ELFIN MAGICAL DIARIES

ARTICLES

HERBALISM - MEDICAL AND MAGICAL

by Sara Willow

The uses of herbs are many and diverse, and are steeped in centuries of folklore. Despite this, in the 21st century even orthodox practitioners of medicine are accepting their value and healing properties. Medically, decoctions can be made of the leaves or roots and taken when normal medicines are not desired or have failed to work. Magically, rituals can be enacted using the appropriate herbs - perhaps by rolling an oiled candle in them or by making a pouch to be kept in a secret place. There are too many herbs to feature within the scope of this article, but many useful ones are listed below, with their uses.

BASIL

Medical - To relieve tiredness. Apply to stings and bites.

Magical - Exorcism, happiness, peace, protection, purification, cleansing. Ruled by Mars.

BAY

Medical - Ailments of liver and spleen, stings and bites (berries), menstrual problems, colds, coughs and flu, excess wind, urinary problems, ear pain, bruises.

Magical - Purification, protection, healing, psychic powers, energy, strength, meditation. Ruled by the Sun.

BETONY

Medical - liver disease, digestive problems, stomach ache, vomiting, headaches, colds, shortness of breath, excess wind, menstrual problems, kidney and gall stones, bruises.

Magical - Exorcism, depression, banishing nightmares, purification, protection. Ruled by Jupiter.

BIRCH

Medical - Mix leaf juices or sap with water for kidney and gall stones, and to wash sore mouths.

Magical - Love, protection, new beginnings. Ruled by Venus.

BLACKTHORN (SLOE)

Medical - Infusion of leaves for laxative, styptic, astringent, asthma, nosebleed.

Magical - Cursing.

BURDOCK

Medical - Women's problems, ulcers, sores, snake bites, bladder problems, sciatica, burns, diarrhoea, kidney and gall stones.

Magical - Ruled by Venus.

CEDAR

Magical - Money, protection, healing, purification, banishing, justice, peace, spirituality. Ruled by the Sun.

CHAMOMILE

Medical - All pains, stitches, liver, spleen, tiredness, kidney and gall stones, colic, bladder problems, colds, menstrual problems, headaches, stomach ache, joint pain.

Magical - Luck, justice, sleep, money. Ruled by the Sun.

CINNAMON

Medical - Astringent, wind, gland stimulant, antacid, helps stomach upsets and diarrhoea, colds, sore throats, general tonic, sedative.

Magical - Money, healing, psychic powers, energy, strength, justice, protection, strengthening love. Ruled by the Sun.

CINQUEFOIL

Medical - Infection, fever, sore mouth, ulcers, cancer, open sores, fainting, toothache, coughs, shaking hands, shingles, itching, sciatica, bowel pain, bruises, bleeding wounds.

Magical - Anointing, energy, power, strength, luck, justice, healing, inspiration, love. Ruled by Jupiter.

CLARY SAGE

Medical - Menstrual problems, hormonal problems, PMT, broken bones, depression, aphrodisiac.

Magical - Ruled by the Moon.

CLOVE

Medical - Insect repellent, painkiller, especially for toothache.

Magical - Exorcism, purification, love, money, protection. Ruled by Jupiter.

COMFREY

Medical - Healing of cuts, rashes and broken bones, cystitis, bruises, lung problems, menstrual problems, mastitis, piles, painful joints.

Magical - Protection while travelling. Ruled by Saturn.

DANDELION

Medical - Diuretic, cystitis, menstrual problems, sedative, liver, gall bladder, spleen, fevers, bathing sores.

Magical - Ruled by Jupiter.

ELDER/ELDERFLOWER

Medical - Colds, sore throats, menstrual problems, styes, ear pain, diuretic, sunburn, headache, leg ulcers, nervousness, burns, snake bites.

Magical - Blessing, Cursing, Exorcism. Ruled by Venus.

EYEBRIGHT

Medical - All eye problems, weak memory.

Magical - Clairvoyance. Ruled by the Sun.

FERN

Medical - Kills worms, eases stomach problems, ulcers, wounds. Fern smoke drives away insects.

Magical - Exorcism (indoors), to bring rain (outdoors), good luck, protection. Ruled by Mercury.

FEVERFEW

Medical - Womb problems, coughs, colds, bladder problems, kidney and gall stones, depression, shortness of breath, colic.

Magical - Protection when travelling. Ruled by Venus.

GALANGAL

Magical - Money, prosperity. Ruled by Mars.

GERANIUM

Medical - Depression, pregnancy, broken bones.

Magical - Fertility, health, love, protection. Ruled by Venus

IVY

Medical - Kills worms. Menstrual problems, kidney and gall stones, diuretic, stomach ache, headache, ulcers, burns, ear sores, spleen, hangovers.

Magical - Protection. Ruled by Saturn.

JUNIPER BERRIES

Medical - Broken bones, bites and stings, diuretic, wind, stomach problems, coughs, cramps, weak memory, weak sight, sciatica, kills worms, restores lost appetite.

Magical - Protection against thieves, protection against rape, exorcism, love, scrying, healing. Ruled by the Sun.

LADIES' MANTLE

Medical - Menstrual problems, PMT, to stop bleeding, vomiting, fertility, averts miscarriage, all wounds.

Magical - Ruled by Venus.

LAVENDER

Medical - Menstrual problems, hormonal problems, headaches, strokes, cramps, faints, stomach problems, diuretic, wind, toothache, sunburn.

