Herbs for Protection

Did you know that you can use herbs for protection, both physically and magically?

Whether your aim is to rid a physical location of bad vibes and dark forces, detox your liver, or dress yourself in ethereal armour before you travel or go to face a situation you are dreading, there is a herb for that.

There are herbs that heal, and herbs that kill. There are herbs that can help you attract love, wealth and all manner of good luck. There are other herbs that cure sore throats, bring mental clarity or promote eloquence. There is a herb for just about everything you could possibly want to achieve. The trick, of course, is knowing which herbs to use when, and how to use them.

The world of herbology is vast and can seem overwhelming when you are just starting out. Fortunately, using herbs for protective work doesn’t require a degree or years of intense study and training. Consider this your handy guide to finding the right herbs for whatever it is you wish to shield and protect yourself against.

So what are the best herbs for protection against everything from psychic attacks to low moods? Well, keep on reading.

Herbology – the study of herbs and their properties

Long before the dawn of modern medicine, our ancestors had access to the plant kingdom and the many natural wonders and remedies that can be found there.

In other words, herbology has been around for centuries. It can be defined as the study and use of botanical herbs and plants, primarily for the purposes of healing.

Dating back more than 5,000 years, the study of herbs exists all over the globe. Today, through the amazing powers of the internet, you have much of the accumulated and combined knowledge of herbs gathered by tribespeople and passed down through generations of healers right at your finger tips. When it comes to knowledge about the best herbs for protection, a lot of it is gathered right here in this article.

The part of the plant or the herb you choose to use matters. Using a herb fresh or dried can make a significant difference to the effectiveness of the herb, and even to its metaphysical properties. Using the leaves is not the same as using the root, and using the root doesn’t produce the same effect as using the seeds or the stem.

Herbs can be used in a great number of ways. Herbs can be turned into brews, stews, ointments, salves and more. They can be absorbed orally, topically, or be carried around in the form of a herbal amulet.

Herbs have been used for both physical and metaphysical protection for as long as herbs have been studied and used for anything. Protection is, after all, one of the primary needs we have as humans.

Many of the things people used to seek protection against thousands of years ago are surprisingly similar to the types of things you might seek protection against in the present. A few examples include psychic attack, accidents, ill health, negative energy, toxic people, snake bites and theft.

While some herbs offer very specific protection, such protection against snake bites, others give protection in a broader sense, by for example warding off evil spirits, shielding domestic animals from harm and disease, or increasing psychic powers.

How to use herbs for psychic and spiritual enhancement

Some herbs are known to stimulate psychic ability and increase intuitive powers. When it is strengthened and fine-tuned, your intuition is always your best protection, as it will pick up on the energies around you and steer you away from negative people, places and experiences, and towards positive and beneficial ones instead.

Here are a few ideas for how you can use herbs to enhance and amplify your psychic intuition and spiritual potential.

Meditation

Meditation is one of the best ways of developing your perception and inner stability overall. Burning a selection of magical herbs, chosen for their abilities to aid psychic vision and mental clarity, while you meditate helps you develop your psychic antennae.

Self-empowerment ritual

Another potent way of increasing intuition and psychic perception is through magical rites designed to do just that.

A magical rite can take the form or borrow element of an initiation, a rite of passage, a dedication, a ritual bath, or sex magick. Every aspect of a self-empowerment ritual is customisable, meaning you can allow yourself to be inspired by existing rites and rituals, or make up your own from scratch. One thing is for certain, though: Burning, bathing in or drinking in the right mix of herbs can add a big boost to your magical working.

How to use herbs to repel negative energy and evil spirits

For millennia, herbs have been used for banishing negativity and warding off everything from bothersome relatives to the evil eye. All of the hex-breaking, energy-shielding powers of herbs are available to you – all you’ve got to do is tap into them. Here are a few examples of how you can use herbs for protection against negativity of every kind imaginable.

Protection charms

Protection charms and talismans have been popular throughout history, and are still widely used today. Rather than waiting for bad vibes to come to you, a protection charm allows you repel and deflect them right off the bat.

