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Kudzu is a vine. Under the right growing conditions, it spreads easily, covering virtually everything that doesn't move out of its path. Kudzu was introduced in North America in 1876 in the southeastern U.S. to prevent soil erosion. But kudzu spread quickly and overtook farms and buildings, leading some to call to kudzu "the vine that ate the South.” Kudzu's root, flower, and leaf are used to make medicine. It has been used in Chinese medicine since at least 200 BC. As early as 600 AD, it was used to treat alcoholism.

Today, kudzu is used to treat alcoholism and to reduce symptoms of alcohol hangover, including headache, upset stomach, dizziness, and vomiting. Kudzu is also used for heart and circulatory problems, including high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and chest pain; for upper respiratory problems including sinus infections, the common cold, hay fever, flu, and swine flu; and for skin problems, including allergic skin rash, itchiness, and psoriasis.

It is also used for menopause symptoms, muscle pain, measles, dysentery, stomach pain (gastritis), fever, diarrhea, thirst, neck stiffness, and to promote sweating. Other oral uses include treatment of polio myelitis, encephalitis, migraine, deafness, diabetes, and traumatic injuries.

Who is not familiar with the sticky black confectionary known as licorice?
A popular sweet and flavoring agent, licorice has been well known and widely used throughout Britain and northern Europe since Medieval times and has been cultivated in England since 1560, though it naturally prefers hotter climes.
It originates in southern and south-eastern Europe, but has spread throughout the near and middle East and even as far east as China, where the local variety serves as one of the most popular ingredients of Chinese compound medicines.

Licorice is a medium sized shrub that belongs to the pea family, but it is the rhizomes of 3-4 year old plants that are used for flavoring and medicine. The roots are shredded and boiled until a thick black syrup results, which upon cooling solidifies into the familiar black substance. Natural Licorice is 50 times sweeter than sugar and as a flavoring agent it is usually mixed with Aniseed.
It is popular in certain baked goods, but most importantly, it lends its flavor to mask other, less pleasant medicines, while the powder is used to reduce the stickiness of pills.

Traditional:
Licorice has long been valued as a soothing agent for the throat and bronchi and is used by itself or in combination with other herbs, such as Fennel and Aniseed.
It is mildly laxative and makes a great additive to bitter laxative teas such as Cascara Sagrada. Recent studies point to a far more powerful and interesting use of Licorice though.
It has been discovered that Licorice is strongly anti-inflammatory and has a marked effect in conditions such as arthritis and gout.
It also appears to have a powerful effect on the glandular system and the liver.
It gently stimulates and balances the adrenal glands, which may be very useful in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome.
It is also estrogenic and reduces testosterone. Thus, it may be helpful in regulating certain hormonal imbalances caused by estrogen deficiency.
Licorice has also shown a protective and healing effect on the stomach and liver. It is indicated for stomach ulcers as well as for cases of chronic liver inflammation (hepatitis) and even cirrhosis. However, due to the possibility of certain adverse drug interaction it is mandatory to consult a qualified practitioner before attempting self-treatment.

Magical:
Magical use of Licorice is not well documented. Culpeper ascribes the herb to Mercury. Its effects can be classified as balancing and thus may help the practitioner to maintain the middle path without being led astray into extreme forms of practice (over indulgence or asceticism and abstinence).
In Germany the herb was regarded as life-giving and has been used in fertility rites, especially for women.

Lovage is used as “irrigation therapy” for pain and swelling (inflammation) of the lower urinary tract, for prevention of kidney stones, and to increase the flow of urine when urinary tract infections or fluid retention is present.

Lovage is a flowering plant in the same family as carrots, parsley, and dill. Its dark green leaves resemble cilantro, while the stalks resemble celery. The herb is sweeter but stronger than celery.
Brought from Europe as both a food and as a medicinal, it now grows wild in the United States in New England, the Great Lakes states, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
For centuries, it has been thought of as a good ingredient to add to love potions. During the 1800s, a cordial made from lovage, tansy, and yarrow was widely available as a folk remedy for an upset stomach.

Random Historical Fact: Charlemagne was said to have liked the sight of lovage so much so that he had the grounds of his estate populated with it.

Both the root and leaf can be used.

Metaphysical:
Main uses: love, passion Other uses: beauty, cleansing, consecration, money, protection, psychic protection, purification.

