Witches Herb Cabinet - Getting Started with 15 Witchy Herbs
by Monique Miller
If you're a practitioner of a modern magical tradition, chances are good that you're in the habit of using herbs. If you’ve never had the chance to incorporate plants into you practice or are new to this idea, I’m excited to share the way I use them in mine! Here's a list of 15 herbs that everyone should have on hand for magical purposes. Think of it as a basic witch's arsenal of helpful herbs. Keep a few of these in your magical supply cabinet, just in case the need arises.Note: I will be uploading printable information sheets for each herb listed here. This way you can keep them and refer back as needed for your own workings. These sheet will contain MAINLY medicinal information for those of you who prefer to delve into the more mundane uses of herbs. 1. RosemaryYou’ve heard it once. You’ll hear it again. If you don’t have rosemary on-hand, you need to! It’s one of those all-purpose herbs that you can literally use for any kind of magic. I grow rosemary and make it into smudge bundles to cleanse my space. I also use it in herbal baths, magical meals, and natural hair care. Get some rosemary, witch! If you chose to grow your own (super easy) you MUST bring it inside once the night temp drop below 40 degrees. This beauty prefers to keep her feet warm and WILL die over winter.2. Chamomile
Ever had a cup of chamomile tea to help soothe a sore throat or calm your nerves in the evening? Chamomile is known for its medicinal qualities, but it’s also amazing magically! Chamomile is associated with the sun, so I use it often in abundance and health workings. It’s a great one to have in the witch’s herb cabinet.
3. BayMany people have bay leaves right in their kitchen cabinet and don’t realize how powerful they are. In ancient times, they were used to increase psychic abilities and induce visions. Write a wish on a bay leaf and burn it. Add to spell bags and herbal offerings to Greek and Roman gods. I use it in my cooking often to enhance sauces and meat dishes. The fresher the bay leaves the stronger the effects.
4. RueRue, also called ruta or the Holy herb, is one I grow in my garden and keep in my witch’s herb cabinet. It’s exorcist and purification powers are strong. Use it in uncrossing work, protection magic, and to ward off evil spirits. Traditionally, it was used in Four Thieves Vinegar to ward off illness including the Black Plague. I keep bundles of the herb hanging year-round just inside my front door. Rue maintains my energetic home protection for me, so I only need to re-cast twice a year instead of monthly. Be careful when handling, as it can irritate the skin in some people.5. LavenderLavender. Lavender. Lavender. If you don’t have lavender in your witch’s herb cabinet, you need it ASAP. Not only does it smell amazing, it’s useful in SO many magical endeavors. Lavender is used in aromatherapy to calm the nerves and combat insomnia. It’s magical properties include love, beauty, dreaming, vitality, healing, and purification. Use it in candle magic, stuff it in dream pillows, bathe in it, and use it in cooking and baking. Tastes great in teas too!6. Yarrow
Yarrow has been known for centuries to be effective in healing wounds. It grows everywhere and is fairly easy to recognize in the wild. Yarrow is one of those herbs that’s SUPER powerful in inducing visions, communicating with the otherworld, and in dreamwork. Use yarrow in love and protection spells. It’s often used to protect pregnant women and babies. It’s REALLY pretty when dried and added to bouquets. Let it steep along with nettle and elder flower and drink to ward off colds.
7. Mint
Mint grows nearly everywhere and there are different kinds of mint (spearmint, peppermint, etc.) It’s another all-purpose herb that I’ve used in money, love, and healing magic for years. When drank as a tea, it eases stomach ache and when added to baths and herbal sachet is rather invigorating. Cook and bake with mint to add a magical kick to your meals!
8. Basil
I grow basil in the garden every summer, then harvest and dry it to keep in my herb cabinet. Roll a candle in basil and light to draw in money. Add it to your wallet to draw in money. It’s been called the “witches herb” by some and is as versatile as rosemary. Purification, love, and protection rituals benefit when basil is an ingredient. Cook with basil and add it to your potions, teas, baths, and floor washes.
9. RoseIf you grow roses, you are a lucky one indeed. But if you don’t, get yourself a bag of rose buds and/or rose hips. Both can be used in love spells, including teas and herbal baths. Guess what else rose is useful for? If you get a hold of the thorns, they are particularly strong for protection from intruders and negative energy. One of my absolute favorite must-have herbs for witches!
10. MugwortWhen you think of a witch’s garden, what do you think of? For me, I automatically think MUGWORT. This herb enhances prophetic dreams, sometimes to the point of exhaustion (so use it wisely). Put it in a dream pillow or sachet or drink as a tea (add some mint and honey as the flavor is bitter). It also protects from astral boogie-men and negativity while you’re asleep.11. SageAlthough white sage is incredibly powerful at purifying one’s home, I recommend culinary sage as it’s easy to grow in the garden and just as strong. White sage is being over-harvested in recent years, so do your part and choose culinary sage. It’s an all-purpose herb that can be used in cooking and magic alike. With cleansing and abundance properties, you can’t go wrong with sage!12. Red HibiscusOh my goodness. Red hibiscus petals added to teas turn it a dark, seductive red. And…you might be able to guess what its magical properties are. Yep. Lust and love inducing powers are what red hibiscus is known for. In fact, there are some Middle Eastern cultures that don’t let women drink it for fear of its lust-inducting properties. Not to mention, it tastes fruity and amazing! Note: if you choose to add cream to your tea like I do, don’t add it with hibiscus, as the acidic nature will clot your cream. 13. ElderWhile technically a shrub or tree, Elder has been used for centuries in teas and syrups to combat and ward off colds and the flu. It’s a sacred tree to the fairies and many forbid it being cut down in Ireland to this day. Elder flowers can be used in teas, spell bags, as candle dressings and infused in oils. It’s magical properties include: fairy magic, protection, goddess connection, healing and so much more!
14. NettleNettle is a liminal plant – she guards the veil between this world and the next. This herb has long been used in uncrossing spells and in protective charms. Dead Nettle grows in my garden every year and, although the scent can be unpleasant, it truly is a powerful addition to any herb cabinet! Added to teas, it wards off illness and is high in vitamins and nutrients. It’s also called stinging nettle, which gives you an idea how protective it can be. For new mothers, it aids in milk production.
15. PepperLooking to get rid of someone who’s bothering or threatening your family? Any kind of pepper will do the trick. I recommend having a mixture of dried red pepper and black pepper on hand in the witch’s herb cabinet for protection, warding, and banishing rituals. I also add this to my Black Salt recipe. Plus, it just tastes good in food.
