Disclaimer: Any medicinal benefits given here are a product of my own research and as such should not be taken over the advice of trained medical professionals. If you are ill, please go and see a doctor. Always make sure that anything you consume is 100% safe. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor or midwife before consuming something you haven’t tried before.

6 Miracle Herbs You Should Know About

Let’s talk about plants. There are 6 Miracle Herbs I believe everyone should have in their garden or cupboards, and those are: Calendula, Lavender, Plantain Leaf, Rose Hips, Chamomile, and Comfrey Root. These 6 herbs have awesome healing properties either by themselves or all together.

There are so many plants on this planet that are used for medical reasons.  Some more common like penicillin or aloe vera and lavender.  But I want to talk about these plants that are not always talked about, in fact some people pick them out of there yards in annoyance because it’s considered an invasive weed.

Calendula

Calendula, also known as Marigolds, have a magickal property for protection, prophetic dreams, legal matters, and psychic powers.   It is an anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-flammatory, anti-bacterial, an astringent, and an immunostimulant.  Calendula has been used for centuries to heal wounds and treat skin irritations such as cuts, scraps, burns, bee stings, diaper rash, acne, athletes’ foot, and chapped or chafed skin.

Calendula known also as Ruddles, Marybud, and Marigold in honor of the Virgin Mary originated in Egypt. Used historically in skin and hair products and later in foods as the “poor man’s saffron”.

In magic for optimism, vitality, success, dispelling negativity, drawing light, joy, comfort, protection, success in legal matters, psychic and spiritual powers. 1oz cut flower form to be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.  Folk Names; Bride of the Sun, Calendula, Drunkard, Goldes, Holigolde, Husbandman’s Dial, Marybud, Marigold, Mary Gowles, Ruddles, Spousa Solis, Summer’s Bride.

Calendula’s Magickal Properties:

• • • Not surprisingly, calendula has a strong connection with the sun and can be used in solar magic. Due to this, calendula is considered to be one of the magical herbs and evokes the power of the sun.
    • The bold energy of this herb helps you project warmth, beauty and confidence.
    • In return, it attracts safety, fortune, and success to your door.
    • Make offerings of calendula to sun deities such as Ra or Helios.
    • Charge ritual tools or offerings with solar power by using a smoke wand or smudge stick containing calendula.
    • Consider combining calendula and chamomile in your rituals for double the solar magic.
    • Garlands of marigolds were strung on the doorposts to stop evil from entering the house.
    • Scattered under your bed protects you while you sleep and makes your dreams come true, i.e., give you prophetic dreams. Especially effective in discovering a thief who has robbed you.
    • Added to your bath water helps win the respect and admiration of everyone you meet.
    • Looking at the bright flowers would strengthen the sight.
    • Carried in your pocket brings justice to smile favorable upon you while you are in court.
    • If a girl touches the petals of marigold with her bare feet, she will understand the language of the birds.
    • Planet ruling; Sun, Element; Fire, Gender; Masculine.

Miracle Baby & Belly Balm

For a balm safe for pregnant bellies or fresh baby skin, make an oil infused with only calendula.  This is a wonderful preventing stretched skin.  For babies, use it on diaper rash, dry skin, cradle cap, eczema, or little scratches.  Be aware of any allergies and spot test the balm on their leg before applying it anywhere else.

Lavender

Lavender flower or also known as Lavandula Angustifolia, originating in France. Used widely in many holistic practices. Everything from waters, personal care items, in the food industry and for the popular smell.

In magic it is used for love, protection, healing, sleep, chastity, longevity, purification, happiness and peace. Lavender is a branched, woody, and very fragrant shrub, which can reach 60 cm in height.  The flowers are harvested at the beginning of flowering, severing them at the base.  Folk names: Elf Leaf, Nard, Nardus, Spike

It is antiseptic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, it can heal, helps with the digestive system, and can be used in tonics.  Its name derives from the Latin verb standing for cleaning, and washing because the flower was used to perfume water for washing.

Lavender has always been used in magic rituals for its calming, sedative and peacemaking effects, as an aid in the purification rituals of the rooms, especially in the reception of the newborn.  It is auspicious. It is indicated as a decorative herb of the Altar during the Litha (the midsummer solstice, 21 June) and for Lunghnassadh (1 August).

