List of Herbs and Their Properties - For Magical and Incense Use

We use plants in so many ways for health. Most of those that come to mind are internal: teas, syrups, tinctures and capsules. Long before we had the technology to distil the fragrant plant particles into liquid form, people were still able to seek wellness through aromatherapy. Walking through your flower garden in the morning, just as the first rays of sun warm its colourful petals, will transport and lift your mood. This is perhaps the first aromatherapy experience that captured humanity’s imagination.

If you’ve ever burnt herbs for incense in your home, you’ve experienced yet another simple way to interact with the beneficial aspects of plants. When we use incense in a purposeful way it’s called smudge. Smudging is the burning of herbs in a ceremonial way. Most of the herbs that have been used around the world have a beautiful scent that you’ll love to have throughout your house.

When you burn dried herbs or resins, you’ll need a heat tolerant vessel. Traditionally this is an abalone shell with a bit of sand in the bottom. You might also use a charcoal disc beneath the herbs to keep them smoking, especially in the case of resins. Here are some plants commonly used as incense and why they are burnt.  

SILVERSTONE HERBS - For Magical and Incense Use

ACACIA GUM

MEDITATION, PSYCHIC POWERS

Used as a bonding agent in incense making. Also used in incense and spells to assist in psychic development. It increases the power of spells and is said to help bind agreements. Burnt with sandalwood during meditation to stimulate the mental process.

AGRIMONY

PSYCHIC PROTECTION, PROSPERITY, GOOD LUCK

Burnt with frankincense to counter negative energies. Used in spells and sachets for protection or added as an infusion to the bath.

ALLSPICE

MONEY, GOOD FORTUNE, HEALTH

Powder and burn as incense. Carry to attract good fortune, money and encourage wellbeing.

ANGELICA ROOT

HEALING, PROTECTION, EXORCISM

Counters negative energies, darkness, effects of winter, decay, etc. Carry to attract love and purity. Used to purify home, workplace, sacred spaces and magical tools.

BAYBERRY

WEALTH, GOOD LUCK, DOMESTIC PEACE, WELLBEING AND FERTILITY

Used in spells and charms for a harmonious domestic life. Add to all love sachets.

BEARBERRY (Uva-Ursi)

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT, STRENGTH

Carry in a sachet to increase psychic abilities as well as one's strength and stamina. Use as incense during divination. A traditional Native American herb used in smoking mixed to assist in bonding with animal spirits.

BLADDERWRACK

BUSINESS SUCCESS, WIND AND SEA SPIRITS

To bring success to one's business endeavours, wipe surfaces of the workplace with a tea made from this herb. Also used to call wind and sea spirits.

BLOOD ROOT

LOVE, PROTECTION, PURIFICATION

Burn on charcoal or add an infusion of the herb to bath water to counter negative spells. Can be carried in a black mojo bag for protection or carried in a red mojo bag to attract love.

BLESSED THISTLE

PURIFICATION, PROTECTION

To protect the home from negative influences (illness, thieves, etc.). Keep the herb in a bowl.

BLACK SNAKEROOT

COURAGE, LOVE, EXORCISM

Carry to instil courage. Place in charm bag and carry to attract love. Make an infusion and sprinkle around the home to rid it of any negative energy.

BONESET

PROTECTION

Burn as incense or make a tea from the herb and sprinkle around the home to protect it from negative energies.

BROOM

PURIFICATION, PROTECTION, COMPASSION, EXORCISM, WIND SPELLS

Burn as incense for purification. Hang the herb in a magic area as protection. If thrown into the air, it is said to raise the winds, if burnt, to calm them.

BURDOCK ROOT

PURIFICATION, PROTECTION, EXORCISM

Sprinkle in the home to dispel negative energy. Add to protection sachets or wear as a necklace for protection.

CALENDULA FLOWERS

CLAIRVOYANCE, PROTECTION, LOVE, SUCCESS, HAPPINESS

Place flowers under the pillow or add to incense for prophetic dreams or for protection while asleep. Add to love sachets. Success and renewal are said to come to those in its presence.

CATNIP

LOVE, ANIMAL CONTACTS, LUCK

Use in incense and sachets with rose petals to attract love. Give to a cat to play with to create a psychic bond with it. Said to attract good luck if hung over the doorway.

