Lavendar (Lavendula officinale) : Especially useful in attracting men.
Lavendar promotes happiness and harmony in the home, whether burned or
simply used in potpourri and sachets.
Marigold (Calendula officianis) : Use as a visionary herb. Burn when doing a divination for love.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana) : Use to dispel negativity and promote love & happiness.
Onion (Allium cepa) : Ingested, onions can promote prophetic visions and
dreams. Onion also promotes virility and libido.
Parsley (Retroselinum sativum) : Promotes communion with the Maternal Aspect.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) : Burn before bed for phrophetic dreams.
Peppermint tea aids in divination.
Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) : Increases memory and protects against
evil. It has been used in conjunction with juniper berries for centuries to purify the air.
Sage (Salvia officianus) : Promotes strength, courage, longevity and wisdom. It
also banishes negativity and evil.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) : Burn when asking advice of loved ones who have passed on.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) : The herb of Witches. Use for cleansing and
self-purification. Ingest with care. This can have side effects, and can make
some people ill.
Vervain (Verbena officinalis) : One of the Seven Sacred Herbs of the Druids.
Aids in visionary work. The Welsh called it 'llysiaur hudol' - or enchanting
herb. It promotes love, lust and sexual fulfillment. Use when performing sexual
magic. An herb of artists - use before any artistic performances.
Willow (Salix alba) : An herb of immortality.
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) : Use to remove jinx. Also good for protecting children.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginica) : Excellent for making divining rods -
which can be used to find more than just water.
HERBS AND THEIR PROPERTIES
The following is a list of common witches' herbs and magickal properties:
ACACIA: divination
ADDER"S TONGUE: divination
ANGELICA: excorcism, healing, and protection against evil influences.
AVENS: soul purification.
BASIL: exorcism, love spells and protection against evil influences.
BAY: clairvoyance, healing, good luck and protection against evil influences.
BERGAMOT: prosperity.
CAMPHOR: divination.
CATNIP: love spells.
CARNATION: psychic healing.
CEDAR: healing, prosperity and sanctification.
CHAMOMILE: sleep potions.
CINNAMON: clairvoyance, healing and love spells.
CINQUEFOIL: prosperity.
CLOVES: diviation, exorcism, love and spiritual purification.
CLOVER: anti-sorcery, counterspells and protection against evil influences.
CORIANDER: love spells.
DILL: anti-sorcery and protection against evil influences.
DRAGON'S BLOOD: exorcism and love spells.
ELDER: aphrodisiac, love spells and prosperity.
FENNEL: healing and purification.
FERN: exorcism and spells to attract rain.
FRANKINCENSE: consecration, divination, exorcism, healing, love spells and spiritual purification.
GARDENIA: healing and love spells.
GARLIC: exorcism, protection against evil influences and purification.
GINGER: aphrodisiacs and love spells.
HAWTHORNE FLOWERS: clairvoyance and divination.
HAZEL: aphrodisiacs and love spells.
HONEYSUCKLE: divinaton.
HOPS: healing and sleep potions.
JASMINE: aphrodisiacs and love spells.
JUNIPER: aphrodisiacs, exorcism, healing, love spells and protection against evil influences.
LAVENDER: aphrodisiacs and love spells.
LEMON BALM: healing and love spells.
LEMON GRASS: divination.
LILAC: exorcism.
LOVAGE: aphrodisiacs and love spells.
MACE: divination.
MALLOW: exorcism.
MANDRAKE ROOT: aphrodisiac, cursing enemies, love spells, protection
against evil influences and spells to ncrease psychic powers.
MARJORAM: prophetic dreams and protection against evil influences.
MINT: exorcism and healing.
MUGWORT: astral projecton, clairvoyance, divination, prophetic dreams, and Spells to increase psychic powers.
MYRRH:consecration, exorcism, healing and meditation.
MYRTLE: sleep potions.
