Weeds
These are my favorite herbs that are everyday weeds you can find anywhere. In most cases these weeds are considered a pain, but they have many uses, and not just magical but their healing properties are ignored. This by far is my favorite page, as everyday "weeds" I grew up knowing about
Burdock
Arctium lappa
Folk Names: (Great Burdock) Bardana, Beggar's Buttons, Burrseed, Clotbur, Cockleburr, Great Burdock, Hurrburr, Personata,Happy Major ,'Herrif,' 'Aireve,' or 'Airup (a hedge) Reafe, (a robber), Reafian, (to seize) Grass Burdock, Hardock, Turkey Burseed, Bardans, Wolf's Herb, Wolfman
Gender:Feminine
Planet:Venus (in Leo) (medicine of the earth says Saturn and Pluto)
Element: Water
Powers: Protection Healing
Magical Uses:
You can throw this around the home to ward off negativity. You can use this in any capacity for protection, incense, bath amulets ect..Gather Burdock roots in the waning moon, dry cut into small pieces. string the pieces on a red thread wear for protection, and negativity.
Other uses and Lore:
The root of the Burdock is used for a blood purifying and preventive for colds and flu. The seeds can reduce blood sugar. The root is also used to clear up skin and digestive problems and rheumatism, treats cystitis and kidney stones. Tests show is a mild Cancer inhibitor. Also used as a perspiration inducer, and a treatment for lung disease, a mild laxative, a diuretic. Burdock contains a high amount of insulin, making it good for diabetics and for those suffering from liver and gallbladder diseases.
In the Middle Ages burdock leaves were pounded with wine to create a remedy for leprosy. Centuries later the Pennsylvania Dutch brewed a tea from the year old root to use as a tonic. They thought is just as effective when applied externally as a treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp.
The young leaves from the Burdock can be used as Salad Greens and flavorings for soups. The young roots can be eaten after being boiled twice, with a change of water after the first boiling.
It's been my experience you can make objects from the burrs. My Grandmother would take us out in the fields and we used them almost like Lego's. My Grandmothers best thing to make were baskets. The fresh bruised leaves are used as a cure for poison Ivy and poison oak.
Folk Names: (Great Burdock) Bardana, Beggar's Buttons, Burrseed, Clotbur, Cockleburr, Great Burdock, Hurrburr, Personata,Happy Major ,'Herrif,' 'Aireve,' or 'Airup (a hedge) Reafe, (a robber), Reafian, (to seize) Grass Burdock, Hardock, Turkey Burseed, Bardans, Wolf's Herb, Wolfman
Gender:Feminine
Planet:Venus (in Leo) (medicine of the earth says Saturn and Pluto)
Element: Water
Powers: Protection Healing
Magical Uses:
You can throw this around the home to ward off negativity. You can use this in any capacity for protection, incense, bath amulets ect..Gather Burdock roots in the waning moon, dry cut into small pieces. string the pieces on a red thread wear for protection, and negativity.
Other uses and Lore:
The root of the Burdock is used for a blood purifying and preventive for colds and flu. The seeds can reduce blood sugar. The root is also used to clear up skin and digestive problems and rheumatism, treats cystitis and kidney stones. Tests show is a mild Cancer inhibitor. Also used as a perspiration inducer, and a treatment for lung disease, a mild laxative, a diuretic. Burdock contains a high amount of insulin, making it good for diabetics and for those suffering from liver and gallbladder diseases.
In the Middle Ages burdock leaves were pounded with wine to create a remedy for leprosy. Centuries later the Pennsylvania Dutch brewed a tea from the year old root to use as a tonic. They thought is just as effective when applied externally as a treatment for dandruff and itchy scalp.
The young leaves from the Burdock can be used as Salad Greens and flavorings for soups. The young roots can be eaten after being boiled twice, with a change of water after the first boiling.
It's been my experience you can make objects from the burrs. My Grandmother would take us out in the fields and we used them almost like Lego's. My Grandmothers best thing to make were baskets. The fresh bruised leaves are used as a cure for poison Ivy and poison oak.