A protective charm can be as simple as a favourite necklace or a lucky pair of socks that you have imbued with special meaning and ascribe special power. However, no other talisman is as effective as one you have made yourself, using all of the best protective herbs and appropriate correspondences you can get your hands on.

Making your own protection charm using magical herbs and other ingredients of your choice is easy. The hardest part is getting all of your ingredients together. Depending on the herbs you decide to include in your charm, they may be more or less easy to get hold of.

Fortunately, many herbs, including parsley, thyme, cinnamon and black peppercorn, are readily available in supermarkets – if not in your very own kitchen cupboard. But others, such as blue cohosh root, palo santo and witch hazel, can be a little harder to find.

Depending on where you are based you won’t have to look very far for almost any conceivable herb. Most larger cities have plant nurseries, botanical gardens and metaphysical book shops where you can find the slightly more unusual herbs you are looking for. The herbs that are even more rare can be tracked down on the internet – it’s amazing what you can find on eBay these days.

Combine your herb mix with any other ingredients you want to add in and put them in a small leather or fabric pouch. In addition to the herbs you have selected for their protective properties, you can add in crystals or perhaps something more unusual, like a snake’s vertebrae, depending on what your protective charm is for. Often herb mixes and crystals whose correspondences work in unison makes for the most effective charm. The best protective crystals to use in charms include obsidian, black tourmaline and clear quartz.

You can wear your protective charm or amulet on an ongoing basis, to continually filter out and deflect any incoming negative energy. If you work in a very stressful environment, a protective charm filled with shielding and calming herbs can help keep you grounded and sane, like the calm eye of the storm. You may also find that you only need to keep your protective charm with you in specific situations, or when dealing with specific people.

A protective charm in your pocket can have an immensely soothing, stabilising and protective effect on you energy as well as on your mental and physical health when dealing with difficult people or daunting and destablizing circumstances.

Exorcisms

Exorcisms are when negative energy needs to be not only deflected, but cast out.

Most of us have a wildly exaggerated idea about what an exorcism means, based on what we have seen in Hollywood movies like The Exorcist. Reality, fortunately, is often a bit less dramatic. In our modern lives, we are more likely to encounter toxic people than evil spirits, but the concept of exorcism is just as effective when dealing with the former as with the latter.

Certain herbs, including basil leaf, black peppercorn and blue cohosh root, have the ability to cast out evil spirits in all of their manifestations. What this means is that these herbs repel negative energy, people and circumstances and remove them from your life.

Undertaking an exorcism is no small feat, even without the devil being involved. Magical rites focused on casting out evil spirits and banishing bad influences are often draining, but ultimately rewarding.

You can exorcise a physical location, a person or an object. Herbs are helpful, and you can combine the burning of banishing herbs with spells or prayers, if you like.

An exorcism is simply pushing unwanted energies away from you and it can be done in a number of ways. Don’t worry too much about following a particular tradition, and worry more about getting the job done. There is no need to do along flowing robes and chant for hours. Burning some basil leaf or frankincense, making sure you get its smoke into every corner of the space you want to exorcise, can be enough. If chanting and praying both seem a little archaic to you, don’t be afraid to put things in your own words as you tell any evil spirts and malignant forces that are hovering around to get out of your space and out of your way.

How to use herbs in cleansing rituals

How often you perform cleansing rituals is up to you. Some perform simple cleansing rituals on a daily basis, in order to keep their aura, their mind and their home free of unwanted influences. But if you have the proper metaphysical shielding in place, cleansing your space or your aura every day isn’t necessary. Somewhere around once a month suits me, but you may want to do it more or less frequently.

Aura cleansing

Keeping your aura clear and uncluttered by negative energy is one of the best forms of protection against malignant influences you are likely to get.

Aura cleansing can be done by simply scanning your aura and visualising any negative energy that has become stuck or enmeshed with it simply dissolving. You can combine this with the burning of your favourite herbs for added oomph.

Holding a stick of palo santo, a smudge stick of sage, or an incense burner with frankincense, slowly move it through your aura in order to cleanse it using the rising smoke.

Space clearing

Metaphysically clearing the space you are in of negative energies on a regular basis is a great idea when you want to stay safe and sane, mentally, physically and metaphysically.

