Druids Keep Pagan & Wicca Supply

Basil has a warm, resinous, clove-like flavor and fragrance. The flowers and leaves are best used fresh and added only during the last few minutes of cooking. Basil works well in combination with tomatoes. Finely chopped basil stirred into mayonnaise makes a good sauce for fish. Use as a garnish for vegetables, chicken and egg dishes.

The warm, spicy taste of this popular herb's leaf combines well with garlic, tomatoes, eggplant, and Italian dishes, Basil flavors vinegar, pesto sauce, and oil. The essential oil flavors condiments and liqueurs, and scents soaps and perfumes. Inhaling the essential oil refreshes the mind and stimulates a sense of smell dulled by viral infection. The infusion relieves gas and stomach pains. Reputedly abortive, it can help expel the placenta. A warming herb, it is used for colds and flu, constipation, vomiting, headaches, and menstrual cramps. Steep two teaspoons per cup of water for twenty minutes, take up to one and a half cups per day.

Burn basil to exorcise negativity from the home. To do a really thorough cleansing and protection of yourself and your home, also sprinkle a little basil in each corner of each room in the house and add to your bathwater. Basil is used to mend lovers' quarrels and brings good luck to a new home. The scent of basil causes sympathy between two people and so is worn to avoid major clashes. Basil Use it in rites of exorcism and in the ritual bath. Sprinkle to powder over the area of your heart to promote fidelity. The scent brings happiness to the home and will protect you in crowds.

Bay has a spicy fragrance and flavor, and the leaves are used in all types of cooking. Try them in soups, stews, casseroles, stocks, syrups, sauces and as a decorative garnish. Since the flavor is strong, use with discretion. Bay leaves should be removed from food before serving.

The culinary leaves may be slightly narcotic, and aid digestion when added to Bouquet garni, marinades, pâté, soups and stews. The wood is used to give an aromatic tang to smoked foods, and oil of Bay, from the fruit, flavors some liqueurs. A leaf decoction added to bath water will relieve aching limbs, and diluted leaf essential oil can treat sprains and rheumatic joints but may irritate the skin. The leaf and berry are used in salves for itching, sprains, bruises, skin irritations, and rheumatic pain. The fruit and leaf are simmered until soft and made into a poultice with honey for chest colds. Bay leaf and berry tea makes a bath additive that helps the bladder, bowel, and female reproductive organs. Use two tablespoons per cup and steep for forty-five minutes, add to bath water.

Bay leaves were used by the Delphic priestesses. The incense and the leaf are said to produce a prophetic trance. Burn for psychic powers, purification, wish magic, exorcism, healing/health, protection, divination, visions, clairvoyance, energy, power, strength, inspiration, wisdom, meditation, defense, creative word. Put the leaves under your pillow to give inspiration and visions. An herb of the sun, bay brings the light of summer into the darkest time of the year. Carry the leaf or place in the home to ward off illness and hexes.

Because it is a tonic plant for the adrenal glands, borage provides an invaluable support for a stressful lifestyle. Borage is rich in minerals, especially potassium. A tea made with borage helps to reduce fevers and ease chest colds. An infusion of barage acts as a galactogogue, promoting the production of milk in breastfeeding mothers.

Borage contains a substance called gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which studies have shown can kill brain and prostate cancer cells and inhibit the spread of malignant tumors by restricting blood vessel growth.

In a recent study of women with breast cancer, scientists from Nottingham in central England found that adding GLA to the anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen speeded up patients' response rates. GLA has little or no side effects.

Borage has the most potent concentration of GLA in nature. According to British experts, this common herb that has been used for medicinal purposes for more than 700 years is providing scientists with a new weapon in the battle against cancer.

This herb is native to the Middle East, Southern Russia, and the Caucasus, and was probably introduced to Europe by the Roamns. It has become one of the classic herbs used in french cookery, in which it is considered indispensable. Chervil enhances the flavour of chicken, fish, herb butter, vegetables, cottage cheese, salads and egg dishes.

The leaves can be infused in water to use as a skin freshener.

Chives give a hint of onion flavor to egg dishes, cheese soufflés, salads, soups, cream cheese sandwiches, and sour cream dressing for baked potatoes. Chive butter is great with grilled chops and steak.

