Magickal herbs

[Amanda Mitchell]

I wasn't really sure where this should be posted, so if it fits better someplace else, please feel free to move it...


I have just recently become very interested in the medicinal uses of herbs and want to start working with them... for "natural healing" and stuff. And I am wondering... where is the best place online to purchase herbs for a beginner like me (who has a very very very very very very very tight budget)
... and also... what's the best "begginner" magickal herb book (for someone who has never worked with herbs before)???

[Teresa]

I believe Scott Cunningham has a book on Magickal Herbs.
As far as buying online on a tight budget I can not offer any advice.
I wild craft many herbs and also grown my own and then visit local botanicas for others that do not grow well here.

[BlackLili]

I'd also recommend checking things out over in "Ye MW Herball":thumbsup: (http://mysticwicks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=81)

[Amanda Mitchell]

I'd also recommend checking things out over in "Ye MW Herball":thumbsup: (http://mysticwicks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=81)Thanks... I didn't realize that was here.

[CzechWoods]

if herbs are not available at reasonable prices, use spices (can be from walmart/dollar store/whatever) even those that passed the BST BEFORE date

[vikinggoddess]

I agree that wild harvesting herbs is a great way. Many herbs are easy to start from cuttings or divisions.. mugwort especially easy from cuttings.

[Amanda Mitchell]

if herbs are not available at reasonable prices, use spices (can be from walmart/dollar store/whatever) even those that passed the BST BEFORE datehow does that work? you can do that? what does "BST" mean?

[PandoraHealer]

BST .... is bEst ... without the E --- as in BEST BEFORE DATE ... :giggle:

Scott Cunningham has a WONDERFUL book-- encylopedia of magickal herbs... about 13$ ...

You can sometimes find "sample size" kits on ebay-- sometiems they will have 25-50 packages of different herbs... not a lot comes in a bag... but it will DEFINATLY get you started... those range in price... anywhere from 2$ up to $50 ... most are under $20...

Good luck... the "green room" and the "MW herbal" are great areas too...

~PH

[MariThorn]

If your looking for help with healing and medical usages of a plant, then you will not find it in Cunningham's book. His book is a good starter for magical usages, but he doesn't go into the exact measurements needed for medicinal use, most of the time his remarks are not medical at all, and drug interaction and affects of plants on certain human conditions, ie pregnancy or heart problems, are not included. From a witch's pov I would recommend the two books by Paul Beyerl
A Compeniudm of Herbal Magick, A Master Book of Herbalism, and if your sole focus is on healing alone I would recommend Dr. John R. Christopher's book School of Natural Healing. I would not recommend you gather from the wild unless you have an excellent field guide and know exactly what you are doing. There are many plants that mimic healing plants, and I would hate for you to poison yourself or make someone sick. Most of the herbs and spices used for cooking are also used for healing, so Czechwoods had a great suggestion. Also, in the spring of the year, many herbs can be bought at garden centers for around 2.00 a pot or less. And they grow well in kitchen gardens. I would start off by learning from tame plants before wandering off into the woods. If your ultimate goal is to learn to wildgather, then buy a good field guide and take it slowly. :) Good luck, and if you have any questions feel free to ask!

[Skatha]

I agree that wild harvesting herbs is a great way. Many herbs are easy to start from cuttings or divisions.. mugwort especially easy from cuttings.

Mint is a prime example as well. I was absolutely amazed by my chocolate mint plant. It was growing out of control inside it's pot, so I had to take it out and saw off half the roots in order for it to survive. Before placing it back in the pot, I pulled off a few stems and decided to stick them in the ground just to see what happened. After a week, the stems began to grow! Now the stems are beginning to swell into a beautiful mint bush!