Maca helps promote energy & stamina, has been used as a traditional libido tonic, and is incredible for supporting hormone balance

The 2,000 year-old Peruvian vitality secret is out! The legendary Maca root boosts energy and stamina, enhances libido and helps your body adapt to physical and mental stress.

The restorative tonic is also a powerhouse of amino acids, fiber, minerals and other phytonutrients. No wonder, Maca Root is a popular herbal food to boost athletic performance and overall vitality!

Medicinal Uses:
Marshmallow root is an excellent mucilage herb to soothe an irritated digestive tract. It has been recommended for stomach or duodenal ulcers, gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome. The mucilage will line the stomach and intestinal walls and thus form a barrier against harsh stomach juices that irritate inflamed mucous membranes. However, it should be noted that this mucilage barrier may delay the effects of other drugs that depend on the absorption via the digestive system. Marshmallow root can also be used for the same purposes as Marshmallow leaves, to soothe irritated mucosa of the respiratory system and the urinary tract. It may be particularly helpful when kidney gravel or sand are being passed, as it will help to soothe the irritation.

Magical Uses:
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.

Nettle has been in use since the time of the famous first century Greek physicians Dioscorides and Galen.
Today, it remains an important, time-proven herb for men who want to promote and maintain prostate and urinary tract health.
Nettle root preparations are an accepted herbal approach to promoting urinary tract health, as well as for providing soothing support for prostate and bladder functions.

Magical:
Nettles are often mentioned in association with love potions.
Especially the seeds are said to have aphrodisiac properties.
Nettles are also used for protection - worn as amulets or hung above stable doors they ward off evil witches and demons
. In particular, Nettles are often used to protect milk or beer from turning sour during a thunderstorm.
A wide range of conditions was addressed by various sympathetic folk-medicine practices that involved Nettles.
It is a classic spring cleansing herb and sacred foods such as Nettle pudding, Nettle soup and Nettle beer not only act physically restorative, but also confer protection against disease and are said to attract good fortune for the entire year.

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.

Rhodiola is a member of the stonecrop family, known for its fleshy leaves and hardy nature - a characteristic they share with the related sedums. It is at home in mountainous regions throughout Eurasia. In Europe, it can be found at about 2500 msl, an altitude at which few plants can survive. In the Himalaya, it climbs even higher, to an elevation of about 3500-5000 msl.

The root has a golden-yellow skin, which has given rise to its alternative name, ’Golden Root’. But beneath the outer skin the root is pinkish in color, and has a rose-like scent, alluded to in its species name. Although Diosocorides had mentioned Rhodiola in his Herbal, ‘De Materia Medica’, which dates back to about AD 50-70, the plant has not been widely used in Central European herbal medicine. (The related Houseleek was more common and more frequently used). Its remote habitat and scarcity meant that it was difficult to obtain, and supplies were uncertain. Its use in folk medicine was, however, very much established in Scandinavia, Siberia, as well as in the Himalayan regions of Asia, where it is more common.

Medicinal
In Chinese medicine, Rhodiola is known as Hong Jing Tian, which translates as ‘Red’ Heavenly View’ alluding to its color and its growing range in the high mountains. In TCM, its character is described as ‘cool, dry and bitter’. It is said to have an affinity with the liver, and the lungs, which is why it is used as a blood tonic, and to balance the yin and yang energies of the human body. It is considered a useful remedy to treat inflammatory conditions of the lungs. As a blood tonic, it is used to boost endurance, and stamina in times of stress. Modern western herbal medicine values it as an ‘adaptogen’, a class of tonics that affect the endocrine system in such a way as to adjust the homeostasis of the body when it has become unbalanced due to physical or mental stress.

Magical
Rhodiola is nothing if not resilient, choosing its ecological niche in some of the harshest environments on earth. Thus, it can be used as an agent of resilience, imparting its strength and endurance to those that are taxed by mental exhaustion and fatigue. It is also said to bring restful sleep and to disempower the demons of nightmares.

Synonyms: Rose root, Hong Jing Tian

Made from Potato Vodka Extraction of Rhodiola Rosea Root

This plant is a member of the Greenbrier family and native to tropical and temperate parts of the world and comprises about 210 species worldwide.
It is native to South America, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Mexico, Honduras, and the West Indies.
The name sarsaparilla is not surprisingly a derivation of the Spanish words that describe the plant; zarza (bramble or bush), parra (vine), and illa (small)—a small, brambled vine.

