From my own notes. Most of these associations have to do with Norse beliefs, but not everything. This list will probably be periodically updated as I research more herbs or find new info about the ones already on here.
Fell free to comment with your own lists or info!
**
Angelica/Masterwort: Used to ward against evil magic. Used against insomnia, jaundice, and the common cold.
Ash: In Norse mythology, the World Tree Yggdrasil was an Ash.
Barley: Sacred to Frey, used in Lammas rituals.
Basil: A purification and love herb. Used to bring good fortune when moving into a new place. Purifies and cleanses the area around it from negativity. Refreshes and energizes, used as a hole cure for menstrual cramps. Promotes success, a peaceful home, and financial gain. Used in love magic to guarantee fidelity and harmony in a relationship.
Coltsfoot: Sacred to Frey. Used as a protective charm, especially for hooved animals.
Comfrey: Used to promote fertility and safe travel. Place a few leaves in a suitcase to keep it from ketting lost, or carry it on your person to keep YOURSELF from getting lost.
Cowslip: Sacred to Freya. Used to preserve youth and beauty. Place a sprig at one’s door to prevent unwanted visitors.
Daisy: Sacred to Freya. Used to promote passion and love. Said to be an aid in “sweet-talking” or charming a prospective lover, helpful when flirting.
Dandelion: Blowing a dandelion flower into the wind is said to carry messages to far-away loved ones. Sacred to Sunna and used in Solar magic.
Heather: Very protective, especially for women. Used as a deterrant to physical harm.
Hops: Used in beer-making; sacred to Frey. Sewn into pouches or pillows as a sleep aid.
Ivy: Used in binding spells. Also used for breaking curses or hexes.
Maple: Sacred to the Goddess Freya. Makes good divining rod. Good for upset stomach or cough syrup.
Mint: Loved by Fulla, younger sister of Frigga, Goddess of abundance. Hence its use in money spells. Good for purification. Soothes upset stomach and sore throat.
Mistletoe: Revered, only touched by silver tools. Not allowed to touch the ground, bad luck to harvest it with a regular blade, harvested around Midsummer.
Nettle: “Stithe” (mentioned in the Nine Worts Galdr). One of the Norse “Nine Sacred Herbs”. Sacred to Thor. Wearing it was said to inspire bravery when it was worn in the face of danger. Symbolic of new life. Associated with spinning & creation--fibers were used to spin cloth before flax.
Oak: Sacred to the souls of the dead, coffins are ttraditionally oak. Hallowed to various thunder/storm Gods, including Thor and Zeus/Jupiter. To get rid of an ailment, walk in a circle around one. Oak twigs and acorns are used to ward off evil.
Oregano: Herb used in love magic. Used for protection and to ward off anyone who wishes you harm. Worn as a crown to induce good dreams. Also used for financial gain and good luck.
Parsley: Hallowed to Odin. Associated with the souls of the dead, useful in communicating with them. Treats the side effects of seeing The Wild Hunt: blindness, knife injuries, head injuries, knife and claw wounds. To avert death if you should happen to witness a Wild Hunt, ask the Huntsmen or the leader of the Hunt for parsley. Carry parsley for protection when walking alone, especially at night.
Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris): One of the Nine Sacred Herbs, a general cure-all. Defence against thunder and thieves. protection from wide spectrum of evil and misfortune.
Rose: Magical: The flower of love. Hallowed to both Dwarves and Elves, it was sacred to the Goddes Holda and the Goddesses Freya and Frigg. Before picking a rose, one must ask permission of either the goddess Holda or the King of the Dwarves, otherwise bad luck will befall one. Thought by some to have been the “sleeping thorn” in the original Sleeping Beauty story. Used in love spells, divination, charms, and potions, and as a sleep aid.
Rue: Protective herb. Used to ward off evil wights/ghosts.
Rosemary: Not Native to Europe. Germanic tribes imported it from the Romans. It was used in bridal wreaths, and against early pregnancy. Also used in funeral wreaths. Called “Elf-leaf”, a favorite of the Elvenkind. The smell of it was said to keep away evil wights or ghosts. Symbol of love, joy, and sweetness. It was sometimes planted at the head of a dead lover--often found in old graveyards. Provides protection against evil and negativity. Good cleansing herb/alternative to sage.
Sow Thistle: Hallowed to Thor and the Rune Thurisaz. Used in spiting ritual to steal the thoughts or essence of another to the point where they wasted away. Tying it around a cat’s neck makes the cat a better mouser. Improved health: said to cure the black plague. Wearing it would increase one's chance of survival.
Strawberry: Said to be the favorite of the Elf-kind, who can sometimes be bribed with them. Also sacred to Freya. Used in luck and fertility spells--both to encourage and prevent pregnancy.
Tansy: Rebirth and new beginnings. Used in Easter (Ostara) festival food such as cakes.
Thyme: Staves off Depression and gives one courage. Favorite herbs of Elven Kind. Improved the taste of honey--offered to appease bees--sacred to Freya.
Willow: Used in curing fevers. Willow bark contains Salycin, from which asprin is made. Used as an herbal remedy for millenia. Associated with the moon and femininity in some ancient cultures. Associated with various goddesses including Demeter, Kore, Brigid, and various other Celtic Goddess triads. Keep it under your pillow to promote lucid dreaming. Many wands are made of willow. Often used in healing magic.
White Sage: Used in purification and cleansing. Burned to purify a ritual space.
Vervein: Revered, only touched by iron tools. Bathing in vervain's undiluted juices was said to allow one to see the webs of Wyrd, fulfill their every wish, cure all disease, be a friend to all, and be warded against all sorts of magical charms and enchantment
Yarrow: Prevents illness, used in love divination. Allowed, if a leaf was held over the eyelids, for one to see another person’s thoughts.
Reply
