The healing powers of herbs have long been known. And, in addition to their medicinal properties herbs, like flowers, speak a silent, symbolic language. While in recent times, flowers have become the more popular way to convey messages of love and caring, in ancient times, and even as recent as the Victorian era, Herbal Bouquets were exchanged to express that which words could not.
Some herbs have many meanings, even varying in interpretation by different sources. Others have very specific messages, such as Rosemary which symbolizes remembrance says, "Your presence revives me." A considerate nosegay of Chives asks, "Why do you weep?" Verbena's reassuring message is "You have my confidence." Abor Vitae conveys unchanging friendship saying, "Live for me." Mugwort bestows sentiments of happiness and travel, telling its recipient, "Be not weary." Sage speaks of domestic virtues, long life, and good health. Its potent message is, "I will suffer all for you."
Not all herbal messages are loving or even uplifting. Borage speaks of bluntness and says, "Your intentions only embarrass me." Lemon Balm begs, "Don't misuse me," and the spiciness of Savory tells it like it is, "The truth may be bitter." Goldenrod offers a little more encouragement while sending a message of indecision, pleading, "Allow me time to decide."
Still, the language of herbs can be light-hearted and humorous. The common cooking herb Parsley stands for useful knowledge, festivity, joy, and victory while claiming, "The woman of the house is boss." Sweet Marjoram tells a persistent admirer, "Your passion sends blushes to my cheeks."
The following list offers the symbolic messages of other herbs:
Balm - sympathy
Basil (sweet) - good or best wishes, love or serious intentions
Bergamot (Monarda, Bee Balm) - compassion, sweet virtues
Betony - surprise, healing
Calendula - sacred affections, joy, remembrance, grief
Catnip - intoxification with love
Chamomile - energy in adversity
Cilantro (Coriander) - hidden worth
Cowslip - pensiveness, happiness
Dill - good spirits
Elder -zealousness
Fennel - worthy of praise or flattery
Geranium - present preference
Gloxinia - a proud spirit
Hop - injustice
Ivy - friendship, matrimony, fidelity, constancy
Lavender - acknowledgment, suspicion, devotion, loyalty
Mint - grief, homeliness, wisdom, eternal refreshment
Marigold - despair, grief, honesty
Nasturtium - optimism, splendor
Pennyroyal - flee away
Peppermint - cordiality
Santolina - protection
Sorrel - affection
Southernwood - bantering jest
Spearmint - warmth of sentiment
Tansy (Tannacetum) - resistance, life everlasting, hostile thoughts
Thyme - thriftiness, happiness, courage
Herbs heal on many levels and offer us a way to convey our sentiments through their beauty and fragrance. Herbs may be combined with other herbs or flowers in a posy or nosegay to convey just the sentiment you wish to express to someone you care about, even when this someone is YOU.
Taken fromDailyOM
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Herbal Infusions
Please make sure these herbs aren't posionous by referring to an Herbal Correspondence. Although some herbs are listed as dangerous, please make 100% sure.
Basically infusions, brews and washes are just tea. Herbs steeped in hot water to release their volatile oils and essences into the water so the resulting liquid may be used to transfer their energies to an object, place or person. Infusions may be used in a number of ways; to sprinkle around a space or onto an object or person, to bathe an object or person, or to drink as tea. They are generally brewed when they will be used as they do not keep well. The herbs may be mixed in advance and placed in small cheesecloth bundles, ready to use like a tea bag. If you use a particular infusion often you may want to make up these tea bags and have them on hand. Mixing the herbs should be done with ritual, visualization and the appropriate time correspondences as with any magical herb preparation. The prepared tea bags should be stored in an airtight jar, in a dry, cool place. The following table lists some herbs traditionally used in infusions for various magical intents.
Herbs Traditionally Used in Infusions
-Bistort
Infusion is sprinkled to drive out poltergeists.
-Boneset
Infusion is sprinkled to drive out evil.
-Buchu
Tea is brewed and drunk to develop psychic powers.
-Cascara
Infusion is sprinkled at home before going to court to win favor with the judge/jury.
-Chamomile
Infusion is added to bath to attract love.
-Cinquefoil
Wash the head and hands with the infusion 9 times to rid yourself of hexes.
-Clover, Red
Infusion is sprinkled to drive away evil and negativity.
-Cohosh, Black
Infusion is added to the bath to cure impotency.
-Damiana
Infusion is drunk to increase sexual stimulation.
-Dill
Infusion is added to the bath to attract love.
-Fumitory
Infusion is sprinkled around the house to attract money.
-Gentian
Infusion is added to the bath to attract love.
-Ginseng
Tea is drunk to induce lust.
-Hibiscus
An infusion of the flowers is drunk to induce lust.
-Hyssop
Infusion is sprinkled or added to the bath for purification.
-Kava Kava
A tea is drunk to enhance psychic powers.
-Lemon
Infusion is used to induce lust.
-Lemon Verbena
Infusion is sprinkled or added to the bath for purification.
-Lovage
Infusion is added to the bath to attract love.
-Marigolds
Infusion is added to the bath to attract respect and admiration.
-Mimosa
Infusion is added to the bath to break hexes.
-Mugwort
Infusion is used to wash divinatory tools to increase their effectiveness.
-Orange
Infusion is added to the bath to be more attractive.
-Parsley
Infusion is added to the bath for purification.
-Pineapple
Infusion is added to the bath to attract luck.
-Poke
Infusion is sprinkled or added to the bath to break hexes.
-Rattlesnake Root
Infusion is added to the bath for protection.
-Rose
Rosebud tea drunk before bed induces prophetic dreams.
-Rosemary
Infusion is added to the bath for purification.
-Rue
Infusion is added to the bath for breaking hexes and exorcism.
-Saffron
Infusion is drunk to improve psychic powers.
-Sagebrush
Infusion is added to the bath for purification.
-Shallots
Infusion is added to the bath for luck.
-Solomons Seal
Infusion of the roots is sprinkled to drive away evil.
-Tormentil
Infusion is drunk to improve psychic powers, and give protection.
-Vervain
Infusion is sprinkled to exorcise evil spirits and negativity.
-Wintergreen
Infusion is sprinkled for purification.
-Yarrow
Infusion of the flowers is drunk to improve psychic powers.
-Yerba Mate
Infusion is drunk as a lust inducing potion.
-Yerba Santa
Infusion is added to the bath to be more beautiful.
-Yohimbe
Infusion is drunk as a lust inducing potion.
Taken from Wicca
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