Space clarinet is similar to aura clearing. The difference is that you are clearing the energy of a physical location, rather than the energy field surrounding your body. Space clearing involves walking around the perimeter of the room, or the rooms, you want to clear energetically. Palo santo or sage are often used for this, but you can also use frankincense, myrrh, thyme or any number of other protective and banishing herbs.

How to absorb the power of protective herbs

Just like cleansing and banishing rituals using herbs, you can soak in or ingest the healing and protection of herbs whenever you like. Still, some times are more suitable for magical workings, rituals and meditations than others.

One of these times is on the full moon, when your instincts – and your inherent psychic defences – are at their most vivid and awake. Other fruitful times for magical and spiritual work involving herbs include traditional feast days, such as solstices and equinoxes.

Ritual baths

Ritual baths is one of the most enjoyable ways for you to wrap yourself in the magical protection of your chosen herbs. Ritual baths, depending on what you add to your bath water, can be used for cleansing and banishing, magical workings involving stability and self-love, healing and more.

When preparing your ritual bath, start by selecting the herbs you want to use for their banishing or protective properties. Add the herbs to the bath water, along with bath salts, essential oils or crystals. What could be more witchy than preparing a magical brew and literally bathing it?

Brews

Finally, the most direct way of drinking in the healing and protective properties of magical herbs is to make a brew. A herb brew is essentially a tea made from your favourite protection or healing herb.

Fortunately, most protective herbs are safe to ingest, but before you make a brew out of any herb – and before you add it to your bath water for that matter – make sure you check whether it is safe to apply to your skin or put in your body. Some herbs might cause rashes, hives or worse.

A herb brew is usually made from dried herbs, although fresh is better in some circumstances, even if just for the sake of the taste. Place your herb mix in a tea strainer or tea bag, and let it soak in boiled water. If you are using very strong and pungent herbs, you might want to remove the strainer and declare the brew finished after a few minutes, while others can be left in. For added potency, add a crystal to your brew – just make sure you remove it before drinking so you don’t swallow it.

These are the most powerful herbs for protection

Most herbs possess physical healing or fortifying properties, and many are ascribed metaphysical protection properties, as well. Here is a list of herbs from all over the world that provide different, complimentary, and often overlapping healing powers. Some of them can be used interchangeably. For example, if you cannot get hold of Kava Kava root powder where you live, you can probably get your hands on some oregano.

The way that herbs can work together and interact with each other – or be swapped out for each other – is one of the truly amazing things about herbs.

If you are brand new to herbology, there is nothing wrong with keeping things simple as you make your first forays into this new and fascinating territory. You can start with simply one or a few herbs in your collection. Working with only a few herbs initially is going to teach you about each herb and its qualities in greater detail than if you were to immediately use every single herb on this list and throw them all tighter in a ritual bath – although, that would certainly make for a very potent metaphysical bath.

Acacia powder (Gum Arabic)

Acacia powder, also called Gum Arabic, is a glossy-looking golden resin ground into powder. It is native to North Africa, but grows in other places, too. Acacia has played a significant role in both magic and medicine throughout the ancient world. Fun fact: The Ancient Egyptians used acacia in the embalming process.

Acacia powder s used to physically alleviate respiratory issues, stomach inflammation, diarrhoea and more. It also has excellent binding properties, making it a great carrier for essential oils.

Metaphysically speaking, acacia powder is used for a great variety of purposes including psychic and intuitive enhancement, fertility, love and friendship, consecration, and of course protection.

Alkanet (Alkanna Tinctoria)

Alkanet, also known as Alkanna Tinctoria, has long been used for wound healing. It is also used as a dye-plant in the cosmetics industry.

Alkanet has a great many metaphysical uses, primary among them being the attraction of luck, wealth, business blessing and good luck overall. Alkanet is also used to remove negativity and break cycles of bad luck, while drawing positive energies and possibilities to you in their place. Alkanet is also used to repel snakes and their poisonous bites.

