Plant lore may be interesting, but not always practical. Plants used in healing and spell work can be fascinating and frightening...but do they belong in common gardens?
Eye of newt and hair of dog actually weren’t the ingredients used in most witches’ brews, because most witches were generally women who had a vast understanding of plants and plant lore. The history of medicine began with plants, and almost everyone knows at least a few ancient herbal remedies which can still be applied today. Most people know, for instance, that aloe is good for burns, but they know much less about the more mysterious herbs which are related to magical undertakings.
Poison!
The word poison is, at the very least, off-putting. Few gardeners want to put poisonous plants in their backyard, especially those plants which were once associated with magic. What could be more sinister than a deadly, magical, living thing growing in the backyard? But even the poisonous plants have medicinal qualities which makes them useful, though some might say they’re unlucky.
Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, sounds a little scary. Its poisonous nature (when ingested in large quality, this herb can cause death) and association with magic may turn some off, but belladonna relieves painful joins when applied directly to the skin. When used in a very small amount, this plant promotes deep sleep.
Henbane is often used to cure insomnia, as it also promotes a very deep sleep when taken in small doses. When applied externally, this herb relieves aches and pains. However, when too much henbane is introduced into the system it is a poison.
Thorn apple, or datura, can be a very strong healing herb. Hardly the stuff of simple at-home remedies, datura is a strong muscle relaxant and promotes very deep, almost coma-like sleep. If too much of this plant is swallowed, however, thorn apple can cause so much relaxation the muscles stop moving completely.
Mandrake is probably the most common of the poisonous plants associated with magic. It’s said the plant screams when it is pulled from the ground, and some cultures believed merely touching mandrake could cause an untimely death. But, like many of the other poisonous plants, mandrake promotes deep sleep when swallowed and pain relief when applied to the skin itself.
Magical Plants?
Even those who don’t necessarily believe in magic may be interested in the lore surrounding some plants, which dates back thousands of years. Anise, a fairly common household herb used to flavor food, is said to avert the evil eye. This herb also has medicinal properties, being good relief for morning sickness in pregnant mothers.
Wands, which are very much a part of magic, are also steeped in plant lore. A wand made from the ash tree is said to unlock magic, while elder wood wands ward off evil of all kinds. Elder is a very useful all-around ingredient, providing medicinal relief for a number of skin and wound irritations.
Avoid Them…or Adore Them?
Gardeners who are very careful with their plants (and don’t have curious children poking around) shouldn’t fear poisonous or magical plants. Know what a plant does before planting it, and be familiar with what each looks like before harvesting and ingesting anything. Even poisonous and magical plants have useful properties, and add a little unusual interest to any home garden.
