Some plants have long been associated with magical or clairvoyant powers and have been used as amulets 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 under the pillow was thought to ward off nightmares. A twig placed over the entrance was believed to ward off witches. European medieval history is full of stories about warding off evil spirits and witches. Paranoia based on ignorance and fueled by religious zeal existed throughout the Middle Ages.

Here are some other examples of “magic plants”:

Cedar wood oil used in ritual purification after touching something “unclean”.

german chamomile It was considered a sacred herb by the Egyptians, Moors and Saxons.

The Romans revered Clary Sage as herba sacra or ‘sacred herb’ for its euphoric properties.

Fennell It was thought to drive away evil spirits and spells cast by witches. Sprigs of fennel were hung over doors to ward off evil.

galbanium it was considered spiritually uplifting.

Hyssop It was used to ward off plagues and to drive away evil spirits.

Juniper It was used in the Middle Ages to ward off witches.

Marjoram it was considered a funeral herb to bring spiritual peace to the deceased.

Lemon balm or lemon balm it was considered the “elixir of life” and was used for nervous discord and ailments that affected 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: it lifts the spirit to the gods.

Myrtle it was considered a sign of immortality and was used in religious ceremonies.

Lignum vitae It was known by the peoples of Latin America as a spiritual oil to purify and cleanse the air of negative energies.

Sage It was used by the natives to help cleanse the aura of negativities.

Sandalwood It is considered one of the oldest oils known for its spiritual qualities and helps with prayer and meditation. It is also considered an aphrodisiac.

nard It was considered one of the sacred chrisms to anoint monarchs and high initiates in the mystery schools.

The Lakota Indians used black spruce to strengthen your ability to communicate with the Great Spirit. They believed that the fir tree 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 setting out on crusades, again to boost courage.

In the middle Ages, yarrow it was cut “with a black-handled knife, in the moonlight, repeating mystical words. It was then carried home, put in the proper stocking, and placed under the pillow” for young Highland girls to dream of their true loves.