For centuries, indigenous people around the world used the root of the sarsaparilla plant for treating joint problems like arthritis, and for healing skin problems like psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. The root was also thought to cure leprosy due to its “blood-purifying” properties.

It is reported to have anti-inflammatory, testosterogenic, aphrodisiac and progesterogenic effects.
Sarsaparilla was also commonly used to flavor Root Beer after the use of Sassafras was discontinued.

Soapwort is a pretty little wildflower of the Carnation family that commonly grows in wet meadows and ditches. Native to Europe and Britain, it came to the United States with the first settlers, who most likely used it as a soap plant where it quickly spread and naturalized in its new habitat.

Soapwort contains saponins, which in conjunction with water create a soft, gentle lather. This property was widely used in times gone by, not just as a ready soap supply for washing clothes, but also as a particularly gentle natural shampoo for dry, easily breaking hair.
Sheep farmers in the Alps also used it to wash their sheep prior to sheering!

Today Soapwort is used in some cosmetics, such as soaps and shampoos, and as a particularly gentle agent for restoring old and fragile textiles.

Traditional:
This herb is no longer used internally in herbal medicine due to the potentially toxic nature of saponins.

In the past it was used as an expectorant, laxative and cholagogue. It was also used for syphilis and other venereal diseases.

Externally it may be used as a shampoo for fragile hair or as a wash for bruises and afflictions of the skin.

Magical:
Soapwort is not noted for any particular magical uses, but it could be employed as cleansing herb to add to a ritual bath or to wash ceremonial apparel.

Magical Attributes
Solomon's Seal is associated with the planet Saturn and the element water.

Solomon's Seal aids one in making difficult decisions and accepting and seeking change. Helps in spell work to aid changing/breaking habits and helps in smooth transitions for changes beyond our control. It is also used in love potions to amplify commitment between partners and to "seal" a spell or a sacred oath or promise.

An infusion of Solomon's Seal, or incense made of Solomon's Seal root can both be used to drive away negative vibrations and malicious spirits. It can also be used to summon helpful spirits and elementals.

The root can be carried as an amulet to ward off malicious spirits and to increase wisdom.

Solomon Seal is appropriate for use during Autumnal Equinox rituals.

Healing Attributes
The fresh root, pounded and applied topically helps fade bruising. (I have not tried this on a hickey, but it might work for that too.) A decoction can also be used as a facial rinse to help fade blemishes or for poison ivy and similar skin problems. An infusion can be used for profuse menstruation and internal bleeding, indigestion and other stomach and digestive complaints including ulcers, bowel problems and hemorrhoids. It is also said to speed the healing of broken bones. Used as a mouthwash, it is said to help strengthen gums.

Solomon's Seal root tea is a good tonic acting on the kidneys, heart and sexual organs as well as soothing the digestive system.

Oil infused with Solomon's Seal root is good to keep on hand for first aid treatment of sprains, strains and broken or bruised bones. (Not to replace, but to enhance modern medical intervention.) Solomon's Seal root tea or tincture aids in the repair of broken bones and may be drunk after a doctor has set the break. It is also great for torn ligaments, dislocations and other issues with joints

Spikenard was originally used by a number of Native American groups including the Cherokees, Shawnees, and the Micmacs.
Today, this Ginseng relative is commonly used as a respiratory tonic and traditional blood purifier.

Spikenard is an enduring respiratory rescue remedy usually combined with Wild Cherry and Elecampane. The versatile root is also a high valued alternative to Sarsaparilla for promoting healthy skin and is an important cleansing herb.

Magical: Spikenard can be a great healer, and attract good luck. Used with herbs for love, Spikenard will promote fidelity, and incite proposals of marriage.

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.

Caution is advised during the use of barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and other sedative drugs, as valerian has the potential to increase the effects of some sedatives.

Pliny aptly named this herb 'Phu', a most descriptive term to summarize its scent. However, only the dried root smells 'phu', and even here, it must be said, tastes differ: cats, rats and even trout apparently find it irresistible and go crazy over it. The Pied Piper probably didn't so much lure the rats and mice of Hamlin with his music, but with a secret stash of Valerian that he had hidden in his pockets. According to old angler's yarn, treating bait with Valerian will ensure a good catch.

