Some plants have long been associated with magical or clairvoyant powers and have been used as spells against evil.
Anyone who has read the Harry Potter novels can attest to the novel’s parade of strange plant concoctions for magical purposes. But in real life, yes, certain plants have a history with magic. Rosemary it is one of those plants. In Europe, a sprig of rosemary placed under the pillow was thought to prevent nightmares. A twig placed over the door was believed to scare away witches. Medieval European history is full of stories about how to protect yourself from evil spirits and witches. Paranoia based on ignorance and fueled by religious zeal existed throughout the entire period of the Middle Ages.
Here are some other examples of “magic plants”:
Cedar wood oil used in ritual purification after touching anything “unclean”.
German chamomile It was considered a sacred herb by the Egyptians, Moors, and Saxons.
The revered romans Sage as herba sacra or ‘sacred herb’ due to its euphoric properties.
Fennel it was thought to ward off evil spirits and spells cast by witches. They hung fennel twigs on the doors to ward off evil.
Galbanum it was considered spiritually uplifting.
Hyssop It was used to protect against the plague and drive away evil spirits.
Juniper It was used in the Middle Ages to drive away witches.
Marjoram It was considered a funeral herb to bring peace of mind to the deceased.
Melissa or lemon balm It was considered the “elixir of life” and was used for nervous discord and ailments that affect the heart or emotion-anxiety, melancholy and to strengthen and revive the vital spirit.
Sagebrush in the Middle Ages it was associated with superstition and witchcraft and was used as a protective amulet against evil and danger.
Myrrh It is one of the oldest spiritual oils known to man, raising the spirit to the gods.
Myrtle It was considered a sign of immortality and used in religious ceremonies.
Lignum vitae It was known to the peoples of Latin America as a spiritual oil to purify and cleanse the air of negative energies.
Sage It was used by native peoples to help cleanse the aura of negativity.
Sandalwood It is considered one of the oldest oils known for its spiritual qualities and its aid with prayer and meditation. It is also considered an aphrodisiac.
Nard He was considered one of the holy Christians to anoint the monarchs and high initiates in the mystery schools.
The Lakota Indians used black fir to strengthen your ability to communicate with the Great Spirit. They believed that fir possesses the frequency of prosperity.
Thyme was associated with ‘courage’. Roman soldiers bathed in thyme before going into battle and, in the Middle Ages, sprigs of thyme were woven into the scarves of knights leaving for the Crusades, again to increase the courage.
In the middle Ages, yarrow was cut “with a black-handled knife, in the moonlight, repeating mystical words. She was then carried home, put on the appropriate stocking and placed under the pillow” so that the girls of the Highlands dream of their true loves