~P~
Common Names: Parsley, Persil, Devil's Oatmeal, Perceley
Latin Name: Petroselinum crispum
Parts Used: Leaves, stems, roots, and seeds
Cultivation: Parsley is a hardy biennial. It doesn't transplant well, so sow the seeds where you wish it to grow. Cut the flowers off as they appear the second year or you will have all flower and no leaves.
Medicinal Uses: Parsley has more vitamin C, proportionally, than an orance. Take infusions of parsley for bladder infections. It is also rich in other vitamins, like A, several B's, and contains good quantities of calcium and iron.Parsley increases milk production and tones uterine muscles. The chlorophyll acts as a natural breath freshener.
Common Names: Passionflower, Passionvine
Latin Name: Passiflora incarnata
Parts Used: Flowers and fruit
Cultivation: Passionflower is a tender perennial. It grows in fertile, well-drained soil in partial shade.
Arcane Uses: Grow passionflower in your home to promote peace and calm troubles.
Medicinal Uses: Passionflower extract has a slightly narcotic effect and is frequently used as a non-addictive sedative. It is specific for anxiety, tension, and insomnia.
Common Names: Pennyroyal, Mosquito Plant, Pudding Grass, Tickweed
Latin Name: Mentha pulegium (European); Hedeoma pulegoides (American)
Parts Used: Leaves and flowers
Cultivation: European pennyroyal is a perennial that prefers rich, moist, slightly acidic humous in full sun to part shade. American pennyroyal is a hardy annual growing in average dry soil in full sun.
Arcane Uses: Pennyroyal protects against the evil eye, prevents weariness while travelling, and promotes peace.
Medicinal Uses: Pennyroyal is an extremely effective abortifacient; however, the effective dose is also a toxic amount.It is used mostly as an insect repellent and is very effective against fleas, mosquitos, and ticks.
Common Names: Pokeweed, Crowberry, Inkberry, Poke Root
Latin Name: Phytolacca americana
Parts Used: Root
Cultivation: Pokeweed is a very hardy perennial shrub. It likes moist humous in full sun to part shade. It is rarely cultivated, as the whole plant tends to give off a nasty smell.
Arcane Uses: Sprinkle an infusion of pokeweed around the house to break hexes. Crush the berries and use their juice as a magickal ink.
Medicinal Uses: Pokeweed is used to stimulate the lymphatic system and treat tonsillitis, mastitis, and mumps. Use it externally to treat skin disorders.
~Q~
None Available
~R~
Common Names: Rose
Latin Name: Rosa spp.
Parts Used: Petals, leaves, and hips
Cultivation: About the only thing that the different varieties of rose have in common is that they are perennials. There are hardy roses and tender roses, roses for sun, shade, climbing, bush...new hybrid roses that require lots of TLC and "old" roses which thrive on neglect.
Medicinal Uses: Rosehips are very rich in vitamins, especially vitamin C. Use them in cough syrups and infusions to treat bladder infections. They are mildly diuretic and laxative. Rose leaves are also slightly laxative and are useful as an astringent poultice. Use rose oil in creams for dry, inflamed skin, vaginal itching, or acne.
Common Names: Rosemary, Guardrobe, Sea Dew
Latin Name: Rosemarinus officinalis
Parts Used: Leaves and stems
Cultivation: Rosemary is a tender perennial native to the Mediterannean. It grows best in well-drained soil in full sun. The seeds have an extremely slow germination, so you may wish to purchase a plant rather than start it from seed.
Arcane Uses: Rosemary is a powerful cleansing and purifying herb; burn some to cleanse your altar before doing magic. Place it under your bed or above your door to protect you from harm. Add some to love and healing mixtures.
Medicinal Uses: Rosemary improves circulation and strengthens blood vessels. Rosemary oil has antibiotic and antifungal properties. It stimulates digestion. Use an infusion of rosemary and borax to treat dandruff.