NUTMEG: divination and healing.
ORRIS ROOT: clairvoyance and divination.
PASSION FLOWER: sleep potions.
PATCHOULY: invocation of elemental powers.
PEONY ROOT: anti-sorcery and protection against evil influences.
PINE: prosperity.
ROSE: divination, healing and love spells.
ROSEMARY: counterspells, healing, love spells and purification.
RUE: exorcism and hexing of enemies.
SAFFRON: love spells.
SANDALWOOD: consecration, healing and protecting against evil influences.
SASSAFRASS: prosperity.
SERPENTARIA ROOT: aphrodisiacs and love spells.
SOLOMON'S SEAL: exorcism.
THISTLE: exorcism.
THYME: divination and healing.
TONKA: love spells and prosperity.
VERVAIN: anti-sorcery, astral projection and sleep potions.
VIOLET: Healing and love spells.
WILLOW: healing.
WOOD ALOE: prosperity.
WOODRUFF: prosperity.
WORMWOOD: clairvoyance, divination and good luck.
YARROW: divination, exorcism, love spells, prophetic dreams,and spells to increases psychic powers.
YERBA SANTA: healing.
DANGEROUS PLANTS
NEVER EAT OR INGEST ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
Avoid experimenting with ANY the following plants.
Some of them possess highly potent medical properties and should only be used by the truly
experienced witch or herbalists.
Many are poisonous in part or in whole and cause serious illness or death if not used properly.
Aconite Bittersweet Black nightshade Blue flag Burning bush Calabar bean
Calico bush Camphor Castor oil plant (seeds) Celandine Christmas rose (root)
Cowbane Daffodils Deadly nightshade Dog's mercury Elkweed Ergot
Flag lily Foxglove Gelsemium Hemlock Hellebore Henbane Holly (seeds)
Honysuckle (vine and fruits) Horse balm Ilex Impatiens pallida Indian arrowroot
Inkberry Jack-in-the-pulpit (root) Jerusalem cherry Jimsonweed Laburnum (seeds)
Laulel (seeds) Mandrake Mayapple (roots, leaves, seeds)
Monkshood (fine as a rub - The smallest amount is deadly if used internally)
Mistletoe (seeds) Poisetta Poison Dogwood, Flag, Hemlock, Ivy, Oak, and Sumac
Poke root Rosebay Springle tree (seeds) Spurge Swallow wort Thorn apple
Tobacco (Believe it! This IS a deadly poison if concentrated and eaten)
Wahoo Wake-robin Water dropwort White hemlock White bryony
Winter rose Wood anemone (seeds) Yellow jasmine Yew (seeds and berries)
HERBOLOGY DEFINITIONS
Alterative - Producing a healthful change without perception
Anodyne - Relieves pain
Anthelmintic - A medicine that expels worms
Aperient - Gently laxative without purging
Aromatic - A stimulant, spicy
Astringent - Causes contraction and arrests discharges
Antibilious - Acts on the bile, relieving bilousness
Antiemetic - Stops vomiting
Antileptic - Relieves siesures
Antiperiodic - Arrests morbid periodic movements
Anthilic - Prevents formation of stones in urinary organs
Antirheumatic - Relieves rheumatism
Antiscorbutic - Cures or prevents scurvy
Antiseptic - aims at stopping putrification
Antispasmodic - Relieves or prevents spasms
Antisyphilitic - Having affect or curing STD
Carminative - Expels gas in the bowels
Carthatic - Evacuating from the bowels
Cephalic - Remedies used in diseases of the head
Cholagogue - Increases flow of bile
Condiment - Improves flavor of food
Demulcent - Soothing, relieves inflammation
Deobstruent - Removes obstruction
Depurative - Purifies the blood
Detergent - Cleansing to boils, ulcers, wounds etc
Diaphoretic - Produces perspiration
Discutient - Dissolves and heals tumors
Diuretic - Increases flow of urine
Emetic - Produces vomiting
Emmenagogue - Promotes menstruation
Emollient - Softens and soothes inflamation
Esculent - Eatable as food
Expectorant - Facilitates espectoration
Febrifuge - Abates and reduces fever
Hepatic - For diseases of the liver
Herpatic - Remedy for skin diseases of all types
Laxative - Promotes bowel action
Lithontryptic - Dissolves calculi in urinary organs
