The Witches' Cupboard: Witchcraft Herbs and Roots

Let us first review some of the herbs that you should already have in your Witches Cupboard.

Basil is a sacred herb used for peace and happiness at home. Basil is used to protect the home from evil. Basil is known as Albahaca, American Dittany, 'Our Herb', St. Joseph's Wort, Sweet Basil, and the Witches Herb. Basil is considered masculine, associated with the Planet Mars and the element of Fire. An herb for money and success, a happy family, and a peaceful home, it drives away the Evil Eye. ROSEMARY is a powerful guardian, and a protector of woman. This wonderful herb is widely used to bring good dreams, keep marriage faithful and the home peaceful, and for brewing up cleansing and beautifying baths. Rosemary is also known as Compass Weed, Dew of the Sea, Elf Leaf, Guardrobe, Incensier, Polar Plant, and Sea Dew. Rosemary is considered masculine, and is associated with the Sun and the element of Fire.

THYME is lucky in two ways. Thyme can bring peace of mind while sleeping and it can protect you money. Thyme is also known as Common Thyme and Garden Thyme. Thyme is considered feminine, and is associated with the planet Mars and the element of Fire. NUTMEG is used to bring good luck in games of chance. Nutmeg is considered masculine, and is associated with the planet Jupiter and the element of Fire. CLOVES are used to draw friendship and money. Cloves are considered masculine, and are associated with the planet Jupiter and the element of Fire. ALLSPICE is a wonderful spice that is used magically for money-drawing, business success, and to relieve mental tension. Allspice is considered masculine, and is associated with the planet Mars and the element of Fire. BAY LEAVES are also known as Baie, Bay Laurel, Bay Tree, Daphne, Greecian Laurel, Sweet Bay, and Laurier d'Apollon. Bay leaves are used for protection and to avoid being jinxed or hexed, especially if you are doing a job on someone else. DANDELION can be drunk as tea or carried in a bag to enhance psychic dreams and second sight. LAVENDER FLOWERS are a sweet-smelling herb, used to promote passion, romance, harmony, friendship, and cooperation with a lover. CHAMOMILE FLOWERS are widely considered to be a Lucky herb, an herb used in gambling spells and washes, and also an herb for cleansing, un-hexing and uncrossing. MUGWORT is burned and inhaled for psychic abilities and also made into tea to wash amulets and crystals.

DAMIANA LEAVES are used to draw a new lover, to intensify sexual passion, or to bring back a straying lover.

The Conjure Bag: Hoodoo Herbs and Roots

Next we present some of the herbs that are used in the preparation of Hoodoo and Rootwork spells.

GINGER gives fiery protection from evil; it also heats up love affairs and sexuality. HIGH JOHN THE CONQUEROR ROOT as an amulet has no equal. It is used for drawing luck, gaining mastery, and strengthening the libido of men. Folks make a dressing oil from chips of the root, and incorporate it into sachet powders, incense, and crystals for bath or floor wash. QUEEN ELIZABETH ROOT, also known as ORRIS ROOT, can be used to attract men and to cause them to love you. ANGELICA ROOT, also known as HOLY GHOST ROOT, ARCHANGEL ROOT, and DONG QUAI), enhances female magickal power and strength, and protects children. LUCKY HAND ROOT is also known as HELPING HAND or SALEP ROOT. This unusual name refers to a rare wild orchid that grows in the form of a hand with 2 - 10 life-like "fingers." Gamblers say that its grasping action brings in the winnings -- and musicians employ it to help them with fingering of their instruments. "

FIVE-FINGER GRASS, also known as SILVERWEED) brings success in all the things that five fingers can do, and is used to get others to do you favours. HYSSOP HERB is a purification herb for cleansing yourself or your hme, to put an end to crossed conditions, to take off a jinx, or break a hex. THE DEVIL POD is known as BAT NUT, GOAT HEAD, BULL NUT and BUFFALO NUT and grants the owner strong protection from evil. CALAMUS ROOT, also known as SWEET FLAG, is used by those who wish to control a situation or to dominate a specific person. LICORICE ROOT will help you gain power over others and control them; it is also used to change someone's mind. DEER'S TONGUE is used to get someone to love you, to obtain a proposal of marriage, and also for court cases. LITTLE JOHN TO CHEW is also known as CHEWING JOHN and GALANGAL; folks chew it and spit it out to win in court.