Herb Recipes

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Tips, Recipes, and Warnings for working with herbs and oils

• Always check warnings before working with any herb/oil you are unfamiliar with. REFER TO HERBAL WARNING SECTION BELOW.
• If you are pregnant – USE WITH EXTREME CAUTION! Be sure to check all warnings and do your research.
• If you have a medical condition such as epilepsy, high blood pressure, heart, kidney, or liver disease, or any other acute or chronic condition – DO YOUR RESEARCH and heed warnings.
• Never use herbs or oils too near the eyes and keep hands away from face, genitals, and mucous membranes when they have been in contact with herbs or oils. If you accidentally get some essential oil in your eye, wipe it with a cotton ball moistened with Sweet Almond Oil. Water will just disperse and spread the oil. Always use pure essential oils in well-ventilated areas ONLY!
• Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after working with herbs and oils.
• Avoid direct sun exposure for 6 hours after using any citrus essential oils (i.e., Bergamot, Lemon, Orange, etc.) on the skin. These oils contain components that may cause reddening and blistering or darkening of the skin when exposed to sunlight.
  
• Essential oils are for EXTERNAL USE ONLY.

ALWAYS KEEP ALL HERBS AND OILS SAFELY OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS!

HERBAL TEAS

Basic Herbal Tea recipe:
1. Steep 2 teaspoons of herb per cup of water for about twenty minutes.
2. Strain and store in a refrigerated, airtight container.
3. The adult dose is ¼ of a cup, 4 times per day, not with meals. Always consult with your pediatrician before giving ANY herbal products to children.

Herbal teas will stay fresh in your refrigerator for about one week when stored in an airtight container.

HERBAL BATHS

Baths are often used in herb magick, for they are an easy way to spread an herb’s power over the entire body. There are two methods: one is to make a sachet of cheesecloth (using ½ to 1 cup of enchanted herb) and drop it into warm bath water. The other method is to prepare an infusion and simply add it to the bath water.

INFUSIONS

The infusion is the origin of the “potion” so identified with Witches. It is simply a process of soaking herbs in hot water.

There are some refinements, however. Use no metal posts when boiling water or during the steeping process, for they interfere with the herb’s powers. Keep the liquid covered during infusion so that little steam is lost. Finally, enchant all herbs prior to infusion.

Infusions are used in spells and magick, drunk as teas, added to baths, rubbed onto furniture, floors, doorways, etc., and used to anoint the body. Needless to say, NEVER MAKE AN INFUSION FROM A POISONOUS PLANT.

Water based infusion recipe*
1. Use one teaspoon of dried herb to every cup of water.
2. Heat water until just boiling.
3. Pour water over the herb and cover.
4. Let steep 9 – 13 minutes.
5. Strain and cool before using.

* Source: Cunningham's ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MAGICAL HERBS by Scott Cunningham

Oil based infusion recipe**
1. Combine herbs in heavy, non-metal pan.
2. Cover herbs with extra-virgin olive oil.
3. Heat on lowest possible setting for 30 minutes.
4. Pour oil and herbs in a jar that seals tightly.
5. Steep in jar for 2 weeks, shaking daily.
6. Strain the oil and put in clean jars.

** Source: THE HERBAL DRUGSTORE by Linda B. White, M.D. and Steven Foster

TINCTURES

A tincture is an alcohol-based extract of the herb. Tinctures are widely used in magick to stimulate ritual consciousness through our sense of smell, as well as to add their own energies to spells. Tinctures are just as effective as oils in magick.

Tinctures are also often used for medicinal purposes and are especially convenient for those that have difficulty swallowing capsules. If you are taking a lot of different herbs, or have trouble swallowing capsules, tinctures can be more convenient for you. The alcohol in a tincture releases the medicinal compounds of the herbs.

Making a tincture isn’t difficult, though the mixture does take several weeks to mature. The ratio of alcohol to water, and the ratio of herbs to liquid, varies from herb to herb. The type of alcohol used is also VERY important. Be sure to do your research before attempting to make any tinctures.

We urge you to research tinctures if you use herbs for medicinal purposes. We are not herbologists or medical practitioners, so please understand that we cannot give advice about ANY tincture, herb, or capsule that you wish to ingest. NOTE: Always do your research BEFORE ingesting ANY herbs!