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- Stellaria media
- Folk Names:Adder's Mouth, Satin Flower, Indian chickweed, Passerina, Star Chickweed, Starweed. Starwort. Stellaire (French). Stitchwort, Tongue Grass, Winterweed, Mouse Ear, White Birds Eye.
- Gender: Feminine
- Planet: Moon
- Element: Water
- Powers: Love, Fidelity
- Magical Uses:
- Used to attract love or to keep the fires burning in an excisting one.
- Other uses and Lore:
- The stems of the chickweed were popular in Salads and used as a vegetable herb, Now there is a debate over the safety and the high content of saponin. It was once used to fade freckles. A poultice or ointment of chick was used to treat inflamed skin, itching eczema, psoriasis, and surface veins. It soothes rheumatic joints, and draws out splinters. A decoction is drunk as a cleansing tonic that relieves constipation, cystitis, and general weakness. It's also been said to help coughs and colds, tumors and hemorrhoids, sore eyes. I love this weed, and it's little white flowers. My mother gets so mad at me when I weed her little herb garden because I weed around it.
Cinquefoil
Potentilla canadensis
Folk Names: Crampweed, Five Finger Grass, Five Fingers, Five Finger blossom, Goosegrass, Goose Tansy, Moorgrass, Pentaphyllon, Silver Cinque, Silverweed, (some herb books list them under this). Sunkfield,Synkefoyle.
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter ( or Mercury in Taurus)
Element: Fire
Powers: Money Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Sleep
Magical Uses:
The five points of the leaves represent Love. money, health, power, and wisdom, cinquefoil carried grants these.
You can hang cinquefoil in doorways for protection or place it in your bed. An infusion is used to bathe the forehead and hands (nine times) to wash away hexes or curses. If you find a cinquefoil leave with 7 points put it under your pillow and you will dream of your future love. Hang a bag of cinquefoil over the bed for sleep.
When carried it helps with dealings with officials and is used for court cases. Bathe in cinquefoil for purification.
It is said it should be gathered at midnight under a waxing moon. Cinquefoil can be added to any magical working to strengthen it. It also helps to improve communication
Other uses and Lore:
Flowering tops are antiseptic and astringent, reduce bleeding and inflammation, and as a tea for gastritis phlegm. and diarrhea. and a sore throat gargle. Made into a wash it reduces skin redness, freckles and sunburn. The roots are used in anti-wrinkle creams, and stimulates the immune system. It was noticed early on for fevers and toothaches and sore eyes. The bark of the root was used to stop nose bleeds.
Medieval knights thought it to be the symbol of mans five senses and had it on their shields the right to brandish this was given to those who achieved self-mastery. Witches were said to be afraid of it, and fishermen used it to unsure a good catch. A decoction of the root was said to rid the body of "knots and Kernels" Lore has it that fairies and spirits congregate in the moonlight to chat and dance on the silvery Silverweed.
Folk Names: Crampweed, Five Finger Grass, Five Fingers, Five Finger blossom, Goosegrass, Goose Tansy, Moorgrass, Pentaphyllon, Silver Cinque, Silverweed, (some herb books list them under this). Sunkfield,Synkefoyle.
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter ( or Mercury in Taurus)
Element: Fire
Powers: Money Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Sleep
Magical Uses:
The five points of the leaves represent Love. money, health, power, and wisdom, cinquefoil carried grants these.
You can hang cinquefoil in doorways for protection or place it in your bed. An infusion is used to bathe the forehead and hands (nine times) to wash away hexes or curses. If you find a cinquefoil leave with 7 points put it under your pillow and you will dream of your future love. Hang a bag of cinquefoil over the bed for sleep.
When carried it helps with dealings with officials and is used for court cases. Bathe in cinquefoil for purification.
