Claimed in India as one of the most quickly effective aphrodisiacs for the middle-aged, it is safe to use. The demand now exceeds the supply.

Description: Loves a very moist, humus soil. It grows very low to the ground, but is a fast spreader. We suggest planting it at the base and shade of other plants as a ground covering.

While not perhaps magical (except maybe in the bedroom), Indian Pennywort is certainly one of the most important medicines in both Chinese and Ayurvedic tradition. Used as a brain tonic for longevity, called an "adaptogen" as it aids in restoring the body’s immunity to stress. In larger doses it is said to have sedative effects. Called the herb of the yogi’and used for treating a wide range of ailments such as : asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, depurative, dropsy, dysentery, epilepsy, fever, hematuria, hepatosis, hysteria, leprosy, leukorrhea, otosis, piles, renosis, rheumatism, sore, urethritis, urinary ailments, vertigo, wounds.

Lavender (Lavendula species)

Description: dense purple flowers, 45 - 60cm, dry, poor soil. Highly fragrant.

 Lavender is also used in healing mixtures, carried to see ghosts, and worn to protect against the evil eye. It is added to purification baths. Throw lavender into Midsummer bonfires as an offering to the Gods and Goddesses.
 A wish divination: Place lavender under your pillow while thinking of your wish. Do this just before retiring for the night. In the morning, if you have dreamt of anything relating to your wish, it will come true. However, if you did not dream, or if they were unconnected with your wish, it will not manifest.

Folk Names: Elf Leaf, Nard, Nardus, Spike

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mercury

Element: Air

Powers: Love, Protection, Sleep, Chastity, Longevity,

Purification, Happiness, Peace

Magical Uses: Lavender has long been used in love spells and sachets. Clothing rubbed with the flowers attracts love. A piece of paper rubbed with lavender is excellent for writing love notes. The scent of lavender particularly attracts men. It also protects against cruel treatment at the hands of a partner if worn. The flowers are also burned or smouldered to induce sleep and rest, and are scattered about the home to maintain peacefulness. The plant is so powerful that, if when depressed, one gazes upon the plant, all sorrow will depart and a joyous feeling will settle upon the observer. Indeed, the lavender odour is conducive to long life, and so should be smelled as often as possible if this is a concern.

Variegated Apple Mint

Spearmint

Description: We offer two varieties; Golden Apple Mint, a strikingly, attractive, variegated ground cover with a delicious apple scent to it's leaves, and Spearmint. All Mint species prefer part shade and moist soils.

Magical Uses: Mint has long been used in healing potions and mixtures, and the fresh leaves rubbed against the head are said to relieve headaches. Mint worn at the wrist assures that you will not be ill. Stomach problems can be alleviated by stuffing a green poppet with mint and anointing it with healing oils. Mint is also used in travel spells and to provoke lust. Its bright leaves and crisp scent led to its use in money and prosperity spells; the easiest of which is to place a few leaves in the wallet.
 To rid a place of evil, sprinkle salt water with a sprinkler made of fresh sprigs of mint, marjoram and rosemary.
 Fresh mint laid on the altar will call good spirits to be present and aid you in magic. It is also kept in the home for protection.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Description: an aromatic herb which has a neutralising effect on fat. Sprigs in a hot bath are very refreshing. Useful nectar-bearing flowers for beneficial insects in late Autumn. Grows to 1m and is winter dormant.

Magical Uses: Place Mugwort in the shoes to gain strength during long walks or runs. For this purpose pick Mugwort before sunrise, saying: "Tollam te artemisia, ne lassus sim in via". A pillow stuffed with mugwort and slept upon will produce prophetic dreams. Mugwort is also burned with sandalwood or wormwood during scrying rituals, and a mugwort infusion (sweetened with honey) can be drunk before divination to enhance results. The same infusion can also be used to wash crystal balls and magic mirrors, and mugwort leaves placed around or under the ball aids in psychic workings. Mugwort is also carried to increase lust (hmm.. must try it) and fertility (er.. on second thoughts...), also to help cure disease and madness (too late in my case). Placed next to the bed, it aids in achieving astral projection.

Rosemary (Rosemarinus species)

Two varieties on offer are:

Description: In the right situation, this can grow to almost average tree height.

and:

Trailing Rosemary (Blue Lagoon)

Description: Graceful, cascading, with bright blue flowers. Rosemarys prefer sunny, open positions and a limey, stoney soil.

