Herbs That Protect

Through the centuries there have been many herbs steeped in myth and magic. Certain herbs were considered to have strong protective properties and people would grow them outside their houses, hang bunches or wreaths around doorways and in their homes, sprinkle them in the corners of rooms, or carry them on their person in sachets to protect them from evil spirits, ghosts, witchcraft, or black magic.

In the Middle Ages, vervain was used as an ingredient in a holy salve to protect against demons and disease, while nettles provided protection against sorcery.

Vervain

Stinging nettle

In past times, many people believed that certain herbs, such as bay, elder, rue and basil could provide protection against witchcraft. Nicholas Culpeper, a well-known English botanist, herbalist, and physician in the 17th century, wrote that the bay tree ‘resisteth witchcraft very potently,’ and ‘neither witch nor devil, thunder nor lightening, will hurt a man…