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Herbs ~
I'll be starting a witch's garden soon - we're moving into our lovely new house March 3rd. I've bought a book on magickal gardens to prepare, Duncan gave me his Druid's Herbal book, & Tracy lent me her Cunningham's Magical Herbalism. I've been studying up, and Duncan and I have narrowed it down to a good 13 plants - with equal amounts of the four elements, and one spirit plant. We've typed out details below - herbs/flowers with a (*) are the ones we're actually planting. Most descriptions have been gleaned from electricwitch.com and growing/care instructions are from url linked in herb name. Click here for more general gardening information and ideas.
Click here to see our lovely image of our future herb garden!
Aloe*
Aloe is great for skin irritations such as sunburn, minor burns, eczema and roseacea because it is a strong and effective anti-inflamatory. The stuff you buy in a tube at the drugstore (usually dyed a noxious green colour) does not compare whatsoever to that you get straight from the plant. Take a leaf from your aloe plant, remove the spines, squeeze the gel on to the affected area and let it dry. For maximum effectiveness, apply three times a day until the area is healed.
Requires light to full sun, minimal watering during winter, room for roots to spread, and throrough watering (allowing drainage) during summer.
Bluebell*
USE DRIED (and powdered), perennial, known as the hyacinth of the ancients. Associated with morning and grief (see mythical story about Apollo), used to decorate the altar. Attracts good luck and fortune.
Broom*
Chamomile*
For hundreds of years, Chamomile has been used as a folk remedy for calming a turbulent stomach—if you suffer from motion sickness, stomach flu, gas, then chamomile is the guy for you. Chamomile also has a relaxing effect so you can take it to calm your nerves.
Magickally, Chamomile is used in spells having to do with relationships (especially marriage) and prosperity. It also aids in meditation.
Enjoys sandy, well-drained, lightly dry soil (for single or double-flowering, respectively) and full sun/partial shade. Plant around May. Roman Chamomile is more low-growing than its cousins. See also.
Cinquefoil*
Coriander*
Used for love, strengthens urinary system, helps with gas/indigestion.
Click here for information on using Cilantro/Coriander in the kitchen.
Coriander will not grow well in humid climates. It needs a dry summer and a sunny location. Seeds are sown directly in the garden once all danger of frost has passed. It also does well as a container plant on a sunny porch or balcony. Stems are weak and the plant may require staking. Grows to a height of two feet and blooms mid- to late-summer.
Dill*
You can easily grow Dill at home on your windowsill. It thrives on full sun and doesn't like to be overwatered so keep the soil semi-dry. You can pull off a bit of dill anytime you want to add it to your cooking. To collect seeds, wait until flowers have blossomed and are medium- to dark-brown; at this point, the seeds will fall easily from the flower. Click here and here for more information on using and growing dill.
Magickally, it is associated with protection, general good fortune and monetary gain.
Enjoys full sun, seed close together so that tall stalks can support each other. Drying and use instructions at link.
Jasmine*
Jasmine is one of my favourite flowers—it's beautiful buds open by moonlight and their fragrance is intoxicatingly romantic. You can make a jasmine tea by drying the flowers and then adding a few to a cup of boiled water, steep about three to five minutes, strain and then drink.
Magickally, it is associated with dreams, creativity, love and longing.
Enjoys moist soil and partial to full sun.
Lavender*
The Ancient Romans valued lavender for its relaxing properties. To make yourself a soothing pot of lavender tea, take about four teaspoons of dried lavender flowers, put them in a tea ball and brew in a tea pot for ten minutes.
To help you sleep, dab a few drops of the essential oil the underside of your pillow. To give yourself a sense of balance and the fortitude to face a difficult situation, take a couple quick whiffs of lavender essential oil. Lavender is also put to good use in linen closets, satchets, and the fireplace. Click here for a lovely recipe for a lavender bath satchet.
There are many different types of lavender, ranging in height from six inches upward. Check with which types will grow best in your zone and plan accordingly.
Magickally, use it in spells to attract love, money and good spirits.
Enjoys a well-drained soil in a sunny location with steady watering.
Patchouli
Patchouly drives negative energies (and people) from your sphere. It aids in divination and is also a powerful ingredient in love and attraction spells.
Enjoys rich soil in a humid climate and partial to full sun.
Passionflower*
Used for seizure disorders and nervous conditions of all types; heart nad liver are affected by its cooling tonic. Used for diarrhea and dysentery for its calming anti-spasmodic and sedative effects. May be combined with valerian, skullcap, lady's slipper, black cohosh, or hops for stress relief. Avoid constipation, a diet rich in sugars, caffeine, and fats, as these add to emotional stress.
Magickally, calms and brings peace to the home. Sprinkled over the doorstep it keeps harm from entering, carry it to win friends and increase charisma, place in bundles and spells to attract love, burn incense to promote understanding. (Hopman's "A Druid's Herbalism") Helps improve friendships and relationships, romance, love, and partnerships
Rosemary*
Rosemary is another herb you can easily grow on your windowsill. Keep the soil slightly damp and there you go. Rosemary is great to have around for cooking purposes. Not only does it taste great but it improves your circulation and memory and is a powerful antioxidant. Click here for some delicious rosemary recipes.
Magickally, it is used for good luck and the enhancement of love.
Enjoys being high and dry - raise several inches above other plants to keep humidity down, and allow soil to dry between watering.
Sage*
Sage is, of course, amazing in cooking, especially stuffings. It is also a general health tonic. It aids in digestion and is said to be an antioxidant.
Click here for more information on growing and using sage.
Magickally, it is associated with wisdom, money, prosperity and purification. Burning sage banishes bad energy and attracts good spirits.
Enjoys being planted in early spring in full sun with well drained soil.
Sneezeweed
Used as a border or fill plant, sneezeweed (or Helenium) prefers fertile soil that is moist but well-drained. Attracts bees and flutterbyes. May need to provide support for taller varieties. Has a daisy-like flower that is suitable for cutting.
P.S. This plant is super cool.
Thyme
Thyme has a multitude of uses - this particular link gives tips on growing and maintaining a thyme lawn.
Yarrow*
Used in love sachets and marriage charms, as it has the power to keep a couple together happily for seven yeras. Worn as an amulet, it wards off negativity. The tea drunk prior to divination will enhance one's powers of perception. Held in the hand it stops all fear. It is sometimes added to exorcism incenses. The beautiful flowers are a welcome addition to any magical altar, as the yarrow is one of the Witch's favorite herbs (Scott Cunningham, Magical Herbalism).
Helps fight off cold and flu
Enjoys being planted in full sun with well drained, light soil. Stems are 2' to 5'. Spray with sulfur early in the morning to relieve mildew.