If you wish to receive knowledge or the answer to a question, burn rosemary on charcoal and smell its smoke. It is also grown to attract elves, and the powdered leaves wrapped in linen cloth and bound to the right arm dispel depression and make the emotions light and merry.

Magical Uses: Rosemary, when burned, emits powerful cleansing and purifying vibrations, and so is smouldered to rid a place of negativity, especially prior to performing magic. It is one of the oldest incenses.
 When placed beneath the pillow rosemary ensures a good sleep and drives away nightmares. Laid under the bed it protects the sleeper from all harm.  It is also hung on the porch and doorposts to keep thieves from the house and is carried to remain healthy. Placed in the bath, it purifies.
 A chaplet of rosemary, worn, aids the memory, while the wood, smelled often, preserves youthfulness. To ensure the latter, add a rosemary infusion to the bath water.
 Rosemary has long been used in love and lust incenses and other mixtures, and healing poppets are stuffed with rosemary to take advantage of its curative vibrations. An infusion is used to wash the hands before healing work, and the leaves mixed with juniper berries are burned in sickrooms to promote healing.
 

Description: perennial with grey leaves and purple flowers. 60cm by 60cm, light, dryish soil.

There are a few curious gardening tips concerning sage: 1st, it is bad luck to plant sage in your own garden; a stranger should be found to do the work. 2nd, a full bed of sage brings ill luck, so make sure that some other plant shares the plot.
 If you desire to make a wish come true, write it on a sage leaf and hide it beneath your pillow. For 3 nights sleep upon it. If once you dream of what you desire your wish will come true; if not, bury the sage in the ground so that you do not come to harm.

Magical Uses: Sage has been utilised to ensure a long life - sometimes, supposedly, even immortality (I'll let you know if it works - in about 100 years from now). This is done by eating some of the plant every day.
 Sage is carried to promote wisdom, and the leaves are used in countless healing and money spells. To guard yourself against contracting the evil eye wear a small horn filled with sage.

Description: perennial tuber with arching stems of white bell-shaped flowers, 1m , shade

Magical Uses: The root is placed in the four quarters of the house to guard it; it is used in exorcism and protection spells of all kinds and an infusion of the roots sprinkled about clears the area of evil. Add it to incense on the altar.

Folk Names: Dropberry, Lady's Seal, St. Mary's Seal, Seal Root, Seal Wort, Solomon's Seal

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Saturn

Element: Water

Powers: Protection, Exorcism

Description: a hardy, drought tolerant attractive, yellow-flowering plant. This herbaceous perennial also grows wild to a height of 1 to 3 feet in uncultivated ground, woods, hedges, roadsides, and meadows. Can be invasive if not controlled.

The mere scent of this plant causes evil spirits to fly away. It is picked at Midsummer and dried over the Midsummer fire. Use it to keep madness at bay and to keep all evil forces from your home.

Magical Uses: The Welsh called this herb the "leaf of the blessed". It was understood to be an ideal combination of water and fire, the ultimate healing essence. Fire symbolized the fruitful light-filled forces of summer, and water the gathering and settling forces of the dark season. Midsummer was the time of balance between these forces of light and dark.

In Brittany the plant is still ritually gathered by people wearing loose, flowing clothing. One must pray and ask permission before plucking it with the left hand. The picking of this herb symbolizes the dismemberment of the God, the Summer Lord. It is a solemn sacrifice.

After drying or tincturing, the plant is administered to the sick When you give this plant to a sick person, you are remembering the God: putting back the pieces of his body that have been scattered.

Sweet Woodruff  (Asperula odoratum)

Description:carpeting perennial, 15cm tall with white, star-shaped flowers. Shade.

Magical Uses: Woodruff is carried to attract money and prosperity, to bring victory to athletes and warriors, and when placed in a leather sachet it guards against all harm. Rose petals, lavender, box and woodruff are strewn on floors and made into decorations on holy days.

Description: perennial, 1m by 45cm, white flowers, ferny foliage, medium-damp soil, part shade.

Magical Uses: Valerian is added to the chalice as a herb of peace. It is used to asperge the ritual space and in incense for purification. Also use in protective sachets, hung in the home to guard against unwanted presences. Placed in pillows, it aids in falling asleep. Powdered valerian root is sometimes used as a substitute for 'graveyard dust'.

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