It is said it should be gathered at midnight under a waxing moon. Cinquefoil can be added to any magical working to strengthen it. It also helps to improve communication
Other uses and Lore:
Flowering tops are antiseptic and astringent, reduce bleeding and inflammation, and as a tea for gastritis phlegm. and diarrhea. and a sore throat gargle. Made into a wash it reduces skin redness, freckles and sunburn. The roots are used in anti-wrinkle creams, and stimulates the immune system. It was noticed early on for fevers and toothaches and sore eyes. The bark of the root was used to stop nose bleeds.
Medieval knights thought it to be the symbol of mans five senses and had it on their shields the right to brandish this was given to those who achieved self-mastery. Witches were said to be afraid of it, and fishermen used it to unsure a good catch. A decoction of the root was said to rid the body of "knots and Kernels" Lore has it that fairies and spirits congregate in the moonlight to chat and dance on the silvery Silverweed.
Dock
Rumex spp
Folk Name: Yellow Dock
Gender:Masculine
Planet: Jupiter/Moon
Element: Air
Powers: Healling, Fertility, Money
Magical Uses:
The seeds of the Dock are used in money spells, and money incenses. sprinkle and infussion about to increase customers. To help conceive a child a woman ties seeds of Dock to her left arm.
Other uses and Lore:
The Matures leaves are used in Salads, soups, sauces. and omelets, meats, fish and poultry. It can be cooked like spinach with one change of water. The leaves quench thirst and reduce fevers and are taken as a diuretic tea for some kidney and liver problems. A leaf poultice treats acne, mouth ulcers. boils. and infected wounds. and the root is a mild laxative. Leaf juice will bleach rust mold, and ink stains from linen wicker and silver. The ground seeds were used as gruel by the Native Americans, The root is used to treat psoriasis. and constipation.
It was used in a mixture of leaves and holly water,other herbs and ale, to cure people who thought they were made ill with "elf sickness" by witchcraft (lol) Another belief (still believed by my mother) Crushed dock leaves cured Nettle rash when accompainied by an incantation such as
Nettle out, Dock in
Dock remove the Nettle sting
Culpeper says dock extract clears up blemishes.
Folk Name: Yellow Dock
Gender:Masculine
Planet: Jupiter/Moon
Element: Air
Powers: Healling, Fertility, Money
Magical Uses:
The seeds of the Dock are used in money spells, and money incenses. sprinkle and infussion about to increase customers. To help conceive a child a woman ties seeds of Dock to her left arm.
Other uses and Lore:
The Matures leaves are used in Salads, soups, sauces. and omelets, meats, fish and poultry. It can be cooked like spinach with one change of water. The leaves quench thirst and reduce fevers and are taken as a diuretic tea for some kidney and liver problems. A leaf poultice treats acne, mouth ulcers. boils. and infected wounds. and the root is a mild laxative. Leaf juice will bleach rust mold, and ink stains from linen wicker and silver. The ground seeds were used as gruel by the Native Americans, The root is used to treat psoriasis. and constipation.
It was used in a mixture of leaves and holly water,other herbs and ale, to cure people who thought they were made ill with "elf sickness" by witchcraft (lol) Another belief (still believed by my mother) Crushed dock leaves cured Nettle rash when accompainied by an incantation such as
Nettle out, Dock in
Dock remove the Nettle sting
Culpeper says dock extract clears up blemishes.
Clover
Trifolium spp.
Folk Names: Beebreaad, Cow clover, Meadow Clover, Purple Clover, Trefoil, Honey, Honeystalks, Shamrock, Three leaved grass, Trifoil.
Gender: Masculine
Planet:Mercury
Element: Air
Powers: Protection, Money, Love, Fidelity, Exorcism, Success
Magical Uses:
Clover has long been celebrated for it's magical properties, it's used to protect against evil spirits, and was carried by travelers for that reason
Two Leaved:
Finding a two leaved clover indicates you will soon find a love
Three Leaved:
Three leaved is worn as a protective amulet
Four Leaved:
It helps to avoid military service. It also protects against madness, and strengthens psychic powers, and helps to detect spirits. It can lead you to Success or money.