CEDAR LEAF

HARMONY, PROTECTION, CLARITY

A traditional Native American incense, often burnt with other herbs, especially sage. It is used for protection and to carry prayers to the creator. Commonly placed on hot stones during sweat lodges. Its fragrance expands and clarifies the mind.

CALAMUS ROOT

LUST, PROTECTION

Use to overcome negative energy or spells, and use in spells to attract a lover.
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CATS CLAW BARK

HEALTH, PURIFICATION, PROTECTION, VISION QUESTS, SHAMANIC JOURNEYS, MONEY DRAWING

Carry a bit of Cat's Claw in a white mojo bag, hang over the threshold o place it in the automobile to be protected from thieves and misfortune.

COLTSFOOT

LOVE, TRANQUILITY, ANIMALS

Used in incenses and sachets of love, tranquillity spells and animal spells – especially involving horses.

CINQUEFOIL (Five Finger Grass)

PROTECTION, PROSPERITY, LOVE, WISDOM, SUCCESS

Said to attract the five virtues of protection, prosperity, love, wisdom and success. It is a multifaceted magical herb and increases the power of other herbs. Hangover the doorway for all types of protection. Use in all spells and sachets of prosperity, protection and purification.

CHAMOMILE

MEDITATION, WEALTH, BEAUTY

Use in incenses of regeneration, healing, protection and wealth. Include in sleep pillows with lavender and hops.

COMFREY ROOT

PROTECTION, HEALTH

Carry comfrey to ensure safety while travelling. It is a general herb of protection and good health.

CHICORY ROOT

PURIFICATION, STRENGTH

Used as an incense to purify items of divination (tarot etc.). Carry to assist in removing obstructions.

CUBEB BERRIES

LOVE, LUST, ATTRACTION

A powerful herb used to attract women or men with love or lust spells. Can be added to incenses when performing sex magick.

DANDELION ROOT

LUCK, SUCCESS, PSYCHIC GROWTH

It is said to fulfil one's wishes (wrap in paper with the wish written on it and toss over shoulder). Use in sun incenses to increase their power or in incenses when contacting spirits.

DAMIANA

LUST, LOVE, PSYCHIC GROWTH

Used as an aphrodisiac – add to bath, wear, or use in spells. Use as an incense to assist in contacting other planes.

DITTANY ROOT

MANIFESTATIONS, ASTRAL PROJECTION

Burn this herb for the manifestation of spirits. Mix with equal parts vanilla, benzoin and sandalwood to make an astral projection incense. The juice of the dittany protects you from venomous beasts.

ELDER FLOWERS (Devil’s Eye)

PROTECTION, EXORCISM

Wear or scatter in the breeze for protection. Use in incenses dedicated to Venus, the air, and to invoke the Earth Goddess.

ELECAMPANE

LOVE, PROTECTION

 

Add to all love sachets (especially with Vervain and Mistletoe) to attract a lover. Burn as an incense to enhance one's spirituality. Carry for protection.

EYEBRIGHT

CLAIRVOYANCE, MEMORY, SEEKING TRUTH

Make a brew and anoint the eyelids daily to induce clairvoyance, visions and to see the truth in everyday dealings.

GALANGAL ROOT

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT, EXORCISM, PROTECTION, LUCK

Carrying on the body will protect the wearer from negativity including disease and bring good luck. Burnt as an incense it will increase one's psychic powers and break curses.

GENTIAN

LOVE, PROTECTION, INCREASES POWER OF SPELLS

Gentian is said to increase the power of spells or incenses when included, and when carried, increases love and eliminates negativity, including curses.

GRAVEL ROOT (Joe Pye Weed)

LOVE, RESPECT

Carry to earn respect or (with cubeb berries) to attract love.

GOTU KOLA

LUST, LONGEVITY

Use as a substitute for ginseng. Said to attract longevity, sexual potency, and love. Used in spells for this purpose.

HAWTHORN BERRIES

LOVE, LUST, LUCK, PROTECTION

Use in spells to increase love and passion and for luck. Carry for protection and good health.

HIBISCUS FLOWERS

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT, HARMONY

Use in spells to assist in psychic growth and clairvoyance, and to promote peace and tranquillity.