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is a perennial succulent well known to most of us. With any luck, you already have a potted aloe vera plant growing in your windowsill, in your garden, or in a park near you. The aloe plant is deceptively common, and offers a truly impressive spectrum of both physical and metaphysical properties.

Aloe vera is perhaps best known for its incredible healing vibrations, disinfecting and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as its soothing effects on aching joints and tendonitis when applied topically to the skin. It is little wonder why aloe was a popular plant among the Ancient Egyptians, who used it to treat sun burn, heal wounds and treat skin conditions, including psoriasis and acne.Allegedly, aloe played a central role in Cleopatra’s beauty routine.

Aloe was and is also used for magical protection. Since aloe’s planetary association is the moon, it is perfectly suited for a healing and protecting full moon bath or brew.

Anise seeds (Pimpinella Anisum)

In anise seed, or Pimpinella Anisum, we have another powerful and incredibly versatile magical herb.

Medicinally, anise seeds soothe and support the nervous system, clear the airways of mucus, and is also useful in regulating menstruation and easing menstrual cramps. Anise seed is one of the best herbs for reducing stress, anxiety and insomnia.

Anise seed also comes with great range of magical uses, too, including psychic enhancement, luck, and warding off bad vibes and evil spirits.

Astragalus root (A. Membranaceus)

Astragalus root, or A. Membranaceus, is a favourite herb in traditional Chinese medicine, as it has a rejuvenating effect on every aspect of the body and mind.

Astragalus root strengthens and supports metabolism, vitality, sex drive, energy levels and overall good health. Because of its many revitalising benefits, astragalus root powder is often used as an all-purpose longevity tonic.

It is the root of the astragalus plant that is used for magical protection, as well as to increase magical potency and energy.

Basil leaf (Ocimum Basilicum)

Basil leaf, or Ocimum Basilicum, is a common herb with a great variety of metaphysical uses.

Basilicum is named after the Obelisk of Ancient Greek mythology, a reptilian creature feared and known for its ability to paralyse and even kill with a single glance. Basilicum was believed to counteract the evil spell of the Basilisk, as well as to protect against the stings and bits of lesser threats from the animal kingdom.

Medically, basil leaf can be used to regulate menstruation, increase sex drive and detox the body from everything from insect bites to drugs.

You can use basil leaf to attract love, consecrate magick wands, money drawing, house blessing, business blessing, exorcism and protection. Basil is sometimes called holy basil for its ability to dispel dark forces, break hexes and repel evil in all of its forms. Yet another benefit of basil leaf is its ability to inspire personal confidence and enhanced mental powers. All in all, basil leaf is a must-have in any herbalist’s collection.

Bay leaf (Laurus Nobilis)

Bay leaves, also called Laurus Nobilis, is considered to be the herb of poets and is especially associated wth the Ancient Greek sun god Apollo.

Bay leaf is a wonderful immune booster, as it is very rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C, iron, calcium and potassium. Tea brewed on healing sachets filled with bay leaves is great for dispelling migraines and hangovers – and with an added slice of lemon, the taste is also quite delicious.

Magically, this is a versatile herb with many benefits. It is known to increase psychic ability, attract good luck, fortune and success, while bringing about healing, stress relief and psychic protection.

Black peppercorn (Piper Nigrum)

Black peppercorn, or Piper Nigrum, is one of the most effective herbs for protection. Black pepper is associated with Mars, and is imbued with a suitably intense and fiery energy. This makes black pepper uniquely useful in both protective and defensive magic.

Black peppercorn is highly effective at repelling and banishing negativity in all forms, including evil spirits and malicious energies. Black peppercorn is also used in exorcisms, to cast out unwelcome entities and influences. It is also effective act bouncing bad vibes and ill intentions back to their source.

Black peppercorn mixed with salt makes a potent banishing mix. Scatter it around your home to keep harmful energies and unwanted visitors out.

White peppercorn can be used to similar effect.

Blackberry leaf

Blackberry leaf is linked to the planet Venus, and resonates with a feminine, healing and protective energy. Blackberry leaf has traditionally been burned at pagan festivals, such as Lughnasad and Mabon as an offering to the gods, and as a petition to them to gain their favours and protection.