Maturating - Ripens or brings boils to a head
Mucilaginous - Soothing to all inflammations
Nauseant - Produces vomiting
Nervine - Acts specifically on nervous system, stops nervous excitment
Opthalmicum - For eye diseases
Parturient - Induces and promotes labor at childbirth
Pectoral - For chest infections
Refrigerant - Cooling
Resolvent - Dissolves boils and tumors
Rubifacient - Increases circulation and produces red skin
Sedative - Nerve tonic, promotes sleep
Sialogogue - Increases secretion of saliva
Stomachic - Strengthen stomach, relieves indigestion
Styptic - Stops bleeding
Sudorfic - Produces profuse perspiration
Tonic - Remedy which is invigorating and strengthing
Vermifuge - Expels worms from the system
HERBAL PREPARATIONS
Decoctions
A decoction is herbs that have been simmered in water.
It is the best method for drawing the healing elements from tough plant parts such as bark
roots, stems and heavy leaves. To make a decoction use 1 ounce of dried herbs to 1
pint of water that has been brought to a boil. Keep water just below boiling for about 30
minutes and let herbs simmer. Simmering may take up to 1 hour, depending on plant used.
A higher heat than infusions is necessary because of the toughness of the plant parts.
Decoctions should always be strained while hot, so that the matter that separates on
cooling may be mixed again with the fluid by shaking when the remedy is used.
Use glass, ceramic or earthenware pots, or clean, unbroken enameled cast iron.
Do not use plain cast iron with astringent plants.
Electuary
When powders are mixed with syrup, honey, brown sugar, or glycerin to produce a more
pleasant taste or to make them easier to use internally, they are called electuarys.
These are rarely prepared in advance, but are done when needed.
Different substances need different proportions of syrup. Light vegetable powders usually
require twice their weight, gum resins 2/3 their weight, mineral substances about half their
weight. If an electuary is made up in advance and it hardens, add more syrup. If it swells
up and emits gas, merely beat it in a mortar.
Extracts
Extracts are solid substances resulting from the evaporation of the solution of vegetable
principles. The extract is obtained in three ways: by expressing the juice of fresh plants, by
using a solvent such as alcohol, or simmering a plant tea and reducing it to a thickened state.
The last is done by simmering a plant and by repeating the process until most of the water
used has evaporated, making a decoction. This gives a distillation of the most active
principles in the plant. Add 1/4 teaspoon of alcohol (brandy, gin or vodka will do),
glycerin, or tincture of benzoine to preserve the extract.
Fomentations
A fomentation is a strong herbal tea in which a clean cloth is dipped.
The cloth can be filled with herbs. The cloth is then applied to the affected part.
Infusions:
This is the origin of the idea of witches potion. It is a process of soaking herbs in water.
Hot Infusion : To make an infusion boil water. Add the boiled water to 1 teaspoon dried herb.
Cover and let steep for 9-13 minutes. Strain, cool. Infusions are drunk as teas, added to bath,
rubbed into furniture and floors, and to anoint body. Powdered Bark, root, seeds, resin and
bruised nuts, seeds, bark and buds may be used in hot infusions.
Cold infusion : Steep in cold water or cold milk for several hours.
Wet, mashed herbs can be used internally as a tea or ad poultices on body.
Oils:
Aromatic oils and rectified alcohol can be combined. The oils seep into the alcohol to produce
an essence. Oils may be captured by evaporation from flower petals. Vegetable, nut, or fruit
oils can be used as a medium for steeping aromatic plants to extract volatile oils. Aromatic oils
can also be steeped in alcohol to extract essence.
