A Dictionary of Magickal Herbs: Kitchen Witch Guide

Most people who have any interest in Wicca or Paganism in general associate the craft with herb magick, in fact the image of the witch out in the woods gathering herbs for here spell work is so ingrained in our imaginations as to almost be considered a stereotype. However, learning herb craft is a daunting task! There are so very many herbs that can be used in spell casting, and often the practitioner is hamporered by sorting through list after list of magickal attributes and correspondences. This article hopes to offer the reader something a little different~ an alphabetical reference of common herbs used in spell craft and what their uses might be. Needless to say this list is by no means comprehensive, and the practitioner may have many other uses and herbs to add.

Agrimony placed under the pillow aids in sleep. It is also powerful in cleansing negative energies and emotions.
Allspice is often used in good luck charms, and charms to increase vitality, stamina and health.
Aloe is considered a plant used for spells for healing and beauty. In the Southeastern United States the plant is kept inside the home to guard against negativity and danger.
Amaranth protects the wearer against illness and gunshot, a sacred plant.
Angelica (poison) Used to break hexes, used in exorcism, banishing and protection.
Anise used to restore lost youth and beauty, also used in charms to avert hexes and aids in psychic and clairvoyant spells and charms.
Apple promotes peace and harmony, a common element in love spells especially where marriage is the desired outcome.
Apricot is commonly used in love spells where the intended is fed the ingredients.
Basil is notorious for it's abilities as a powerful attractant used in spells for love and money. Additionally it is used to ease hard feelings and dysfunction.
Bayberry brings good fortune, prosperity and blessings into the home.
Bay has such a long and varied magickal history that it is impossible to cover all it's uses. A symbol of victory and good fortune ,it has been employed since ancient times, and is most commonly associated with Ancient Rome. Use for protection, luck, and success.
Benzoin is a popular healing herb that also promotes the growth of power. Like Frankincense it is often used to strengthen spells and charms.
Bergamot oil is commonly used to break hexes .
Borage is used in charms and spells for love and psychic ability.
Calendula can be used as a substitute for spells that require marigold and has similar connections to the realms of fairy.
Cardamom promotes sensuality and love and is therefore an excellent herb used in love and fidelity spells.
Catnip is given to cats to increase the psychic bond between the witch and familiar.
Chamomile is well known for it's healing and restorative properties and is often used in teas.
Chives can be added to any spell where protection (either psychic or physical) is the goal.
Cinnamon is most often associated with strength and success, some also hail it as a charm for luck and prosperity.
Clover is used in a variety of ways. The juice is said to remove warts, natural medicine hails it as a cure all. In magickal terms it is often employed for luck and love.
Damiana is used in spells to incite or draw lust due to it's long reputation as an aphrodisiac.
Dandelion is used for divining and the promotion of psychic powers.
Datura is an extremely dangerous herb used to break spells and hexes. This herb is so dangerous as to be avoided for use.
Dragon's Blood is often used in magickal inks to strengthen the power of spells, it is also used in love and protection spells.
Duck's Foot is the American cousin of Mandrake and can be substituted for mandrake in spells and charms as it's use is the same.
Elder wood is used for making magick wands and is considered a strong tree of protection and luck. Elder berries bestows blessings.
Frankincense is used to strengthen all other herbs in spells, and as a powerful oil for blessing and anointing.
Galangal is used by some for success in court , it is also used to draw wealth. One of the ingredients in Aleister Crowley's Incense of Abremelin.
Gardenia is a peaceful herb and is used for promoting harmony and easing strife.
Garlic is used as a protective charm against negativity and hexes as well as a powerful aid in cleansing.
Ginger is most affective in love and sex spells, but is also used to strengthen magickal workings and multiply wealth.
Ginseng is another form of mandrake and can be used a substitute. It is also good for vitality and sexual prowess.
Hawthorn is a powerful protectant for the home when kept inside. Also used to protect infants and repel negative magicks and hexes.