HONEYSUCKLE FLOWERS

MONEY DRAWING, PSYCHIC AWARENESS, MEMORY, HEALING, POWER, HONESTY

Crush flowers and rub on the forehead to heighten clairvoyance. Add to prosperity sachets or place in a circle around a green candle to attract money.

HOREHOUND

PROTECTION, MENTAL CLARITY

Used as an incense, horehound will keep the mind clear. Also useful as an exorcism and aura cleansing incense.

HYSSOP

PURIFICATION, PROTECTION

A strong purification herb, add to protection incenses and also to protection sachets to be hung in the home. Use in a purification sachets in the bath.

IRISH MOSS

LUCK, WEALTH, RAIN

Used in spells and sachets to attract wealth and good luck and in rain spells.

JALAP ROOT High John the Conqueror

MONEY, SUCCESS, PROTECTION, PROSPERITY

Anoint the roots with mint oil, tie up in a green sachet and carry to attract money. Carried to stop depression, bring love and success, protect from all hexes and to break and destroy spells and hexes.

JASMINE FLOWERS

LOVE, CREATIVITY, WEALTH

Used in love sachets and prosperity rituals of all kinds, Jasmine attracts spiritual love and gives psychic protection. Burn as an incense to increase creativity.

JOB’S TEARS

WISHES, WEALTH, HEALTH

Carry to fulfil one's wishes (in a bag or as a wish necklace).

JUNIPER BERRIES

PROTECTION, LUST

String the berries as a charm to attract a lover. A sachet of berries above the door is said to protect from thieves, curses, injury and illness. Use the crushed berries in healing incenses.

KNOTGRASS/KNOTWEED

BINDING

Used for binding any problems one has. Place in your hand and visualise them being drawn into the knotweed and then burn the herb and discard the ashes.

LAMMINT

LOVE, PURIFICATION, PSYCHIC POWERS, HEALING

Add to love blends. Used in purification and healing spells. Make an infusion and use to clean furniture, walls, floors to be rid of negativity and to raise the vibrations of an area.

LAVENDER

LOVE, TRANQUILITY, PURIFICATION

Used in purification incenses and baths. Frequently used in healing sachets to aid recovery and in incenses to help sleep, in meditation or to bring harmony in the home. Carried by women it is said to attract men and carried with rosemary to preserve chastity.

LEMON BALM (Melissa)

HEALING, LOVE, HAPPINESS

Add to healing incenses and sachets, especially when emotional problems exist. Use in spells and charms to attract love. Used in moon incenses and to invoke Moon Goddesses. Said to lift one's spirits when sniffed.

LEMON VERBENA

LOVE, PURIFICATION, TRANQUILITY

Wear to attract the opposite sex. Added to charms it will increase their powers. A sprig around the next is said to stop dreaming. Burn as an incense or add to the bath for purification.

LICORICE ROOT

LOVE, LUST, FIDELITY

Used in fidelity spells. Add to love sachets to attract love. To persuade another to agree with you, secretly arrange for them to carry this herb.

LINDEN FLOWERS

HEALING, PROTECTION, BEAUTY

Use in incenses of divination, healing and restoration and when working with magical scripts. Sprinkle as protection from negative elements, and use in protection sachets.

LOBELIA

LOVE, PROTECTION FROM STORMS

Use in love incenses or sachets. Mix with other love herbs such as Damiana, Black Snake Root and Meadowsweet to attract love.  Carry in stormy weather.

LOVAGE

 LOVE

Use in love incenses or sachets. Mix with other love herbs such as Damiana, Black Snake Root and Meadowsweet to attract love.

MANDRAKE ROOT (Pieces and Powder)

PROTECTION, LOVE, FERTILITY, PSYCHIC GROWTH

A very powerful herb which can be added to all incenses and spells to increase the potency. Add to sachets or place on the altar or in the doorway as protection. Especially valuable in love, lust and fertility rituals and in protection and exorcism incense.

MARSHMALLOW ROOT

LOVE, PROTECTION, PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT

Carry to attract love or smear a paste on the skin for protection against curses. Used as an incense for psychic growth, clairvoyance, contacting other planes, etc.

MEADOWSWEET

DOMESTIC PEACE, LOVE

Arrange meadowsweet on the altar when making love sachets. Add to love, marriage and harmony incense and strew around the home or at weddings.