Blackberry leaf is an ideal herb for ritual baths, as it brings peace, heals and protects your energy against unwelcome energies and influences.

Blue cohosh root

Blue cohosh root is not one of the easiest dried herbs to come by, but it is one of the most powerful.

Physically, blue cohosh root has a long history of being used to treat and alleviate female-specific problems, from menstrual cramps to the various symptoms of menopause.

Magically, blue cohosh root has a multitude of practical uses, including love breaking, drawing good luck, doubling money, empowerment and self expression, purification, and driving away negative influences.

Calamus powder (Acorus Calamus)

Calamus powder, also called Acorus Calamus, is known as ‘the Singer’s Herb’ as its healing and protective properties mainly concentrate on the trachea and the throat chakra.

Magically, calamaus root powder is used to attract love, luck, healing and protection. Every self-respecting green witch should keep some calamus powder in the cupboard at all times, as this magical herb works as a catalyst for spells, and as a powerful repellent of negative energies.

Calendula flowers (Calendula Officinalis)

Calendula flower – Calendula Officinalis in Latin – promotes healing thanks to its powerful anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Calendula is one of the best herbs to use in healing spells, or in an immunity-boosting cup of tea.

Calendula increases psychic powers and promotes prophetic dreams. It also heightens everyday intuition, which is one of the best forms of protection you can get, as your intuition can always be relied upon to guide you away from harmful situations. What’s more, calendula flowers offer psychic protection and keeps evil spirits and toxic people at bay.

Caraway seed (Carum Carvi)

Caraway seed, or Carum Carvi, is primarily known to keep everything from lovers to house pets from straying from your side.

Apart from its use in love spells to encourage fidelity, caraway seed has many other metaphysical uses, too, including passion, intellect and memory, health and anti-theft. When you want to protect yourself against losing your property – or your lover – caraway seed is your go-to herb.

Carob (Certaonia Siliqua)

Carob, or Certaonia Silique in Latin, has many benefits for both physical and metaphysical health. Sometimes touted as a ‘Singer’s Herb,’ it clears the throat and settles the stomach.

Carob (roasted for best effect) encourages self-expression, promotes eloquence of speech and thought, and makes it easier for you to communicate your vision and your ideas.

Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamon SP.)

Cassia cinnamon is one of the truly versatile magical herbs. It has a wide range of medicinal benefits: It staunches bleeding and promotes wound healing, soothes menstrual and postpartum pain, and settles cramps and abdominal issues, as well as nausea and diarrhoea.

Magically, cassia cinnamon is used to enhance intuition and psychic powers, drawing success, love and strength, as well as prosperity and protection.

Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)

Nepeta Cataria, better known as catnip, is a relatively common herb, familiar to all cat owners. Less known, however, are the many physical and magical benefits the herb has to offer humans.

Catnip promotes sleep, prophetic dreams and digestion, and can be used to alleviate morning sickness. It is the best herb to use in any ritual involving cats, or if you are working with cat deities such as the Ancient Egyptian goddess, Bastet.

Catnip promotes sensuality and is a useful herb in love spells. Catnip can also be used in ritual work and spells designed to enhance beauty and charisma. Catnip is also known to provide protection from nightmares and evil forces while sleeping. If you suffer from night terrors, a small sachet of catnip tucked under your pillow can work miracles.

Cedar leaf (Thuja Plicata)

Ceadar leaf is an incredibly potent natural disinfectant, and can be used to treat skin conditions, including ringworm and athlete’s foot.

In magic, cedar leaf is used in rituals and spells to increase confidence and inner strength, as well as to draw luck, prosperity, healing and purification to you. Yet another thing to recommend cedar leaf is its ability to repel and protect against dark energies and entities.

Celery seed

Celery has a long history of being used in folk magic in Europe and beyond. Allegedly, witches would chew celery seed before taking off on their wands into the night sky. Celery heightens awareness and concentration – and the witches needed to stay alert in order not to slip and fall off their wands.

Celery protects you by heightening your natural senses and concentration – this means you become able to pick up on little warning signs in your surroundings, which in turn helps you avoid accidents..

Medicinally, celery soothes muscle aches, alleviates arthritis and promotes kidney health.

