Herbal Archives · Page 2 of 2

We all know that herbal magick creates deep connections with nature. Our magickal powers come from the natural energies and processes of life. So what better way to deepen your green magick than by growing and nurturing herbs yourself? That's why we've compiled a list of the best herbs every witch should grow. Aloe, mint, lavender, basil, bay, mugwort, sage, and rosemary are some of the best herbs every witch should grow. These herbs are 1) magickally useful, 2) easy to grow and maintain, and 3) easily found as seeds or as starter plants. Benefits of Growing Herbs Growing your own herbs allows you to control the full magickal process from start to finish. Whether planting seeds or sprouting cuttings, tending to soil and water, pruning, or repotting, you can use tools that you’ve cleansed and activated specifically for the purpose. If you grow your plants indoors, you can also place them strategically throughout your home. Using the herbs' innate qualities, you can grow one in your bedroom to give you peaceful sleep. Then grow another plant near your front door for its protective capabilities. Enjoy watching nature’s power at its fullest. See flora start from a dormant seed, feed it with water and sunlight, and watch it blossom into a vibrant, living plant. I’ve selected the plants below based on what my readers like to grow themselves. The Herbs Every Witch Should Grow Now we'll detail the individual herbs. These herbs were selected because they provide a good mix of magickal usefulness, balanced with ease of care. Take a look below and learn about these magickal herbs. As you read, think about which ones you might like to add to your own garden. Aloe Aloe is a common houseplant. It's been used for centuries for its medicinal qualities. If you have an aloe plant at home, break off a piece from a large leaf. Within the leaf you will find a cool and sticky mixture that can be applied to the skin. It’s great for soothing burns, cuts, scrapes, dry skin, and itching from allergic reactions. In fact, many people keep an aloe plant in the kitchens to quickly apply in case they burn themselves. Magickally, it’s a comforting plant. It can alleviate your emotional distress to make you feel calmed and reassured inside. It can eliminate inner barriers you set up for yourself and help you to get through mental blockages. Aloe can also increase your self-control, give you diligence, and harden you with grit. Keep a plant in your home (especially near the front door) to keep out negative influences and draw good luck. If you don’t have an aloe plant already, check out your medicine cabinet for a bottle of aloe vera gel you may have purchased at the pharmacy. Aloe is a succulent so it doesn’t require a lot of water. It does need a lot of drainage however, so don't over-water it. It needs a lot of light as well. Mint Who doesn’t love mint? It’s cooling, flavorful, and refreshing. You probably have mint in your home already, from herbal tea, to desserts (mint ice cream, York Peppermint Patties), to chewing gum, to toothpaste, to medicinals (IcyHot). You probably have some breath mints at home too. There are two varieties of mint-- peppermint and spearmint. Peppermint is a genetic hybrid which is a cross between two species. It has a higher menthol content which gives it a cooling feeling, so it’s great for relaxation, tired muscles, and sore throats. Spearmint, on the other hand, is not a hybrid (it occurs naturally). It has a sweeter and milder taste and scent. Both herbs are healing when ingested and can soothe upset stomachs, nausea, and promote a sense of calm. They are cleansing and purifying as well. Mint can stimulate mental focus and psychic abilities-- use it before or during divination. It brings positivity, optimism, and happiness. Use it for work- or business-related inspiration as well. Consider adding mint as a strengthener to any spell or ritual you do. Mint belongs to the herbs every witch should grow because it's easy to grow at home. You can propagate mint from cuttings and grow them in water. Take some cuttings from a plant and place in a container filled with water. Be sure that no leaves are submerged in the water, and leave to sit in the sun for several hours each day. Lavender Lavender is a versatile herb which is great in love spells. It has an attractive, relaxing scent and can be put in a sachet to keep in your home or carried with you as you go about your day to draw love. It’s a very powerful herb to aid in sleep as well. It brings serene sleep with pleasant dreams. It also brings a general sense of peace, calm, tranquillity, and happiness. Keep a sprig of lavender in your pillowcase or a sachet near your bed. You can use lavender