A basic Tincture recipe***:
1.Grind leaves, roots, or other plant parts with a mortar and pestle (or a blender or coffee grinder that has been ritually cleansed and charged).
2. Just barely cover the ground herbs with a high-quality vodka, whiskey, or grain alcohol.
3. After 21 days, add a small quantity of glycerine (about 2 TBLSP per pint) and about 10% volume of spring water.
4. Strain and store in amber glass airtight containers.
5. Keep the herbal tinctures in a cool, dry place for up to 5 years.

Dosage for a tincture is generally 20 drops in a cup of herb tea or warm water 4 times per day. Remember to do your research and always consult your physician before ingesting any herbs in any form.

*** Source: A DRUID’S HERBAL by Ellen Evert Hopman

INCENSE

Almost any herb can be burned as incense (refer to herb warnings sheet.) Just grind and empower your herbs and place on a piece of lit charcoal in a cauldron or other fire proof container. Remember that even the sweetest smelling of plants can smell quite differently when burning, so experiment with various herbs, oils, and combinations to get the best results. Refer to the Magickal Herbs list for magickal properties of herbs.
When combining herbs, always record the herbs and amounts used, since it can be very difficult to re-create the perfect blend later on. Have fun, use your imagination and try individual and combinations of herbs and oils based on your magickal intentions and personal preferences.

Some quick incenses:
Dragon’s Blood – for love, protection, exorcism, or sexual potency
Hyssop – for purification
Thyme – for health or healing
Mugwort and Motherwort (equal parts) – for an intense meditation, divination, or psychic awareness experience

SUGGESTED READING

A few good sources for information on working with herbs and oils including magickal and medicinal uses, safety, recipes, correspondences, substitutions, and more are the following books which are available on our website:

• Cunningham's COMPLETE BOOK OF INCENSE OILS & BREWS by Scott Cunningham
• Cunningham's ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MAGICAL HERBS by Scott Cunningham
• MAGICAL AROMATHERAPY by Scott Cunningham
• THE HERBAL DRUGSTORE by Linda B. White, M.D. and Steven Foster
• THE MASTER BOOK OF HERBALISM by Paul Beyerl

Herb and Oil Warnings

The following is a basic list of herb and essential oil warnings. Remember that we are magickians, not physicians! Please do not ever confuse magick with professional medicine. Both have their place and can peacefully co-exist, but remember to seek medical attention when it is necessary.

Craft Magick staff are not medical practitioners and make no medical or other claims about herbs or oils. The information listed here has been gathered through extensive research. This list is updated as new information becomes available, but we encourage you to do your own research when purchasing or acquiring herbs and oils you are not familiar with, especially prior to consumption!

This is by no means an ‘all-inclusive’ list to end all lists! It is a basic guide for some of the more common herbs and oils. Just because an herb or oil is not on this list does not indicate that there are no warnings or hazards that apply. This list does include warnings for all herbs and oils sold by Maiden, Mother, and Crone As with anything, please let common sense be your guide. Do your research, become familiar with your herbs and oils, and NEVER ingest ANY herb or oil without consulting with a professional.

KEEP ALL HERBS AND OILS SAFELY OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS!

HERB & ESSENTIAL OIL WARNINGS

Almond – Essential oil can be toxic

Angelica – Strongly resembles some very poisonous members of the carrot family. Use caution when collecting the wild species and insure positive identification by an expert before using.

Bergamot – Phototoxic. If skin which has been anointed with Bergamot essential oil is exposed to the Sun, severe sunburn may result.

Bitter Birch - Essential oil can be toxic

Boldo Leaf - Essential oil can be toxic

Calamus - Essential oil can be toxic

Cassia - Essential oil can be toxic

Chamomile – Avoid if you are allergic to ragweed since they contain the same pollen

Cinnamon – Skin irritant. Do not use in baths or for anointing. Stimulates the uterus so DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT.

Chrysanthemum - POISON

Clary Sage – Do not use Clary Sage essential oil with alcohol. Prolonged inhalation may cause headache.

Clove – Skin irritant. Do not use in baths or for anointing.

Coltsfoot – Carcinogenic. DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY.

Comfrey – May cause cancer if taken internally over a long period of time

Damiana – Continuous or prolonged use interferes with iron absorption and too much Damiana may cause insomnia, headache, and bladder irritation.

Elder – Red Elder AND all Elder roots, stems, and leaves are TOXIC and POISONOUS. Be very careful to use only the blue elder flowers and berries that are ripe and cooked.

