon. Baaras. Brain Thief, Circeium. Cireoea. Galenmannchen, Gallows. Herb of Circe. Hexenmannchen (German Witches Mannikin) Ladykins. Mandragen. Mandragor, Mannikin. Racoon Berry. Semihoma. Wold Lemon, Womandrake. Zauberwurzel (German Sorcerer's Root) Gender: Masculine Planet: Mercury or Saturn in Taurus, associated with the fixed stars Deneb Algedi and Spica Element: Fire Deities: Hecate Hathor Powers: Protection, Fertility, Money, Love, Health Magical Uses: Place a whole mandrake root on a mantle to protect the untire house, and give it fertiltiy and prosperity. You may also hang it on a headboard for protection during sleep (gosh I would be afraid of the fertility thing with that hee hee) It is said where the mandrake lives no demon can, hence it's used in exorcism. To activate or re-hydrate a Mandrake root, place it on some central location in the house and undisturbed for 3 days leave it there. Then put it in warm water and leave over night. Afterward it's ready for any magical workings, and the water can be sprinkled around windows and doors for protection, or on people to purify them. Mandrake has been used in Poppet magic,subtitutes can be ash root, apples. the root of the briony, or may apple (american mandrake). It's been said Money placed with the mandrake root will double, and the mandrake scent can induce sleep. Mandrake is a relative of the Tomato and the nightshade. Lore is the plant would run away if not properly approached, ( if you ever read Harry Potter this should give you a giggle) It is portrayed as a human body, and if pulled by the root you would die either from the terrible cry, or the intensity of the poison, therefore dogs were used to pull the herb so the gatherer could be a good distance from the pulled plant. It is said to be a very powerful tool in Magick and just a few slivers of it will encrease any working Other uses and Lore: Mandrake was used as a sedative for depression, anxiety, and insomnia and later an enesthetic for surgery, leaves used externally for pain relief. It's used in Homeopathic as a treatment for asthma and coughs. Mandrake is one of the oldest narcotics. |
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| May Apple or American Mandrake Podophyllum piltaltum Folk Names: American Mandrake, Duck's Foot, Hog Apple, Mandrake. Raccon Berry, Wild Lemon. Indian Apple, Umbrella Plant, Devil's Apple Gender: Masculine Planet: Mercury Element: Fire Powers: Money Magical uses: American Mandrake, or May Apple is generally used as a substitute for the European mandrake. It's uses are indentical although the Mayapple is NOT related to the European mandrake. You will find this herb called mandrake on e-bay or your local shop, but it stands alone, as it's nicked named American Mandrake, it has no relation to the European Mandrake. I love his plant it takes me back to mushroom hunting with my father, we were never allowed to step on these plants or knock them down to find mushrooms, we used a stick to gently push them aside, they bloom in the spring, Late April, and May. I was never allowed to knock them down, Daddy said the deer loved the flowers. (yes I was a daddy's girl) Other uses and Lore: It was used by Native Americans for it's laxative effect, or intestinal worms and a cure for warts. Even a insecticide for crops, and in extreme cases ate the root to commit suicide, (today that would be a hard thing to acomblish and just a terrible idea ) Indians also ate the Mayapples fruits ( the only part not poisonous) |
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| Hemlock Conium maculatum Folk Names: Beaver Poison, Herb Bennet, Keckies, Kex, Musquash Root, Poison Hemlock, Poison Parsley, Spotted Corobane, Spotted Hemlock , Water Parsley Gender: Feminine Planet: Saturn in Scorpio Element: Water Deities: Hecate Magical Uses: This plant is also extremly poisonous, was used to induce astral protection, and in spells to destroy sexual drives. The juice of the hemlock is rubbed on Magical knives to empower and purify. Other uses and Lore: The seeds were once used by the Ancient Greeks for a means of execution. And famous for the death of Socrates. Used in the middle ages for it's sedative action on neurological conditions such as epilepsy and St. Vitus's Dance. Today it's only given in Homeopathic medicine for artery and prostate problems. Culpeper recommended it for a treatment for gout. It's highly poisonous and should only be used by a professional. There is the hemlock plant, and the hemlock tree. The above is the plant. I grew up on a Christmas tree farm. I have a real love for all pines. From the time I was in diapers, we used to play in a place we called pine forest. If you want to know how I am, visit a place that is all pines one day. You can almost feel magic in their presence. Even the light is magical. Hemlock was always thick, and grew plentiful in Ohio. This magical tree is now in grave danger from the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive parasite first discovered in Richmond, Va. in 1954. Currently, steps are being taken to stop the adelgid before it destroys the entire East Coast hemlock population. Next I want to take on teaching of Magical trees. The hemlock tree was used for healing magic. Cunningham also had a passion for trees. |
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| Now here on this page are the most requested herbs. I've even been asked to send them in the mail! That would be a no. I just want to say a couple of things here. I know some may be disapointed they can not find some herbs here in the U.S. The ones you are seeking are the most toxic. It's my opinion that these are not needed if you can find something simular. Use the herbs that are found right here in the good old USA. It's not always the plant as much as your intent on using it. Don't you think that the higher power you aspire to knows there is no Belladonna here? Please, please if you are using any of the above for love spells do not aim it at a single person. It's not only bad for you, it's bad karma to aim anything at any ONE person. Love yourself, and love will come. "Mind ye threefold law ye should, three times band and three times good When misfortune is anow, wear the star upon your brow True love ye must ever be, lest thy love be false to thee" Wiccan Rede |
