There is a lot of information on this site regarding herbs. All herbs have uses, especially in healing. But newbies should show great caution in using herbs. For instance, mugwort has many uses, grows almost everywhere, and is harmless. On the other hand Aconite is deadly poisonous; as is Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) but both have medicinal qualities. Eating Foxgloves will make you very ill; yet it is a source of Digitalis used as a heart stimulant. So be very careful of herbs, learn all about them before you start to use them.
Herbs are one of the most used yet most misused ingredients in casting. Not only do you have to understand what an herb is good for magically you also have to take into account how much one needs to use to get the desired effect. One might say that going with your instincts on how much to use is combined with the knowledge you have about the herb in question. Weather it is consumed or not you need to know your doses. Too much Damiana in a love spell results in obsession. The more roses you use the more romantic the casting can be. Any please remember the term fresh dried herbs is any oxymoron :)
Yes! Herbs are often misused. I was first trained to meditate and visualise, then had to learn the herbs; what they were, and their uses. This was herb knowledge only in the UK, of course. There are many herbs in other parts of the world that I know nothing of! But learning of herbs and their uses took a long time.It took months just to learn all about rose hips! (By the way, horses love them!).This is why I wanted to advise the young to be careful. Some herbs are quite dangerous, and should only be used in very high magic.
I feel honoured to have the talent of naturally knowing what each herb's magickal/healing property is: even if I haven't studied or even heard of it!
I always try out a new potion/spell with herbs on myself when I have a certain illness and therefore I know it isn't dangerous.
You should ALWAYS research an herbs effects before testing it even on yourself. All the herbal tea's I make, have all been researched and then tested by me personally. I always make sure that if a tea seems dangerous, then I don't sell it, and will use it for a magical purpose at a later date. You should always take precautions when using herbs.
I even did a little video on this -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up7C8rBxABQ
When it comes to magic, you HAVE to use common sense.
Well said, Silver! Also, try to remember that moderation in the amount of herbs is also important. A small amount may be effective, but a larger amount may be dangerous. Sometimes more is not always better.
HrafnElska. You are very lucky to have a natural knowledge of herbs.Nevertheless, be careful! I know of fourteen herbs that are deadly poisonous; and many that are dangerous. Please don't handle Aconite and then lick your fingers! You would become extremely ill.Eat any part of the plant and, well!
I was taught herbalism from a young age. My grandmother would make different mint tea when I was younger. I was also naturally draw to all types of plants. I studied and exposed my self to all types of plant knowledge. When I was in my teens I decided to study the magical uses and cross reference them with other form of plant identification. I don't see how anyone can naturally know everything there is to know about herbs. Even I have to cross reference when an issue I have not had to deal with comes up ;)