Hazel is used in spells for luck. It is said that eating the nuts will bring you wisdom. A powerful wand wood.
Irish Moss increases luck and wealth. Often used to stuff poppets for magickal purposes.
Jasmine is used to attract spiritual love and is used in sachets or 'mojo bags' for that purpose.
Juniper is used extensively for protective charms. May be grown at the door to prevent intruders and thieves, and carried or burnt to exorcise negativity.
Lavender is a very versatile herb, known for it's calming properties it is also used to draw love and peace. An old adage is 'When in doubt~ use lavender.'
Lemon Balm is used to transmit energies and thoughts between lovers. It is also potent in sealing friendships.
Lovage (as it's name implies) is used to draw love to you from the opposite sex, it is usually used as a charm.
Mandrake (highly toxic and dangerous) has a long history of association with witches and has been used in hexes and to increase magick power. It is so dangerous as to be avoided, however, and can easily be substituted for with other herbs that are less dangerous.
Marigold is used to communicate with the fairy realms, also used in charms to aid in clairvoyance.
Mint is used in charms to draw vitality and health. Also often used to draw business and wealth.
Mistletoe is a very toxic herb with a long magickal history. It is believed to ward off illness and negativity.
Mugwort is used in scrying and divination rituals. An infusion of mugwort is used to wash divination tools such as crystal balls and mirrors.
Mullein is considered a powerful guard against evil. the powdered leaves can be substituted in spells that call for Graveyard Dust.
Myrrh is used as an incense to strengthen blessings , healing and meditation. It is also burned to sanctify sacred spaces and objects.
Nettle is used in hex breaking and protection, it is also commonly used to consecrate items by using it in fires or as a distilled wash.
Oak is possibly the most magickal plant, and certainly the most honored. Carry a piece of oak wood with you as an all purpose luck and protection charm. Moss gathered from the oak is a sure fire charm for money and success.
Onion is an ancient guard against disease and disaster. Hang it dried about the house or on the door as a protectant.
Parsley use parsley in all spells requiring purification.
Pennyroyal eases tensions between a couple, is often carried inside a shoe as a charm to prevent fatigue. Can also be used to seek loans and finances.
Poppy is known for it's use in fertility charms and spells for increasing abundance.
Raspberry is used as a food in love spells. The briars are used in protective charms and for hex breaking.
Rose is used in charms to attract love, but the color of the rose must be taken into account when determining it's use.
Rosemary is used to draw the aid of spirits to magickal workings, and to aid in mental clarity and prowess.
Rue is used as a charm to ward off illness, headaches and negativity.
Sage is used in bundles as smudge sticks to remove negative energies. It can also be used in spells for psychic opening and bansihing.
Sandalwood is commonly burned as an incense to induce healing and cleanse sacred area. Also used in blessing rituals.
Sassafras is carried to draw wealth and is used in spells to increase luck in court and legal matters.
Solomons Seal is a powerful protectant and purifier. It is used to banish negative energy and exorcise evil spirits.
Thyme is burned to consecrate spaces and to ward off illness and sorrow.
Tobacco is used by Native Americans as an offering to the spirits, it also is burned to promote peace and harmony.
Valerian is most powerful in spells of sexual love and union, it can also be used to induce a sense of peace in the ritual space and for cleansing.
Vanilla is used by women as an aphrodisiac to draw men who are said to be unable to resist it's fragrance.
Vervain is a powerful herb with many uses. It is most commonly used to cleanse ritual areas and bestow consecrations.
Willow is most often used in the making of ritual tools, it is used for making wands, brooms and even athames. It is known for it's powerful healing properties.
Wintergreen (poisonous) is used in charms for banishing negativity and promoting success.
Yarrow is famous for it's ability to hold a marriage together for seven years. Use in binding love and creating fidelity. It is also used to bestow blessings.

Whenever using herbs in spell work bear in mind that they should never be taken internally and that allergic reactions to contact can occur without warning. This article lists a number of extremely toxic and baneful herbs, I have tried to make note of them as often as possible, but the practitioner should always educate themselves on the use and precautions associated with any herb that they chose to use.