Rosemary

Rosemary has the botanical name of Rosmarinus officinalis and is an erect bush with ascending branches typically growing up to 2m high and 1.8m wide. Its leaves are dark green and linear with a silvery colour under it which has an aromatic smell to it. The flowers bloom in spring and early summer, being small and light blue, purple or white.

When growing rosemary full sun and good drainage is required, but semi-shade is possible. It is an easy to grow plant that is hardy, being tolerant of frost and drought, rosemary is also resistant to pests with ability to easily grow rosemary from cuttings and in pots. Rosemary can also grow in poor soils and take preference to soils which are slightly alkaline.

Oregano

With the botanical name of Organum vulgare, oregano is a perennial herb closely related to marjoram and referred to some as wild marjoram. In colder climates, this plant dies off in the winter and thus grown as an annual but potted oregano can avoid dying off by being brought inside during the winter.
　
Magical properties of this plant includes of health, good luck, happiness and protection. Planting oregano around ones house is good for protection.
Oregano makes good use in sauces, soups and pizza. Oregano deters pests common to beans and broccoli, making oregano a great companion plant.
　
Growing oregano is easy and can be done both indoors or outdoors, in pots or in the ground. This herb is a ground cover gaining encouragement to grow when cut back. Full sun and well drained soil is what oregano needs. Such pests as spider mites and aphids should have an eye out, but usually pests aren’t a problem.
　
Oregano can be grown simply by seeds, and once this has happened it is easy to get cuttings to produce more plants. Division of an oregano is very much possible. If one is unable to get seed to start growing oregano, it is easy to get oregano through many nurseries.
　
Propagation should be in spring, with seed germination roughly between one to two weeks although can take many more weeks. Four to six seeds per pot is ideal.
Preferring a pH of 6.0 to 9.0, oregano prefers the range from 6.0 to 8.0. Sandy and dry soil is also of preference.

Rosemary

Rosemary is a fairly common herb to find and has multiple uses. Rosemary can be used for protection, love, purification, healing, sleep, improving memory and youthfulness. A masculine herb associated with fire and the sun.

Burning rosemary is great for cleansing and purifying an area, with rosemary being a herb people do burn to cleanse an area for ritual or divination. Burning rosemary is also of use for banishing negative energies.

Carrying rosemary helps with good health and keeping negative energies away. Placing rosemary under a pillow protects the person sleeping in the bed at night, along with keeping away nightmares and helps with getting a good sleep. When it is added to the water of a bath it helps with preserving youth and purifying oneself.

When in the practice of magic, rosemary is one of those herbs that is fantastic to have on hand. Rosemary can be used for various kinds of magic, love, healing, purification, and it is best used for protection magic due to its powerful protective properties. Rosemary is also great for spells that involve the protection of loved one’s.

In my experiences, rosemary is easy to grow and should be grown if herbs are being used for their magical properties. Even if not used for its magical properties, rosemary is a good choice for an ornamental plant to grow.

Lavender

With all the variants of lavender out there, I am referring to any type of lavender when it comes to magical properties. Not much to my surprise, lavender has the magical property of love and makes a great herb to choose from if doing a love spell. Pieces of paper rubbed with lavender makes the paper itself great for writing love notes on. Rubbing lavender on oneself is for the purpose of attracting love.

Lavender is also a herb of protection, where one can wear lavender for against cruel treatment and the evil eye. Wearing lavender is said to also make it easier to see ghosts.
Dried stalks of lavender along with individual flowers can be dried and be burnt as incense sticks, making it useful for spells and rituals for love and protection.
The smell of lavender also helps with longevity, making it something to smell on a regular basis.

Sometimes people need help with insomnia or with getting a better rest, lavender just happens to be one of those plants that you can use to aid in sleep. Putting lavender in a pillow case is what is suggested to do when needed for the help of overcoming insomnia and get a better sleep.

Sage

Sage is a popular herb to be used and has many uses which may be why it is popular. With working in magic this herb makes a good choice and sage is helpful for long life, healing, prosperity, and protection. Sage is associated with the planet Jupiter and it is said that eating sage makes one more wise and even immortal.

Sage is also popular to use as a smudge stick, seeing as sage is of great use for cleansing areas. It is even smudge sticks made of dried sage that many go to seeing as it is said to help to deal with ghosts whom are being a nuisance.

Sage absorbs negativity and misfortune, when carried promotes not only protection but also wisdom and it drives away disturbances and tensions. As an incense it is great for protection and purifying areas. Sage itself is great for strength and courage.

Sage is also used to make tea where sage tea was popular in Middle Age Europe. Sage tea does have its uses, it can be used to help relieve the discomfort of measles, dizziness, colds and headaches.
Gargling with common sage tea is itself for strengthening gums and keeping teeth white.
While sage tea is nice it shouldn’t be drunk too much as a large amount of sage tea can be toxic.

Sage leaves has been used in culinary recipes for many years and is a natural food flavouring. The leaf of a sage can help with a number of things: indigestion, lack of appetite, oral inflammation and sore throats.

Catnip

Catnip is best known for its effects on cats. It is a perennial herb of the mint family Labiatae. It is considered native in North America after being introduced from its native Mediterranean area.

This plant grows to the height of two to three feet, producing small flowers coloured white or lilac. The foliage of catnip is green with a slightly gray or blue tint and the leaves are heart shaped with serrated edges with a light fuzz.

For young and old cats catnip doesn’t respond much or at all as it would to cats of neither young or old age. Some cats don’t respond to catnip at all, with an estimated ten to thirty percent of  cats with no response to this herb. This lack of response to catnip by some ten to thirty percent of the cat population likely has to do with genetics.

Male cats who haven’t been neutered tend to have the greatest reaction as the active ingredient of catnip resembles a chemical found within the urine of female cats. The chemical within catnip that cats have an effect to is called nepatalactone.
Catnip is not addictive so there is no worries of withdrawal if taken away. Cats won’t overdose on it and will just walk away if they have had enough.

Catnip is not only used by cats but by people too due to its uses. It can help prevent gas, nausea and diarrhoea. Catnip also promotes relaxation while at the sae time helps with menstrual cramps and whatever sore or tight muscle. Thanks to catnips properties to help relax it is useful to relieve stress and ease anxiety.
This herb actually promotes sweating making it useful as a remedy in treating patients with feverish conditions. Catnip can actually be applied externally to cuts and scrapes to help stop bleeding and to promote healing.

While catnip does has its many uses for people it is suggested that pregnant women, women who breastfeed and those with chronic medical conditions consult a healthcare professional before taking catnip. One may urinate more frequently if taking catnip and some do get an upset stomach from it.