Herb Lore

Herbs are the most versatile of plants and can be used for just about anything - cooking, healing,
magic, hair and body care, and crafts. One of my favorites is tea. Sipping on a warm cup of herb tea
before bed is a wonderful way to transition into the dreamland.

Lemon Verbena, Catnip, Chamomile, lavendar flowers, rose hips, rose petals, peppermint,
spearmint, licorice, Lemon Balm all make delicious teas. Always use fresh herbs when possible, the
difference in the taste will surprise you.

Spice up your teas with ground cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, grated orange or lemon peel and pure
vanilla extract. Add honey or a bit of licorice for sweetness.

Growing herbs is an easy and fun hobby. I'm lucky enough to have a huge back yard where I can
grow all the herbs I want, but many herbs can just as easily be grown in pots on a balcony. Don't let
the lack of space or yard stop you from growing fresh basil for tomato sauce, dill for fish, and
oregano for chicked or beef.

Dried herbs are good for a variety of crafts, as well. Sachets, potpourris, wreaths, dried flower
arrangements, and dream pillows.

For house protection, grow some fern, fennel, dill, basil, rosemary or rose geranium in pots and
place them at all the entrances of your home.

For divination, burn an incense made of gum of mastic, patchouli, cinnamon, juniper and
sandalwood. (From Scott Cunningham's Magical Herbalism)

To draw love into your life, make a sachet using any combination of apple, lavendar, lemon balm,
bergamot, caraway, marjoram, periwinkle, pink geranium, or violet.

Herbs associated with Earth are: fern, patchouli, sage, slippery elm, horehound, balm of gilead.

Air: Anise, comfrey, eucalyptus, hazel, lavendar, lemon verbena, marjoram, nutmeg, peppermint,
thyme.

Fire: Basil, cinnamon, clove, garlic, mullein, pepper, rosemary, vanilla, St. John's wort.

Water: Apple, camomile, star anise, catnip, elecampane, hawthorn, hops, rose.