The taste of dill leaves resembles that of caraway, while the seeds are pungent and aromatic. Dill Herb enhances the flavor of dips, herb butter, soups, salads, fish dishes, and salads. The seeds are used in pickling and can also improve the taste of roasts, stews and vegetables.

Try grinding the seeds to use as a salt substitute. Both the flowering heads and seeds are used in flavored vinegars and oils.

The seeds are used as a spice, particularly in breads. A tea made with a level teaspoon of seeds will relieve indigestion. An infusion of the seeds is an excellent carminative, especially for babies. Use 1 teaspoon (5ml) of infusion for colic and gas.

Fennel is an effective treatment for respiratory congestion and is a common ingredient in cough remedies. A tea made from fennel helps to stimulate the flow of breast milk. It is sometimes added to baby formula to aid digestion.

 An infusion can be used as a diuretic, to relieve flatulence, and as an antiseptic.

Use in a bath sachet with seven rose buds to make you more attractive. Carry with you to attract love.

Also known as Sweet Marjoram, Winter sweet, and Pot Marjoram (O. onites). Sweet Marjoram leaves have a sweeter, spicier taste than the leaves of Oregano and Pot marjoram. It is a popular culinary herb used in salads, sauces, cheese, and in liqueurs and as part of herbes de Provence. As an aromatic tea, Sweet Marjoram aids digestion, relieves flatulence, colds and headaches, soothes nerves and encourages menstruation. Marjoram essential oil is distilled from the leaves and flowering tops. It is antioxidant, reduces skin aging, antiviral, eases spasms, and stimulates local circulation.

Add Marjoram leaves to casseroles just before serving for the best flavor. Use in sauces, stuffings, sparingly in salads, in egg and cheese dishes, chicken soup, stews, and in fruit salads. 

Often used in herbal sleep pillows, marjoram makes a fragrant bath herb. An infusion of marjoram, mint and rosemary can be sprinkled around the house for protection. This also works for protecting specific objects. Brings happiness to a depressed person. Violets and Marjoram, mixed together, are worn during the winter months as an amulet against colds. Grown in the garden it offers shielding powers against evil. Love, Protection, Defense, Wealth, Happiness, Purification, Cleansing.

Makes an effective home insect repellant.

A Druid sacred herb, most mints are creeping plants that hybridize easily, producing infinite variations. The have erect, square branching stems, aromatic foliage and flowers in leaf axils. Mints are stimulant, aid digestion, and reduce flatulence. They flavor candy, drinks, cigarettes, toothpastes, and medicines.

The infusion of the herb has been used for diarrhea and as an emmenagogue (it brings down the menses). It is a classic for colds and influenza, especially when mixed with elder flower-but be careful, as this remedy will make you sweat, and you must take care to keep well covered with blankets and woolens. Stomach flu is helped by a mint, elderflower, and yarrow combination in a standard infusion of two teaspoons per cup steeped for twenty minutes and taken in quarter-cup doses.

Mint is helpful in stomach complaints, but a strong infusion will be emetic (it makes one throw up). Mint tea eases colic and eases depression. It relieves earaches when the fresh juice of a few drops of the essential oil are placed in the ear. A few drops of the oil in water, applied with a cloth, help burning and itching, heat prostration, and sunburn. Apply it directly to an itchy skin condition or sunburn. For heat prostration place the cool fomentation on the forehead and wrists. Mint tea with honey soothes a sore throat. A classic cold remedy that will unblock the sinuses is two drops of mint essential oil, two drop eucalyptus essential oil and the juice of half a lemon in a cup of hot water. The mix is first inhaled and then drunk when warm.

CAUTION: No more than two drops of the essential oils should be taken at any time, and no more that two cups a day of the above mixture. Larger doses can be toxic to the kidneys.

Mint is placed in the home as a protective herb. It belongs to the sphere of Venus and has long been used in healing potions and mixtures. The fresh leaves rubbed against the head are said to relieve headaches. Mint worn at the wrist assures that you will not be ill. Its bright green leaves and crisp scent led to its use in money and prosperity spells. Fresh mint laid on the altar will call good spirits to be present and aid you in magic, especially healing spells. Added to incenses it cleanses the house or ritual area. Use for: Protection, Healing, Prosperity, Good Luck, Fortune, Justice, Travel, Exorcism.