Lavender’s Magickal Properties:

• • • In the Handfasting (the neo-pagan union ritual), lavender plays the role of protector of marriage, bringing love and fertility.
    • It is woven into the bride’s crown, added to the dishes, especially in the wedding cake, and drunk in the ritual cup.
    • If it’s planted around the house, it gives protection and serenity, it helps to calm the spirit and to remove the bad moods.
    • It is used to prepare candles and pillows. It helps to sleep peacefully.
    • Lavender is a potent plant, used in purification rites, to ward off negativity, misfortune and bad mood.
    • Furthermore, it promotes happiness, love, the attainment of inner peace. If used together with other herbs, it enhances their effectiveness.
    • It protects the inhabitants and is made to dry in a bunch and hung behind the front door.
    • If worn, it protects from the evil eye.
    • Powers: Love, protection, sleep, chastity, longevity, purification, happiness, peace
    • Planet ruling; Mercury, Element; Air, Gener; Masculine.

Lavender Soap

Shea Butter Soap Base, Lavender Essential Oil, Dried Lavender Flowers, a mold, microwave, funnel

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Heat in glass microwave safe bowl until shea butter soap base is melted.
            2. Allow to cool slightly, add lavender oil and then dried flowers.
            3. Pour into molds.  use a funnel, this will help with air bubbles.
            4. Allow 40 minutes to harden.

lavender field

Plantain Leaf

Plantain leaf could easily be listed as a miracle working herb!  It’s an excellent pain reliever, along with a long list of ailments that it has been known to help with.  Anti-inflammatory seems to be a key ailment that it helps with, like bug bites, rashes, or pain in the joints.  Digestion and stomach issues like ulcers.  Each ailment recipe is made in a different way.  It’s extracted by making teas, compresses, tinctures, poultice, oils, and sprays.

The recipe that hooked me was an ointment or salve.  You can make it either way using the recipe.  It had 5 other herbs in with it.  The reason I needed it was really for my dog who had a hot spot on his hind leg and wasn’t getting better.  So, the vet wanted to give him meds. I decided to go with the ointment I made.  I was amazed how quick it started working.  He left it alone, he stopped itching it, and it healed pretty much to being normal with in 3 days.  I was so amazed how well it worked.  Since then that ointment served for other purposes like rashes, bug bites, burns and a ChapStick.  It’s a miracle worker.  Folk names: Cuckoo’s Bread, Englishman’s Foot, The Leaf of Patrick, Patrick’s Dock, Ripple Grass, St. patrick’s Leaf, Slanlus, Snakebite, Snakeweek, Waybread, Waybroad, Weybroed (Anglo-Saxon), White Man’s Foot.

Being so impressed with how well it worked, I looked up the ingredients and did my research and found that Plantain Leaf was the best herb with so many qualities and grows right in my back yard.

Plantain Leaf’s Magickal Properties:

Protection, Wishes, Strength, Repel Evil Spirits, and repel snakes.  Folk Names are Plantago, Ribwort, and Snakeweed.  Ruling planet: Venus, Element: Earth, Deities: Hades, Pluto, Orues, and Persephone. Gender; Feminine.

Rose Hips

Rose Hips are extremely high in vitamins, antioxidants (These compounds may offer various benefits for health, particularly Vitamin C), and essential fatty acids.  Rose hips oil reduces redness and irritation and helps repair skin, burns, scars, and skin ulcers.

From their soft petals to prickly thorns, roses are a symbol of beauty and health.  They belong to the Rosa genus of the Rosaceae family, which has upwards of 100 species.  However, one lesser-known part of the rose is the round, seed-filled bulbs known as rose hips, which are found underneath rose petals.

Also called the fruit of the rose, rose hips are usually red orange, though yellow and black varieties can also be found.  Unlike rose blossoms, which bloom in the spring and summer months, rose hips generally grow after the petals have bloomed and started falling off, which is usually in early to mid-fall. In fact, they’re considered sweeter when picked after the first frost of the season.  Rich in nutrients and disease-fighting properties, rose hips have gained attention for their role in health and beauty.

Rosehip nutrition

Inside the rose hip are many small, edible seeds, which are a good source of many nutrients. A 2-tablespoon (16-gram) serving of wild rose hips provides:

• • • • Calories: 26
      • Carbs: 6 grams
      • Fiber: 4 grams
      • Vitamin A: 4% of the Daily Value (DV)
      • Vitamin B5: 3% of the DV
      • Vitamin C: 76% of the DV
      • Vitamin E: 6% of the DV

Rose hips get their red-orange color from carotenoid pigments known as lycopene and beta carotene. These pigments have been shown to promote skin and eye health.  They’re also rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, such as vitamin C, catechins, quercetin, and ellagic acid. A diet rich in these compounds can help lower inflammation and oxidative stress in your body.  Furthermore, vitamin C plays a key role in collagen synthesis and immune health.

