Herbs, Plants & Oils
H - M
Hawthorn
Hawthorn has long been used to increase fertility. Because of this power it is incorporated into weddings, especially those performed in the spring. The leaves, curiously enough, are also used to enforce or maintain chastity or celibacy. The leaves are placed beneath the mattress or around the bedroom for this purpose. Carried in a sachet on a fishing trip hawthorn ensures a good catch, and worn or carried it promotes happiness in the troubled, depressed, or sad. Hawthorn protects against lightning, and in the house in which it resides, no evil ghosts may enter. It is also powerful for protecting against damage to the house from storms. The Romans placed hawthorn in cradles to guard the child from evil spells. In the past most Witch's gardens contained at least one hawthorn hedge. The hawthorn is sacred to the fairies, and is part of the tree fairy triad of Britain: 'Oak, Ash and Thorn,' and where all three trees grow together it is said that one may see fairies.
Heliotrope
Exorcism, Prophetic dreams, Healing, Wealth, Invisibility
Hemlock
*POISON* Destroy Sexual Drives
Henna
Use for Healing
Hibiscus
Lust, Love, Divination
Honeysuckle
Strengthens the mind and memory. Balancing to the right and left brain. Awakens the crown and brow chakra's, bringing psychic awareness. Induced prophetic dreams and assists one to let go of the past. Strengthens and brings flexibility to the body. Helps heal sore throats, headaches and asthma.
Horehound
Horehound is used in protective sachets, and is carried to guard against sorcery and fascination. Horehound is also scattered as an exorcism herb. Drink an infusion of the herb and it will clear your mind and promote quick thinking, as well as strengthen the mental powers. Horehound, when mixed with ash leaves and placed in a bowl of water, releases healing vibrations, and should be placed in a sickroom.
Huckleberry
Luck, Protection, Dream Magic, Hex Breaking
Hyssop
Hyssop is the most widely used purification herb in magic. It is added to baths in sachets, infused and sprinkled on objects or persons to cleanse them, and hung up in the home to purge it of evil and negativity.
Iris
Purification, Wisdom
Irish Moss
Irish moss is carried or placed beneath rugs to increase luck and to ensure a steady flow of money into the house or pockets of the person. Irish moss is also carried while on trips for protection and safety, and is used to stuff luck or money poppets.
Jasmine
Good luck in love and wealth. Aphrodisiac. Alleviates depression, and tension. Raises self-esteem. Opens the heart chakra and stimulates clarity of thought. Enables one to lucid dream, when it is used before sleeping. Good for use during childbirth. Rejuvenates the skin when used in massage and cosmetics. Beautiful fragrance when worn as a single note.
Juniper
Used throughout Europe as a protective herb, Juniper also guards against theft. It was probably one of the earliest incenses used by Mediterranean Witches. Juniper hung at the door protects against evil forces and persons, and it is burned in exorcism rites. A sprig of the plant protects its wearer against accidents and attacks by wild animals. It also guards against ghosts and sickness. Juniper is added to love mixtures, and the berries are carried to increase male potency. When carried or burned, juniper helps the psychic powers and breaks hexes and curses, and drives off snakes.
Juniper Berries
Protection from all negative influences. Transforms negative emotions into positive. Purifies the aura and the subtle body. Diuretic action also encourages in all areas of life. *Not for use during pregnancy. Tonic, astringent, and antiseptic. Reduces swelling and relieves arthritis. Good for dissolving fat and cellulite when used with massage. Is believed to boost the immune system.
Lavender
Ancient scent used for protection, relaxation, and healing. Good for headaches, insomnia, pain, arthritis, and depression. Antiseptic and astringent. Good for burns, insect bites, acne and eczema. Helps to reduce scarring. Promotes hair growth. Activates the crown chakra. Ancients believed it ensured fidelity.
Lemon
Attracts joy and benevolent energies. Clears and stimulates the mind while relaxing the muscles and relieving stress. Attunes to the third chakra. Antibacterial and antiseptic. Good for oily skin conditions. Tonic to the lymphatic and digestive system. Very good for dieters, when put in water, and will help break up cellulite when used with massage. Bleaches hair and fabrics. Conditions skin and nails. Dilute well when used on skin.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass planted around the home and in the garden will repel snakes. It is also used in some lust potions, as well as in an infusion to aid in developing psychic powers.
Lemon Verbena
Purification, Love
Lettuce
Chastity, Protection, Love, Divination, Sleep
Licorice
Chewing on a licorice stick (the root, not a piece of candy) will make you passionate. It is also a good practice to use while quitting smoking. Licorice is added to love and lust sachets, carried to attract love, and used in spells to ensure fidelity. Licorice sticks make useful wands.