[Astara Seague]

really study up before you try anything.. there is a few herb encyclopedias even on line.. I dont know any sites at the moment.... just google them..

as for buying herbs I find alot of them in the hispanic section in my regular grocery store..of course there are some you have to buy elsewhere.... I dont like to online though just cause I cant see how good the product is..or know where/how it was grown

there is a few occult stores around here that carry some and some organic shops too... just keep your eyes open..and know what it is you are looking for

one mistake I made when I started with them is I thought I needed all of them..you really dont..that is why I say study up and only buy what you need for now and be sure to label them well including what you wanted them for and any measurement you know

[Amanda Mitchell]

use spices (can be from walmart/dollar store/whatever) even those that passed the BST BEFORE dateI am still kinda confused about this.... what spices can be used and how? do they have the same effect as herbs?

[Astara Seague]

what some call spices are indeed herbs...they are mostly from plants
once you get studying more you will learn more about them and there magikal uses

[~Elise~]

ehhh...MY opinion, and you know what those are worth, do NOT use kitchen spices for magical herbal needs, unless it is a dire necessity. They're not certified organic and you have NO idea how old they are or what else is added to them as fillers (which could affect any magical working).
I'm an herbal purist and I totally and completely admit it and embrace it. Powdered sage is not the same as a good dried White Sage in my book. (hubby and I have this discussion a lot).

www.botanica.com (http://www.botanica.com) is a really nice online reference. Scott Cunningham's book mentioned by SS is an AWESOME reference. I just wish more people would use the substitution tables in the back.

But ABOVE ALL, be practical...use what you have on hand and don't listen to anyone if it doesn't feel right to you. I've been known to used basil from the kitchen cabinet when doing a money spell...same with nutmeg and cloves. After all, isn't that the point??? Trying to get some money, not spend it??

JMO and YMMV

Elise

[Teresa]

ehhh...MY opinion, and you know what those are worth, do NOT use kitchen spices for magical herbal needs, unless it is a dire necessity. They're not certified organic and you have NO idea how old they are or what else is added to them as fillers (which could affect any magical working).
I'm an herbal purist and I totally and completely admit it and embrace it. Powdered sage is not the same as a good dried White Sage in my book. (hubby and I have this discussion a lot).

www.botanica.com (http://www.botanica.com) is a really nice online reference. Scott Cunningham's book mentioned by SS is an AWESOME reference. I just wish more people would use the substitution tables in the back.

But ABOVE ALL, be practical...use what you have on hand and don't listen to anyone if it doesn't feel right to you. I've been known to used basil from the kitchen cabinet when doing a money spell...same with nutmeg and cloves. After all, isn't that the point??? Trying to get some money, not spend it??

JMO and YMMV

Elise

Yes indeed ! I have even been called a Herb Snob before because I like them in the purest form I can get them in and prefer to dry them myself. Through the years I have found that they work much better or seem more potent this way. There is nothing wrong with being practical too, once you know what kinds of herbs you will use the most you can gage how often you would use them and determine what method works best for you.

[~Elise~]

Yes indeed ! I have even been called a Herb Snob before because I like them in the purest form I can get them in and prefer to dry them myself.

*sigh* I'm glad I'm not the only one. :crown:

[Sage Rainsong]

I know that you asked for a book but here is a good website if you are interested:
http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Herbs/herbs.html

[Faelon_Moon_Hawk]

most of the herbs i use come directly from the spice isle of my grocery store, the others from my yard or garden. I get dual uses for herbs both culinary and magickal :) Check your spice rack, i bet you'd be surprised by what you already have around you.

[Amanda Mitchell]

I know that you asked for a book but here is a good website if you are interested:
http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Herbs/herbs.htmlThanks so much!!! I know I said "book" yes... thinking that they may be more reliable than websites, but I am poor.... so websites or any info I can get for free is much appreciated!!! :uhhuhuh: And the website you gave me looks very informative!!! Thanks again!!!

[~Elise~]

http://www.botanical.com/ This is the website I meant to put in my first post.

[David19]

I know that you asked for a book but here is a good website if you are interested:
http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Herbs/herbs.html

Thanks for that link.

[David19]

http://www.botanical.com/ This is the website I meant to put in my first post.

Thanks for that site too :).