Thanks mostly to the popularity of St. John's Wort for depression, herbs have moved past usage by a few old-fashioned folks and modern Wiccans into the mainstream.  Even Centrum, the vitamin company, is now advertising its herbals for sale.

Many of us were using herbs long before they became popular with the Yuppie crowd.  This is a guide to herbals the old-fashioned way, and some of the most common and useful herbs.
 
Yes, you can pop into your local pharmacist now and pick up an overpriced bottle of herbs.  Or you can use them the old-fashioned way.

Most large cities have herb stores, or metaphysical stores that sell herbs.  These are the real thing, generally, that don't come in capsules, but in dried form.  You can also buy empty gelatin capsules at some of these stores (or at your neighborhood health-food store), fill them with the loose dried herb, and take them that way.

My favorite use of herbs is the old-fashioned teas.  Directions for teas vary depending on the herb and what you want out of it.  The most common form is an infusion, which is created by boiling water, then pouring it over the herb, steeping for 15 to 20 minutes.  A strong infusion generally uses an ounce of herbs and one pint of water; steeping time is 20 minutes.  A weak infusion uses 1/2 ounce of herb, one pint of water, and is steeped for 15 minutes.  You can either place the herbs in a tea ball or strainer in a cup, or you can strain the loose herbs out of the tea after steeping.

When purchasing herbs, look for herbs that are green and smell fresh.  I have seen some herb shops with plants that were completely brown and dry; needless to say, these herbs are probably not going to be very useful.  Fresher herbs have much stronger properties.

There are many associations between herbs and other metaphysical ideas, and you may want to check into this if you are doing magical work with herbs.  Herbs have associations with planets, astrological signs, gemstones, the Tarot and God/Goddess forms.  If you are combining herbs with magic, you would do well to study these associations.  Even if you are using them medicinally, taking the right herb at the right time can make a difference.

I usually prepare herbs before pouring the water over them for teas by grinding them a bit with a mortar and pestle.  This helps release the properties within the herb.  It's especially helpful to do this if you are combining several herbs into one tea.  I frequently do this in the winter time with my cold remedies, combining up to seven different herbs at one time.

You can improve the taste of some herbal teas with lemon or honey (or both).  Sugar should not be used.

It is traditionally best to boil water in a ceramic pan rather than aluminum.  Some metals counteract the herbs, and aluminum is considered to be particularly negative when used with herbal remedies.

The following are only a few of the herbs that I use, along with their healing properties.

Spearmint.  Spearmint makes a wonderfully tasty tea even if you don't need it as a remedy.  Iced spearmint tea on a hot summer's day is delightfully cooling.  Peppermint is much the same as spearmint, and both are used most effectively to quiet upset stomachs and nausea.

St. John's Wort.  This herb is what began the resurgence of interest in the ancient art and science of herbalism.  It works on the nervous system, and thus helps depression, as well as hysteria.  It is also helpful for the lungs.

Echinacea.  Echinacea, or Purple Coneflower, is another currently popular herb because of its good effect on cold symptoms.  The root is the part of this herb used.

Anise.  I have found aniseed to be very effective in relieving lung congestion.  I have used it during asthma attacks to stop them completely.

Chamomile.  This is a delightful sweet herb that is very safe to use, and helpful in calming the nerves and upset stomachs.

Elecampane.  This is another good herb to use for cold and lung complaints.  It also has a wonderful taste.

Horehound.  Although a bitter herb, horehound is the best herb I know of for helping ease sore throats.  It is commercially available in cough drop form for this purpose.  It also aids in relieving lung congestion.

Plantain.  This herb is found in nearly every yard that hasn't been chemically treated.  When picked fresh and its leaves bruised and moistened, it is very helpful for minor burns and skin irritations.

Aloe Vera.  Another widely-used herb, every home should have an aloe vera plant.  Cutting off a small bit of a leaf and rubbing the thick gel onto burns or other skin irritations works wonders.  I have used it on a sunburn, and it practically peeled off the entire burned layer of skin.  It's very soothing.

These are just a few of the safer herbs to use.  There are many herbs that are powerful in treating various complaints, but which should not be used by an inexperienced practitioner (if at all), due to their toxicity.  They include:  Belladonna, Black Cohosh, Ergot, Foxglove, Hellebore, Hemlock, Henbane, Jimsonweed, Kava-Kava, Ladyslipper, Larkspur, Lily-of-the-Valley, Lobelia, Mandrake, Mayapple, Mistletoe, Monkshood (Aconite), Rue, and Wormwood.  There are many others that are potentially deadly.

The rule is to use common sense.  Herbs are drugs, like any other drug.  They should only be taken occasionally as needed, in as small a dose as possible to achieve the desired result.  Just because they are "natural" does not mean they can't be dangerous.

That said, my rule of thumb is to avoid the potentially deadly herbs, period.  Stick with the more gentle herbs, such as many members of the mint family, particularly as you are learning.  Use the herbs that are used in cooking, as these are generally safe as well (such as Anise, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, etc.).  I recommend not using herbal teas for more than three days in a row, to avoid any excessive buildup of the herb's properties in your system that could become toxic.  Two to three cups of herbal tea a day for three days should help alleviate your problem.  If it doesn't, go back to your physician.

Another warning I would strongly urge anyone contemplating learning about herbalism to heed is to always consult your physician first.  You can then supplement the treatment s/he is giving you with the herbs, being sure to check with the physician first about any possible problems of interaction between pharmaceuticals and herbs.  This is the safest route to go.

That being said, if you have chronic problems that have already been diagnosed, and traditional medicine does not seem to be helping much, then experiment with the appropriate herbs.  Such common and minor complaints as upset stomachs, headaches, colds and minor skin problems can be treated easily and cheaply with a variety of different herbs.
 

Recommended Reading
 

There are a lot of excellent books on herbs available at metaphysical bookstores or other book outlets.  Some of the older herbals have been reprinted and are available, and there are more recent books that are probably more accurate and up-to-date.  My personal favorite herbal is Paul Beyerl's The Master Book of Herbalism, published by Phoenix Publishing Co.  It covers history, lore, medicinal uses, magical associations, and the practicalities of using herbs.  Beyerl's approach is down to earth and cautious without being paranoid.

An older favorite is Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss.  Although it's a little clunky, outdated and Biblical, its listing of herbs and complaints is still an excellent one.

Jeanne Rose's Herbal, Herbs & Things, requires some caution and skepticism, although it's also a lot of fun.  She also is careful to note which herbs are potentially dangerous or deadly.  This book also provides recipes for everything from potpourris to shampoos.

Check your local bookstore for more contemporary titles, and enjoy curling up with a cup of herbal tea this season.
 
 

This page is intended solely for education on the ancient practice of herbalism.  It is not intended to be construed as medical advice, nor is it meant to replace the advice of a licensed physician.  Always seek the advice of a professional physician first.