Lilac
Exorcism, Protection
Magnolia
To promote and assure Fidelity
Mandrake
A whole mandrake root, placed on the mantel in the home, will give the house protection, fertility, and prosperity. Mandrake is also hung on the headboard for protection during sleep, carried to at-tract love, and worn to prevent contraction of illnesses. Where there is mandrake, demons cannot reside, and so the root is used in exorcism. To 'activate' a dried mandrake root (i.e., to bring its powers out of hibernation), place it in some prominent location in the house and leave it there undisturbed for three days. Then place it in warm water and leave overnight. Afterwards, the root is activated and may be used in any magical practice. The water in which the root has bathed can be sprinkled at the windows and doors of the house to protect it, or onto people to purify them. The mandrake has also long served as a poppet in image magic, but its extreme scarcity and high cost usually forces the magician and Witch to look for substitutes; ash roots, apples, the root of the briony, the American may-apple and many others have been used. Money placed beside a mandrake root (especially silver coins) is said to double, and the scent of the mandrake causes sleep.
Meadowsweet
Most sacred to the Druids, a favorite for bridal garlands (also called bridewort). Very powerful in tea to rid body of excess fluids and to alleviate heartburn. May be purchased in powder form at herb stores.
Mint
Money, Love, Lust, Healing, Exorcism, Travel, Protection.
Mistletoe
Long used for protection against lightning, disease, misfortune of every kind, fires and so on, it is carried or placed in an appropriate spot for these uses. The leaves and berries are used. Mistletoe is placed in cradles to protect children from being stolen by fairies and replaced with changelings. A ring carved of mistletoe wood will ward off sicknesses when worn and the plant will cure fresh wounds quickly when carried (do not apply to the wound). Mistletoe is also carried or worn for good luck in hunting, and women carry the herb to aid in conception. It has also been fltilized in spells designed to capture that elusive state of immortality, and to open locks. Laid near the bedroom door, mistletoe gives restful sleep and beautiful dreams, as it does when placed beneath the pillow or hung at the headboard. Kiss your love beneath mistletoe and you'll stay in love. Burned, mistletoe banishes evil. Wear it around your neck to attain invisibility. Mistletoe is an all-purpose herb.
Mugwort
Awakens one to the psychic energies around and within them. Facilitates astral travel and dream interpretation. Opens and purifies circulatory channels. Strengthens the uterus and eases painful menstrual cramping. Excellent for strengthening the life-force in the fetus. Some say *not for use during pregnancy.
Mullein
Mullein is worn to keep wild animals from you while hiking in untamed areas. It also instills courage in the bearer, and a few leaves placed in the shoe keeps one from catching a cold. Mullein is also carried to obtain love from the opposite sex. Stuffed into a small pillow or placed beneath your pillow mullein guard against nightmares In India, mullein is regarded as the most potent safeguard against evil spirits and magic, and is hung over doors, in windows, and carried in sachets. It is also used to banish demons and negativity. In the Ozarks, men performed a simple love divination. The man went to a clearing where a mullein grew and bent it down so that it pointed toward his love's house. If she loved him the mullein would grow upright again; if she loved another it would die. Graveyard dust-an infrequent ingredient in spells-can be substituted with powdered mullein leaves. At one time Witches and magicians used oil lamps to illuminate their spells and rites, and the downy leaves and stems of the mullein often provided the wicks.
Musk
Stimulates the root and spleen chakras, arousing the reproductive organs and instincts. Healing and cleansing to the heart, lungs, and blood. Encourages self-esteem, and desirability. Can assist in transmuting sexual love into higher emotion, and spiritual connection.
Mustard
The Hindus used mustard seed to travel through the air. A more down-to-Earth use is carrying mustard seed in a red cloth sachet to guard against colds and to increase mental powers. Italian peasants sprinkle mustard seed on the doorsill for protective reasons, and mustard seed buried under your doorstep will keep all manner of supernatural beings from your home. When eaten mustard seed increases fertility in women.
Myrrh
Burned as an incense myrrh purifies the area, lifts the vibrations and creates peace. However, it is rarely burned alone; usually in conjunction with frankincense or other resins. Myrrh increases the power of any incense to which it is added. Myrrh is also included in healing incenses and sachets, and its smoke is used to consecrate purify, and bless objects such as amulets, talisman, charms, and magical tools. Myrrh aids meditation and contemplation. It is often added to sachets, usually with frankincense.