Valerian is related to Spikenard (Jatamansi), the legendary anointing oil. The ancients called it 'all-heal' and thought highly of its powers as a healing and magical herb. It also figured as a key ingredient of Theriak, the miracle panacea of the Middle Ages, which was used for a wide range of ills. The name 'Valerian' is derived by association with the Germanic smith-god Wieland (aka 'Wayland smithy'), who used this herb for all kinds of healing and magic practices. Folklore has it that if one puts a little Valerian under the tongue and kisses the girl of one's dreams, 'she will surely be smitten' As a powerful magical herb, Valerian was of course also capable of warding off witches and to undo their evil works.

Medicinal:
Valerian is a wonderful herb for the nervous system. It is a relaxing and restorative nerve tonic that brings a sense of cool, calm serenity to the scene.
It is excellent for treating 'the jitters' and even more severe cases such as hysteria, panic, anxiety and shock, as well as insomnia, tension, restlessness and nervous exhaustion.
It can be helpful in tension headaches and promotes a deep, restful sleep. By releasing tension that has become locked in the smooth muscles it can be used in all cases where nervous tension results in cramps and blockage. Thus, it may also be effective in aphrodisiac blends for people who suffer frigidity or impotence caused by fear and inhibition.

Magical:
Valerian can be used for exorcism and counter magic.
It is said to protect against lightning and against the evil sorcery.
Valerian is an herb of peace. If two people drink Valerian infused wine from the same cup they will immediately stop to fight and argue.
Valerian can be used as an offering to the Goddess Bast, and may be the perfect gift to delight your feline familiar or ally.
Valerian is sometimes used as an aphrodisiac, though its action is relaxing rather than stimulating.

Related to the family of fragrant grasses that also gives us Citronella and Palmarosa, Vetiver surprises with the depth and darkness of its scent, which some people love, but others find offensive.
Indian poets liken its scent to the smell of the first monsoon rains that rejuvenate the earth. It certainly smells earthy and acts grounding on those who walk with their heads in the clouds.
It aids concentration and heightens awareness.
In Ayurveda it is mostly used for skin care preparations.
In the West it is not employed in herbal medicine, but is widely used as a fixative in perfumery.

Medicinal:
Effective for vomiting, diarrhea etc. and is cooling and refreshing. It purifies blood, removes body odor and excessive sweating
. Beds made of vetiver root can be used for patients suffering from rheumatism and back pain.

Magical Use:
Vetiver is an excellent grounding herb that protects those who do a lot of channeling and psychic work from loosing touch with reality and the more earthy aspects of life.
Vetiver can be used to meditate on the laws of manifestation and prosperity. It can be used for meditation to increase awareness and aid concentration.

The story of Wild Yam root is shrouded in misconception and urban mythology. Wild Yam is often touted as a natural birth control or sold for menopausal problems. Unfortunately there is no evidence for either use. Back in the 1940s a scientist by the name of Dr. Russel Marker was searching for plants that could be useful as raw materials for the synthesis of hormone-like substances such as cortisone or progesterone. Saponines have proven useful in this respect, and so he went searching for saponine rich plants. He happened upon a Mexican species of Dioscorea, which incidentally had traditionally been used for labour pains, infertility and birth control, albeit in conjunction with other herbs. It was this Mexican species which eventually led to the development of the first contraceptive pills. However, the transformation that had to take place in order to convert diosgenin to progesterone took some 37 steps in the laboratory and is not a process that can naturally occur within the human body. What's more, the North American Wild Yam species, Disocorea villosa is not the same as the Mexican species and does not contain these saponines in any meaningful quantities.

Yet, by some careless fluke Mexican Yam and North American Wild Yam have been confused in the literature and their use have been wrongfully described as pretty much equal. Unfortunately, this is based on fiction rather than fact and North American Wild Yam has traditionally never been used for birth control or as an infertility remedy.

Medicinal:
Native American women have used Wild Yam root to ease the pain of labor, though only extremely experienced healers, after close observation of each individual case, dared to administer the remedy. Self-treatment for this purpose is not recommended.
Native Americans also used Wild Yam internally and externally to treat rheumatic pain. It is traditionally used for liver and gallbladder problems. The white settlers mostly used this herb to treat colic, which is why they called it colic root.
It is indicated for intestinal cramps, colic and diverticulitis.

Magical
There are no traditional magical uses associated with this herb, but its properties suggest a role in fertility and sex magic.