The Witch’s Herbal Codex: Old Names & Magical Uses 

In the traditions of folk magic and witchcraft, herbs were given mysterious names to conceal their identity, enhance their magical power, or reflect their symbolic qualities. Many of these “witch names” appear in old grimoires, folk tales, and spellbooks. 

• Eye of Newt – Mustard Seed or Tiny Seeds
  Uses: Insight, vision, protection.
  Tradition: Symbolic of foresight; often added to charms for clarity and prophecy.
• Toe of Frog – Violet Root, Plantain Seed, Clover Seed
  Uses: Adaptability, transformation, protection.
  Tradition: Frog symbolism brings change and fertility. Seeds used for flexibility in spellwork.
• Wool of Bat – Flax, Cotton, or Fibrous Plants
  Uses: Intuition, night magic, psychic enhancement.
  Tradition: Represents nocturnal and mysterious energy; often used in divination.
• Tongue of Dog – Lungwort, Betony
  Uses: Communication, loyalty, protection.
  Tradition: Animal-inspired herbs mirror the creature’s qualities.
• Dragon’s Blood – Croton or Dracaena Resin
  Uses: Protection, banishing negativity, empowerment of tools.
  Tradition: Red resin symbolizes strength and vitality; widely used to anoint candles, talismans, and altars.
• Mandrake Root – Mandragora officinarum
  Uses: Fertility, protection, trance, wealth, love.
  Tradition: Human-shaped roots believed to scream when uprooted; historically central to fertility and protective magic.
• Snakeweed – Agrimony, Baneberry, Clematis
  Uses: Protection, banishing, healing.
  Tradition: Named for its snake-like form; used to ward off evil spirits.
• Wolfsbane / Monkshood – Aconitum spp.
  Uses: Protection, warding, exorcism.
  Tradition: Associated with werewolves; handled symbolically due to toxicity.
• Belladonna / Deadly Nightshade – Atropa belladonna
  Uses: Divination, astral travel, sleep magic.
  Tradition: “Beautiful lady” plant; used historically in flying ointments and visionary spells.
• Henbane – Hyoscyamus niger
  Uses: Trance, visions, protection, binding spells.
  Tradition: Used in small quantities in ritual ointments; powerful and dangerous.
• Adder’s Tongue – Ophioglossum vulgatum
  Uses: Healing, protection, divination, luck.
  Tradition: Named for its snake-like shape; wards against poison and harm.
• Pixie’s Thistle – Cirsium spp.
  Uses: Protection, fairy magic, warding.
  Tradition: Thistles protect homes and attract helpful fairy energy.
• Foxglove / Fairy Gloves – Digitalis purpurea
  Uses: Protection, enchantment, invisibility, love.
  Tradition: Toxic plant linked to fae magic; used sparingly in charms.
• Nightshade / Lady’s Bane – Solanum spp.
  Uses: Binding, protection, divination.
  Tradition: Highly toxic; respect and caution in magical use.
• Catnip / Catmint – Nepeta cataria
  Uses: Happiness, love, attraction, intuition.
  Tradition: Attracts positive energy; cats’ affinity symbolizes spiritual alignment.

• Rosemary / Dew of the Sea – Rosmarinus officinalis
  Uses: Memory, purification, protection, love.
  Tradition: Burned for cleansing, carried for remembrance, used in weddings and protective spells.
• Sage / Sedge of the Wise – Salvia officinalis
  Uses: Cleansing, protection, wisdom.
  Tradition: Sacred in many traditions; burned to clear spaces and invite clarity.
• Mugwort / St. John’s Herb – Artemisia vulgaris
  Uses: Dream magic, divination, protection, astral travel.
  Tradition: Hung over beds or burned as incense to enhance prophetic dreams.
• Yarrow / Soldier’s Herb – Achillea millefolium
  Uses: Courage, protection, love, divination.
  Tradition: Carried into battle for courage; used in love spells and dream work.
• Mistletoe / Oak’s Embrace – Viscum album
  Uses: Fertility, protection, divination, peace.
  Tradition: Hung during Yule for protection and blessings; sacred in Druidic tradition.
• Lavender / Lady’s Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia
  Uses: Love, peace, purification, sleep.
  Tradition: Planted near homes, used in sachets, or burned for calm and clarity.
• Chamomile / Sun’s Breath – Matricaria chamomilla
  Uses: Calm, money magic, love, protection.
  Tradition: Associated with the sun; used in teas, baths, and sleep spells.
• Basil / King’s Herb – Ocimum basilicum
  Uses: Love, prosperity, protection.
  Tradition: Sacred in folklore; used to attract wealth and repel negative influences.
• Thyme / Warrior’s Herb – Thymus vulgaris
  Uses: Courage, purification, healing.
  Tradition: Carried for bravery; used in incense for spiritual cleansing.
• Sagebrush / Witch’s Herb – Artemisia tridentata
  Uses: Purification, divination, protection.
  Tradition: Smudging with sagebrush clears energies and strengthens psychic insight.