Common Names: Rue, Garden Rue, Herb of Grace, Mother of Herbs
Latin Name: Ruta graveolens
Parts Used: Leaves and flowers
Cultivation: Rue is an evergreen "subshrub." It prefers well-drained clayey loam in full sun.
Arcane Uses: A healing herb, rue will ward off headaches and other illnesses. Add it to exorcism mixtures or baths to break hexes. Use a sprig of fresh rue as an aspergillum to dispel evil influences. During the Middle Ages, rue was thought to offer protection from witches and evil spells, and to ward off the plague.
Medicinal Uses: Ointments made from rue are useful in treating gout, rheumatism, sprains, and chilblains. It is a uterine stmulant and can be used to treat delayed menstruation. Use it for nervous indigestion and colic. It is specific for eyestrain and the accompanying headache.
Cautions: Do not use when pregnant. Rue can cause photosensitivity, blistering, and rash when handled fresh. Large doses can cause stomach pains, vomiting, mental confusion, collapse, and convulsive twitching.
~S~
Common Names: Saffron, Autumn Crocus, Spanish Saffron
Latin Name: Crocus sativus
Parts Used: Stigmata
Cultivation: Saffron is a fall-blooming crocus, grown from a bulb. It is hardy to zone 6, and likes light, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Before you get excited about growing it yourself, you should realize that it takes about 35,000 flowers to make one pound of saffron!
Arcane Uses: Add saffron to love and lust sachets or use it in helaing spells. Drinking saffron tea will aid you in seeing the future, while eating saffron will bring joy.
Medicinal Uses: Saffron is considered an aphrodisiac and an appetite stimulant. Because of its high cost, however, it is rarely used medicinally.
Common Names: Sage, Red Sage
Latin Name: Salvia officinalis
Parts Used: Leaves
Cultivation: Sage is a hardy perennial subshrub. It likes well-drained, moderately rich soil, in full sun to part shade.
Arcane Uses: Use sage in healing and money spells. Eating sage is said to bring long life. It is considered bad luck to plant sage in your own garden; you should have a stranger do it for you.
Medicinal Uses: Drink hot infusions of sage for colds. Sage tea mixed with cider vinegar is an excellent gargle for sore throats, laryngitis, and tonsillitis. Sage tea is also an effective mouthwash for combating mouth ulcers and gum infections. Sage helps dry up the milk flow and is useful in treating ammenorrhea and painful periods.
Common Names: St John's Wort, Scare-Devil, Goat Weed
Latin Name: Hypericum perforatum
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers, and stems
Cultivation: St John's Wort is a perennial, hardy to zone 5. It will grow in just about any soil in full sun to part shade.
Arcane Uses: St John's Wort gets its name from John the Baptist; it is supposed to be gathered at Midsummer. Wear it to keep colds, fevers, and mental illnesses at bay. Hang it in a window to protect against storms and fire.
Medicinal Uses: Externally St John's Wort is specific for treating burns and scalds, as well as the pain of neuralgia and sciatica. Use internally as an expectorant for treating bronchitis.
Common Names: Southernwood, Garde Robe, Maid's Ruin
Latin Name: Artemesia abrotanum
Parts Used: Leaves
Cultivation: It will grow in average soil in full sun.
Arcane Uses: Carry it with you or place in your bedroom to bring love and lust. Burn as an incense to guard against trouble.
Common Names: Sweet Cicely
Latin Name: Myrrhis odorata
Parts Used: Leaves, roots, and seeds
Cultivation: Sweet Cicely is a hardy perennial. It like moist well-drinaed humous in partial shade.
Medicinal Uses: Sweet cicely increases appetite. The roots have a mild antibiotic effect.
Common Names: Sweet woodruff
Latin Name: Galium odoratum
Parts Used: Leaves and flowers
Cultivation: Sweet woodruff is a perennial. It prefers moist, well-drained humous in partial shade.
Medicinal Uses: Sweet woodruff combats jaundice and nervousness. It is a diuretic and diaphoretic. It is frequently added to other medicines to improve their taste.
