A few herbs come to mind when thinking about the words "holy" or "sacred":
The first is Blessed Thistle, sometimes called Holy Thistle or St. Benedict's Thistle. Its Latin binomial is Cnicus benedictus. It is said this herb got its name from its reputation as a "heal-all", supposedly curing even the plague. I'm not sure how it became known as St. Benedict's Thistle but there is one story told of this Catholic saint that says some monks tried to poison his tea and food and through his prayer, he thwarted their efforts. Perhaps the herb was named after him because a strong tea (one teaspoon dried herb to one-half cup hot water, steeped 15 to 20 minutes) will act as an emetic. For many types of poisons, vomiting is necessary. If you're looking to clear your stomach out quickly, this would be one way to do it.
I don't know about the plague or poisoning but taken internally, it's great for heartburn and flatulence. Because it is bitter, it is also useful for stimulating the appetite - it gets the saliva and stomach juices flowing. Topically, it is antiseptic so a poultice would be good for wounds or skin ulcers.
Blessed Thistle is an annual plant native to Europe but is easily cultivated here in the US. Like most thistles, it's somewhat prickly so take care when harvesting. You want to pick it just before the flowers open, and take the entire above-ground plant. Be sure to let some of the plants go to seed so you'll have more for the following year.
If you choose to take it internally, make a tea (one teaspoon dried herb to one cup hot water, steeped 10 minutes) and take one to one and a half cups per day, unsweetened.
Magically, Blessed Thistle is generally used to break hexes, to provide protection from evil or in purification. You can carry a piece of the dried herb with you, use it in a bath, or add it to other herbs in your hex-breaking ritual.
The other herb I think of when I hear the word "sacred" is Angelica, Angelica archangelica. European folklore praises this plant for its ability (again) to cure virtually any malady. According to one legend, Angelica got its name because it was revealed in a dream by an angel (possibly Gabriel) to cure the plague. It also could have received its name from the fact that it generally blooms on or around the feast of St. Michael (the Archangel), or September 29th.
Angelica grows wild in most parts of Europe but will grow easily from seed in most parts of the US - be sure to keep its soil moist. To keep it growing as a perennial, cut the stems right at the base of the plant to promote side-shoots. The root is extremely susceptible to mold and insects so harvest it in the first fall after the plant has died back.
Up until the early 1900's you could see fields of Angelica growing around London - its stem was (and still is) candied. The stem and leaves are also used as a flavoring agent in liqueurs such as Chartreuse and Vermouth. Today in a medicinal context we generally use Angelica when someone has a lung infection. The part most often used is the root so you want to make a decoction to drink: one teaspoon dried root in 1½ cups cold water. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat and continue simmering until your liquid is reduced down to one cup. Strain and take one cup three times a day for coughs or bronchitis. An old recipe says to gently boil "a handful of Angelica root" in a quart of water for three hours; then strain it off and add enough honey to the remaining liquid to make a syrup. Take two tablespoons per day for hoarseness or sore throat. (This would be good for a singer or someone who speaks a lot for a living.) It's also a tonic so it, too, is good for appetite loss.
Since it is also a diuretic be sure to drink plenty of water if you're taking Angelica for an issue. A caution here: if you are on an anticoagulant drug, don't use Angelica as it may interfere with your therapy. Because of its sugary-like properties, I would avoid it in people with diabetes. It may also provoke photosensitivity reactions in some people.
Angelica is one of the best herbs to use for magical protection. You can either grow it around the perimeter of your house or sprinkle the dried, crushed herb around to provide a barrier to harmful or destructive energy. Drinking a tea of or bathing in Angelica will promote healing and fill you with a joyful energy.
Finally, the other Angelica widely known is Chinese Angelica or Dong Quai, Angelica sinensis. Women know this herb well as a relief for PMS symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses different parts of the root for different female problems but overall it does a good job of balancing hormones so it is often known as the "female ginseng". The same cautions apply here as with Angelica archangelica. It is difficult to find in the raw root form so the best thing is to buy a commercially-prepared extract and follow the directions.
Although I can find no magical information on Angelica sinensis, I would be inclined to use it in health spells designed to help women through either PMS or menopause or as a substitute for Angelica archangelica.
contents copyright (c) 2010 Deborah J. Martin
Deborah J. Martin has practiced witchcraft and medicinal herbalism for over twenty years, earning her Master Herbalist diploma from the American College of Healthcare Sciences. She is a seasoned lecturer and contributes frequently to several publications on the use of herbs both magically and medicinally. Reach her through her website http://www.herbylady.com.
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