To make an oil, pick your own fresh herbs or purchase dried herbs form a reputable source.
Pack a large jar with the chosen herb and pour in any favorite mono unsaturated or
polyunsaturated oil. Use enough to cover the herb. Close tightly. Label the jar and place in
a sunny place for several weeks. Strain out the herb by pouring through cheesecloth into a fresh jar.
Hold the cheesecloth over the opening of the jar containing the herbs and secure with a rubber band.
Invert the jar and pour the infused oil through the cheesecloth.
Before discarding the herbs, squeeze all the oil out of them. Repeat the entire procedure.
Repack a clean jar with more of the same herb. Add the infused oil, plus enough additional
oil to cover the herbs. Store again in sunlight. Strain again through cheesecloth. Pour the oil
into a labeled jar and store until needed.
Syrups:
Medicinal syrups are formed when sugar is incorporated with vegetable infusions, decoctions,
expressed juices, fermented liquors, or simple water solutions. Sometimes tinctures are added
to a simple syrup, and the alcohol is evaporated. The tincture is sometimes combined with sugar
and gently heated, or exposed to the sun until the alcohol is evaporated. The syrup is then
prepared with the impregnated sugar and water. Refined sugar makes a clearer and better
flavored syrup. Any simple syrup can be preserved by substituting glycerin for a certain
portion of the syrup. Always make syrups in small quantities.
To make an herbal syrup, add 2 ounces of dried herb with 1 quart water in a large pot.
Boil down and reduce to 1 pint, then add 1-2 tablespoons of honey. If you want to use fresh
fruit, leaves, or roots in syrups, you should double the amount of herbs. Store in refrigerator
for up to a month. Honey-based syrups are simple and effective way to preserve healing
qualities of herbs. Syrups can soothe sore throats and provide some relief from coughs.
Teas:
Home-made herbal teas are much more potent than the store bought teas.
Their flavor can be quite strong and sometimes unpleasant. To make a tea, boil 1 pint of water.
Add 1 ounce of dried herb tops ( leaves flowers, stems) steep 3 -5 minutes.
Tinctures
Tinctures are solutions of medicinal substances in alcohol or diluted alcohol.
To make a tincture, grind plant parts with mortar and pestle (or a blender).
Add just enough high-quality vodka, whiskey or grain alcohol to cover herbs.
Let sit for 21 days then add a small quantity of glycerin (about 2 tbs per pint) and about
10 % volume of spring water.
Strain and store in airtight amber colored glass. If kept cool and dry it will last for up to 5 years.
Dose is usually 20 drops in a cup of tea or warm water, 4 times a day.
For a stronger tincture place herbs in a cone-shaped piece of parchment paper.
Pass alcohol repeatedly through the powdered or cut herb. Catch the slow drippings in a jar.
When it has passed once, you may use it, but the more you repeat the process, the stronger
the tincture will be. It is acceptable to dilute any alcohol tincture with water.
Add 4 ounces of water and 1 teaspoon of glycerin for every pint of alcohol.
The glycerin is optional, it is an additional preservative.
Non Alcoholic Tincture
Alcohol is a near perfect preservative of plant attributes.
If for some reason you wish to evaporate the alcohol, add the tincture dose to a
cup of water then add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of boiling water. Some herbs can be
steeped in milk to make a milk tincture.
Strain out the herbs, and store in a labeled jar in the refrigerator.
Ointments
An ointment is a soothing, healing, slightly oily or fatty substance into which the essence of
a healing plant has been dissolved. This is done by heating the fat or oil with the plant until
it loses its normal color and the oil or fat has absorbed the healing chemical principles. the
plant is then strained out, and beeswax is added to harden the ointment. Preservatives such
as drops of tincture of benzoin, poplar bud tincture, or glycerin are optional additions. If you
make ointments in small batches and keep them tightly closed with paraffin wax, they don't decompose.