MISTLETOE

PROTECTION, HEALING, FERTILITY

Wear as an amulet for protection or to help conceive. Hang the herb for protection against injury and misfortune. Add to healing incenses and those used to assist in prophetic dreams.

MOTHERWORT

LOVE, COMPASSION, PROTECTION

To gain love, make a tea and add to bath, or carry the herb. Hang from the front door to protect the household members.

MUGWORT

PSYCHIC POWERS, PROTECTION

Use as a general psychic herb. Drink as a tea or rub herb on a crystal ball to assist in clairvoyance. Use in dream pillows to assist in prophetic dreams and astral travel. Carry as protection against illness or put in a shoe to protect against tiredness.

MULLEIN

PROTECTION, COURAGE

Carry as protection against negative spirits and animals. Use in place of candles where a flame is not possible. Added to incenses of protection, courage, and to attract the opposite sex, or to gain ancient knowledge.

NETTLE

PROTECTION, HEALING, EXORCISM

Sprinkle the room or add to sachets for protection and healing. Stuff a small cloth doll with the herb to return curses to the sender (Dispose of the doll when completed). Burnt during exorcism ceremonies and birth and death rituals.

OAK BARK

CONFIDENCE, STRENGTH, LONGEVITY

Said to attract strength, courage, longevity. Added to incenses at Beltane or in incenses to fire and Jupiter.

 ORANGE PEEL

LOVE, DIVINATION, PROSPERITY

Add to love sachets including those for wedded happiness. Add to incenses of prosperity and when using tarot, runes, etc.

ORRIS ROOT (Powder or Pieces)

LOVE, PROTECTION

Add to love sachets (with lavender and rose petals). Burn in love incenses or sprinkle powder in the bath. Also used to fix or restore the scent in incenses and potpourris. Protect home from negative spirits by hanging root from the ceiling.

PASSIONFLOWER

PEACE, SLEEP, FRIENDSHIP

When placed in the home, problems will ease. Add to dream pillows to help in sleeping. Carry to increase your popularity.

PATCHOULI

LOVE, FERTILITY, CLAIRVOYANCE

Commonly used in love magic especially by men to attract women. Carry or use in spells or incenses (alone or with other herbs). Used in clairvoyance and divination incenses, and in fertility charms.

PENNYROYAL

PROTECTION, EXORCISM, PEACE

Put in the shoe to prevent fatigue. Add to summer incenses and to protection and exorcism incenses. Good for settling disputes.

PEONY ROOT

PROTECTION, EXORCISM

Carry or wear to guard against harm or negativity. Hang above the door or use in incense mixtures designed for exorcism.

RED CLOVER

PROTECTION, LUCK, STRENGTH

A herb used in protection and exorcism magic. It connects to other planes, is used in incense at Beltane and purifies copper and turquoise. Also used in spells for good luck and strength.

 

ROSE PETALS

LOVE, PSYCHIC POWERS, HEALING

Add to healing incenses and sachets. Drinking a tea of rose petals is said to produce clairvoyant dreams. Burn in the bedroom before sleeping to give a refreshing sleep. Commonly used in love sachets and blends.

RUE

HEALING, MENTAL POWERS, PROTECTION, LOVE

Added to health sachets and those meant for avoiding illness. Smelling the crushed herb is said to eliminate envy and ego from the mind. Used in spells to mend a broken heart. Add to exorcism and purification incenses.

 

SCULLCAP

FIDELITY, BINDING AGREEMENTS

Useful for focussing magic onto its target. When sprinkled under the bed it helps keep couples together. Used in spells relating to keeping of commitment.s

SENNA

LOVE

A potent herb used in love spells. Write your desire on a triangular piece of paper. Place herb on the paper then scrunch paper into a ball and throw it into a fire whilst visualising your desire.

SOLOMON’S SEAL

PURIFICATION, KNOWLEDGE, PROTECTION, WEALTH

Add to incenses, infusions and sachets for protection. Add to exorcism incenses and cleansing mixtures. Use as an incense to gain knowledge and use in spells to attract material success. Place at each of the corners of the house for protection.

