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Of all the Mallows, Marshmallow was the most highly respected species and the one most commonly used for medicinal purposes. The whole herb including roots, leaves, flowers and seeds are useful and edible and in previous times were regularly eaten as vegetables. Indeed, in Italy and Spain it was held that a daily draft of Mallow tea would preserve one against any illness at all!
While this sounds a little bit too good to be true, Mallows do soothe a great variety of conditions and are worth remembering. Not everybody likes their mucilaginous texture though, when prepared as food, except when it comes in the form of Marshmallow candy.
However, Mallow is said to stimulate a different sort of appetite: Mallow seeds sprinkled on the private parts increase the sexual appetite of men, while eating the seeds is said to act as an aphrodisiac for women, which is not surprising since Marshmallow is a herb of Venus.
The overall character of this herb is cooling and soothing, which it achieves by virtue of the high mucilage content.
For internal use Marshmallow should not be boiled or even infused with boiling water since this destroys the mucilaginous properties. Instead the tea is prepared by cold water extraction. Place a tablespoon of the herb or root in a cup and cover with cold water. Leave to infuse over night. Strain and gently heat up the liquid, but do not allow simmering.

Medicinal:
Marshmallow leaves can be used externally as a cooling, soothing, anti-inflammatory plaster, or applied as a healing wash to inflamed or irritated skin. They can be applied to any boils or sores, or other types of hardened swellings. Rubbed on insect bites and swellings they will take away the sting and heat. The ancients claimed that they are effective against the bites of any venomous beast. The softening qualities are excellent for skin care preparations, e.g. as an addition to bathwater or in home made cosmetic preparations. They can cool sore or inflamed eyelids when applied as a compress, or may be used as a gargle for sore throat or inflammatory conditions of the mouth or abscesses. The leaves are a common ingredient of cough mixtures and will greatly aid expectoration and soothe a dry, hacking cough, or one that just doesn't want to go away. Mallow leaves are equally soothing in cases of bladder /urinary inflammation and will soothe the burning sensation of passing water.

Magical:
Mallow is cooling and soothing, yet due to its mucilage properties it is also useful for stimulating the heat of passion. It can be used as an aphrodisiac and for fertility rites. It has also been added to incense mixtures for protection against disease, to enhance fertility and ensure the easy delivery of healthy children.

NOTE: 1/2 Oz Increment!

Medicinally, the leaves of the Laurus Nobilis tree, also known as Sweet Laurel, have been used since the ancient times to treat problems associated with the liver, stomach, and kidneys. They were also used for treating bee and wasp stings. Nowadays, herbalists use bay leaves for treating various health complaints.

Here are some ways in which bay leaves are used today: Coughs & Colds: Placing a cloth soaked in water in which bay leaves have been boiled provides relief from cough, cold, bronchitis and chest infections.

Fever: Bay leaves infusion promotes sweating, breaking a fever, and flu symptoms.

Digestion: Bay leaves are used for treatment of digestive disorders. They reduce flatulence.

Diabetes:
A study was conducted by the Department of Human Nutrition, Pakistan, to test the effect of bay leaf on type 2 diabetes. Forty people with type 2 diabetes were chosen for the study. They were divided into four groups and each group was given different quantities of bay leaf. At the end of the 30-day study, it was observed that all the subjects showed a marked increase in serum glucose. The conclusion was that using bay leaf reduces risk of cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes.
A similar study was conducted at the Department of Medical Technology, Zarqa Private University, Jordan. Similar to the above study, all subjects showed a remarkable decrease in levels of plasma glucose. Bad cholesterol levels also dropped. The conclusion of this study was that bay leaf not only improves insulin function, but also reduces cardiovascular disease risks.

Magical:
Sacred to Apollo, god of healing, poetry, music, light, prophecy, and surprisingly, plague. It is sometimes called Daphne because of the ancient Greek story featuring Apollo. The nymph Daphne was the daughter of the earth, Gaia, and the river, Peneus. She admired the goddess Diana and, like her, enjoyed the woods and hunting. She refused all suitors and wished to remain unmarried, as Diana did. Her father supported her in this. Apollo fell in love with her, but she did not want him. The more he pursued her, the more she ran from him. When he was about to catch her, she asked her father the river for help, and he turned her into a bay tree. Apollo said that if he could not have her for his love, he would have at least the leaves of the tree to decorate his harp and wear as a crown. That's why in ancient times, crowns for military victors were made of bay leaves.

It was used to roof the Temple at Delphi, which was the location of the famous oracle. In modern times, people will inhale the scent of these burning leaves is said to help increase psychic ability. Witches often stuff dream pillows with bay to help encourage divinatory dreams.

This herb makes a nice incense when mixed either with sandalwood (Mercury) or with other Sun substances like frankincense or cedar.

Because of bay leaves' association with love, they are also combined with various other herbs to make a handfasting incense, and it is said to attract lovers, especially men, probably because of the myth about Daphne.

You can make a good oil for dressing candles or blessing musical instruments (which are ruled by Apollo) by crumpling or grinding the herb and infusing them in Sun-warmed oil (sunflower would be a nice Sun oil to use--add a couple drops of vitamin E to help preserve it). Bay leaves are protective of the home and person (when worn as an amulet).