Chia seed (Salvia Hispanica)

Chia seed is rich in antioxidants, fibre, protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which makes it a potent dietary supplement and a miracle for cardiovascular health.

Chia seed is a great ingredient to use in healing spells, as well as spells and workings intended for protection of your body, mind and energy.

Cilantro (Coriandrum Sativum)

Cilantro, or Coriandrum Sativum in Latin, is one of the most versatile magical herbs you can get your hands on.

Physically, cilantro is anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal, making it an effective treatment for a number of infections and skin conditions. Cilantro increases overall energy and vitality, and promotes weight loss. Cilantro also works as a natural preservative when added to food.

If you are looking for a herb that restores harmony and balance to both body and soul, cilantro is it. Cilantro also works as a powerfully protective herb, keeping accidents and negative energies at bay, while drawing friends to your home and customers to your business. Cilantro helps bring peace to your mind and clarity and persuasiveness to your words. This all-round amazing herb also fortifies, strengthens, purifies and protects your aura.

Cloves

Cloves can be used either whole or ground to a fine powder.

When taken in sparing quantities, clove powder can work as an aphrodisiac, and is as powerful ingredient to add to love spells. Taken in slightly larger doses, cloves become a pain killer and a natural sleep aid. Chewing cloves or sipping a tea brewed on this wonderful herb can help soothe toothaches, earaches, indigestion and morning sickness. It is said that cloves can also be used to treat erectile dysfunction.

When it comes to magic, cloves are useful for banishing and protecting against negativity and unwanted energies, and for manifesting what you desire.

Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale)

Comfrey, whose Latin name is Symphytum Officinale, is a herb abundant in both healing and fortifying properties.

Comfrey has a long history of being used in the healing of wounds and broken bones, and in the drawing out of toxins.

Magically, Comfrey is an incredibly versatile herb. Comfrey is associated with the planet Saturn, and is the right herb to use in any Saturnalian working, or in rituals, spells and meditations intended to promote personal strength, stability and perseverance. Comfrey is also known to draw money, as well as to protect against accidents while travelling. If you are trying to manifest a piece of real estate, comfrey is a must-have spell ingredient.

Coriander seeds (Coriandrum Sativum)

Coriander seed, also known by its Latin name, Coriandrum Sativum, or as Chinese Parsley, is both one of the most ancient and most common spices in the world.

Beyond its physical health properties, which includes treating bloating, gas and indigestion, coriander seed comes with an impressive array of magical uses. Coriander seed is known to offer powerful protection during vision work and astral travel, as well as to repel and expel negative forces, energies and entities. This also makes coriander seed a potent herb when used in exorcisms.

Coriander seed is sometimes used as an aphrodisiac, as a brew made from coriander is known to rouse and awaken the kundalini snake which dwells in the root chakra.

Coriander seed is also known to bring longevity, not only to the physical body, but also to unions between people. Coriander seed added to a wedding cake inspires a lasting bond.

Dill

Dill is as magically potent as it is common.

In the Middle Ages, dill was believed to protect against witchcraft and dark forces, and churchgoers would often chew dill seed for this reason – as well as to keep themselves awake and alert throughout the service.

Dill is not only associated with protection against darkness, it also protects against heart disease and strokes, and has the ability to lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Elder flowers and berries (Sambucus Nigra)

Elder flowers and berries, known together as Sambucus Nigra, have deep roots in folore, being associated with both faeries, the underworld and the god Pan.

Medicinally, elderflower has an impressive array of applications. It is one of the primary remedies of European tradition, used to treat colds, flues, respiratory diseases, croup, anaemia and fibroids. A syrup made from elderberries was often used in winter as an overall immune-booster.

In magic, the elder plant is used to bestow blessings on homes and business, to release enchantments and break curses, and to protect against negative influence. Also believed to help transport the dead safely to the underworld.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Nitens)

Eucalyptus, or Eucalyptus Nitens, is known for its characteristic refreshing taste and scent. It alleviates respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and asthma.

In magic, eucalyptus is effective in healing spells as well as magical protection.

