Herbal magic
Herbs used in magic and folklore.
Having trouble in the love department? Why not concoct a potion d’amour using homegrown herbs. Or you might like to pop a hex on your neighbour or appeal to the gods to increase your wealth or happiness with a little herbal charm.
Whether real or imagined, herbal magic has been utilised for thousands of years, back before medicine was separated from magic and folklore was separated from science. In history, herbs have been worn or hung as amulets, burned as incense or infused, decocted or distilled for external or internal application for their apparent magical qualities.
I’ll be honest: I’ve never actually made a magical potion myself, but the ancients did it all the time, so what could go wrong?
Apparently, quite a lot. Some of the herbs listed as ingredients in medieval and Renaissance sources are not only poisonous (such as hemlock), but banned from being grown in many places today. The same goes for those herbs that are highly narcotic in nature (like henbane). But there’s also the downright gross. Albertus Magnus, a respectable scholar of the 12th century, reported that periwinkle and sengreen (houseleek) could strengthen the love between man and wife – when mixed with worms.
Love potions
Perhaps periwinkle ( Vinca
minor), without the worms, would work in the love department? The 17th-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper believed it to be something of an aphrodisiac. “Venus owns this herb, and saith, That the leaves eaten by man and wife together, cause love between them.”
The plant is, in fact, a circulatory stimulant (an aphrodisiac works by increasing pelvic circulation, that is, blood flow to the sex organs). However, current literature notes that these circulatory effects are restricted to the brain. Rather than stimulating the nether regions, it’s more useful for circulatory disorders in the cerebral regions. It contains the alkaloid vincamine, which is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator. There is simply no reference in modern texts for its effectiveness as an aphrodisiac. Madagascar periwinkle ( Catharanthus roseus syn. Vinca rosea), on the other hand, contains the alkaloid yohimbine, which has stimulant and aphrodisiac effects. It is sold as prescription medicine for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, it’s not wise to use either of these plants in a DIY situation as they are both mildly toxic. You might like to use it instead for its other magical properties. Historically, periwinkle was carried to become graceful, attract money and for protection against snakes, wild beasts, poison, the evil eye and spirits. It was also believed that gazing upon a sprig of periwinkle would restore lost memories. I’m not sure how houseleeks ( Sempervivum tectorum) could work in a love potion, though it certainly has a reputation for warding off witches. It’s also notable for its use in protecting against fire and lightning. The Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne (742-814) encouraged his subjects to plant houseleeks on their roofs for this purpose, which is supposedly how the plant earned its common name. Medicinally, houseleeks have been used for thousands of years for their anti-inflammatory, cooling and astringent properties. As for earthworms? Their association with earth suggests growth, life cycle and fertility – perfect for a love potion. Other herbs also registered on the magical love scale for their use in luring a potential lover too.
Periwinkle and sengreen (houseleek) could strengthen the love between man and wife – when mixed with worms.