Common names: Sticky willy, Goosegrass, Catchweed
Key identifying features: Clambering, sticky plant with whorls of 6– 8 narrow leaves around the stem and tiny hooks that cling to clothing or fur. Common in hedgerows, gardens and woodland edges.
Poisonous lookalikes: Can be confused when young with bedstraws (Galium species) — not poisonous, but not all are edible. Stickiness is unique to cleavers.
Medicinal uses: Cleavers is a cooling, cleansing herb traditionally used to support the lymphatic system, helping the body eliminate waste and reduce swollen glands or puffiness. It’s commonly made into a fresh spring juice or tea for gentle detoxification. It's also a mild diuretic, helping to clear urinary tract issues, reduce water retention, and support kidney health. Cleavers may be helpful in managing skin conditions such as eczema or acne due to its lymphatic and blood-cleansing action.
Magical/folklore: Known as "sticky willy," it was once woven into protective amulets and used in love potions to “make affections cling.”
Key Characteristics: Square stems, heart-shaped serrated leaves, small purple-white flowers.
Actions & Properties: Relaxant, carminative, mild sedative.
Uses: Gentle calming herb for children and adults. Eases anxiety and digestive discomfort.
Magical Uses: Love, peace, attracting good spirits. Can be used in love sachets or burnt for calming energy.
Common Names: Dandelion, Lion’s Tooth, Blowball, Priest’s Crown
Botanical Characteristics:
A resilient perennial from the Asteraceae family, dandelion features:
Leaves: Deeply toothed, forming a basal rosette. Milky sap appears when broken.
Flowers: Bright yellow, composite heads made up of numerous tiny florets.
Stem: Hollow, leafless, exuding white latex.
Seed Head: Iconic puffball of wind-dispersed seeds.
Habitat: Thrives in disturbed soils, meadows, lawns, pathways—almost anywhere. Considered a "weed" but is actually a powerful and generous plant ally.
Medicinal Actions & Properties:
Dandelion is one of the most versatile medicinal plants available:
Hepatic (liver tonic): Stimulates liver function, bile flow, and detox pathways (primarily the root).
Diuretic: Encourages urination, reducing water retention without depleting potassium.
Digestive bitter: Enhances appetite, digestive enzymes, and bile production.
Nutritive tonic: High in minerals—especially calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
Mild laxative: Especially when taken as a spring tonic.
Uses:
🌱 Leaves: Young leaves eaten raw in salads or sautéed like spinach. Best harvested early in the season before becoming too bitter. Diuretic and high in vitamins A, C, and K.
🌼 Flowers: Infused into honey, oil, or wine. Used for salves to soothe dry, achy muscles. Great for sun-themed elixirs and cheerful herbal blends.
🌿 Root: Roasted and brewed as a coffee substitute. Decoctions support liver detox and gallbladder health. Fresh or dried root tincture for long-term liver support.
Magical Actions:
Wishcraft & manifestation: Blow on seed heads to send wishes to the wind.
Divination: Used in tea or incense for increasing psychic sight and inner clarity.
Joy & resilience: Brings light, optimism, and renewal.
Dream work: Dandelion root under the pillow is said to invite prophetic dreams.
Spiritual cleansing: Tea or flower-infused water can be used to cleanse spaces or energy fields.
Magical & Energetic Uses:
Dandelion has long been revered for its sunny, resilient energy:
Element: Air
Planet: Jupiter (also associated with the Sun)
Mentha spp. (e.g., Mentha spicata for spearmint, Mentha × piperita for peppermint)
Key Identifying features: Square stems, opposite aromatic leaves, and small pale purple, pink or white flowers. Very fragrant when crushed. Often spreads vigorously in damp or sunny places.
Poisonous lookalikes: Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is toxic in high doses b and cause miscarriages.
Medicinal uses: Mint is a cooling and antispasmodic herb widely used for digestive relief — helping with bloating, indigestion, wind, nausea, and cramping. Peppermint has a mild analgesic effect and is also useful for headaches, especially when applied as an infused oil or balm to the temples. It can help clear sinus congestion and soothe sore throats when used in steam inhalations or teas. Emotionally, mint is uplifting and refreshing, often used to help focus the mind or ease mental fatigue. Spearmint tends to be gentler and better for children or those sensitive to stronger mints.
Magical/folklore: Carried to attract good luck and protect travellers. Mint was also believed to sharpen the mind and drive away negativity.
Key Characteristics: Tall, silvery undersides of leaves; aromatic.
Actions and Properties: Bitter tonic, nervine, emmenagogue, mild psychoactive.
Uses: Aids digestion, promotes lucid dreaming, supports menstrual health. Used in teas, smudging, or as dream pillows.
Magical Uses: Protection, intuition, dream work. Mugwort is associated with moon magic and divination.