Fennel – Irritant, causes epileptic attacks. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT.

Frankincense – may irritate skin

Ginger – Some herbalists caution that Ginger is too stimulating for pregnant women and others use it in morning sickness formulas. DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE USING IF YOU ARE PREGNANT.

Ginseng – DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT or if you have HYPERTENSION. Do not use if you have a cold, flu, or acute illness.

Horseradish - Essential oil can be toxic

Hyssop – Causes epileptic attacks, possibly other problems. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT.

Lavender Cotton - Essential oil can be toxic

Lemon – Irritant. Do not anoint or use in baths.

Lemon Balm – Irritant. Do not anoint or use in baths.

Lemongrass – Irritant. Do not anoint or use in baths.

Lemon Verbena – Irritant. Do not anoint or use in baths.

Mandrake – POISONOUS. Do not ingest and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling.

Marjoram – DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT

Mistletoe – POISONOUS. Do not ingest and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling.

Motherwort – DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT

Mugwort – Essential oil is hazardous and should not be used.

Myrrh – May cause skin irritation if anointed or used in baths. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT.

Onion - Essential oil can be toxic

Orange – Do not use in excess if you have arthritis. Use citrus oil cautions for Orange Essential oil

Oregano – Irritant. Do not anoint or use in baths. Essential oil can be toxic

Orris Root - Essential oil can be toxic

Passion Flower – Some species are toxic. Use only the leaves and don’t exceed recommended dosages.

Pau d’ Arco – DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR LACTATING. High doses of lapachol (found in the herb) can cause uncontrolled bleeding, nausea, & vomiting.

Pennyroyal – DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT. The Essential oil is toxic. Do not burn Pennyroyal as the fumes are toxic. The tea, If used for long periods of time, can cause liver damage.

Peppermint – Essential oil is a skin irritant. Do not anoint or use in baths.

Rosemary – Excessive amounts can cause poisoning. Use with caution if prone to asthma or epilepsy. Essential oil can be irritating to the skin.

Rue - Essential oil is toxic

Sage – Sage essential oil can be toxic as can large doses of Sage herb. Sage can trigger epileptic attacks. Dries up breast milk so avoid if nursing. Do not ingest Sage if you have high blood pressure.

Sassafras – DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT. Sassafras essential oil is toxic. Herb in large or concentrated doses can be carcinogenic. Herb is considered safe in small amounts for occasional tea blends.

Scullcap – Commercial dried Scullcap often contains toxic herbs so either grow your own or purchase from a reputable source you can trust. Do not drink more than three half-cups of pure skullcap tea in any 24-hour period as excessive amounts can cause giddiness, stupor, confusion, and irregular pulse. It is safe with other herbs, particularly other relaxing herbs such as Chamomile or Catnip.

Savine - Essential oil can be toxic

Savory - Essential oil can be toxic

St. John’s Wort – Internal use can cause photosensitivity. Take only under supervision of physician since this herb contradicts many medications.

Southernwood - Essential oil can be toxic

Tansy- Essential oil can be toxic

Thuja- Essential oil can be toxic

Thyme – Essential oil can be toxic. Excessive use of herb can lead to symptoms of poisoning and over stimulation of the thyroid.

Tonka – poisonous

Valerian –May cause headache and palpitations. Tends to effect some people as stimulating rather than sedating. Fresh herb is more sedative. DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT.

Wintergreen - Essential oil can be toxic

Wormseed - Essential oil can be toxic

Wormwood- Essential oil can be toxic. Wormwood has been declared unsafe by the FDA.

Yarrow – Large doses should not be used if pregnant.

Yellow Dock - Leaves prevent absorption of calcium so use sparingly.

Ylang-Ylang – prolonged inhalation may cause headache

Remember to always do your research and let common sense be your guide.

The more you work with your herbs and oils the more comfortable you will become with them.

Key checkpoints to successful, magickal, enjoyable, and SAFE herb and oil use are:

• ALWAYS check warnings BEFORE ingesting or burning any herb or anointing with any essential oil that you are unfamiliar with
• Wash hands before and after use
• Only use pure essential oils or burn herbs/resins in a well-ventilated area

Feel free to call or email us with any questions, comments, or input you may have as you work with your herbs and oils. Hearing and sharing experiences is always a pleasure. We wish you all the best on your magickal journey and until merry we meet again…

Brightest Blessings,
Craft Magick

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