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American Mandrake is indigenous to North America, and was once a traditional Native American remedy. Today, the very potent root is only used in external preparations for skin health and in wart preparations.

Modern medicine has found compounds in the rhizome that are useful against cancer and it is used in the treatment of genital warts and skin cancers in Asia.

It is also under study for use against dropsy, dyspepsia, biliousness, and various liver conditions.

The whole plant, apart from the ripe fruit, is highly poisonous in large doses. American Mandrake herb produces nausea and vomiting, and even inflammation of the stomach and intestines, which has been known to prove fatal. In moderate doses, it is a drastic purgative with some cholagogue action.

Mandrake root is a legendary herb once believed to have magical powers because of its phosphorescent properties – the early morning dew sometimes gives the plant a glowing pale light

The root is used in powerful protective magic. Mayapple is extremely irritating to the eyes and Mayapple root is used in spells to keep things (like diaries, books of shadows, etc.) hidden from prying eyes. The powder can be sprinkled around the storage area or on the object itself, or around the perimeter of an area where you do not wish to be disturbed. (Remember that Mayapple is a topical poison while doing this. Take care not to let the powder sit on your skin or come in contact with your eyes.)

Kept in a high place in the home, Mayapple root is said to draw prosperity to the home and protect it from bad luck.

Korintje cinnamon is a variety of cassia cinnamon. Because the names cassia and cinnamon are used interchangeably, it is easy to confuse them. To make matters even more complicated, korintje cinnamon is sometimes called by other names as well. For example, it is sometimes called Padang cassia. The name refers to Cinnamomum burmannii, which is a close relative of the other forms of cassia as well as of true cinnamon (Ceylon cinnamon). In fact, it is the variety with which most people in the U.S. are familiar.

Korintje cinnamon is often rich in the essential oil that is responsible for its flavor, but the oil content can vary depending on the grade of the cinnamon. Korintje cinnamon comes in three grades: A, B, and C. While A grade cinnamon can have a more pungent flavor when compared to other forms of cinnamon, C grade can be somewhat bitter. The highest grade of korintje cinnamon is said to have a smooth, sweet taste with less of the pungent heat of other cassia varieties.

This is the real deal... European Mandrake - Mandragora officinarum from Spain ....

All species of Mandragora contain highly biologically active alkaloids, tropane alkaloids in particular this makes the roots and leaves of the plant highly poisonous

Medicinal properties are included as part of the historical use ..internal consumption is not recommend....

The root is hallucinogenic and narcotic. In sufficient quantities, it induces a state of unconsciousness and was used as an anaesthetic for surgery in ancient times. In the past, juice from the finely grated root was applied externally to relieve rheumatic pains. It was also used internally to treat melancholy, convulsions, and mania.[When taken internally in large doses, however, it is said to excite delirium and madness.

In the past, mandrake was often made into amulets which were believed to bring good fortune, cure sterility, etc. In one superstition, people who pull up this root will be condemned to hell, and the mandrake root would scream as it was pulled from the ground, killing anyone who heard it. Therefore, in the past, people have tied the roots to the bodies of animals and then used these animals to pull the roots from the soil.

Mandrake is masculine, ruled by Mercury and fire and associated with Circe, Hecate, Diana, Hathor and Saturn. A dried mandrake root placed on the mantelpiece will protect and bring happiness and prosperity to the household. It will also prevent demons from entering. Placed on top of money, it will make the money multiply.

A mandrake root can be used as a poppet for sympathetic magic. It can also be carved into various shapes for magical use.

The berries as well as the root are used in charms to increase fertility. Carried, it is said to attract love. It is also used in aphrodisiac spells.

Mandrake intensifies magick in any situation.

Lady's Mantle is an intriguing little herb of the Rose family that is mostly admired for its lovely foliage rather than its inconspicuous flowers. The velvety leaves are almost star-shaped, with folds that are reminiscent of a Lady's cape. The flowers on the other hand are barely noticeable, tiny little clusters of yellow-green flowers growing in bunches on a tall stalk. Nevertheless, they are rich in nectar and attract plenty of bees.

Alchemilla - the "little alchemist" was highly revered by the great alchemists, who went out early in the morning to collect the magical dew from the leaves of this plant - for this was no ordinary dew. Lady's Mantle "sweats" crystal clear pearls of water, which collects in the center of its funnel-shaped leaves. These pearls of magical dew were deemed essential to the Alchemist's "Great Work": to produce the Philosopher's Stone.