Key identifying features: Serrated heart-shaped leaves with stinging hairs, opposite leaf arrangement, and tall upright growth. Found in nutrient-rich soils
Poisonous lookalikes: Dead-nettles (Lamium spp.) are lookalikes but harmless and edible — and don’t sting.
Medicinal uses: Nettle is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and K.
Internally, it's used as a tonic for blood-building, particularly in cases of fatigue, anaemia, or postpartum recovery. It has a mild diuretic effect, helping the kidneys and urinary system, and can ease symptoms of hay fever and seasonal allergies (it reduces histamine response). The fresh sting has been traditionally used to relieve arthritis through counterirritation, and nettle infusions are often used to support skin, hair, and nails. It's also a uterine tonic and sometimes used for heavy periods or hormonal balancing.
Magical/folklore: Used for protection and strength — thrown into fires to drive away evil spirits or worn to guard against lightning and ill-will.
Ribwort Plantain – Plantago lanceolata Broadleaf Plantain – Plantago major
Common names: Ribwort, narrow leaf plantain; broadleaf plantain, white man’s herb/foot
Key identifying features: Ribwort has long, lance-shaped leaves with 3–5 strong parallel veins and tall flower spikes. Broadleaf has wide, rounded leaves in a rosette and short flower spikes. Both are low-growing and common in disturbed ground.
Poisonous lookalikes: None significant; both are easy to ID safely
Medicinal uses: Plantain is one of the best first-aid plants in the field — its fresh leaves can be crushed and applied as a poultice to insect bites, nettle stings, cuts, and splinters to draw out toxins and soothe irritation. Internally, it’s used for coughs, bronchitis, and irritated mucous membranes, particularly in the throat and digestive tract. It's demulcent (soothing), astringent, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial. Plantain also promotes tissue regeneration and can be used in salves for skin healing.
Magical/folklore: Known as a “traveller’s herb,” it was carried to prevent fatigue and was believed to protect against snake bites
Key Characteristics: Evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and small pale blue to violet flowers. Intensely aromatic and resinous, especially in hot sun.
Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean; thrives in sunny, dry, rocky soils. Now cultivated widely in gardens and pots.
Actions & Properties:
Stimulant and circulatory tonic – enhances blood flow, especially to the brain
Nervine – clarifies and supports nervous system
Antimicrobial and antiseptic – great for topical and internal cleansing
Memory-enhancing – traditionally used to improve concentration and recall
Uses:
Used in teas, tinctures, oils, and culinary dishes. Infused in vinegar or oil as a hair tonic or for scalp health. Burned as incense for purification and mental focus.
Magical Uses:
A sacred herb of remembrance, purification, and protection. Burned before rituals to cleanse energy and enhance spiritual connection. Worn or placed under pillows for vivid dreams and psychic clarity.
Historically used in weddings and funerals—to honour both beginnings and endings.
An herb of solar energy, connected to the Sun and fire element.
Common names: Heal-all, woundwort, heart-of-the-earth
Key Identifying features: Low-growing with square stems, opposite ovate leaves, and dense, purple flower spikes resembling little pagodas. Found in lawns, meadows, and grassy paths.
Poisonous lookalikes: None known — a very safe beginner plant; can be confused with Bugle
Medicinal uses: Self-heal is traditionally used for wounds, cuts, and infections, both externally and internally. As an astringent and mild antimicrobial, it helps tighten tissues and reduce inflammation. Internally, it's used for sore throats, ulcers, mouth inflammation, and lymphatic support. Modern studies support its antiviral properties, especially against herpes viruses. It is also known to support the immune system and ease digestive inflammation. Multitude of uses in all aspects of bodily functions, very intelligent little herb that will adapt its magic to individual’s needs.
Magical/folklore: Known as “heal-all” or “heart of the earth,” it was believed to ward off evil spirits and promote harmony when worn as an amulet.
Key identifying features: Rosette of rounded, toothed leaves at the base with smaller trifoliate leaves up the stem. Yellow five petalled flowers and distinctive hooked seed heads. Clove scented root.
Poisonous lookalikes: Occasionally confused with Ranunculus species, which have similar flowers but very different leaves and are toxic
Medicinal uses: Wood avens root contains eugenol, the compound that gives cloves their warming, spicy scent. This makes it useful for digestive complaints, especially where there’s coldness, sluggish digestion, or bloating. It was used historically for fevers, as a mild antiseptic, and to flavour drinks and tonics. Its astringent and aromatic properties make it helpful for mouth ulcers, sore throats, and gum inflammation. It can also gently support liver and bile flow when used over time.
Magical/folklore: Called “Herb Bennet,” it was believed to ward off evil spirits and protect against disease if planted near the home.