Mint is used in: charms and incenses - in dream pillows as an aid to sleep - in spells to create a positive change in one's life - in the sickroom of the patient - to cleanse the home - to heal - to give Vision-Dreams that see into the future when placed beneath the pillow...

Medically Mint is used for: Brain and Nervous System Conditions - Cardiovascular Conditions - Gastrointestinal Conditions - Liver Conditions - Respiratory System Conditions - Gastrointestinal Conditions - Respiratory Conditions.

Oregano is a conditio sine qua non in Italian cuisine. It is used in tomato sauces, fried vegetables and grilled meat. Together with basil, it makes up for the character of Italian dishes; see parsley on Italian variants of bouquet garni.

Oregano combine nicely with pickled olives, capers and lovage leaves. Unlike most Italian herbs, oregano works with hot and spicy food, which is popular in Southern Italy.

Oregano is an indispensable ingredient for Greek cuisine. Oregano adds flavour to the Greek salad and is usually used separately or added to the lemon-olive oil sauce that accompanies almost every fish or meat barbecues and some casseroles.

Oregano is high in antioxidant activity, paticularly due to a high content of phenolic acids and flavonoids. Additionally, oregano has demonstrated antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. Both of these characteristics may be useful in both health and food preservation.

Parsley is a tap rooted biennial with solid stems, triangular, toothed and curled leaves divided into three segments, umbels of tiny cream summer flowers, and aromatic "seeds". Grown near roses, it improves their health and scent.

Leaf infusions are a tonic for hair, skin and eyes. The leaves, root, and seeds are diuretic, scavenge skin-aging free radicals, and reduce the release of histamine. The second-year roots, the leaf, and the seed are used. Parsley is diuretic and helpful for gravel and stone as well as for edema, jaundice, and kidney problems. The root is the most powerful part. The oil of the seed (five to fifteen drops) has been used to bring on menstruation. The seed, when decocted, has been used for intermittent fevers. Steep one teaspoon of leaf per cup for twenty minutes or simmer one teaspoon of the root or seed for twenty minutes. The dose is one-fourth cup, four times a day. Parsley leaves (with violet leaf and figwort herb when possible) are used in poultices for cancer. A parsley poultice will help insect bites, stings, and sore eyes. Parsley tea is used for asthma and coughs.

One of the richest sources of vitamin C; use as a diuretic; to stimulate the menstrual process; to ease flatulence and colic pains.

The Greeks used Parsley in funeral rites, it was held sacred to Persephone. It was wound into funeral wreaths and used to decorate tombs. Though the plant has associations with death and is often regarded as evil, the Romans tucked a sprig into their togas every morning for protection. It is also placed on plates of food to guard it from contamination. Parsley is used in purification baths, and those to stop all misfortune.

Eaten to promote lust and fertility; protection; purification baths.

Caution: Do not use in pregnancy as it is a uterine stimulant.

Rosemary, if hung around the neck, protected from Vampires, and Plague as well as protection against the evil eye. It was also claimed that people who inhaled the smoke or fragrance of the herb regularly, retained their youthfulness. In addition to this, rosemary prevented faeries from stealing infants.

Rosemary can be used as a substitute for just about any herb. Its spell-casting powers include love, lust, protection, exorcism, purification, healing, longevity, youth, mental powers, and sleep.

Rosemary is wonderful incense. Smolder a bit of it to emit powerful cleansing and purifying vibrations and to rid negativity in the area in which it is burned. Place some of rosemary under your pillow to ensure a good night's sleep. Wear rosemary to aid your memory (especially helpful when you are studying for a test). Add an infusion of rosemary to your bathwater to preserve youthfulness and to purify you. Carry a bit of rosemary with you to remain healthy. Hang a sachet of rosemary above your doorposts.

Introduced by the Romans into Britain. Used to ward off Black Magic, it featured prominently on wedding days and celebrations. Sachets of Rosemary to this day symbolize remembrance and friendship.

Rosemary leaves give a strong fresh flavor and fragrance to food, particularly meats. As the leaves are thin and spiky, it is important to cut them finely, except when a sprig is being added to impart flavor to boiled meats. When dried the leaves are easily crumbled, and can often be used as an alternative to thyme, excellent in pea soup, minestrone, spinach soup, in casseroles and stews.