• Juniper / Sprig of Protection – Juniperus communis
  Uses: Protection, purification, money magic.
  Tradition: Burned or carried to ward off evil; sacred to forest spirits.
• Oak Bark / Heart of the Forest – Quercus spp.
  Uses: Strength, protection, endurance.
  Tradition: Sacred in Celtic and Druidic magic; bark and acorns used in charms.
• Hawthorn / Fairy Thorn – Crataegus monogyna
  Uses: Protection, love, divination.
  Tradition: Associated with fairies; often planted to protect homes from spirits.
• Dandelion / Lion’s Tooth – Taraxacum officinale
  Uses: Divination, wish magic, healing.
  Tradition: Root, leaf, and flower used; seeds blown for wishes or prophetic dreams.
• Comfrey / Knitbone – Symphytum officinale
  Uses: Healing, protection, grounding.
  Tradition: Historically applied for wounds; magical use for strengthening spells.
• Vervain / Sacred Herb – Verbena officinalis
  Uses: Protection, purification, love, courage.
  Tradition: Considered sacred by Druids; burned or worn for blessings and divination.
• Hellebore / Winter’s Bloom – Helleborus spp.
  Uses: Protection, exorcism, astral work.
  Tradition: Used carefully for banishing negativity and spiritual work.
• Peppermint / Dragon’s Mint – Mentha × piperita
  Uses: Energy, protection, healing, prosperity.
  Tradition: Burned, brewed, or carried to enhance magical energy and clarity.
• Fennel / Giant’s Fennel – Foeniculum vulgare
  Uses: Protection, purification, divination.
  Tradition: Sprigs hung over doors to ward off evil spirits.
• Angelica / Holy Herb – Angelica archangelica
  Uses: Protection, healing, psychic clarity.
  Tradition: Named for Archangel Michael; burned or carried for spiritual defense.

• Valerian / All-Heal – Valeriana officinalis
  Uses: Sleep, protection, love, exorcism.
  Tradition: Root used in charms and sleep spells; attracts protective spirits.
• St. John’s Wort / Hypericum – Hypericum perforatum
  Uses: Protection, banishing evil, love.
  Tradition: Hung in windows or burned to repel negativity; sacred to sun and light spirits.
• Rue / Herb of Grace – Ruta graveolens
  Uses: Protection, purification, psychic vision.
  Tradition: Historically worn as an amulet; burned or carried for spiritual cleansing.
• Sassafras / Root of the Forest – Sassafras albidum
  Uses: Prosperity, protection, divination.
  Tradition: Roots and leaves used in charms and ritual teas.
• Sweetgrass / Spirit’s Braid – Hierochloe odorata
  Uses: Purification, blessing, attraction.
  Tradition: Burned in smudge rituals; sacred to many Indigenous traditions.
• Willow / Moonwood – Salix spp.
  Uses: Healing, divination, lunar magic.
  Tradition: Associated with moon cycles, intuition, and feminine energy.
• Elder / Witch’s Tree – Sambucus nigra
  Uses: Protection, healing, divination.
  Tradition: Sacred to witches and spirits; used in charms and protective wards.
• Cinnamon / Dragon’s Bark – Cinnamomum verum
  Uses: Prosperity, love, protection.
  Tradition: Widely used in charms, incense, and ritual powders.
• Ginger / Sunroot – Zingiber officinale
  Uses: Energy, passion, protection.
  Tradition: Added to charms and spell bags for strength, courage, and attraction.
• Cloves / Sacred Nail – Syzygium aromaticum
  Uses: Protection, purification, money magic.
  Tradition: Planted around homes or carried to ward off negativity.
• Bay / Laurel / Hero’s Herb – Laurus nobilis
  Uses: Victory, protection, divination.
  Tradition: Leaves burned for clairvoyance or carried for success in endeavors.
• Cardamom / Spice of the Gods – Elettaria cardamomum
  Uses: Love, prosperity, attraction.
  Tradition: Often used in incense blends or charms to attract positivity.