~T~
Common Names: Tansy
Latin Name: Tanacetum vulgare
Parts Used: Leaves and flowers
Cultivation: Tansy is a perennial weed. It is hardy growing in average soil in full sun to part shade. It is very invasive.
Arcane Uses: Tansy gets its name from "athanasia," the Greek word for "immortality." It was the prime ingredient in the potion which made Ganymede, the cupbearer of the gods, immortal. It is carried to lengthen the life span.
Medicinal Uses: Tansy is an excellent insect repellent. It is useful in treating roundworm and threadworm. Externally it can be used as a wash to treat scabies and as a poultice for rheumatic joints.
Common Names: Tarragon
Latin Name: Artemisia dracunculus
Parts Used: Leaves
Cultivation: Tarragon is a perrenial which likes rich, sandy, well-drained soil.
Arcane Uses: The plant's name comes from the French word for "dragon," esdragon. It was credited with being able to treat snakebite and ease fatigue; pilgrims oft put sprigs of it in their shoes before starting their journeys.
Medicinal Uses: Tarragon oil seems to have a mild anesthetic effect, and is frequently used in the treatment of toothache.
Common Names: Thyme
Latin Name: Thymus vulgaris
Parts Used: Leaves and shoots
Cultivation: Thyme is a hardy perennial, growing best in light, dry, well-drained soil. It likes sun but will tolerate partial shade.
Cosmetic Uses: Use thyme for a stimulating and antiseptic herbal lotion.
Arcane Uses: Burn as incense or wear to attract good health. Place a sprig beneath your pillow to ensure dream-free sleep. It is frequently burned before ritual to cleanse the area.
Medicinal Uses: Thyme is used to treat sore throats, coughs, and colds. It's an expectorant, diaphoretic, and antibiotic. Thyme tea is useful for indigestion and colic. Use externally to treat shingles and rheumatism.
~U~
Common Names: Uva-Ursi, Bearberry
Latin Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Parts Used: Leaves and berries
Cultivation: Uva-ursi is a perennial ground cover. It grows wild and can easily be transplanted into your garden.
Aecane Uses: Uva-ursi is said to increase psychic powers.
Medicinal Uses: Uva-ursi is a diuretic with antiseptic and astringent properties. It is specific for treating kidney and bladder disorders, such as kidney stones, bladder infections, and cystitis.
~V~
Common Names: Valerian, All-Heal, Cat's Valerian, Garden Heliotrope
Latin Name: Valeriana officinalis
Parts Used: Root
Cultivation: Valerian grows in rich moist humous. It is a perennial, and will grow in full sun to part shade.
Arcane Uses: Use valerian in protective sachets; place it under your pillow to help you fall asleep. Powdered valerian root is considered a valid substitute for "graveyard dust."
Medicinal Uses: Valerian is a tranquilizer useful in treating anxiety, insomnia, and nervous tension. It has fewer side effects than Valium and does not react synergistically with alcohol. Valerian also has a strengthening effect on the heart and may lower blood pressure. It's also an antispasmodoc and can help alleviate stomach or menstrual cramps and irritable bowels. Tincture of valerian helps clear dandruff.
Common Names: Vervain, Verbena, Holy Herb
Latin Name: Verbena officinalis
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers, and stems
Cultivation: Vervain is a tender annual which reseeds readily. It prefers rich moist loam in full sun.
Arcane Uses: Vervain is quite a useful magickal herb. It can be used in protective spells, exorcism incenses, and love mixtures. Use it in purifying baths, or drink some vervain tea before retiring to prevent bad dreams.
Medicinal Uses: Vervain is a nerve tonic, strengthening the nervous system, countering depression, and treating nervous headaches.
Common Names: Violet
Latin Name: Viola odorata
Parts Used: Flowers and leaves
Cultivation: Violets are perennials that prefer a rich, moist humous, in full to part shade. They are often found growing wild in wooded areas.
Arcane Uses: Carry the flowers to protect against evil and bring good luck. Mix violets with lavender to make a powerful love or lust potion.
Medicinal Uses: Violet is a soothing expectorant useful in treating a wide range of respiratory infections. It is especially good in cough syrups for children. Apply violet poultices to relieve feverish or hang-over headaches, and to help heal sore, cracked nipples. The flowers have a slight sedative effect.
~W~
Common Names: Willow
Latin Name: Salix spp.
Parts Used: Bark, wood
Cultivation: Cuttings will root in moist soil. Start them where you want them to grow, as willows are difficult to transplant. Willows prefer soggy soil and full sun.
Arcane Uses: The willow tree is associated with the moon. Its wood is frequently used to make magick wands, and willow branches are used to bind a witch's besom. Use willow leaves in love mixtures, and carry them to guard against evil.
Medicinal Uses: Willow bark has been used for thousands of years to treat fevers and relieve the pain of headaches and arthritis. The bark contains salicin, the natural source of the chemicals used to make aspirin.
Common Names: Wintergreen, Teaberry
Latin Name: Gaultheria procumbens
Parts Used: Leaves and berries
Cultivation: Wintergreen is a hardy perennial groundcover. It gorws in moist, acidic soil in partial shade.
Arcane Uses: Place sprigs of wintergreen in your children's pillows to protect them and bring them good fortune. Use it in healing spells.
Medicinal Uses: If you've used Ben-Gay you've used wintergreen. Oil of wintergreen can be used in poultices to relieve body aches and pains. A tea of wintergreen leaves relieves sore throats, upste stomachs, fevers, and gonorrhea symptoms.
Common Names: Witch Hazel, Spotted Alder
Latin Name: Hamamelis virginiana
Parts Used: Leaves and bark
Cultivation: Witch hazel is a shrub or small tree; prefers rich moist, slightly acidic soil, and will grow in full sun to part shade.
Arcane Uses: Witch hazel is the traditional wood used for dowsing rods. The bark and twigs can also be carried for protection. The name, incidentally, has nothing to do with witches; it comes from the Old English word for "bend," and the branches were often used to make archery bows.
Medicinal Uses: Compresses of witch hazel are excellent in treating bruises and stopping bleeding.
Common Names: Wormwood, Absinthe, Old Woman
Latin Name: Artemisia absinthium
Parts Used: Roots, leaves, and seeds
Cultivation: Wormwood is a hardy perennial, growing in well-drained clay loam in sun to part shade.
Arcane Uses: Burn wormwood as an incense to aid in developing psychic powers, or with sandalwood to raise spirits. Carry it to protect yourself from evil spells and the bite of sea serpents.
Medicinal Uses: Wormwood has been used as a vermifuge and digestive tonic. Apply a poultice of leaves or root for bruises, ulcers, and skin inflammations, especially acne.
~X~
None Available
~Y~
Common Names: Yarrow, Nosebleed, Milfoil, Wound Wort
Latin Name: Achillea millefollium
Parts Used: Leaves, stems, and flowers
Cultivation: Yarrow is a very hardy perennial. It likes moderately rich soil in full sun, and can often be found growing wild along the road.
Arcane Uses: Use yarrow in your wedding decorations to ensure your love will last at least seven years. Carry yarrow to make people sit up and notice you. Yarrow tea improves psychic powers.
Medicinal Uses: Yarrow contains salicyclic acid derivatives and is good for treating fevers. It helps lower blood pressure, clear blood clots, and slow the heartbeat. It is an anti-inflammatory and is useful in treating nosebleeds, bleeding piles, and, conversely, amenorrhea.
~Z~
None Available