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| Jimpson seed pod |
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| Jimpson Weed Solanaceae family. Datura streamonium L Folk Names: Apple of Peru, Devils Apple, Jamestown weed, Mad Apple, Stink Weed, Thornapple. Nightshade Family: Solanaceae Magical Uses: Love,Protection. A relative of the deadly nightshade, the thorn apple appealed to lovers of more aggressive nature, This "love Will" was to make the object of one's desires lose all powers of resistance and become against their will, passionately aroused. As many in the community know today this is not only a dangerous approach but also very unethical. Interesting story none the less. Please remember doing love spells to a named person is against the Rede, of harm none. Other uses and lore: Although it has antispasmodic, painkilling and narcotic properties, this plant is one to be avoided. A member of the Nightshade family and is extremely poisonous and may cause death. Jimpson was once used for asthma. Asthma suffers would inhale the smoke of dried leaves (.As we are aware today any smoke is not a healthy thing) This was outlawed many years ago because of the dangerous side effects. The roots and leaves were used Externally in folk medicine to treat boils and cuts. It was also used for scalds and burns. The name Jamestown weed came about in about 1696, when soldiers, sent to quell a rebellion in the Jamestown colony, put some of the herb into their cook pot and spent the next 11 days incoherent. (As so the story goes) I have seen this growing in extreme wastes lands. It has a beautiful trumpet like flower. It's an annual, and produces many seeds from it's spiny pods. It's very dangerous and should be treated as such. Below is a Jimpson, and a Moon flower. Almost syblings as far as plants go. The Moon flower I planted, the Jimpson just appeared. |
| Jimpson vs Datura Inoxia.(Moon Flower) Jimpson is the taller of the two, in the back. Jimpson has the more jagged leaves, and smaller flowers. |
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| Datua Inoxia Solanaceae family. Folk Names: Ghost flower, Mad herb, Sorcerer's herb, Witches Thimble, Yera del Diablo, (spanish, Herb of the Devil) Magical uses: Hex breaking This plant is a close cousin of the Jimpson. Above I show the two plants together. I planted these, and then the Jimpson appeared. They say these plants choose you. That large Jimpson sure did. They are so simular, I will dedcate this to Magic and Lore. I do this with EXTREME Caution. This plant is very dangerous. The effects can cause mental illness or death. I've just pulled up about 20 plants, to be sure those growing were safe from kids and pets. These plants are illegal in many states. Teens looking on sites are under the impression they can use these plants as a drug, and have died. Please remember lore should be taken with a grain of salt. Any of these herbs can be replaced with something safer. Never grow these where kids or pets can get to them. According to Hernámdez, the Aztecs called the plant toloatzin, and used it long before the Spanish conquest of Mexico for many therapeutic purposes, such as poultices for wounds where it acts as an anodyne. Although the Aztecs warned against madness and "various and vain imaginings", many native Americans have used the plant as an entheogen for hallucinations and rites of passage. . The alkaloids of these plants are very similar to those of mandrake, deadly nightshade, and henbane, which are also highly poisonous plants used cautiously for effective pain relief in antiquity. TOLOACHE (Datura inoxia;) has a long history of use as an hallucinogen. It was extremely important to the Aztecs, who called it toloatzin. Hernández recorded many medical uses but warned that taken in excess it would drive a patient to madness. The modern Tarahumares still add the roots, seeds, and leaves to their maize beer. Zunis value the plant as a narcotic, an anesthetic, and a poultice for treating wounds. Only the rain priests are allowed to gather it. The priests put the powdered root in their eyes; also they chew the root to talk with spirits of the dead, asking for rain. The effects of this plant are well described by Castaneda in The Teachings of Don Juan. He he put in much research. and thought into it. But if you read Don Juan, what it came down to is people thought he was nuts, Castaneda just thought he was high (snicker) I love this plant. Blooming at night and wilting by dusk the next day, the blue green leaves look magical in the moonlight. The plant on the right did something very strange. It litterally exploded out of the ground, right through some soft wood. These plants can lay dorment under the ground until they want to come up. Please be sure if this is the plant for you, you think it out. Beautiful plants, but I can not stress this enough, they are toxic. If you have small children, think twice. |
| The trumpet flower almost glows in the moonlight |
| The seed pod has hundreds of seeds. Sometimes taking two seasons to germinate. Also reminds me something else |
| This is just one plant. As time goes on it produces so many plants you have to thin them out. |
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| Pay close attention to the flowers and leaves. They are very close to the Jimpson, and Moonflower. Good reason, it's an American Relative, they are all in the Solanaceae family, same with the Nightshade plants |
| Solanaceae family. Not a trumpet flower, but a star shape. All the smaller plants of this relation have these blooms. Notice the leaves, very simular to Jimpson, and belladonna. |
| Notice the star shaped flowers? Bitter sweet nightshade on another page, has the same shaped flower. |
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| This is the Hemlock plant. Not to be confused with the Hemlock tree |
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