Magickal Herbs U-Z

True unicorn root (Aletris farinosa L.) is a low-growing perennial herb native to eastern North America. Found in old growth forests, the true unicorn root plant is currently thought to be at risk due to destruction of its habitat. The rhizome, an underground stem, is commercially processed into dried pieces.

True unicorn root has been used in Native American traditional remedies for stomach aches, colic, dysentery, and menstrual disorders. Large doses of the fresh root may act as a narcotic and laxative and may induce vomiting. The dried root is also traditionally used to treat gas or hysteria, as a stomach toner, as a tonic for women, for body pain, and to prevent miscarriage; however, some advise against its use during the third trimester of pregnancy due to its uterine stimulation effects. Well-designed human studies are needed to determine if true unicorn root is safe and effective for treating any medical condition.

In spell work, True Unicorn Root is used to keep evil away.

Note: True unicorn root (Aletris farinosa L.) should not be confused with false unicorn root (Helonias luteum or Chamaelirium luteum). These herbs differ in chemical composition and claimed uses.

False Unicorn Root is a native of North America. It is found in the East of Mississippi river where it grows in the moist, well drained and low soil. It can be cultivated by sowing the seeds  in autumn.  Its flowers are used in  early summer  for ornamental use and the roots can be utilized for medicinal purposes in autumn. The flowers of  are lavender or purple in color with spikes that turn downwards.  The plant height ranges from 30 to 100 cm and has smooth, angular stems and alternately placed leaves.

False Unicorn Root has long been used by wise women and healers to treat disorders affecting the uterus, ovaries, and a woman’s menstrual cycle.  It is believed to prevent miscarriage and bring about regular menstrual cycles.

In spellwork False Unicorn Root is used to connect to magickal realms 

Please take note: I am not a health care professional. I believe that having a child, is one of the most precious blessings in the world.  Do not put that at risk because you read a blurb in a blog post, by someone taking an online herb class.  Always consult a medical professional!!

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Lemon verbena is a perennial shrub or subshrub growing to 2–3 m high. The 8 cm long glossy, pointed leaves are slightly rough to the touch and emit a powerful scent reminiscent of lemon when bruised. Sprays of tiny lilac or white flowers appear in late Spring or early Summer. It is sensitive to cold, losing leaves at temperatures below 0°C although the wood is hardy to -10°C^] Due to its many culinary uses, it is widely listed and marketed as a plant for the herb garden.

Originating in Argentina and Chile, Lemon Verbena was introduced to the rest of the world in the late 1700`s. Its refreshing lemon fragrance made it an instant favorite especially in the perfume industry and it was one of the ingredients in a popular cologne made in France around the 1850`s. Its use in the perfume trade declined due to the expensive oil extraction process, but as a garden plant, in potpourri, as an air freshener and a soothing tea, Lemon verbena remains a valuable herb in the world today.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/026543_tea_oil_herb.html#ixzz2KnW7vpez

Used in spellwork,  to draw forth love, purify spaces and in baths for cleansing and purification.

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White Willow species of deciduous trees and shrubs native to Europe, Asia, and some parts of North America. Some of the more commonly known species are white willow/European willow (Salix alba), black willow/pussy willow (Salix nigra), crack willow (Salix fragilis), purple willow (Salix purpurea), and weeping willow (Salix babylonica). Not all willow species accumulate a therapeutically sufficient amount of salicin. In one study, the amount of salicin after 1 and 2 year growth in autumn and spring ranged from 0.08 - 12.6%. The willow bark sold in Europe and the United States usually includes a combination of the bark from white, purple, and crack willows

Source: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/willow-bark-000281.htm#ixzz2Kna5lbFS

 White willow is the original or natural Aspirin. Chewing White Willow Bark can ease the pain of  Menstrual cramp, Fever, Flu, Tendontis, Buritis, Back Pain or basically anything else you would take Asprin for.   Unlike synthetic Aspirin white willow bark tends to be milder on the stomach lining. White Willow Bark should never be ingested by anyone under the age of 16, because of the dangers of Reye Syndrome.

In spell work use to ward off evil (The phrase knock on wood comes from wise women touching White Willow Bark to ward off evil) 

Burned to avert evil, attract love, and promote healing.

 It is also used by many Witches as an offertory incense for Pagan lunar deities.

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Wolfs Bane also known as "the queen of poisons",aconite, monkshood, leopard's bane, women's bane, devil's helmet or blue rocket,is a genus of over 250 species of flowering plants belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. These herbaceous perennial plants are chiefly natives of the mountainous parts of the northern hemisphere, growing in moisture retentive but well draining soils on mountain meadows.

The name comes from the Greek ἀκόνιτον meaning 'without struggle'.

Wolfs Bane grows naturally in damp woods in the Alps.  It produces yellow flowers between June and August. So named as ancient German's used to plant this flower to poison wolves.

  

VERY POISONOUS!   Do not get this plant on your skin; it can cause severe itching and dermatitis, and the sap can be absorbed in a cut. Always wear gloves when handling it. Ingesting even a tiny amount of this plant can be fatal! 

Used in spellwork to invoke Hecate

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Yarrow Also known as Milfoil. Old Man's Pepper. Soldier's Woundwort. Knight's Milfoil. Herbe Militaris. Thousand Weed. Nose Bleed. Carpenter's Weed. Bloodwort. Staunchweed. Sanguinary. Devil's Nettle. Devil's Plaything. Bad Man's Plaything. Yarroway.  This is a fast growing weed that will grow anywhere (in the grass, in meadows, pastures, and by the roadside) Yarrow gets it's name for the Anglo-Saxon name for the plant - gearwe; the Dutch, yerw   Yarrow will flower from June to September,  with white or pale lilac, being like minute daisies, in flattened, terminal, loose heads, or cymes. The whole plant is more or less hairy, with white silky hairs. It can be confused with Queen Anne's Lace or wild carrot, but the flowers are thicker- not as lacey- and the clusters are not so umbrella-like.

In spellwork Yarrow is used for divnation and love spells and in spells for contacting or seeking out a specific person.

Burned to arrow courage, exorcism

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Yellow dock Rumex crispus Perennial 50- 100 cm tall on stout rootstock. Leaves with undulate edges, lanceolate, large, crispy. Flowers greenish, small, in whorls along a somewhat branched inflorescence, appearing mid-summer to mid-autumn. 

Yellow dock root is used by wise women and healers as 

a blood purifier and to detox the liver.  Used both internally and externally in skin complaints, especially where the cause is associated with constipation or liver dysfunction.  May be applied to ringworm, scabies and urticaria. 

In India the extracted Yellow Dock root juice treats toothaches and the powdered roots treats gingivitis. 

Yellow Dock leaves are mixed with elderberry to draw poison out of copperhead or rattlesnake bites.

In spellwork use to draw money.  Carry it in a mojo bag to draw forth love.