These three small words ‘healing’, ‘magic’ and ‘herbs’ are synonymous with the witch, who uses them in equal measure for both aspects of her practice.

There’s nothing new about herbal medicine or the use of herbs in magic spells. All have come down to us through the centuries to be used for our benefit.

Most of us are familiar with the common herbs and their roles in healing and magic respectively.

 

Garlic

Take garlic, for example. Apart from being a very necessary ingredient in a good curry, its very nature can be seen in the everyday use of it to ward off coughs and colds and other minor infections. And we’ve all seen the strings of garlic hanging around in vampire movies, there to ward off evil, and vampires in particular. It is the very protective nature of this innocuous bulb that makes it so widely used in both medicine and magic.

 

Of course not all herbs are safe, many being extremely toxic in even the smallest doses, so it’s always best to check first with a qualified herbalist or medical practitioner, before self administering. These toxic herbs often appear in old books on magic when discussing the use of hallucinogens in spell work or shamanic practices, where an altered state of consciousness is required. These were usually boiled up in the cauldron and the fumes inhaled rather than the herb ingested — hence the stereotypical witch bending over her bubbling cauldron.

I must stress however, this is a dangerous practice and should not be used beyond using such books only for historical reference.

 

Rose petals

Before the advent of the industrially dyed confetti, it was traditional to throw rose petals (real ones!) and rice over the bride and groom. Roses are automatically connected with love — pink for romantic love, red for physical love. And the magical aspect of rice is fertility.

So when you threw rose petals and rice at a wedding, you are unconsciously casting a love spell!

 

Ginger

Ginger added to a spell adds power to the magic, giving it a boost just as it does to our bodily systems, especially potent in love magic and success spells. Putting a pinch of powdered ginger in your wallet or purse helps boost finances or protect your existing funds.

If you dilute lemon juice with water it is a powerful cleansing wash which can be used to ‘clear’ any ritual equipment or added to a bath it has the same effect of cleansing your body’s energy.

 

Lemon and pin spell

The ancients have given us the lemon and pin spell used in protection magic. Take a green or unripe lemon and a box of pins, the ones with the coloured glass heads and stick them into the lemon until you have what resembles a lemon hedgehog. Tie a piece of ribbon, preferably white, and hang it in your home where it will repel negativity and encourage good luck.

 

So think twice before considering herbs as merely for adding flavour to your food, cast a magic spell in the kitchen and see what happens!