If two people eat a four leaved clover together they will fall in love. Seven Grains of wheat on a four leaved clover and you shall see fairies. A four leaved clover in your shoe can result in finding a rich love.
Five Leaved:
The five leaved clover is used for attracting money.
The white clover is used for work against negative forces, and if worn or scattered about can help with this.
The red clover is used in baths for aids you in financial situations of any kind. You can also use it in Lust potions and to remove negativity.
It is said to keep snakes away and to protect from evil if worn in your left shoe. Worn over the right breast brings success
Other uses and Lore:
Clover contains a anti-inflammatory for cleansing skin, and arthritis. The flowers are drunk as a tea daily for breast cancer. It is a anticoagulant, helpful on coronary thrombosis, and confirms the presence of compounds that inhibit some laboratory tumors
Folk Names: Beebreaad, Cow clover, Meadow Clover, Purple Clover, Trefoil, Honey, Honeystalks, Shamrock, Three leaved grass, Trifoil.
Gender: Masculine
Planet:Mercury
Element: Air
Powers: Protection, Money, Love, Fidelity, Exorcism, Success
Magical Uses:
Clover has long been celebrated for it's magical properties, it's used to protect against evil spirits, and was carried by travelers for that reason
Two Leaved:
Finding a two leaved clover indicates you will soon find a love
Three Leaved:
Three leaved is worn as a protective amulet
Four Leaved:
It helps to avoid military service. It also protects against madness, and strengthens psychic powers, and helps to detect spirits. It can lead you to Success or money.
If two people eat a four leaved clover together they will fall in love. Seven Grains of wheat on a four leaved clover and you shall see fairies. A four leaved clover in your shoe can result in finding a rich love.
Five Leaved:
The five leaved clover is used for attracting money.
The white clover is used for work against negative forces, and if worn or scattered about can help with this.
The red clover is used in baths for aids you in financial situations of any kind. You can also use it in Lust potions and to remove negativity.
It is said to keep snakes away and to protect from evil if worn in your left shoe. Worn over the right breast brings success
Other uses and Lore:
Clover contains a anti-inflammatory for cleansing skin, and arthritis. The flowers are drunk as a tea daily for breast cancer. It is a anticoagulant, helpful on coronary thrombosis, and confirms the presence of compounds that inhibit some laboratory tumors
Wormwood
Artemisia absinthuim
Folk Names: Absinthe, Old Woman, Crown for a King, Green Ginger, Madderwort, Abisinthium.
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars ( in Cancer)
Element: Fire
Deties: Iris, Diana, Artemis
Powers: Psychic Powers, Protection, Love, Calling Spirits
Magical Uses:
Wormwood is worn or burned as an incense for aiding in Psychic powers. Carried it is a protection against bewitchment and bites from sea serpents. It is used in Traveling spells or hung in a car to protect against accidents. It's also used as a love infusion and was once used in a wine called absinthe, now banned, this herb is Poison and addictive. Mugwort can be used to replace this herb. Place under the bed to draw a loved one. It is also burned to summon spirits mixed with sandalwood. It used in magical work as a protectorate and to hinder hostile magic or banish negativity. Famous for it's power for visionary work, for prophetic visions of the future.
Other uses and Lore:
Wormwood was once said if burned in a grave-yard the dead will rise and speak. It was once used as a treatment for intestinal worms and for gout, kidney stones, and jaundice or a compress for swelling and bruises. Also used as a strewing herb to mask bad odors and drive away vermin (such as fleas) . Today it is only used EXTERNALLY as it's highly toxic. Dried and placed with wool says it works like mothballs.
Folk Names: Absinthe, Old Woman, Crown for a King, Green Ginger, Madderwort, Abisinthium.
