Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon my Darlings.   Today’s post is about some of my favorite herbs, the lessons I learned, and the ways in which I use them for mind, body, and spirit!   Yes, I am doing yet another post about my love of herbs.   This time I will be getting into ways that using herbs over a long period of time has enhanced my life!

~NETTLES~

~This is the very first herb that we studied in my herbalism class last year.   So, this is the first herb that I ever studied in a more academic realm!   Stinging Nettle is a favorite herb for overall nourishing, a tonic to the body, mind, and spirit.   I love using Nettles to nourish my body, help with my allergies, and soothe my uterus during my cycle.   Nettles are incredibly comforting when taken as a tea, either alone or mixed with other herbs!

~RED RASPBERRY LEAF~

~Another soothing uterine tonic, it is ideal for fertility and soothing during many points in the menstrual cycle.   Red Raspberry Leaf is a very light herb, in that it does not have a strong taste, which is a great addition to tea blends alongside Nettles!

~ELDERBERRY~

~Ah, my beloved Elder!   This was one of my favorite herbs which I was first introduced to working with on a magickal and medicinal level during my class.   I knew much about the folklore, as Elder is a very Faery tree, both as a protection from unwanted Faery mischief and as a portal to Faeryland, but I had not had the pleasure of getting to know the herb personally until my class.   I fell absolutely in love with the tree and used it in both magick and medicine.   I use it in tea blends, as Elderberry syrup, and during plant spirit and Faery meditations!   When asked on my final which was my favorite plant I studied this year, I said Elder and Hawthorn, as both were new to me, but I do admit to having a deeper relationship with Elderberry, given I use it more often, but I adore both!

~HAWTHORN BERRY~

~Hawthorn, as I mentioned above was my other favorite new herb to work with during my herbalism class.    I love this very Faery tree for its connection to the heart and the sexuality of the Beltane season!    Hawthorn is a very May Queen tree that makes me feel overjoyed when I drink her berries in tea or meditate on her power.

~DAMIANA~

~I just had to add a very sexy herb, or two, to this list!   Damiana is an herb for creativity, fertility, and most predominantly sexuality.   I love adding the spicy herb to tea blends, anointing candles with it during magick, and meditating on the energy of the plant.   As a huge advocate of Sacred Sexuality, sex magick, and honoring your connection to your own sexual desires, I find this plant very delightful to work with!

~CENTUARY~

~This is the herb that called out to me magickly during a Tarot reading performed by my herbalism teacher.   I have since developed a very special bond with this psychic herb long associated with being a powerful witch’s herb!   I have drunk this herb in tea blends, even trying it alone (which I do not recommend being it is a truly bitter herb), but my favorite way to use the herb is through candle magick to infuse the innate magick of the plant into my workings.   Centuary works as a great magnifier of potential when used this way, in my experience!

~BLUE LOTUS~

~Now, this lovely blue lily (as yes it is technically a lily indigenous to the Nile River Valley) is an herb I worked with quite a bit when I first found my spiritual path.   I had not worked with Blue Lotus for a while before studying the herb in my class, and found that I adored using Blue Lotus for tea ceremonies, dream magick, and meditations!

~ROSE~

~Obviously, this sacred plant has long been one of my all-time favorites!   White Roses are my favorite flower, part of why my site is named as such, but I do love Rose in all her forms.    She is lovely for heart-centered tea blends, romance oils, sex magick, and soothing skin product blends!    This gentle floral is limitless in the possibilities of how to use her beauty.

~LAVENDER~

~Another favorite from long before I studied herbalism in an academic setting.   I love Lavender to calm, soothe, and as an aromatic addition to tea blends, candles, incense, and countless other ways!

~LEMON BALM~

~Finally, I have to highlight my beloved Lemon Balm.   She is a Priestess Plant that is ideal to tap into the ancient memory of the Divine Feminine!    Such a soothing and nourishing herb that has amazing antiviral properties, which makes an excellent addition to any tea blend.   I find that using this herb over a long period helps reduce anxiety and soothe stress!

~I hope you have enjoyed reading my thoughts and uses for ten of my most beloved herbal allies after a year of intense study.   Which one of these is your favorite?   Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Tarot Note: I have a page offering tarot and oracle readings for those interested in these services!    I am very happy to be offering these readings to my treasured readers at White Rose of Avalon!  Link to page: https://whiteroseofavalon.life/tarot-and-oracle-readings/

Further Reading

• Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
• Magical Faery Plants by Sandra Kynes
• The Herbal Alchemist’s Handbook by Karen Harrison
• https://www.alchemyofavalontea.com/ (My herbalism teacher, Suzanne O’Gara’s, website.   She is opening enrollment for her next herbalism class soon if you are interested in studying with her!)