Medicinally used for: sprains, fractures, wounds, cough, dizziness, and stomach troubles.

Sage leaf has a strong taste that increases when dried. Used sparingly to flavor and aid the digestion of fatty meats, it is popular in poultry stuffing and combines well with strongly flavored floors. The flowers are tossed in salads and are brewed for a light, balsamic tea, while the leaf tea is an antiseptic nerve and blood tonics. Sage contains hormone precursors that help irregular menstruation and menopause symptoms. Sage is a drying agent for the body.

The tea of the leaf will dry up night sweats, breast milk, and mucous congestion. It benefits the nerves and the menstrual cycle as well. Being astringent, it helps with diarrhea. Use it as a sore throat gargle and as a poultice for sores and stings. Use two teaspoons of the herb per cup of water, steep for twenty minutes and take a quarter cup four times a day. Tincture, fifteen to forty drops, up to four times a day.

Internally for gastric disorders such as loss of appetite, bloating, diarrhea, enteritis and excessive perspiration; externally for a rinse and gargle for light injuries and skin inflammation, bleeding gums, laryngitis, pharyngitis and for firming the gums.

Sage absorbs negativity and misfortune. It drives away disturbances and tensions, and lifts the spirits above the mundane cars of life. Burn it to consecrate a ritual space. Carry it as an herb of protection. Use it in the ritual bath and chalice. Tradition holds that those who eat sage become immortal in both wisdom and years. Sage is used in wish manifestations and to attract money. Smolder to promote healing and spirituality. Carry to promote wisdom. Use in spells for: Protection, Wisdom, Health, Money and Riches, Spirituality.

Carried and eaten to ensure longevity, to promote wisdom, gain prosperity and for healing.

Caution: Avoid during pregnancy.

To help strengthen the mind wear or carry this herb.

Also known as Common Thyme, Mother of Thyme, and Garden Thyme. A Druid sacred herb, culinary Thyme aids the digestion of fatty foods and is part of bouquet garni and Benedictine liqueur. Thyme oil is distilled from the leaves and flowering tops and is a stimulant and antiseptic. It is a nerve tonic used externally to treat depression, colds, muscular pain and respiratory problems. The oil is added to acne lotions and mouthwashes.

Research has confirmed Thyme strengthens the immune system. Thyme is an excellent lung cleanser. Use it to dry up and clear out moist phlegm and to treat whooping cough. It makes a good tea for the mother after childbirth, as it helps expel the placenta. Steam one-half teaspoon fresh herb or one teaspoon dried herb in one-half cup of hot water for five minutes. Take up to one and a half cups a day in quarter-cup doses.

A natural antiseptic, thyme is often used in salves for wounds, swellings, sciatica, and failing eyes. The tea relieves gas and colic (as does the oil, taken in one- to five-drop doses). The tincture can be used in ten- to twenty-drop doses, taken three times a day. Use thyme for headaches and hangovers.

Thyme will increase your ability to see the Sidhe - separate from humans and who have powers to move quickly through the air and ShapeShift at will. The Sidhe are a huge part in the lives of the Celts. Druids considered this one of their sacred herbs, used to repel negativity and depression. Thyme was among the 3 or 4 herbs upon which Mary and the Christ bedded in Bethlehem of Judea, and so it has become an herb to be in the gardens of Holy places.

Thyme is burned in incense to purify an area. A place where wild thyme grows will be a particularly powerful energy center on earth. A magical cleansing bath can be make by pouring a tea made with thyme and marjoram into the bathwater. A pillow stuffed with thyme cures nightmares. When attending a funeral, wear a sprig of thyme to repel the negativity of the mourners. Use as incense for: Health, Healing, Purification, Clairvoyance, Courage, Love, Psychic Awareness, Energy, Power, Strength. Thyme is often burned prior to magical rituals to cleanse the area. Carried and smelled to give courage and energy.

Thyme contains thymol and carvacrol as its main constituents as well as tannins, saponins and organic acids. Used both for external and internal purposes, the best medicinal properties of this herb are for aid in indigestion and respiratory disorders. It is considered an expectorant, antispasmodic, carminative, deodorant and as an agent that destroys or expels parasitic intestinal worms.

Research has demonstrated Thyme's properties as a booster to the immune system. Hair rinses, mouthwashes, toothpaste and facials are made from this herb.