The traditional folk, herbal, and pharmaceutical base for ointments is pork lard. Purify it by
simmering and straining. It has healing abilities even without the addition of herbs, but so do
a lot of fats and oils. It is said to have great drawing power.
Purified, liquefied anhydrous lanolin is also used as a base for ointments.
Lanolin is the substance washed from the wool of sheep.
It comes in many levels of purity, so the results vary depending on the product.
This oil is the closest to skin oil.
Almond oil, cocoa butter, wheat germ, and vitamin E are neutral bases for ointments.
If no other product is available, Vaseline may be used, but is listed here in case nothing else is available.
All ointments must contain one substance that will thicken the final product.
Lanolin is a thickener, as is cocoa butter. Both are non sticky and mix well with most other oils.
Other useful but sticky thickeners are glycerin, honey, or liquid lecithin.
Also, various powdered resins and gum swell up and thicken when first soaked in cold water,
then simmered in gently boiling water, and added to preparations.
Agar-agar and Irish moss are seaweed thickeners.
Green apples provide and excellent acid fruit pectin that is a good addition to creams and ointments.
While any of the above sticky and non sticky thickeners will help swell a product and keep it
emulsified, you will still need some wax to harden a cold cream or ointment.
Beeswax is perfect, although expensive. It may be combined with paraffin wax.
Poultices
A poultice is a raw or mashed herb applied directly to the body, or applied wet directly to the
body, or encased in a clean cloth and then applied. Poultices are used to heal bruises, putrid
sores, soothe abrasions, or withdraw toxins from an area. They may be applied hot or cold,
depending on the health need. Cold poultices(and compresses) are used to withdraw the heat
from an inflamed or congested area. Use a hot poultice or compress to relax spasms and for some pains.
To make a poultice, use fresh or dried herbs that have been soaked in boiling water until soft.
Mix with enough slippery elm powder to make poultice stick together. Place on affected part
then wrap body part and poultice with clean cloth.
Vinegars
Herbs that are soluble in alcohol are usually soluble in vinegar, and are useful for salad vinegars,
cosmetic vinegars, some liniments and preventive sickroom "washes".
Waters
Steeped herbs, water, and alcohol and steeped herbs plus honey and other fruits are often called waters.
Sometimes extracts or spirits of various herbs, such as lavender, are also called waters.
HERBAL REMEDIES
GOLDENSEAL
Studies show that this herb has antibiotic action.
how to: For tea, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon powdered root per cup, steeped 10 minutes. Up to 2 cups per day.
ROSEHIPS
The "hip" is the part that remains when the petals fall off the flower. Rose hips contain vitamin C.
how to: For tea, 2 to 3 teaspoons per cup, steeped 10 minutes. Drink as needed.
CHAMOMILE
This popular beverage herb can calm jangled nerves, relieve stomach distress, prevent ulcers,
speed their healing, and help fight infection.
how to: For tea, 2 to 3 heaping teaspoons per cup, steeped 10 to 20 minutes. Up to 3 cups per day.
GARLIC
When chewed or chopped, garlic is a potent natural antibiotic; it also has anti-viral properties.
It reduces cholesterol and helps prevent the formation of internal blood clots that trigger heart
attacks. how to: In food, season to taste. For tea, steep 6 cloves in a cup of cool water for 6 hours.
SLIPPERY ELM BARK
Historically used to soothe sore throats, coughs, and upset stomachs, this beneficial bark is still
available in bulk and in herbal cough drops and throat lozenges.
how to: For tea, 1 to 3 teaspoons of powdered bark per cup, boiled and simmered 15 minutes.
Up to 3 cups per day.
GINSING
Ginseng stimulates the immune system, helps protect the liver from toxics, and increases
stamina. In one animal experiment, it also increased sexual activity.
how to: Follow package directions for teas, capsules, tablets, and tinctures.