Rosehip oil is a popular anti-aging substance in the beauty community, though research supporting its benefits is limited. It’s made by cold pressing rose hips and extracting their natural oils.  In one small, 8-week study, taking 3 mg of rosehip powder daily led to a significant decrease in skin wrinkles and significant increase in skin moisture content and elasticity.

It may also improve heart health, help with fat loss, and reduce arthritis pain.

Rosehip Magickal Properties: 

Love, psychic powers, healing, luck, protection, peace, mysteries, knowledge, dreams, friendship, death and rebirth, abundance.  Ruling planet – Venus, Moon, Sign – Pisces, Element – Water, Gender – Feminine.

 

Chamomile 

Incorporating chamomile into your rituals is a way to call upon the might of Ra and the energy of the sun. As the sun is the very force that keeps us alive, its power can assist you with spells involving growth and vitality.  Its fiery energy may also embolden you with greater confidence, making any of your efforts more likely to succeed.  Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that can make it soothing for itchy skin from bug bites or poison ivy.  Known for its calming properties, chamomile soothes the skin, reduces redness, and irritations, and heals skin wounds, eczema, rosacea, bruises, burns, hemorrhoids, and even mastitis.

Chamomile’s Magickal Properties:

• • Banish and Protect – When sprinkled around your property, it removed curses and spells cast against you.
  • Attract Prosperity, Fortune, and Lady Luck’s Favor – Gamblers use an infusion of Chamomile in a handwash to ensure winning.
  • Evoke Lucid Dreams & Spiritual Insights
  • Drift Off for a Restful Night of Sleep
  • Soothe Yourself When You Aren’t Feeling Well
  • Relieve Itchy Skin and Lighten Your Hair

So, the next time you are feeling under the weather, consider making yourself a cup of chamomile tea. It might just help you feel a little bit more like yourself.

Bedtime Bath:  1/3 cup Dead Sea Salt/or salt of your choice, 1 tbsp anise seed, 2 tbsp anise leaves, Chamomile Teabag or two

Comfrey Root

Symphytum officinale ~ It’s also known as common comfrey, true comfrey, boneset, knit bone and slippery root. It likes to grow in damp and grassy places which is why it’s often found on riverbanks or by the lakes. Bumblebees love comfrey flowers.  It is an anti-flammitory, help speed healing of skin, wounds, burns, and scalds.  Heals tissues in and outside the body.

Comfrey is an important healing herb which has been used to slow bleeding and treat internal injuries for thousands of years. 

Recent research has found that taking it internally may have potentially dangerous side effects however it is still used externally to treat sprains and bruises.

Comfrey’s Magickal Properties:

• • • healing
    • safe travels – Tuck away some in your suitcase before you travel to promote safety.
    • protection from theft and abundance among others
    • attract money.  The root is also used in money spells.
    • Plant ruling; Saturn, Element; Water, Gender; Feminine

A Little Comfrey History:

Comfrey has been used as a healing herb since at least 400BCE. It was used by the Ancient Greeks and Romans to help bind wounds and to stop heavy bleeding as well as to heal broken bones. Tea made from the leaves was used to treat internal problems and a poultice was made to bind wounds and broken bones.

Pliny the Elder (23/24–79AD) is one of the first herbalists to mention the use of comfrey. He states that comfrey can be used to treat bruises and sprains in his book “Naturalis Historia”. In later chapters of the book he talks about comfrey being used to help wounds heal faster and also helping to stimulate menstrual flows.

Infuse these herbs into a carrier oil of your choice.

Please do your research first and follow instructions on recipes.  Below are a few awesome resources I have found and learned a ton from.

Resources:

Willow & Sage Magazine.  I love this magazine. I get a lot of my beauty recipes that my family love from this magazine.  They have articles about what not to use and do with ingredients and gives lots of recipes to make yourself.  If you haven’t checked this magazine out yet, you need to…. it’s worth the money.  They come out quarterly and they are like $17 an issue, but it is so worth it! 

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Expanded and Revised Edition, written by Scott Cunningham ~ This book has served as a quick guide to all the magickal herbs we use in the witch’s world.  Scott Cunningham’s books has been a huge part of my teachings.  He has been an author with books on the shelves since I started.

The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews, also written by Scott Cunningham ~ this book has so many recipes.  Another book great to have in your collection.

I just added these two books to my website catalog. The links will be coming soon!