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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.

The graceful birch, lady of the woods, is one of the most sacred trees of northern European traditions. In Scandinavian countries it is deemed as a tree of life. In Britain it is considered sacred to the Maiden Goddess Bridha /Bridget, the shining one who guards over the waters of life.

Birch indeed has an affinity with water. Despite its fragile appearance it is a tough and resilient tree, a pioneer tree that fearlessly populates even quite inhospitable places, bogs and swamps where few other trees would set root. Magically, birch is highly regarded for its life-giving properties. Birch twigs are hung over the stable doors to protect the cattle and ensure the flow of milk. A broom fashioned from birch twigs has special magical powers that can clear out negative energies and to protect against the evil doings of witches.

Folk-magical healing practices recommend birches to restore a failing manhood and to take away the aches and pains of rheumatism, gout and arthritis, usually by weaving a spell into its branches, thus transferring one's own suffering to the tree. The fact that birches were thought to protect against witchcraft did not stop witches from utilizing them for their own purposes and birches were a choice source material for their brooms. Today, the only relic of these ancient beliefs that has survived, is the custom of using birch as a May-tree, the ever popular symbol of fertility around which children still twine their symbolic dance of life.

Medicinal:
The therapeutic inner bark of the Birch tree is an important herbal diuretic for urinary tract health. Its natural compounds promote joint comfort; Birch Bark also makes an effective external preparation for skin and muscle health as well. Birch bark plays a prominent role in North American culture. From making beer to its inclusion in many of today’s popular natural toothpastes and hair care formulas.

Magical:
Birch wood is believed to ward off evil, banish fears, and build courage.

Associated with beauty and tolerance, the Birch's vibration heightens tolerance of oneself and others. Use a Birch Broom to brush out the old year on the morning after Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year. Add the cut bark to protection spells or drink birch beer if you feel you are under psychic attack.

Stripped of its bark, Birch is the traditional Yule Log. Traditionally, Birch twigs were used to light the Beltane fires, and couples paired off to the Birch forests. Later, they began to make the Maypoles out of Birch, setting them up and decorating them as the focal point in the villages. The traditional broom of the Witches was made of birch twigs, and cradles were once made from birch wood for the sole purpose of protecting helpless children.

Birch is sacred to the Maiden Goddess Bridha, the bringer of light. They convey fertility, female power and endurance in adversity, especially with regards to overcoming the growing pains of new beginnings. Birch can serve as a symbol of hope, light and energy that help us get through the dark times. Its affinity with water teaches us to let go of all that is hampering us and blocking our flow.

The graceful birch, lady of the woods, is one of the most sacred trees of northern European traditions. Especially in Scandinavian countries it is deemed as a tree of life. In Britain it is considered sacred to the Maiden Goddess Bridha /Bridget, the shining one who guards over the waters of life. Birch indeed has an affinity with water. Despite its fragile appearance it is a tough and resilient tree, a pioneer tree that fearlessly populates even quite inhospitable places, bogs and swamps where few other trees would set root.

Magically, birch is highly regarded for its life-giving properties. Birch twigs are hung over the stable doors to protect the cattle and ensure the flow of milk. A broom fashioned from birch twigs has special magical powers that can clear out negative energies and to protect against the evil doings of witches.

Folk-magical healing practices recommend birches to restore a failing manhood and to take away the aches and pains of rheumatism, gout and arthritis, usually by weaving a spell into its branches, thus transferring one's own suffering to the tree. The fact that birches were thought to protect against witchcraft did not stop witches from utilizing them for their own purposes and birches were a choice source material for their brooms. Today, the only relict of these ancient believes that has survived, is the custom of using birch as a May-tree, the ever popular symbol of fertility around which children still twine their symbolic dance of life.

Medicinal:
Birch's affinity with water is also responsible for its primary medicinal uses.

Birch leaves are an excellent diuretic that can be used in all kinds of kidney and bladder trouble, as well as oedema and swelling of the joints. However, make sure to drink plenty of fluids at the same time. Birch flushes out toxins from the body and can also be used as a spring cleansing herb to rid the body of accumulated metabolic wastes, especially uric acid crystals. It is an excellent supportive remedy for rheumatism, arthritis and gout pains.

Magical
Birch is sacred to the Maiden Goddess Bridha, the bringer of light. They convey fertility, female power and endurance in adversity, especially with regards to overcoming the growing pains of new beginnings. Birch can serve as a symbol of hope, light and energy that help us get through the dark times. Its affinity with water teaches us to let go of all that is hampering us and blocking our flow.

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.