Magical - Protection against rape, scrying, anointing, exorcism, to see ghosts, cleansing, love. Ruled by Mercury.

LEMON

Medical - To relieve tiredness, grinding of teeth.

Magical - Psychic powers. Ruled by the Moon.

LILY OF THE VALLEY

Medical - Weak memory, sore eyes, palsy, stroke.

Magical - Anointing, happiness, peace, healing, love, knowledge, protection. Ruled by Mercury.

LOOSESTRIFE

Medical - Sight problems, sore eyes, sores, ulcers, spots and scabs, sore throat.

Magical - Harmony, the home, peace. Ruled by the Moon.

LUNGWORT

Medical - Lung or chest problems, coughs, pneumonia, venereal diseases.

Magical - Ruled by Jupiter.

MARIGOLD

Medical - General tonic, chicken pox, measles.

Magical - Clairvoyance, divination, love. Ruled by the Sun.

MARJORAM

Medical - Headaches, acid stomach, restores appetite, coughs, lung problems, expels poison, bites and stings, diuretic, menstrual problems, itching, tinnitus, earache.

Magical - Love, protection, purification, cleansing. Ruled by Mercury.

MELISSA (LEMON BALM)

Medical - General Tonic. Relaxation, insomnia, fever, vomiting.

Magical - Ruled by Jupiter.

MINT

Medical - Colds, sore throats, bleeding, aphrodisiac, vomiting, mastitis, earache, lessens menstruation, headache, sores and scabs, digestion, kidney and gall stones, sore mouth, bad breath, wind, bites and stings.

Magical - Money, love, luck, justice, cleansing, healing. Ruled by Venus.

MISTLETOE

Medical - Spleen, ulcers, sores, fainting, strokes, earache.

Magical - Love, protection. Ruled by the Sun.

MOONWORT

Medical - Menstrual problems, bleeding, vomiting, bruises, broken bones.

Magical - Clairvoyance, divination, love. Ruled by the Moon.

MUGWORT

Medical - Menstrual problems, kidney and gall stones, diuretic, neck pain, sciatica, cramps.

Magical - Crystal scrying, clairvoyance, divination, banishing, releasing, protection, psychic centres (opening). Ruled by Venus.

MULLEIN

Medical - stomach problems, cramps, coughs, toothache, piles, diuretic, warts, sore throats, boils, joint inflammation.

Magical - Determination, courage, exorcism, protection. Ruled by Saturn.

NUTMEG

Medical - Wind, vomiting, digestion, diarrhoea.

Magical - Scrying, luck, the home, gambling, justice, psychic centres (opening).

OAK

Medical - Bleeding, diarrhoea, vomiting, diuretic, antidote to poison, inflammation, fever, lessens menstruation.

Magical - Energy, fertility, divination, power, strength, protection, purification. Ruled by Jupiter.

PASSION FLOWER

Magical - (Leaves and flowers). Love, scrying. Ruled by Venus.

ROSEMARY

Medical - Depression, broken bones, colds, headaches, stomach problems, liver, conjunctivitis, drowsiness, nervousness, fainting, hangover, gum and toothache, bad breath, wind, sight problems, heart problems, coughs, joint problems, grief, skin problems.

Magical - Can be used as a substitute for any other herb. Healing, insomnia, to restore youth, exorcism, love, intellectual powers, purification, protection. Ruled by the Sun.

SAGE

Medical - Liver disease, diuretic, menstrual problems, bleeding, ulcers, sores, infertility, vomiting, headaches, joint pain.

Magical - Spirituality, healing, prosperity. Ruled by Jupiter.

SELF-HEAL

Medical - Broken bones, ulcers, bruises, inflammation, bleeding, headaches.

Magical - Ruled by Venus.

ST. JOHN'S WORT

Medical - Depression, wounds, bruises, swellings, vomiting, bites and stings, stomach problems, fits, sciatica, fainting.

Magical - Invincibility, banishing, exorcism. Ruled by the Sun.

SWEET BASIL

Medical - General tonic, bites and stings, childbirth.

Magical - Love, healing, prophecy, purification, scrying, peace. Ruled by Venus.

THYME

Medical - Whooping cough, shortness of breath, kills worms, childbirth, warts, sciatica, wind, stomach problems.

Magical - Healing, purification, cleansing, banishing nightmares, grief. Ruled by Venus.

VALERIAN

Medical - Diuretic, menstrual problems, poison antidote, coughs, bites and stings, wind, sight problems, sores and wounds.

Magical - Love, sleep. Ruled by Mercury.

VERVAIN

Medical - Womb problems, kills worms, stomach problems, coughs, kidney and gall stones, mouth ulcers, piles, headaches, skin problems.

Magical - Love, lust, purification, wealth, warding off psychic attack. Ruled by Venus.

WHITE WILLOW BARK

Medical - Nose bleeds, mouth wounds, vomiting, lung problems, colic, sore eyes, sight problems, diuretic, spots, warts, dandruff, fever.

Magical - The home, wishes. Ruled by the Moon.

WORMWOOD

Medical - Diuretic, swellings, jaundice, bruises, sore throat, eye problems, bites and stings, itching, colic, kills worms.

Magical - Binding, clairvoyance, divination, exorcism, love, protection, prophecy. Ruled by Mars.

YARROW

Medical - Colds and flu, sore throats, women's problems, wounds, ulcers, baldness, stomach problems, incontinence, toothache, cramps.

Magical - Banishing, releasing, clairvoyance, divination, exorcism, love, marriage, protection. Ruled by Venus.