All About Magical Herbalism

Many of us in the Pagan community use herbs and other plants in our magical workings. Here's where we have compiled a list of all of our popular articles related to magical herb use - from reading lists to correspondences, from aromatherapy to wildcrafting, here's a collection of our most popular articles on how to use herbs and other plants in a magical setting!

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10 Magical Herbs to Have on Hand

If you're a practitioner of a modern magical tradition, chances are good that you're in the habit of using herbs. Here's a list of ten popular and common herbs that everyone should have on hand for magical purposes. Think of it as a basic witch's arsenal of helpful herbs - keep these in your cabinet or magical supply cabinet, just in case the need arises.

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Magical Herbs Image Gallery

Use rosemary and other seasonal scents to brew a batch of oil. Image by Synergee/E+/Getty Images

Herbs have been used for thousands of years, both medicinally and ritually. Every herb has its own unique characteristics, and these properties are what makes the plant special. Subsequently, many Wiccans and Pagans use herbs as part of their regular ritual practice. Use this image gallery to help identify what you see growing from the ground!

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Herbal Correspondences

Lavender is associated with dreams, tranquility, and a sense of calm. Image by Brian Lawrence/Photodisc/Getty Images

So you've decided you're ready to do a magical working... but you're not sure which herbs are the best ones to use. Use this list as a reference point to determine which herbs, plants and flowers are the best choices for your purposes.

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Miscellaneous Herbs and Plants

Herb Garden — Image by Maximilian Stock Ltd./Taxi/Getty Images

Looking for magical herbs and plants you can incorporate into your workings? Check out this list of miscellaneous woods, plants and flowers that all have magical properties.

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Harvesting, Drying and Storing Your Herbs

Store your herbs in glass jars for long-term use. Image by Cavan Images/PhotoLibrary/Getty Images

Whether you’re an apartment dweller with a few small containers on the patio, or a rural gardener with an entire patch of magical goodies to choose from, harvesting homegrown herbs is a gratifying experience. You can either harvest a few bits at a time, as you need them, and use them fresh, or you can gather entire bunches at once to dry and preserve.

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Dangerous Herbs

Be a smart herbalist, and know what's safe - and what's not. Image by Bethel Fath/LOOK/Getty Images

If you’re using herbs in your magical practice, as many of us do, it’s important to keep in mind that they may not all be safe to handle or ingest. Many herbs are fine for people, but toxic to household pets. Still other herbs can be used by anyone but pregnant women. Let’s look at some of the different herbs you may be using in magical practice, and how they can be dangerous if you’re not careful.

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What is Wildcrafting?

Forests are a great place to look for wild herbs to harvest - as long as you have permission!. Image by Patti Wigington 2014

Many Pagans and Wiccans choose to wildcraft, which is the practice of harvesting plants from their natural habitat. This is a great way to get out in the woods and spend some time in nature, but if you're going to wildcraft, make sure you do so ethically and responsibly. Here are some tips on how to be a responsible wildcrafter.

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Herbal Aromatherapy

The scent of plants stimulates memory and emotions. Image by SolStock/E+/Getty Images

Ask any Pagan or Wiccan what they love most about working with herbs, and chances are good they'll tell you how much they love the smell. Herbs contain small glands that hold their essential oils, and when these oils are extracted they release scent molecules. Here are some tips on using herbal aromatherapy in your magical rituals and ceremonies.

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Herbalism Reading List

Culpeper's Herbal, by Nicholas Culpeper. Image courtesy PriceGrabber, used with permission

Many Pagans and Wiccans are interested in magical herbalism. There is a lot of information out there on magical herb use, so if you're looking for books to guide you in your herbalism studies, here are some useful titles to add to your collection! Bear in mind that some focus more on folklore and medicinal history rather than Neopagan practice, but all are books that are worthy of referencing. Also, it's important to note that there is a difference between using an herb magically and INGESTING it. Be safe when using herbs in magic, and don't take anything in a manner that could be potentially harmful to you or others.

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Wigington, Patti. "All About Magical Herbalism." Learn Religions, Sep. 9, 2021, learnreligions.com/all-about-magical-herbalism-2562039. Wigington, Patti. (2021, September 9). All About Magical Herbalism. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/all-about-magical-herbalism-2562039 Wigington, Patti. "All About Magical Herbalism." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/all-about-magical-herbalism-2562039 (accessed April 23, 2024).