for protection and purification as well. Many personal products are scented with lavender, or you may have a lavender tea in your cupboard. Some chocolate bars contain lavender too. Although you may picture Provence’s lavender fields, it can just as easily be grown at home. It requires draining soil and lots and lots of light. Basil It’s more than just a splash of green in Italian dishes-- basil an incredibly versatile herb. Basil draws both love and money. It leads you to success and prosperity, especially due to its green color. It’s great for protection and keeping away negative energies. Use it to promote group harmony, aid communication, soothe tensions, and keep the peace. It can also be used for love spells and can help you detect fidelity. Ingest basil or make a tea for headaches, anxiety, digestive troubles, and excess flatulence. Use as a topical for antibiotic and antifungal properties. Keep a potted basil plant in your home to attract wealth, or give as a gift to be rewarded with prosperity. You can also include basil when smudging or as an incense to draw money. Basil can be grown indoors or outdoors. It needs to be able to drain well, and may require fertilizer. It has vibrant green leaves that will brighten any space. Bay Another common kitchen herb, used in cuisines all over the world. Like basil, it’s incredibly versatile. It’s protective, keeping away negative energies. It’s cleansing as well, and can be used in purification rituals. Bay can enhance your psychic abilities and spiritual wisdom through visions. It’s commonly brewed as a tea for this purpose. Bay can also draw luck and wealth, and aid in spell manifestations. You can write your desire on a bay leaf and burn it during a spell to seal in the intention. Medicinally bay has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Use to help with cold and cough and to reduce anxiety as well. Bay trees are easy to grow. There are several varieties to choose from, and you can grow them in the soil outdoors or in large pots indoors. Mugwort Mugwort is an incredibly ancient herb which is kind of the quintessential witch's herb. It has many unique qualities, but it’s best known for its psychic qualities. Use mugwort for all pursuits requiring psychic abilities like dream work, divination, prophecy, astral projection, etc. It’s protective as well, keeping away spiritual enemies and preventing nightmares. Please note that mugwort is harmful to pregnant women, and should be avoided totally if you think you may be pregnant (this includes touching it!) Mugwort contains a toxin which in small quantities is usually tolerated, but in larger quantities and for pregnant women, it is harmful. Please see our disclaimers for more information. Use mugwort for incense, in a smudge stick, or as a tea. You can easily grow Mugwort from seeds. It’s considered a weed in many areas and as such is difficult to remove once it takes root. You may find it on the roadside or in vacant areas as it takes over. You can remove a small portion of such plants and replant the roots at home to grow. Sage An ancient herb used for thousands of years. Sage has been long used for cleansing and purification by smudging. It has healing properties and can be used for protection by driving away negative spirits. Use it for consecration as well. It draws wisdom and guidance. It can bring you soundness of mind and a sharper memory. Use sage to make wishes come true. Place sage leaves wherever you want to manifest a wish-- in the bedroom, in the wallet, etc. Sage is a hardy plant, so it made the list of herbs every witch should grow. Check at your local grocery store or nursery for a small potted rosemary plant. It's possible to grow sage from clippings too. Rosemary A versatile and general purpose herb, rosemary can be used for just about anything. It’s a good staple herb to keep on hand for healing, purification, consecrations, and blessings. Use it for protection from negative energies, ill intent, and possessions (it’s commonly used in exorcisms). Rosemary can help you find romantic love and increase passion in your life. It strengthens focus and makes your brain and memory more powerful. Rosemary can be used as a substitute for any other herb. Hang some dried rosemary wherever you need some protection, like your bedroom for peaceful sleep and good dreams. It can be burned as incense or for smudging too. Rosemary is a very simple and easy herb to grow. It requires a lot of sun, and can fit easily onto a windowsill or countertop. Be careful not to over-water. Conclusion That's the full list! If you'd like to learn more about these herbs, or about other herbs not listed here, check out my Introduction to Wiccan Herbs. READ MORE ABOUT HERBAL MAGICK