On a more mundane note, women also sometimes collected the dew - not in search of the philosopher's stone, but in search of eternal beauty: they believed that to moisten the skin with the sacred dew would impart a special radiance of elfin allure.

Medicinal:
As the name suggests, Lady's Mantle is a woman's herb and used for many female complaints. Lady's Mantle is a powerful astringent that can stop undue flows such as excessive menstruation or leucorrhoea. It is also said to regulate the female cycle. It is given to strengthen the uterus and is believed to thus increase fertility.
Its tightening qualities were also applied externally to female genitalia "to make them more virginal". In a similar vein some women applied compresses to their breasts in order to make them more firm.

Dioscorides praises this herb mostly for its ability to stop bleeding, which makes it an excellent wound herb that can be applied both, externally or internally.

Magical:
Lady's Mantle is an important plant in the Great Work of Alchemy. The 'dew' drops can also be used to cleanse the third eye to make it more acute to perceive visions and the magical dimension. Originally an herb of Freya, this herb is used in fertility magic and for protection. Lady's Mantle is also associated with Fairy lore - it is said that the Fairies too appreciate the sacred dew, which they collect and drink as a magical elixir.

Orris root derives from the much loved ornamental garden flower known as Iris. The French call it 'fleur-de-lys', which long ago became stylized and adopted as an emblem of the French monarchy. Its ancient origins are rather mystical. The story goes that an Iris was used at the crowning of King Clovis I or, alternatively, that God himself had sent a vial of oil directly from heaven to anoint the sacred king. The Iris soon became associated with Mary and the Virgin, and served as a symbol of purity. Conversely, according to another legend it had sprung from Eve's tears of sorrow after her and Adam had been expelled from the Garden of Eden. Another legend attributes Iris to Hera, the wife of Jupiter, although the name clearly links her to Iris, Goddess of the rainbow. It seems that this beautiful and regal flower symbolized archetypal purity and sanctity and thus became associated with many different female deities.

Medicinal:
Orris root is used in treatment of dropsy and other water retention problems. It is also used sometimes for bronchitis, coughs, and sore throat; for colic; and for congestion in the liver. Relieves shortness of breath, resists poisoning, starts menses as a uterine stimulant, and reduces bruises if used externally.

Magical:
Orris root is popular in love charms and used in sachets, powders or amulets designed to attract the opposite sex. In Japan, it was used to ward off evil spirits. In incense blends it can be used to invoke the Goddess Iris, who helps the souls of the departed on their journey across the rainbow bridge to the land of the blessed.

The lovely Shaman Goddess stands poised to nurture the earth and all its creatures. Her carved feathers swirl around her body linking her to the heavens and grounding her to the earth. Her turquoise colored beads bring forth balance. Molded from natural gypsum which contains no harmful chemicals.

A sacred healing herb of old - Spikenard was considered precious even in Biblical times, when Mary Magdalene used it to anoint Jesus' feet at the last supper. No wonder it was precious, coming all the way from the foothills of the Himalayas, which in biblical times might as well have been somewhere near the gates to the Garden of Eden. Its Hindu name 'Jatamansi' means 'lock of hair' in allusion to the hairy rhizome, which is the source of the essential oil. Spikenard is a member of the Valerian family and in Ayurveda it is used similarly to Valerian in western herbalism. Throughout Asia, Spikenard is highly valued as an incense ingredient. In the West it is still shrouded in mystery and just as precious as it was in biblical times, though not on account of its distant origins. Sadly, its preciousness today is related to its rarity, which stems from the fact that it is being over-harvested in the wild. Luckily some cultivated sources are becoming available, so maybe this ancient sacred herb may have a chance to survive in the wild.

Spikenard is an immune system booster; it calms the body and allows it to function properly. Spikenard is a natural hypotensive, so it naturally lowers blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure is when the pressure on the arteries and blood vessels becomes too high and the arterial wall becomes distorted, causing extra stress on the heart. Long term-high blood pressure increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and diabetes.

Using spikenard is a natural remedy for high blood pressure because it dilates the arteries, acts as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress and decreases emotional stress. Spikenard also relieves inflammation, which is the culprit for a host of diseases and illnesses.

A 2012 study conducted in India found that spikenard rhizomes (the stems of the plant) exhibited high reduction capability and powerful free radical scavenging. Free radicals are very dangerous to the body’s tissues and have been connected to cancer and premature aging; the body uses antioxidants to prevent itself from the damage caused by oxygen.
Like all high antioxidant foods and plants, they protect our bodies from inflammation and fight free radical damage, keeping our systems and organs running properly.