DANDELION
Despised as a weed, dandelion can help relieve premenstrual bloating.
Preliminary studies suggest possible anti-inflammatory effects.
how to: For tea, 1/2 ounce dried leaf per cup, steeped 10 minutes. Up to 3 cups per day.
FEVERFEW
Several studies confirm feverfew's value in preventing migraines.
how to: Chew two leaves a day, or take a pill or capsule containing 85milligrams of leaf
material (feverfew is quite bitter). For tea, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup, steeped 5 to 10 minutes.
Up to 2 cups per day.
RASBERRY LEAF
This premier pregnancy herb is widely used to treat morning sickness and uterine irritability,
and to help prevent threatened miscarriage. how to: For tea, 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup,
steeped 10 minutes. Up to 3 cups per day.
SPEARMINT/PEPPERMINT
For indigestion, try a cup of mint tea after eating.
how to: For tea, 1 teaspoon fresh or 2 teaspoons dried per cup, steeped 10 minutes.
Reheat if desired. Up to 3 cups per day. For a relaxing bath, fill a cloth bag with a few handfuls
of dried or fresh leaves, and run water over it.
COMFREY
This plant contains allantoin, which promotes the growth of new cells and gives it value as
a wound treatment. how to: Place a bruised leaf on clean cuts or scrapes. Cover with a bandage.
Warning: Do not use internally.
SENNA
This herb is a powerful laxative. Senna tastes terrible, so most herbalists recommend a
tincture or a commercial product. To avoid abdominal distress, do not take more than the
package directions specify.
UVA URSI
Research has shown that this bitter herb has diuretic and urinary antiseptic effects.
Use it in addition to mainstream medical treatment.
how to: One teaspoon per cup, boiled 10 minutes. Up to 3 cups per day.
GINGER
Ginger prevents motion sickness and may help prevent the internal blood clots that trigger
heart attacks. how to: For motion sickness, take 2 to 3 capsules of 500 milligrams 30 minutes
before departure. For tea, 2 teaspoons powdered or grated root per cup, steeped 10 minutes.
Up to 3 cups per day.
CHINESE EPHEDRA
Commonly used to treat colds and asthma, Chinese ephedra (Ma Huang) can also raise blood
pressure and cause insomnia and other problems. warning: Prior to using Chinese ephedra, seek
advice from a health care practitioner, especially if you arepregnant or nursing.
It should not be given to children under 13.
LICORICE
Licorice can soothe sore throats and treat ulcers.
how to: For sore throat, add a pinch of root to tea. For ulcers, 1/2 teaspoon of powder per cup,
boiled 10 minutes. Up to 2 cups per day. warning: Large doses can be dangerous.
A WITCH'S MAGICKAL HERBAL
There are many herbs that can be used for magickal purposes;
Herbs are wonderful for magick - they can be burned or tied up in sachets or made into
amulets to wear. (Not recommending that you ingest any of these herbs)
Anise: purification, protection, keeps away nightmares
Basil: purification, protection, exorcism, love, prosperity
Chamomile: prosperity, meditation, calmness
Cinnamon: psychic powers, protection, success, healing, clairvoyance, prosperity
Dill: seeds draw money and protection, the flowers are used for love
Hazel: mental powers, hazel nuts are used in fertility amulets or spells
Lemon Balm: health, success, love
Mugwort: divination, clairvoyance, psychic powers, protection,
strongest when picked on a full moon night
Nutmeg: clairvoyance, prosperity
Parsley: purification, protection
Peppermint: healing, purification
Rosemary: protects from negativity, blessing, consecration, aids memory, protection rituals of all kinds
Sage: healing, prosperity, wisdom
Thyme: burn for purification, protection from negativity, clairvoyance
Yarrow: for a happy marriage, defense, protection
Contd. Free Herb Spells Vol. 1 Page 3