During the waxing moon, wishes can be written on the leaves, which are then burned on the Full Moon to empower the wish.

The mulberry has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese medicine, almost all parts of the plant are used in one way or another. The white mulberry (M. alba) is normally used, but this species has the same properties. Recent research has shown improvements in elephantiasis when treated with leaf extract injections and in tetanus following oral doses of the sap mixed with sugar.

It acts as a Analgesic, emollient and sedative.

The leaves are antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, hypoglycaemic, odontalgic, and ophthalmic. They are taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, eye infections and nosebleeds. The Leaves also are used in the treatment of Diabetes.(Type 2)

The black walnut is a native tree of North America. The genus name, juglans, is derived from two Latin words; lupiter, meaning Jupiter, and glans, meaning acorn. The literal translation is therefore "Jupiter's nuts".

According to a Chaldean clay tablet, walnut groves were known to be in the hanging gardens of Babylon. Pliny the Elder (ca.23-79 C.E.) reported cultivation in Italy from trees that had been transported from countries farther east. In ancient Persia, only royalty were supposed to eat them, and they were even referred to as the "royal walnut". In America, there is archeological evidence that they were consumed and used by the Native Americans as far back as 2000 B.C.E. Black walnuts are smaller, harder, and more pungent than the English walnuts sold in grocery stores. The hulls without the meaty kernels inside are used in traditional herbalism. Black walnut trees exude a sap that discourages growth of competing plants over their roots.

The leaves of black walnut being an astringent are most often used to treat hemorrhoids, they are also used as well to treat liver and gallbladder problems. In folk medicine, black walnut leaf was also given to relieve headache, hepatitis, and skin conditions.

Medicinal:
An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of stomach pains and diarrhea. A decoction of the leaves has been used in the treatment of colds. A decoction of the powdered leaves has been used externally to treat various internal pains, including rheumatism. A weak infusion has been drunk in the treatment of painful joints caused by rheumatism or arthritis.

Magical:
Used to attracts money, healing, love, psychic powers and purification. It's also symbol of power and longevity.
As an incense, it can be used in Wiccanings & baby blessings, in addition to consecrating of magical wands and other tools. >br />To harm a Cedar is to invoke misfortune.
Use in dream pillows for protection.
Burn as an incense during meditation and Scrying.
Keep a mojo bag filled with cedar chips and leave tips in your purse or wallet to draw money.

Ointment from leaves is a domestic remedy for bruises, sprains, chilblains, for use as an emollient, and for applying to wounds. Leaves are more nauseous purgative, also expectorant, diuretic and diaphoretic. The juice of Elder leaves is very effective for inflammation of the eyes, and 'stuffed nose'; and when between two hot tiles and applied to the forehead is very effective to treat nervous headache. Decoction of leaves is good for driving away flies and killing aphides and other insects. A tea made from the leaves and young shoots increases the production of urine and helps to eliminate excess water from the body. In proper dosages it can be used for urinary problems, kidney problems, rheumatic ailments, dropsy, edema, and constipation.

Elder is a relative new-comer in world folklore, holding her place most prominently in European history and mythos where she has been associated closely with the Celtic faerie lands and those similar otherworldly realms of various European traditions. Elder is sacred to many goddess-traditions and especially to the goddesses Venus and Holle. Most popular among pagan traditions modern and old is the myth of the Elder Mother, a spirit who inhabits the Elder tree and holds the power to work a variety of magics in this world.

Among pagan traditions, Elder has held a place of respect. The ability to protect; induce vivid dreams, particularly of the Faerie realms; to heal; and to exorcise or remove negative spells and influences are among Elder’s pagan attributes.

Mints are sobering and clear headed herbs, aloof, even. In mythology they are said to have descended from Mentha, a nymph, who had succumbed to Pluto's passion. His jealous wife Persephone (or, according to some accounts, her mother Demeter), disgusted and enraged, stomped the poor nymph into the ground and punished her with infertility. A hybrid between common Garden Mint and Watermint, Peppermint is indeed sterile. She reproduces by means of creeping rhizomes - though rather prolifically at that. Peppermint has been used for food and medicine for many millennia. From China to Egypt, evidence of its use goes back thousands of years. It is still a popular herbal home remedy and provides flavoring for dozens of products from chewing gum to chocolate and cigarettes to name but a few. Creepy crawlies such as mice, rats, cockroaches and ants detest the scent. Planting Peppermint in the garden, sprinkling it in the cupboards or on their pathways will surely deter them.

Medicinal
Peppermint is mostly used as a digestive aid. It can ease nausea and travel sickness and relieve cramps and colic. It soothes PMS related symptoms such as bloating or abdominal pains. It is also used to decongest the upper respiratory tract and as a steam inhalation it can help clear stuffiness, catarrh and sinus headaches, sinusitis and bronchitis. Peppermint is calming and relaxing. It soothes an agitated nervous system and dispels anxiety and fears. It aids neuralgia and rheumatic pains, strengthens the nerves and tones the entire system. Do not use during pregnancy.

Magical
All Mints are said to act as aphrodisiacs and can be used in various love charms and potions. Peppermint clears the mind and aids concentration and helps focusing on one's intent. It is protective against evil spirits and wards off the demons of disease. Peppermint is very cleansing and can help clear the air of lingering emotions and irrational fears or attachments.