Frankincense

Frankincense has long been used in both magic and medicine.

Frankincense is a natural anti-depressant and immune booster, making it a must-have in any herb collector’s cupboard. Burn frankincense resin to purify, cleanse, uplift, consecrate and banish negative energy.

Garlic granules (Allium Sativum)

Garlic is one of the oldest medicines known to mankind. It has long been used kill foreign bacteria, treat ear and tooth infections, stimulate metabolism, support cardiovascular health – and ward off vampires and other evil entities.

Juniper berry (Juniperus Communis)

Juniper berry is one of the most positive and fortifying ingredients the herb kingdom has to offer. Its medicinal uses include the treatment of head fevers, PMS, kidney disease and swelling, and magically, juniper berries are known to repel anything that poses a threat to good health and happiness.

Lavender (Lavandula)

Lavender resonates with a soothing, healing, calming and protective energy that you can tap into both physically and metaphysically.

Lavender is used to soothe overactive minds and to treat nervous conditions, including insomnia, tension and anxiety. Lavender has a broad spectrum of magical applications, too, including healing, love, cleansing and protection.

Lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis)

Lemon balm is a natural nerve sedative, used to treat insomnia, anxiety and depression. Lemon balm can also help cure erectile dysfunction and aid conception.

Lemon balm is used in love spells, ritual healing and psychic development, as well as for shielding during spiritual and magical workings.

Marshmallow root

Marshmallow root is good for sore throats, mucus relief and skin irritation. Magically, it supports psychic development and protection.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe is one of the mot effective and many-faceted protective herbs in existence. Us it to draw customers or clients to your business, to repel negativity and unwanted advances, to relieve stress and ease mood swings, as well as to promote fertility and bless creative endeavours.

Mullein

Mullein has been used as a protective herb since Roman times, where it was often dipped in wax and used as a torch. Mullein is considered a ‘light bringer’ herb, and summons the energies of love, courage and protection.

Nettle leaf (Urtica Dioica)

Nettle leaf strengthens willpower and helps you keep your head on straight when you are under pressure or facing an emergency. Nettle leaf is also truly effective when it comes to warding off negativity and evil.

Olive leaf (Olea Europaea)

Olive is naturally antiviral, antifungal, anti parasitic and antibiotic – not to mention, delicious in food.

Metaphysically, olive leaf increases fertility and potency, and attracts luck, healing and protection.

Oregano

Don’t let the fact that oregano can be found in most kitchen cupboards fool you: This is one powerful herb.

As well as being flavourful, oregano enhances intuition, banishes and wards off negative influences, and offers protection while doing vision work or astral travelling.

Osha root

Osha root is best known in Hispanic and Native American cultures, where it is used to treat bronchitis, cold, flu and pneumonia, as well as to chase away evil spirits and malicious influences.

Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens)

Palo Santo means ‘holy wood’ and lives up to its name. Palo Santo is one of the most popular and effective herbs for warding off evil energy and spirits, misfortune and disaster. When it comes to energy clearing of physical locations, Palo Santo is one of the best.

Parsley

Parsley, a seemingly inconspicuous garden variety herb, was worn at weddings in Ancient Greece to ward off evil spirits. The winners of athletic games held to honour the dead were likewise crowned with parsley.

St Johns Wort (Hypericum Perforatum)

St Johns Wort is known to protect against all manner of witchcraft and malicious energy. Placed under the pillow, it can also induce profound and inspiring dreams. St Johns Wort has been associated with faeries and otherworldly realms.

St Johns Wort has a soothing effect on stress, anxiety and depression.

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)

Thyme fortifies both the mind and the spirit. Wearing a Thyme-stuffed amulet promotes strength and stability in times of stress or crisis.

A spring of thyme under your pillow will help ward off nightmares, but may also connect you with faerie folk or even the departed.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis Virginiana)

Witch hazel has an impressive array of practical applications. To mention but a few of its many qualities, witch hazel is naturally astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and homeostatic. Its energy is at once cooling, drying and soothing.

Witch hazel can be used both topically and internally.

In addition to its medicinal properties, witch hazel is known to protect against hexes, curses and harmful energies.