Basic Herbs 101

Basic Herbs 101 is an introductory class designed to give you a taste of herbs

and what they are used for. In this class we will cover thirty herbs, three per week,

lasting the minimum of 10 weeks.

Herbs have many aspects to them, so I am using the scientific name, Folk names

and common names for these herbs. The scientific name is the most important name

herbs have. The first name is the Genus and the second name is the species. Since many

plants have multiple species the scientific name is the best way to identify the herbs.

Data sheets are used to explain the herbs. These sheets list the basic information

you need to learn basic information about the herbs.

We are covering one poison plant per week. I feel its important to learn all

about the poisonous ones as we must be really careful not to get these herbs into our

system. Learning what poisonous herbs is helps learn the different herbs from each

other. Some of these herbs are deadly. I recommend you do not use the poison plants,

use substitutes as needed. You could use gloves while handling poison plants so you do

not get the herb on your skin.

Poisonous plants have helped us magically but shouldnt be used for

cooking. Many of these poisonous plants are utilized pharmaceutically some of these

herbs are useful medicinally. Do not try this on your own.

Herbal books were handwritten before 1440; these were copied and were written

many times resulting in many editions and errors. Early texts written covered several
uses of the herb such as magically, practical usage and mythic or folklore. These were

written together in some texts. 10% of the worlds plants recorded are herbs.

Collecting herbs must be done with care. You do not want to damage the

plant. Please leave some so the plant can keep growing and we do not cause the species

to become endangered. Always check the endangered list and never collect wild herbs

that appear here. The method in which you should harvest your herbs have an effect on

the properties of them. Leaves, stalks are best used late spring and summer. Roots or

rhizomes are best when the plant is dormant (late fall and winter).

Just because a plant is all natural many herbs specifically need to be avoided

during pregnancy. These herbs must be avoided while you are pregnant or nursing.

Many herbs are easy to grow. Magical gardens and herbal beds help produce the

herbs you need for your magical workings. This also puts in extra energy as you are

caring for the beds.

There are basic rules to using herbs. Magic is natural. Harm none; this includes

plants and things as well as people. Your effort is needed to make your magic

work. There is no place in herbal magic for high ego.

Measurements of herbs are listed sometimes as parts and drops and

milliliters. Parts can be listed like 2 parts chamomile and 3 parts water for tea. Below is

a chart using for EO in spells.

1 ml = 20 drops
5 ml =1 teaspoon or 100 drops
30 ml =1 fluid ounce
1,000 =1 liter
Terms:

Whole plant: above ground

Root: below ground
Rhizomes: roots
Annual: plant with one life cycle
Perennial: plant that has more than one life span
Biannual: plant that flower then seeds and dies
Bulb: storage organ for underground
Deciduous: tree or shrub that loosed leaves annually at the end of season
Dormant: alive but inactive
Evergreen: foliage stays on year round and sheds leaves at intervals thru the year.
Hardy: Tolerant year round climate in your area
Taproot: a thick main root system
Umbel: flat topped or rounded flower cluster from flower central point.
Whorl: three or more leaved flower from stem at the same level (encircling)

Botanical Name: Coriandrum Sativum

Common Name: Cilantro
Folk Names: Stink dillsamen, Hu Sui, Chinese Parsley,
Culantro, Uan-Suy, Cilentro
Habitat & Description: Erect annual with pungent lobed
leaves with white to mauve flowers in summer, well
drained fertile soil in full sun.
Planetary Ruler: Mars
Gender: Male
Elemental Rule: Fire
Parts Used: leaves, seeds, roots
Culinary Uses: used to flavor foods such as Thai and
Middle Eastern Cuisines. Seeds are also used for
flavorings.
Medicinal Uses: Digestive disorders, painful joints,
hemorrhoids,
Magickal Uses: love, health and healing
One of the oldest herbs. Seeds and leaves have very different
flavors.
Botanical Name: Rosemarinus Officianalis
Common Name: Rosemary
Folk Names: Dew of the Sea, Sea Dew, Rosmaris, guard
robe
Habitat & Description: Evergreen perennial shrub, flowers
are by variety, upright and sprawling branching with
needle like leaves. Zone 7-10 well drained neutral to
alkaline, doesnt like cold wet winters.
Planetary Ruler: Sun
Gender: Male
Elemental Rule: Fire
Parts Used: leaves, flowering tops, oil
Culinary Uses: Fresh dry leaves used for flavoring meats,
soups, stews, used also as a tea
Medicinal Uses: depression, nervousness, pain
Magickal Uses: protection, mental powers, purification
Botanical Name: Nerium oleander
Common Name: Oleander
Folk Names: Adelfa, Alheli Extranjero, Baladre,
Espirradeira, Flor de So Jose, Laurel de jardn, Laurel
rosa, Laurier rose, Flourier rose, Olean, Aiwa, Rosa
Francesca, Rosa Laurel, and Rose-bay
Habitat & Description: Evergreen shrub or tree that forms
a mound. Leathery leaves. Zone 8-10 easily grown in
warm climates.
Planetary Ruler: Saturn
Gender: Female
Elemental Rule: Earth
Parts Used: ALL PARTS ARE POISONOUS!!
Culinary Uses: DO NOT INGEST.
Medicinal Uses: It has been used for centuries as
medication. DO NOT SELF MEDICATE
Magickal Uses: love
One of the most poison plants!!!!

Botanical Name: Anethum Gravelus

Common Name: Dill
Folk Names: Dill weed, aneton, dilly, garden dill
Habitat & Description: Zones 1-10, Annual or biannual
with hollow stems, fern like foliage, umbels of yellow
flowers in summer followed by seed
Planetary Ruler: mercury
Gender: male
Elemental Rule: fire
Parts Used: leaf & seeds
Culinary Uses: used to make pickles, soups, fish dishes,
dips
Medicinal Uses: digestive disorders, infections, diuretic
Magickal Uses: protection, love, aphrodisiac (seeds)
Botanical Name: Salvia Officianalis
Common Name: Sage
Folk Names: Common sage
Habitat & Description: Zone 4 shrubby evergreen
perennial that is woody based, lots of branches, and
wrinkly velvety leaves that are bluish green.
Planetary Ruler: Jupiter
Gender: male
Elemental Rule: Air
Parts Used: Leaf
Culinary Uses: used in meat dishes, soups, stuffing
Medicinal Uses: astringent, anti-inflammatory, digestive
Magickal Uses: purification, wisdom, wishes
Sage is also used in lots of incenses.

Botanical Name: Digitalis purpurea

Common Name: Foxglove
Folk Names: Fox Bell, good folk or fairy bells, foxes
glofa, glove of fox, fairy petticoats, witches bells, witches
thimbles
Habitat & Description: Perennial grows in well drained
rich neutral to acidic soil, partial shade, also grows on hot
sunny banks with protection. Seeds grown in spring will
bring flowers up a spike, bell shaped on next growing
season. Grows in Well drained soil.
Planetary Ruler: Venus
Gender: Female
Elemental Rule: Air
Parts Used: flower, leaf
Culinary Uses: NONE, DO NOT EAT
Medicinal Uses: used to make heart medication, digoxin
Magickal Uses: to attract fairies, protection from evil

Norwegians call it foxbell; Anglo saxtons call it glove of fox,

Grown for its digitalis properties

came from Europe