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars ( in Cancer)
Element: Fire
Deties: Iris, Diana, Artemis
Powers: Psychic Powers, Protection, Love, Calling Spirits
Magical Uses:
Wormwood is worn or burned as an incense for aiding in Psychic powers. Carried it is a protection against bewitchment and bites from sea serpents. It is used in Traveling spells or hung in a car to protect against accidents. It's also used as a love infusion and was once used in a wine called absinthe, now banned, this herb is Poison and addictive. Mugwort can be used to replace this herb. Place under the bed to draw a loved one. It is also burned to summon spirits mixed with sandalwood. It used in magical work as a protectorate and to hinder hostile magic or banish negativity. Famous for it's power for visionary work, for prophetic visions of the future.
Other uses and Lore:
Wormwood was once said if burned in a grave-yard the dead will rise and speak. It was once used as a treatment for intestinal worms and for gout, kidney stones, and jaundice or a compress for swelling and bruises. Also used as a strewing herb to mask bad odors and drive away vermin (such as fleas) . Today it is only used EXTERNALLY as it's highly toxic. Dried and placed with wool says it works like mothballs.
Nettle
Urtica dioica L
Folk Names: Ortiag ancha, Stinging Nettle,
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars (in Aries)
Element: Fire
Deity: Thor
Powers: Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Lust
Magical Uses:
To remove a curse or send it back stuff a poppet with nettle or carry it in a sachet. You may also sprinkle around the house for the same purpose. Nettle is thrown into a fire to avoid Danger, and held in the hand to ward off ghosts, and carried with Yarrow to dismiss fear. A pot of nettle under a bed helps one recover from illness. It was considered a lust-inducing herb, and is used in purification Baths. It is an important herb in workings with Mercury and to handle crisis. It was fed to cattle to ward off evil
Other uses and Lore:
Nettle is used for greens as it is rich in vitamins and minerals, and used to brew beer. The leaves are an astringent, stimulates circulation, and clears uric acid, relieving arthritis, gout and eczema. A poultice treats eczema, burns cuts, and hemorrhoids. The seeds were given for tuberculosis and to treat the lungs after bronchitis. The fibers of the stems were once used for cloth, as the name "Nettle" is from the word "Textile Plant" . The roots for a scalp tonic.
I suggest you grow the dead nettle. The wild nettle stings, and leaves marks much like a sweat bee.
Folk Names: Ortiag ancha, Stinging Nettle,
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars (in Aries)
Element: Fire
Deity: Thor
Powers: Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Lust
Magical Uses:
To remove a curse or send it back stuff a poppet with nettle or carry it in a sachet. You may also sprinkle around the house for the same purpose. Nettle is thrown into a fire to avoid Danger, and held in the hand to ward off ghosts, and carried with Yarrow to dismiss fear. A pot of nettle under a bed helps one recover from illness. It was considered a lust-inducing herb, and is used in purification Baths. It is an important herb in workings with Mercury and to handle crisis. It was fed to cattle to ward off evil
Other uses and Lore:
Nettle is used for greens as it is rich in vitamins and minerals, and used to brew beer. The leaves are an astringent, stimulates circulation, and clears uric acid, relieving arthritis, gout and eczema. A poultice treats eczema, burns cuts, and hemorrhoids. The seeds were given for tuberculosis and to treat the lungs after bronchitis. The fibers of the stems were once used for cloth, as the name "Nettle" is from the word "Textile Plant" . The roots for a scalp tonic.
I suggest you grow the dead nettle. The wild nettle stings, and leaves marks much like a sweat bee.
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Folk Names: Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion's Tooth, Piss-a-bed, Priest's Crown, Puffballl, Swine Snout, White Endive, Wild Endive, Priest's crown, Telltime.
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter (In Libra) Mars
Element: Air
Deity: Hecate
Powers: Divination, Wishes, Calling Spirits
Magical Uses:
The root, when dried is used in tea to promote psychic powers, or place the tea by the bed to call spirits. Dandelion, buried in the northwest corner of the house, brings favorable winds. They say to blow on the Dandelion You can tell how long you will live by remaining seeds, or to tell time in the same manor. Gathered on St. John's day eve, was a charm against hostile magic. Dandelion is a good protective herb, and the wine makes an excellent added touch to a magical meal or ritual.