SPIKENARD

GOOD LUCK, CALMING, FIDELITY, HEALTH, ATTRACTION

Traditionally burnt as an incense to sedate the nervous system and to decrease insomnia. Used in incenses to keep a lover faithful or to attract men or women. Helps clear the mind and encourages focus.

ST MARY'S THISTLE

PROTECTION, VITALITY

Place in a bowl in your room to strengthen your spirit and renew vitality.  It attracts good spirits and helps to fend off all evil influences.

ST JOHN’S WORT

PROTECTION, EXORCISM, COURAGE

Classical herb for repelling negativity. Hang around he neck to ward off illness. Burn as an incense to exorcise spirits. Hang in the house or carry as protection and to give courage. Burn when cleansing the magical space or tools. It gains special powers at Midsummer.

STAR ANISE

CLAIRVOYANCE, LUCK

Burn as an incense to bring clairvoyance. Make a magical necklace from these seeds, with nutmeg, tonka beans etc. Said to attract good luck and protect from nightmares.

TONKA BEANS

WISHES, LOVE, MONEY

Hold bean in hand when making a wish, then throw into the river or sea. Carry in a sachet to attract love, or for prosperity and luck.

VALERIAN ROOT

LOVE, PURIFICATION, PROTECTION

Used in spells of love, and to bring quarrelling couples together. Used in purification sachets and in sleep pillows to give a restful sleep.

VERVAIN

PROTECTION, PURIFICATION, INSPIRATION, LOVE

Hang on the bed to avoid nightmares. Given as an amulet (not internally) to babies to inspire quick learning. Also said to inspire artistic skill. Used for love and protection sachets. Burn alone or with frankincense for a powerful purification incense. Used in money spells, it is said to remove obstacles to success.

VETIVER

PROTECTION, SUCCESS

Used in spells and incenses to bring prosperity. Brings protection and increases the power of spells.

VIOLET LEAVES

LOVE, LUCK

Mix with lavender to attract new love. Carrying will bring good fortune. Place on the altar at sunset if doing magic at these times.

WHITE SAGE

PURIFICATION, WISDOM

Traditionally used in Native American incenses and smudges, to cleanse the arena before rituals. Bind with thread to make a smudging wand. When burned, it refreshes the mind and enhances memory, and clears the path to wisdom and mental clarity.

WHITE WILLOW BARK

PROTECTION, CLAIRVOYANCE, LOVE

Used as an incense when working with the feminine side and the Goddess. Burn outdoors during waning moon to communicate with spirits. Used in love and healing mixtures. It protects from negative energies and can be used to avoid nightmares.

WITCH HAZEL

PROTECTION, ENDINGS

Carry to mend a broken heart or to calm passions, or as protection from negative energies.

WORMWOOD

CLAIRVOYANCE, PROTECTION

Used in clairvoyance and divination incenses (with mugwort) as well as in exorcism and protection blends. Burn while using a pendulum.

WOOD BETONY

PURIFICATION, PROTECTION

Used in purification and protection incenses. Hang above the door for protection, or make a tea for protection from nightmares.

YARROW

LOVE, PSYCHIC POWERS, EXORCISM

Used in love sachets and marriage charms. Wards off negativity and gives courage if carried. Drinking a tea of the herb before divination will enhance one's psychic perception. Add to exorcism incenses.

YELLOW DOCK ROOT

WEALTH

Used in spells to attract money. Also, carry in a bag with two gold coins for this purpose.

YERBA MATE

LUST, FIDELITY, LOVE

An infusion made of this herb makes a wonderful lust potion and if drunk with a lover will ensure you stay together. To end the relationship spill some onto the ground. Worn to attract the opposite sex.

YERBA SANTA

HEALING, PSYCHIC POWERS, PROTECTION, SPIRITUAL STRENGTH

Native Americans believe that burning the plant neutralises negative energies which cause illness and that its fragrance creates an atmosphere of healing.  It reduces fear and emotional injuries and helps correct inappropriate behaviour which leads to illness.  Burned in small amounts to create a warm fragrance, the best way is to combine yerba santa with other plants.  Used for spiritual strength and to increase psychic powers.  Carry for protection and add to bath to attain beauty.  Wear to ward off illness.

 

Disclaimer: The above is for information purposes only. The above information has been collected by Silverstone Incense Traders from web articles and in no way professes to own such content.