Other uses and Lore:
Dandelion was used by the Native Americans as a tea or tonic for Heartburn. and for diuretic uses. And it's main use today is for liver ailments taken from the roots. The Gypsy's said the juice from the dandelion removed warts and corns. It's also said it is a sure sign of rain when the seeds blow from the dandelion when there is no wind. Dandelion is rich in choline, insulin, calcium, sodium. silicic acid, sulfur and in the leavespotassium. In the Fall the plant contains 40% insulin. In the spring it's good for digestion and liver, gallbladder, kidneys and bladder. In the spring the plant contains a lot of vitamins C, and A. In my family it was gathered to make wine (ick) not one of my favorites however.
Plantain
Plantago
Folk Names: Cuckoo's Bread, Englishman's Foot,( Native American) The Leaf of Patrick, Patricks Dock, Ripple Grass, St. Patricks Leaf, Slan-lus, Snakebite, Snakeweed, Waybread, Waybroad, White mans Foot. (Native American),Hoary Plantain, Ribwort Plantain, Lance-Leaf Plantain, Sweet Plantain.
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus (or Mars in Capricorn)
Element: Earth
Powers: Healing, Strength, Protection, Snake Repelling, Power over supernatural
Magical Uses:
If you Bind the red wool to the head it can cure headaches, and below the feet to aid in weariness. It's often hung in the Car to guard against evil spirits, or in your pocket to protect against snake bites.
Not surprising it is linked with snakes as it is also linked with St. Patrick who is was said drove the snakes out of Ireland. It is also used to drive away night mares and evil spirits. For the most powerful plantain gather it during the last quarter of the moon's cycle, during the hour of mercury, and at that time state it purpose.
Other uses and Lore:
I'm going to have some fun with this weed we try so hard to remove from our yards every year .Once called the "Mother of Herbs" It contains tannin an astringent, stops bleeding and is used for cuts snakebites, and insect bites, poison ivy, heat rash or allergic reaction to other plants. including poison ivy. poison oak and sumac . A wash is helpful for the eyes. Plantain rubbed on a nettle bite can relieve the pain. It was used for woman's complaints. It was chewed for toothaches. It was commonly used as relief from foot complaints as well and readily available for the weary traveler, it was placed in the shoe to aid in this.
Plantain has long been linked with Orcus, King of the Dead, it plays a powerful role in the supernatural , the vanquisher of deadly diseases, arising from the underworld. In Germany he is called " Wegercih, Ruler of the Way". This is because he controls the path leading to the realm of the dead. The Romans also entertained the same thoughts of Plantain. Here a spell I found in "Medicine from the Earth" comes from the eleventh century, showing Plantain as a plant of the Roman god Orcus or Hades/ Pluto, and linked to Persephone as well .
Plantain, herb of Proserpina, Daughter of King Orcus!
As you have made infertile the mule
So may you also shut the wave of blood
From this womans womb!
It was considered dangerous to conjure up spirits of this realm in order to gain power over their supernatural powers, many a apprentice it is said tried and failed. The lore of this plant goes back many years and there were rules to be followed when gathering it. It was said the best time was between August 15-September 8, and an hour before sunrise as the dead still were within the earthly realm, thus the plant at it's strongest. Certain spells were said during this time to protect the gatherer, from attack from the spirits. It was said the gatherer of the root of the Plantain gained power and great healing abilities of threatening diseases. (It was said to stop woman from bleeding to death.) The Gatherer must not dig the root with metal but with his bare hands. So famous was this plant that Shakespeare mentions it in "Romeo and Juliet" and Hieronymus said of this plant in 1577 herbal: " I need not mention that there is hardly a person who does not know what Plantain is good for. This we see in daily practice and experience"
Plantain is found everywhere where needed, it was said along paths and road sides and seemed to follow the traveler, this did not go unnoticed by even the Native Americans, giving it the name, White mans foot.
Here I call it intrusive. I'm forever digging this stuff out of my yard.